Spanish Reflection

This project has greatly improved my comprehensibility and pronunciation in the Spanish language. Prior to this project, my amount of knowledge in Spanish was minuscule. I was very used to using extremely simple, common phrases (i.e. como estas, bien y tu?). I am now better at pronouncing various words and phrases that would usually give me trouble. Looking back at my podcasts chronologically made me realize my growth the most. As I began, the podcasts were very short and included very basic Spanish. As I progressed, I used more vocabulary, used words correctly, and spoke for much longer in the conversation. I found it very important to be able to keep the conversation going. Being able to engage another in a conversation is vital in speaking a language.
I enjoyed listening to Donel Lopez's podcasts. After listening to them, I was able to notice a major growth in pronunciation and reflex. Earlier on, there were more pauses and slight mispronunciations, in addition to some short phrases. As the podcasts progressed, there were much quicker responses in his answers, great use of vocabulary, and accurately pronounced words. In his first few conversations, there were a few occasions of the classic "Un momento por favor", or "que?". The last few were conversations that I would almost expect from a native Spanish speaker.
This project has probably taught me the most out of all the assignments and projects in my entire Spanish expereince. It' was also the most enjoyable to do, and I hope to do similar projects in the future.

Spanish Podcasts

1. ¿Qué tienes que hacer hoy? ¿Qué piensas sobre las situación del mundo?



2. ¿Qué hiciste ayer? ¿Cuál era tu juguete favorito cuando eras niño/niña?



3. ¿Tus cosas favoritas?



4. Describe una mudanza de cual te acuerdes.



5. Describe tu clase. Describe lo que tienes en tu mochila.



6. Telenovela Scene

7. Cuéntame de tu familia.



8. Cuéntame de tu música preferida.



9. ¿Puedes ayudarme a…? or ¿Quieres ir conmigo a…?



10. Cuéntame sobre tu escuela HTHNC. Use the Reading Comprehension Exercise as a model.

Mole Lab Pt. 2

In the Mole Lab, we were to combine two reactants to create a product. We combined the classic Vinegar and Baking Soda. According to Mr. Fozi, the reactants create Carbon Dioxide + Water + Sodium Acetate, or:

CH3COOH + NaHCO3 —> CO2 + H2O = NaCH3COO

When the two reactants were combined, it created a “volcano effect”, per Mr. Fozi. It foamed, fizzed, expanded, and released Carbon Dioxide (CO2), overflowing the cup.

DATA

Amount of Baking Soda = 9.222g

Amount of Vinegar = 54.598g

Total (before) = 63.8209g

Total (after mixture) = 61.82901g

CO2 = 1.992g

Mole of Baking Soda = 0.109

Mole of CO2 = 0.045

Mass of Baking Soda/ Mass of CO2

Predicted slope = 1

Actual slope = .45

Mole of Baking Soda/ Mole of CO2

Predicted Slope = 1

Actual Slope = 0.33

Student Led Comments - Science/Humanities

Dear Mr. Fozi and Miss Fisk,

We have done many projects so far this year. In Humanities, the work that I'm most proud of is the EDEN project. I felt that this project allowed me to be very creative and make work I take pride in. I was able to create work that surpassed my expectations; work I thought I wasn't capable of doing. The final product (creation myth and object) turned out to be some of my favorite work. In Science, the work I am most proud of is the Water Filter project. The goal of this project was to effectively create a water filter from scratch that could remove impurities from dirty water. Out of all the projects in this class, this one allowed me to create something out of nothing. Being able to make a useful, beneficial object really impressed me. I try my best to particpate as much as I can. I make the effort to answer questions and ask questions to further understand all the content. As a writer, I feel like I've matured significantly. I was a very inexperienced writer, making constant errors and mistakes. I was easily misunderstood and my writing was fairly confusing. As I progressed, I was able to write much more effectively. Projects always take multiple steps to complete, and require revision and benchmarks to create the best work. I was able to use these revisions to my advantage to make improvements to my work. All work needs correction and the revision process always helps make my work reach its fullest potential. In almost every project, I thought I was challenged in some way. I always try to pressure myself to finish on time with quality work. My most usual challenge is disregarding perfectionism. I yearn to have almost "perfect" work, yet setting such a goal makes it difficult to complete projects. My biggest lesson so far this year is to think ahead and plan my work. I found myself working haphazardly with no plan or organization. Doing so will allow me reach my goal of consistently creating high quality work on time, if not early.
This year has been amazing.
-John Torres

Portrait of Color

The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, tells the story of Nazi Germany in World War II from the perspective of Death. In Nazi Germany, Death was ever present on many occasions, for death was so common at the time. People were viewed in many different perspectives, from society’s outlook or Death’s.
    At the time of World War II, Germany had a very prevalent segregation between races religions. Whether it be the Germans, Nazis, or Jews, there was a separation for the pure sake of hate. In my visual representation, the various symbols that represent these different groups of people are depicted as rain drops, raining on Death. At the time, these colors sometimes meant life or death - Nazi red. 
    In the novel, Death saw souls in the forms of colors. When Death carried the souls on his shoulders, they were all described as a color. The colors, also depicted as raindrops, represent the variety of souls and colors Death collected. The raindrops above Death’s umbrella represent how society sees people, by race and religion. Under the umbrella is how Death saw people’s souls, simply as colors.Death, having a rigorous job, is being “rained on” by all these souls. He does not discriminate among them though, for a soul is just another human. 
    I really connect to this piece because the colorful “souls” show how I see the world. I try not to see people as a race or religion, like the symbols shown above the umbrella. I prefer to see everyone as an individual, everyone colorful in their ways. 
    My portrait of color expresses society’s view of others, through race and stereotypes. It also shows the way Death, and I, see others, as colorful and unique humans that are not separated and limited by prejudice.