Not an Average Kid

It is crazy how soon the year flew right in front of me. I feel accomplished and definetly ready to start my senior year with a kick. I am going to enjoy my last Chinquapin summer, but I'm also going to be busy working on my senior project. I want to make sure my senior project is a success and that means putting in time.

I asked a lot of seniors, how they picked their project. I got a lot of differnt answers, but the most common was that they picked something they loved. Likewise, I'm planning on writing a book. Not to be concieded but it will be my story. I feel as if people should know that even though bad things happen to them life isn't over, and we can succeed. My life wasn't easy of course it also wasn't the worst, but I want to tell my story. I know Tito tried writing a self help book, but all he got done was the intro. I can't judge becuase I have not seen or read this intro, but I expect that it must have been long.

I am going to start video recording all my thoughts on my phone. I heard that a big issue the seniors had was not keeping record of their research. I want to make sure I know and remember what I was thinking. I am going to start writing my book fairly soon. So far my plan was to write a page every day of the summer, but without a working computer at home that has been an absolute drag.

The book is one half of what I plan to do. I know that getting a book published may seem impossible but one never knows. But I want to have an impact on my home, Chinquapin, as well. I am planning on making a Mosaic Mural with the help of the MOCAH Center (here's the company's website if you want to look into them). I personally know the founder and director of MOCAH and am going to see if he can help in the making of my Mural. I met him when I was constructing the sacred site quest mural. I will make a sketch of my mural this summer and hopefully start the process before school starts. First I have to have a meeting with MOCAH and my mentor's to discuss the funding and possiblity of this becoming a reality.

I also discussed this with a lot of seniors, but their talks weren't very promising. Most simply told me that it is very difficult to sit down in the summer and start my senior project. Of course, they only said this being completely honest. But to let them know, I honestly believe I can do this. I'm not the average kid and when I set a goal I accomplish it, if there isn't some force that I can't control in my way.

Summer Reading...and Thinking

Welcome, Seniors, to the Learning Edge Blog.  This is where you will comment on your summer reading for any of your classes, but most specifically for your Senior Seminar class and for your World Geography II class.  Tim and I will be reading and responding to your responses throughout the summer. You have received more detailed instructions from Tim and me via snail mail.  Here are the basic instructions for SSSR2011 (Senior Seminar Summer Reading 2011):

* Explore some of your "big ideas" for your project.
* Read and respond to posts meant to spark your imagination and prod your thinking about your project. The more you participate here, the better you should be prepared to launch your project in August!
* React to your reading of Drive as you go -- in other words, the beginning, middle, and end.  In particular, reflect on how Daniel Pink's book affects your thinking about your project. 

Be open and honest about your thinking.  Try to see where your brainstorming and reflections can take you.  Don't worry if your thoughts are incomplete or if you change your mind.  This is part of being transparent about your process, something that will be key to your learning throughout the year as you take the steps to make your project happen!  Be sure to document any sources you use, provide links if available, include pictures, drawings, videos -- anything you find helpful or that your create (only Creative Commons work, please), and give credit for these. Tag your responses: your first name, your topic(s), the name of the book you are writing about (Drive or Guns, Germs, and Steel, etc.), and SSSR2-11, if it's for the Senior Seminar.

I look forward to reading your posts!