Redrawing the Levant

Our world is moulded by acts of governments, societies, and even the doings of single human beings.  We as human beings have come to the ultimate consensus that what is happening currently should be focused on and that we should strive to come to solutions for these issues.  Due to this, we must be aware as well as sensitive to current events. 

Unit Four of Humanities revolved around how people are changed by conflict.  The goal of the unit summative was to research about a topic.  My partner, Abigail and I chose to research about the conflict that dominated newspaper headlines, ISIS.  We decided to address this topic because, unlike past conflicts, ISIS is a significant current event.  Knowing about the history of this terrorist organisation allowed me to understand the root and interesting perspectives on the topic.  

In my eyes, people are changed by conflict because their perspectives are changed.  By way of example, the American Led Coalition has had to expand their ideas about why this has happened and what was the root of the Sunni's actions.  Additionally, the Coalition has had to understand the Shia's perspective and the Kurdish standpoint as well.  "Terrorism is nothing new. It's been with us for years," President of France, François Hollande confidently stated in the Security Council meeting.  "But it has taken on another dimension, and it wants to conquer territory now." Gradually, certain modern-day terrorist groups have pushed boundaries of our ideas of terrorism. Particularly ISIS, an organisation who has been attempting to add a legal Islamic state. Contrary to Al-Qaeda, ISIS has been slowly expanding by raiding Shia towns and cities, taking them over. In addition, the terrorist factions been executing many Western hostages whereas Al-Qaeda's terrorist acts included more large-scale attacks, including the infamous, attacks of September 11th.

Based on the research and information that I have collected over the past weeks, my predictions for this conflict include the American Led Coalition continuing to bomb ISIS territory until the group either surrenders or stops growing and being as violent. If the group began to threaten other countries, the United States or even the Gulf States may try to make a treaty with the faction. ISIS may not be open to agree to an agreement, in which case the Coalition would have to compromise and continue to bomb the territory. If the group were to get air transportation and posed even more a threat, the United States may have to send extremely experienced militias, for example the SEALS. If this were to not work, the country may even have to start a full scale draft in which all citizens would have to fight.

I could not have asked for a better experience in learning about this subject. Due to this, I was am know able to comprehend and analyse articles whilst taking into account different perspectives about the topic, in addition to be able to have the fundamental knowledge about this crisis.

A Picture Means a Thousand Words

What are the challenges of creating maintaining a democracy?

During humanities, we recently completed a cumulative slide using only pictures answering the three main questions that revolve around the our unit, The Power of Relationships.
In my eyes, the challenges of creating and maintaining a democracy mainly consist of balancing, as well as interconnected conflicts.  Correspondingly, it is equally as important as balancing challenges in general.  In my cumulative slide, I naturally tried to portray these points in the most innovative, creative way possible.  For my background, I chose a creamy or off-white color because it is an imperfect color.  It is a metaphor for democracies of the world, as none of them are near perfection.  The symbols that appear on my slide are, in clockwise order starting from the right, include a flower and a parrot, representing fauna and flora.  To the right of this is a picture of one man next to a group of three.  This symbolises favouring the majority, as well as balancing opinions.  Similarly, this is followed by the symbol of the Libra, which is the horoscope sign of a scale, which symbolises balance.  Lastly are three trees, one of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.  This introduces the topic of vitality and chronology.  In a democracy, issues must be addressed and some issues may be interconnected.
The voices of the citizens in a country are of utmost vitality, in fact without these opinions, democracies are virtually nothing.  An idealistic democracy would take all ideas into all ideas into account as well as not have to focus on providing for the individual rights versus having to distribute for the general welfare.
In my opinion, the challenges of creating and maintaining a democracy are balancing opinions as well as interconnected conflicts.

Does The Community Make The Cut?

Countries today are driven by order.  Governments, no matter what form they take, share the common responsibility of keeping their country a safe place.  Unfortunatly, some governments may not conform to these qualities, as they are corrupted by the satisfaction of the power that they can come in possession with.

The purpose of government is to act as an enforcer.  A brave face or symbol that will not only protect the country from the outside, but help the citizens that live in the country.  Government must help the country evolve, strengthen, as well as better the country.  Moreover, a government must make important decisions as well as create rule and order.  Lastly, and maybe most importantly, meet the needs of people and minimize conflict.  In short, a government is the enforcer of fairness, peace, to the people of the country, and the face of strength and courage to the outside.

In Lois Lowry’s novel, The Giver, the Community’s government bends these rules.  Citizens of the Community are over-monitered.  There is no freedom of speech, no choice.  Girls must wear hair-bows until they turn nine-years-old.  This is when children recive their first bicycle.  One could argue that the government is enforcing safety and proper etiquette, but all children should grow up with the ability of expression.  The government cannot stifle that, or take it away.  Furthermore, adolescents cannot choose their profession.  Until they are twelve, they are watched over, every action taken into account by the Committee of Elders.  Then, their job, or "assignment," is chosen for them, not by them.

In light of these factors, I believe that the society in The Giver,  does not conform to or follow these rules.

Science Test Reflection

In science, we have been learning about water.  We have learned a lot, for example, the different currents and oceans.  

For the next science test, I will make more flashcards and have a more distinct plan.  I will devote more time to studying science.  One way in which I will like to improve while writing the test would be by completing the level seven questions. I am kind of pleased with my results, but I know that I should have paid more attention to certain questions.  

Geometry Investigations

In math, we are learning about geometry.  This unit has honesty changed my perspective in real-life situations.  Every time that I step over a tiled floor, I think that the length of my step had been 2 by 2.  I have noticed shapes that I normally would not have.  

We have been learning about the pythagoreon therom, corresponding angles, exterior angles, adjacent angles, verticles angles, coplementary angles and right angles (among others.)

1. Which investigation will you be analyzing?

I will be investigating the Polygon Interior Angle Investigation.

2. Did the question and directions in the investigation make sense when you were doing it or did you need help clarifying what to do?  (Did you get stuck along the way, or make any mistakes that had to be corrected?)

           I understood the questions for the most part, but I got stuck on question four, which asked, “Can you write an equation that shows the relationship between the number of sides of a polygon and the total sum of interior angles?”  I was confused by this, but Mr. Hancock clarified it.  At first I had n x 180= __, but then, I got the correct answer, which is (n-2) x 180=__.

3. Explain the pattern or special relationship that you found and explain how this responds to the guiding statement: “Understanding relationships and establishing patterns will help us measure and define physical space.”

(Be clear.  Feel free to paste in images to really demonstrate what you are explaining.    This is your opportunity to explain what you understand about this topic)

I learned about the equation that shows the relationship between the number of sides of a polygon and the total sum of interior angles.  I feel like knowing this has helped my understanding of polygons, because when I see a polygon, knowing this equation, it is just something I know.  

4. Create a math problem that could be used on a test that uses the concept you are explaining in a problem solving situation.  (it could be a word problem, or a diagram with unknown angles, etc.  Try to imagine how this concept could be applied to a ‘real life’ situation, and how it could be tested on an exam.)

The Smallest Things to Me Can be The Biggest Thing to Others

In geography, we have all been given different current events in Europe.  The topic in which I was assigned to is independence movements.  The movement that I chose to research about is the Welsh Independence Movement.
Before I had been assigned to independence movements, I had no knowledge of the fact that this is happening in Europe.  I had seen flashes of it when I look at the New York Times website, and had overheard snip its of people occasionally talking about these movements, but the fact that these independence movements were changing people's lives had never dawned on me.  I chose to learn about the Welsh Independence Movement because I hear the most about it.  I figured that if I were to gain more background knowledge about the topic, then I would be able to participate on conversations about this, or at least understand what people are talking about when they say "Plaid Cymru," for example.
Throughout my researching so far, I have learned that the minority of the population is backing Welsh independence.  One the other hand, nearly 50% would like for the Welsh Assembly to have more power.  (The survey was taken  over telephone to 1,006 random samples by ICM Research.)  I think that this survey is very interesting, because even people in Wales are not supporting their independence.  This makes me wonder what the downsides to Welsh independence are, because the Welsh would not just vote against their county's independence.
In conclusion, I have found out very much about something in the past few weeks.  I had not thought of the significance of the Welsh Independence Movements.  I have looking forward to finding out even more about the movements!
  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Protest_Cymdeithas_yr_Iaith,_1972.jpg

Summing Up The Unit.. With Pictures!

My visual slide:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VRBxXzoXPhe7rHeUI5vZqUNXaheScnO2z9bB2aagrDY/edit?usp=sharing

Why do enduring stories survive over time?
In Humanities, we have just finished our unit about the Epic of Gilgamesh, and have just started reading "The Story of My Life," by Helen Keller.
These two stories are extremely different, but do have some similarities.  For example, both stories are stories of endurance.  Early on in "The Story of My Life," we learn how desperate Helen Keller really was.  The Epic of Gilgamesh is also an endurance story because throughout the book, Gilgamesh is fighting to find immortality.  I believe that s tories of endurance last over time because they are stories that make us realize how important our life is.  For example, in "The Story of My Life," I noticed how Ms. Helen Keller's life must have been so scary.  She was both blind and deaf, and also mute.  We take for granted that we have the ability to see how beautiful our world is, hearing the noises that fill our world, and being able to share these expressions with others.  Eventually, with the help of Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Keller learned to speak.  This is a miracle and it serves as an inspiration to us all.

Norse Myths and Greek Myths- The Differences And Similarities

In humanities, we have been learning about Greek gods and goddesses.  We had a chart where we collected information about all the myths.  We had to notate character traits, morals, and we had to observe the civilization through GRAPES.  (Geography, religion, achievements, economics, and social structures.)  Then, Mr. J had us each choose a god or goddess.  I chose Selene, minor goddess of the moon.  We then were given a small card in which we had to write information about the god, for example-

• Who are they related to?
• Why are they worshipped?
• Quotes by god or about god
• Moral of the story

Then, we were assigned to read three non Greek myths.  I read three myths, two Norse, the other Brazilian.  The Brazilian one that I read was called The Creation of Night.  I found Norse myths to be extremely interesting, so I read two, one entitled Twilight of The Gods and the other The Creation of Thor's Hammer.  In both, the main character in the mischiveous Loki.  My favorite was The Creation of Thor's Hammer.

In the Greek myth, Selene is the protagonist.  She is gentle and kind and worshipped.  She is the goddess of the moon, thus the sister of Helios, the Sun.  On one of her nightly rounds, her gaze falls upon the sleeping Endymion.  She wishes eternal sleep to him so that she can always watch him.  Loki, however uses his time for things other than love.  He enjoys causing trouble for the other gods.  They are different because where Selene is looking for love, Loki is looking to cause some mischef.  For example, in The Creation of Thor's Hammer, Loki decided to cut off Sif, Thor's wife's hair.  Or, when Selene pleads Zeus for eternal sleep for her love, Loki bets his head on the fact that the two expert metal-workers Brokkr and Sindri cannot fashion creations as good as Ivaldi's sons had fashioned.

I think that these two myths were both written for entertainment and so that you can learn something at the end of it.  I think that both of the myths were entertaining, I did not find them boring.  I also think that we were meant to learn a lesson.  For example, what I got out of Selene's myth was that you should always think your decisions through.  With Loki's myth of the other hand, I thought that the moral was to know when enough is enough.  

I have been enjoying this unit so much because I had never thought to look at the under currents of myths.  It has given me a new perspective on stories.
Student Led Conference Reflection

This is my card of Selene

Teams Are More Than You Think

Team
noun
a group of players forming one side in a competitive game or sport.

This morning I was browsing the New York Times website when I found this article about the New York Rangers.  It caught my attention because I really like hockey and the Rangers are my very favorite team.  I think that the main idea of this article is that the Rangers have had a big comeback and that every part of the team is a huge part of the team.  I think that another aspect of this article is that you need to work to get something that you want.  You cannot just sit around and wait for victory to come to you, because it never will.  You have to get up.  Get up and fight.

I also think that part of this article is about being in a team.  You can't have everyone arguing and not understanding the coach.  There are 24 people on the team, but they are one.  St. Louis, one of the Ranger's players mother had passed before Game 5 of the Eastern Confrence, but he says that his teammates helped him get through the situation by supporting him. The team's goalie, Henrik Lundqvist stopped 35 of the Pittsburgh Penguins 36 shots. “It was such a good feeling at the end, when you know it’s a done deal, and we did it,” Lundqvist said. “We came back.” The article quotes Lundqvist. Even though he is not a skater, he is a big part of the team. Every member of the team is valued in different ways.

Link

BRICS Studies

In humanities we have been learning how to solve extreme poverty and were given a project realted to that. We learned about 5 different topics relating to poverty; health, education, employment, environment, and gender. We were assigned a topic and one of the B.R.I.C.S countries. I was assigned gender in Brazil. First, we had to find a project that had to do with resolving the problem. Then, we had to find websites that explained the following things: overview of problem, overview of solution, challenges of the project and successes of the project. Then, we had to create a paper about it. The week after we turned in the paper, we had the BRICS Summit where we were separated into comitees. It was interesting to collaborate with so many other people because I saw so many other points of view. The core values I noticed the most were critical thinker, communicator, curious and risk taker. I think that the most challenging part of the assignment was forming the resolution. I think that the easiest part was probably collaborating with other people because you can share ideas, it is not only you thinking of everything. I think that I did pretty well. I previously did MUN, and that it helped a lot. I think that it is important for us at Graded to learn about extreme poverty so that we can learn about the world that surrounds us. The purpouse of our study of poverty was to learn that there are so many aspects of this world, and the people in it.

You Can Never Get Too Deep When it Comes to Data!

In math, we have been working on a project with data from the responses we got from the Challenge Success Survey.  I thought that this project was extremly interesting because we got to encorperate our knowledge of most of the things we had learned about in that math unit.  I really liked taking on my project from a different perspective.  I also got to expirement with different websites that were really cool.  I got to learn all about misleading graphs, graphs and so many other things that I hope you find as cool as I did.  I embedded my project, but unfortunately, after all my hard work I discovered that my animations and audio files do not play in blogger. Therefore, Ms. J, I have emailed you the full powerpoint presentation which includes ALL audio and animation. If any of my classmates or other teachers are interested in seeing the full presentation, please just send me an email or comment below! I will send it to you right away.  Enjoy!

                                                                                                                              Tashi

Looking Back to The Three Gorges Dam Essay

1) What is your artifact?

This artifact is my Three Gorges Dam Essay.  

2)  What is The Three Gorges Dam?  Why is it controversial?

The Three Gorges Dam is a dam located in Southern China on the Yangtze river.  It was made because the Yangtze was growing extremely wild and would many times

flood, taking lives.  The dam now provides one-ninth of the nation’s energy and keeps the river from flooding.  The dam did not come alone.  Worldwide controversy rapidly spread after the building of the dam. There were many valid arguments, for or against the dam. The dam is controversial because there are so many pros and cons about the dam.  Some people for the dam argue that it generates a lot of energy, prevents flooding and transportation is safe.  Those against the dam may argue about the 1.13 million who were displaced, the money spent and the relocation programs that were inefficient to those who needed it.   

3)  What is an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that argues a claim with 3 fact-based arguments that support your claim.  Your goal in writing an argumentative essay is to argue against people who disagree with your claim.

4)  What is your essay’s claim?

My essay’s claim was that the Three Gorges Dam should not have been built.  

5)  What process did you go through to complete your essay?
Well, first of all, we looked at videos and read articles about the Three Gorges Dam.  Then, we chose what side we would take on the issue.  (For or against the dam)  Then, based on the information, you would choose your arguments and find evidence that would support that your argument.  Then, you would piece together the puzzle by writing the essay.  Finally, we would do our introduction and our conclusion and proof-read.

6)  What was one specific area where you demonstrated success?

I was particularly proud in getting a 4 in “Central claim is well-supported by textual evidence.  Use of relevant evidence is sustained throughout the entire analysis.

The core reasoning follows from evidence.”  It was one of my original struggles that I was able to overcome.

7)  What was one challenge of writing the argumentative essay?

I was challenged by making all of my paragraphs melt together, to become one.  Originally, all of my paragraphs were stacked together like bricks, but once I found the cement to put between them, the essay fit together.

8)  If you could rewrite this essay, what would you do differently?

I would try to make my conclusion more detailed.  During revisions and edits, I could not think of a particularly “good” ending, but then, after we looked at the essay again, the ending just clicked in my mind.

9)  Comparing your argumentative essay for the common writing assessment last quarter to this one, where are some areas where you see growth?

In fifth grade, to finish fourth quarter, we did our persuasive essays, and I implied everything I had basically learned from there into the first argumentative essay, not realizing that the two were different, but there are quite a few differences.  

10)  What core values does this relate to and why?

I think that the core values that this essay relates to would be:

• Critical Thinker because you had to think about the dam from two different perspectives before your could choose what side you would take.
• Curious because you needed to try and find information that had not been used in class so that your essay stood out.
• Communicator because you had to communicate your ideas into your essay in a way that made sense.
• Persevering because you had to find evidence that supported your claim, you had to proofread, edit when something was wrong.  It was a long process.
• Risk Taker because you had to think of new evidence that supported your claim, that made sense, even if nobody else was using it.  

My Essay 

Our debate in preparation for the essay.  

Metacogntion Project Reflection

In math, we have been working on our iPads to complete a project about metacognition.  Metacognition is thinking about your thinking and listening to the voice inside of you that asks "Why am I doing this?'  I have found it very interesting because we were always aware of the fact that there were voices in my head that I had never really thought about or noticed.  My inner voice usually says asks me why I am doing what I am doing.  I think that reflecting on my thinking helped me as a mathematician because I was able to speak out loud and before I did something.  As a mathematician, I have learned that I need to talk to myself when I am solving a problem.  I have also become more aware during other subjects.  For example, when I am writing, I now think "what is the pupose of this sentence?" or "will this help improve my writing peice later on?"  I really enjoyed this entire process because I feel I have become a better mathematician.

Looking at Our Lunch- Post Lab Questions and Answers

Post Lab-
Today in science we will be looking at lettuce cells. I think that we will see a brick wall type of structure.  I think that we might see the tear in the leaves.  I do not think we will see the nucleus because when we looked at the elodea, we did not see it.  We will see chloroplasts (because plants perform photosynthesis)  The possible functions the cells might be photosynthesis.
_________________________________________________________________________________  Answers-
In science, we looked at lettuce leaves.  I thought it was really interesting because I thought that we would see a brick wall type structure, but we actually saw other things.  These are some notes of what we saw-
Upper Layer 40X-  We saw many shapes that were not really any particualar shape, and they were all close together, overlapping.

Upper Layer 100X-  We saw the stoma and epedermis.  There were wavy lines around it.

Lower Layer 40X-  Jigsaw shaper peices with coffee bean shaped cells scattered around, in no particular order.

Lower Layer 100X-  An oval (the coffee bean up close) with long, stretched out spaghetti like lines connected to it.

They were all very interesting to look at, especially the lower layer at 40X.
If chloroplasts were placed in darkness for a long time, I think that they would stop functioning because they need sunlight to make the food for the rest of the plant.  The plant would therefore die, because the small "kitchens" would not work.  If they were placed in light 24 hours for a couple of days, I think that the cells would not be able to rest.  They would have to constantly keep going in the heat, and some plants are not made for the heat.  The stoma would not be able to open and get water to feed to the cells.  The guard cells and stoma would not have any water to open up to if they were placed under the sun on a summer day.  The plant would dry up and die.    

Science 3rd Quarter Reflection

This quarter in science was full of achievments and ideas.  So many fun things happened.  We had our Science Fair and we had started studying cells.
The core value I have found that I am the best in is curious. I think that I am mostly curious because I am always excited to learn about new things. I like to notate what I learn and I love to listen to what is newly planned. I want to become more of a risk taker. I have always had a little bit of a stuggle with this when it comes to science. I have new ideas, but I am scared to mess up a lot if I were to use a new strategy. To become more of a risk taker by looking description of the word before class. Every day, I will focus on one of the values in the description until I improve in that. I will try to move on to another one until I am more of a risk taker.  
During the science fair, I learned so many new things. I learned to always be bold and unique. It will help you because different ideas make you stand out from others. I also learned how important it is to be inclusive. We were working in a group of three and that meant that someone could have been left out. I also learned that you have to be innovative because the more creative you were, the more it payed off. It was a huge part of the science fair. You needed to be innovative when you are choosing your topic and innovative when you design your board. Also, when we were looking at the cells, we had to be critical thinkers. For example you had to use your prior knowledge to think of the names of the parts of the cell. You had to think of what part of the cell is what.  
Third quarter was so much fun, and I cannot wait for Fourth quarter!

Answered Questions- Science Fair Reflection

After all the hard work of bringing in materials and making our poster board, we finally presented it on the day of the science fair!  I would like to reflect and share how my group's project went.  Our project was the reaction between coke and mentos.  Our independent variable was the coke.  Our dependant were the different flavors of mentos.  Our constants were the meter sticks, the coke and the mentos.
The only thing that I knew about my topic before we started researching was what actually happened in the experiment.  These are the things that I wanted to find out-

• What caused the reaction?
• What ingredients are in mentos that cause the explosion?
• How high can the explosions really go?

Throughout the resarch process, I learned so many cool things about our project.  For example, suprisingly enough, the reaction is actually a physical reaction, not a chemical.  Also, to answer one of my earlier questions, it is not an ingredient in mentos, it is actually the tiny pores in the mentos that make the carbon dioxide go in them and make the coke flow more easily out of the bottle.  So, during my research all of my questions were answered.  A new question I have the I did not research is if the type of soda/fizzy drink affects the explosion.  My plan for my future science expirement is to work alone.  I think that I will work alone because I might be less distracted and more focused on only my project.  One of my favorite parts of this expiriment, not counting the fair, was probably preparing the board and doing the actual expirement.  I feel like one of my core value strengths are being innovative and being innovatine while making this posterboard was really important.  Doing the actual experiment was actually really cool too, because we where able to see that coke and mentos could really go up 3 meters!  One of the more frusturating things in my group was disagreeing about certain things.  We had problems sometimes with having an odd number of people because it sometimes felt like there was an odd one out.  If I could change anything, I might have changed the script lines, because sometimes in certain presentations, there was someone who had less lines than others.  During the science fair, I tried to project my voice as much as possible, because I know that that is one of the things I struggle with. I know that our collaboration was as big a challenge as anything else because there was an odd number of us, and we had to evenly divide and conquer.  We also ran into quite a few disagreements as a group, but were aable to overcome them by calmly talking them out.  In the end, I was kind of half satisfied, half not satisfire with my topic.  I liked it because it was intersting and there was a lot to learn about, but I disliked it because there were a lot of different groups doing it, so it was not really origional.  When we were about to present, I felt kind of nervous, but then I realized that I knew all the information.   I liked the QR code system because it was really organized and it was not handwritten, although there were some irrevivent comments, not really focusing on the project as much.
Overall, this was a great experience and I am so excited for next year!

My Science Fair group- Claudia (Right) Rosanne (Middle) Me (Left)

November Reflection

I remember in the beginning of the year, when people asked me if I liked math I would always put my head down and say no, I am bad at math.  But over these past 2 quarters I have realized there is no such thing as being “good” or “bad” in math.  I have always had trouble with math, but that does not make me bad at it.  It means that I have to put extra effort into it and try to improve my understanding.  I have realized that there are parts in math that are strengths to me, like rounding decimals to certain place values or doing long word problems and I have even improved on multiplying and dividing fractions.  I want to work on being more organized in prime factorization because I made an easy mistake that threw off my whole problem.  For the future, I will try to work on what I have trouble with as a whole and not just do certain things I am proficient in.  I will also try to persevere through situations.

Where am I Going to Use This?

1. What is the perimeter of the bed?
2. What is the area of the bed?
3. Why is the pillow that says I❤U backwards? (In the photo, not in real life)
4. If the pillows take up 1/5 of the bed, then what percent is covered by pillows?
5. If blankets are 2/3 of the weight of the bed, then what percent in of the weight is taken up by blankets?
6. In the dresser in the background, what is one array for the knobs? 

First Quarter Reflection-Math

Statement: Mathematical thinking is not the same as doing math.
I disagree because math involves multiple types of thinking-- pushing yourself to think in another way, that you would not normally do to solve one thing.  I also think that math is a different way of thinking because it involves thinking critically.  Math makes you stretch your mind to solve a question but you also have to think creatively so that you can break down a problem or put a problem into context.   Math is not just solving a problem on a piece of paper, but also putting "problems" into a realistic context and incorporating it into the world around you.

Characteristics of a Good Mathematician

• Critical Thinkers
• Asking themselves "Why"
• Visualizing
• Putting Questions into Contexts 
• Recognizing Patterns
• Learning from Mistakes
• Re-reading instructions
• Highlight key words
• Being responsible 
• Balanced
• Curious
• Reflective

I think that one of my strengths as a mathematician is that I am an innovative learner so, when I have trouble with math, I draw pictures or put the question into context.  I've noticed that for me personally I need to always look over my thinking because I've realized that some of my mistakes are not very hard to find.  I have found myself improving in math because the more strategies and self corrections I make, the more I can prepare for units in the future.  I think that I have to try and be more of a risk taker in terms of trying different methods that I am not used to.  I also need to work on being reflective because sometimes when I do not go over my thinking I find myself making obvious mistakes.  For the future, I hope to grow more confident in myself, especially when taking tests.