CODES 120 Class Portfolio – Tamaruis’ Creative Corner ☆ﾟ.*

Your Goal Grade

Highlight the header for the column below to indicate which grade you plan to work toward in the course. Meeting the basic requirements for your chosen letter grade, according to the table below, is mandatory.

A Work	B Work	C Work
– Misses one class or fewer, or completes make-up work for excused absences – Annotates all readings thoroughly – Contributes deeply to discussions – Completes all assignments on time or has approved extension – Work shows engagement, care, effort, and growth – Collaborates substantially, contributes to vision, and works equally with peers – Abides by the CODE of Conduct and classroom norms	– Misses two classes or fewer, or does make-up work for excused absences – Annotates most readings – Often participates in discussion – Completes all assignments on time or has approved extension – Work shows care, effort, and growth – Collaborates equally and completes required work – Abides by the CODE of Conduct and classroom norms	– Misses three classes or fewer, or does make-up work for excused absences – Completes most readings – Sometimes adds to discussion – Completes all major assignments and at least five SAs – Meets minimal expectations on assignments; shows some growth – Completes required collaborative work – Abides by the CODE of Conduct and classroom norms

First-Week Introduction

I selected these five goals because they challenge me to develop in areas which I recognize as being critical for school and for life. They challenge me to think, to speak well, and to collaborate well with others. The thing that I most eagerly anticipate doing will be sharing my ideas because I like to share my ideas in new, creative ways. The one that will be the hardest will, most likely, be stepping outside of the comfort zone in problem solving and experimenting in new directions. In order to have a successful semester, I will attempt to be organized, open-minded, and willing to risk if it will allow me to grow in the end.

Midterm Introduction

During the first half of the semester, I learned how to better collaborate in a research team setting, communicate ideas clearly, and connect what we’re studying to real world community issues. My favorite part was going back into the city of St. Louis and exploring the Gravois Park neighborhood. It was my first time being back in the city since leaving for school in Edwardsville, and it made the project feel more personal and meaningful.
One thing I struggled with was time management, I overachieved a lot this first semester and wanted to be apart of and do so much. I quickly got burnt out and overwhelmed. I think I’ve excelled at staying organized and contributing thoughtful input during discussions, and I want to continue developing my confidence in sharing ideas even when I might feel unsure.
A goal I haven’t fully met yet is improving my research analysis skills. Sometimes I focus too much on the big picture and not enough on the smaller details. In the second half of the semester, I plan to work on that by taking more time to review sources carefully and asking more questions during class time so I can better understand assignments.

Final Introduction

Now that the semester is over, I can really look back at the goals I set for myself and see how much I grew throughout this project. Visiting Gravois Park ended up grounding me more than I expected. Walking through the neighborhood reminded me of home and it made our research feel real instead of just something on paper. It surprised me how much actually being in the space changed the way I thought about community stories and the responsibility that comes with telling them. That’s something I want to carry with me into future courses.. the importance of stepping outside the classroom, slowing down, and letting the environment itself teach me.
Working with a team of six definitely taught me a different kind of lesson. I came into the semester wanting to communicate better and contribute meaningfully to a group, but I didn’t expect to feel as overworked as I sometimes did. Not everyone pulled their weight, and it pushed me into a leadership role I didn’t necessarily ask for, but one I know how to handle because of the way I grew up. Even though it was frustrating, it also reminded me of the importance of setting boundaries, speaking up early, and not letting the whole load fall on me just because I know I’m capable. Going forward, I want to remember to balance responsibility with fairness and to choose strategies, like dividing tasks clearly, checking in more often, and asking for help when I need it, protecting my energy while still supporting the people I work with.

Course Goals:

Goal 12a (30%)
Collaboration

I will approach collaboration with openness, accountability, and a willingness to create space for everyone’s strengths. Working with others isn’t just about dividing tasks.. it’s about communicating, listening, and making sure the team feels supported and included. I want to be intentional about checking in, sharing ideas clearly, and encouraging my group members to contribute their perspectives. My goal is to keep building trust, balancing responsibilities fairly, and staying adaptable so that our work feels unified rather than individual. Collaboration should uplift everyone involved, and I want to continue growing into someone who helps make that happen.

What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill?	What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning?	What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal?
I will actively participate in group projects and practice listening to others’ ideas.	I will include: – A Group Photo – Poster Presentation – Shared Google Doc – Role Assignment List – Final Presentation Slide Deck – Message to Group Members	The example will show strong teamwork, shared responsibility, and meaningful contributions to a common goal.

A picture of my full team working together, showing our ability to communicate and collaborate in person.

A photo of our final poster, which I designed, demonstrating teamwork and shared responsibility in presenting our research.

A screenshot of our collaborative document, highlighting how we contributed ideas and edited each other’s work.

A breakdown of each member’s responsibilities, showing how we divided tasks to keep the project balanced and fair.

A slide from our group presentation, which includes design elements or edits I contributed to support the team’s final product.

A message checking in with my teammates about questions and next steps, reflecting clear communication and support.

Goal 6a (15%)
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence

I will pay close attention to discovering my own cultural heritage and rules or bias that are ingrained in it. That way, I’ll be conscious of how things are received and respond once I identify prejudice at work. My aim is always to be receptive, alert, and respectful but ensure that I don’t turn a blind eye where problems need to be highlighted.

What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill?	What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning?	What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal?
I will reflect on my own culture and recognize bias when I see it.	I will include: – Class Discussion Participation – Community Observation Notes – Presentation Slide on Cultural Awareness	These examples show I am aware, respectful, and able to respond to prejudice.

Contributions in class where I shared insights about cultural norms and biases I’ve noticed.

Observations from visiting Gravois Park, reflecting on different cultural practices and histories.

A visual representation in our project highlighting diversity and community heritage.

Goal 8a (10%)
Oral Communication

I can learn to convey forceful and effective means of expressing myself in such a manner that people hear me correctly. Whether speaking, putting pen to paper, or presenting, I hope the presentation I offer is enjoyable and suitable for what occasion. Presenting ideas and presenting myself to move forward is what I comprehend.

What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill?	What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning?	What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal?
I will practice outlining before I write so my ideas flow in a logical order.	I will include: – Q&A Session During Poster Presentation – Final Presentation Delivery	The chosen example will show smooth transitions, clear structure, and ideas that connect well.

Responded thoughtfully to audience questions, showing preparedness and adaptability.

Presented our completed project to CODES scholars and staff, demonstrating confidence, organization, and audience awareness.

Goal 9b (10%)
Problem-Solving Skills

I will approach problem-solving with patience, curiosity, and a willingness to look beyond the first answer that comes to mind. Instead of rushing to a solution, I want to step back, evaluate the situation from different angles, and understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. My goal is to stay open-minded, ask better questions, and be flexible enough to adjust when things don’t go as planned. I’ll stay thoughtful and intentional, but also confident in calling out issues and finding solutions that are fair, efficient, and grounded in what the moment actually needs.

What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill?	What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning?	What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal?
I will practice comparing different solutions to class assignments and real-life scenarios.	I will add: – Identifying Group Challenges – Delegating Tasks Effectively	The evidence will highlight how I considered more than one option and explained why one worked best.

Noted when team members weren’t completing tasks and proposed solutions to redistribute responsibilities.

Assigned responsibilities based on each member’s strengths to ensure project efficiency.

Goal 13a (30%)
Written Communication

I will focus on expressing my ideas clearly, confidently, and in a way that feels true to my voice. Strong written communication isn’t just about sounding polished, it’s about making sure my message is understood and reflects what I actually mean. I want to be intentional with my word choice, organized in my thoughts, and mindful of how my writing is received by different audiences. My goal is to keep improving my clarity and flow while staying authentic, so that my writing can inform, persuade, or connect with people exactly the way I intend it to.

What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill?	What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning?	What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal?
I will study how different texts are written for different readers and situations.	I will include: – Email to Professor for Clarification – Email to Community Partner – Email to Community Research Contact – Follow-Up Thank-You Email – Email Addressing Group Concerns – Progress Update Email	It shows that I understand the author’s purpose, the intended audience, and how context shaped the message.