FeatureCast Reflection

Project Purpose:
To understand the difference between Cause/Effect Relationships and Correlations. To understand how and why major events in history are connected and intertwined (think yarn activity!). To research a major event from U.S. history in order to understand why it is significant and how it relates to other major events. To understand features of a feature article and podcast and to be able to create a feature article or podcast about your major event in history.

Project Requirements:
To present the 5Ws of your major event to the class. To write/peer edit/revise a feature article or podcast. To have at least three drafts in your Writing Portfolio. To present a polished version of your feature article or podcast on Media Night, as well as posting it online to our Team Featurecast from the Past web page (made by James)

Project Concepts:
We learned about the Louisiana Purchase. We learned about the cost, the area and the explorers. We learned about the states and countries that were involved in this purchase. We learned how and why Sacagewea led Lewis and Clark.
I also learned how the Louisiana Purchase affects all of America today. I also learned that we would never have been able to buy all the land that was purchased now like Thomas Jefferson did in 1803. One of the ways this affects us is that if he hadn't bought that land we would be next to a French Colony and our land would be much smaller.

Challenges:
I didn't really understand the program I was using and it took a lot of time for me to figure out. It didn't look as good as I had hoped it would because I couldn't figure out how to do the things that I wanted to do.

Real World Significance:
This really affects us now and has a real world significance because if we hadn't bought that land America would be a much different place than it is today. We would be bordering a French Colony and instead of spanish as a second language it would French. America would also be much smaller and the population would probably be decreased.

My Querencia

My Querencia

A querencia is a place where you feel comfortable, protected and at home. It is a place where you are able to relax. One of my querencias is the Toby Wells YMCA gymnastics center. This is where I go four days a week to practice gymnastics. When I have a hard day I can go to the gym and let out all of my anger or frustration into my skills. I release the most frustration by tumbling or doing vault because I can release a lot of physical energy.

When I vault I run as fast as I can and jump as hard as I can and my adrenaline pumped body makes me forget all my troubles. As I race down the runway I feel the air push up my ponytail and I close my eyes in anticipation of the impact of my feet hitting the springboard. Boom! I hit the board like an explosion that sends shockwaves up through my legs just as my arms stretch out and up to prepare for their hit against the vault. After I finish my vault I rotate over to the uneven bars. My hands grab the bar with a loud thump. I jump up onto the bar and feel it squish against my stomach. I push my body as high as it will go and when I am upside down and directly perpendicular to the bar I push my body even harder so I can drop down, release the bar, spin around and grab the bar behind me.

If I am upset I can always talk to one of my teammates. My teammates are understanding and supportive of me because I have been with them for eleven years and they know me very well. Besides my teammates I can also rely on my coaches. My coaches always tell me words of encouragement and kindness. I feel safe because I know that my coach will always be there to catch me when I fall. I always feel safe and protected around my teammates and coaches when I am at gymnastics.

I can change my bad day around to good by doing something first-rate at gymnastics. Practicing gymnastics really helps to build up my confidence and self esteem. At the end of a long practice I think, “I have done it.” My body is bursting with pride and joy. I feel my coaches smile and my teammates cheer. I have succeeded. All the cheering and floor music becomes a low hum in the back of my mind. All the flashing lights and picky judges become a blur. The only things that exist in this moment are myself and the gym. I start to run, and the world slips away. I feel comfort and joy in a world that I have come to know so well and in which I feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment.