Today Jenny Lee did her WISE presentation and I was the student evaluator, along with Erin Hoover. I just wanted to make a blog post to shout out to Jenny- GREAT JOB!!!
I also wanted to reflect on the experience. It was such an incredible help to watch Jenny do her presentation and see what comments she received about it. I hope that this will enhance my presentation. Here are a few things that I learned:
- What did I really learn about myself? Add a deeper meaning, do not just skim the surface
- A lot of the process may be clear in my own head, but I must make an effort to articulate clearly to the audience what that process is
- Its fun to have the audience use their hands, or get engaged through a different variety of visuals
-Use movement and eye contact!!
- Be prepared and organized- because that really shows through in your presentation!
-Have an overview at the beginning of the slide show, to give the audience a sort of 'road map' of where I will take them during my presentation
- Good enunciation, take my time while speaking
-show your passion and confidence about your topic
Monday, June 13, 2011
End of the Year
I have to say, my blog is looking a little lonely now a days.
However, I met the minimum requirements for my number of entries. And I have been blogging up until the last day of WISE class. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I still had to blog after the day when our WISE class ended...but anyway, here is another post!!
This semester has been incredible in so many ways. I have learned a lot about myself, and a lot about my community in just a few weeks. I found it very satisfying to be given a project of my choice to focus on for the last semester and seeing where I take it. And I definitely took it in several different directions. I became a master composter, I became a Cayuga Landscape intern, I am designing a garden for the Ithaca Children's Garden, and I am a much larger contributor to my community. These are the things that I have gained from my WISE experience that I am very proud of, and that I will never forget.
There are very few things about my WISE project that I regret. There are some things that I wish had gone differently. For one, I wish I had more time to focus on my project. With other class work, and college applications, and Green Team, it was definitely a challenge to give my WISE project all the time that it needed and deserved. Another thing that I wish that had gone differently is the arrangements with the Ithaca Children's Garden. I am STILL waiting to her back from them about when I can begin my gardening. This was one of the most discouraging parts of my project. I have spent hours upon hours preparing plans for this garden, and now I feel as though I have been led on. I truly hope that they still want me to continue with this garden. I have been itching to actually create my own garden, and unfortunately now I will have to do that after the school year ends.
Although it is a little inconvenient still having to do a lot of English work after the school year ends, I am very glad that I took WISE. I feel that WISE allowed me to explore not only a topic of my choice, but myself way more than another English class would of.
I have my presentation on Wednesday, and honestly, I am a little nervous. But I know that it will go fine.
However, I met the minimum requirements for my number of entries. And I have been blogging up until the last day of WISE class. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I still had to blog after the day when our WISE class ended...but anyway, here is another post!!
This semester has been incredible in so many ways. I have learned a lot about myself, and a lot about my community in just a few weeks. I found it very satisfying to be given a project of my choice to focus on for the last semester and seeing where I take it. And I definitely took it in several different directions. I became a master composter, I became a Cayuga Landscape intern, I am designing a garden for the Ithaca Children's Garden, and I am a much larger contributor to my community. These are the things that I have gained from my WISE experience that I am very proud of, and that I will never forget.
There are very few things about my WISE project that I regret. There are some things that I wish had gone differently. For one, I wish I had more time to focus on my project. With other class work, and college applications, and Green Team, it was definitely a challenge to give my WISE project all the time that it needed and deserved. Another thing that I wish that had gone differently is the arrangements with the Ithaca Children's Garden. I am STILL waiting to her back from them about when I can begin my gardening. This was one of the most discouraging parts of my project. I have spent hours upon hours preparing plans for this garden, and now I feel as though I have been led on. I truly hope that they still want me to continue with this garden. I have been itching to actually create my own garden, and unfortunately now I will have to do that after the school year ends.
Although it is a little inconvenient still having to do a lot of English work after the school year ends, I am very glad that I took WISE. I feel that WISE allowed me to explore not only a topic of my choice, but myself way more than another English class would of.
I have my presentation on Wednesday, and honestly, I am a little nervous. But I know that it will go fine.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sample Presentation
Carrie Hasse bravely volunteered to due her presentation early, in order to show her fellow WISE students what a presentation should look like. Overall, she did an excellent job.
Carrie's presentation was unique in the fact that it used very little visuals. She had no power point, or posters, or anything. She did show us the book that she writes her poetry in. But other than that, she only spoke to the crowd. This is a very risky move because it is more likely that she would lose the attention of the audience. But Carrie's tone, movement, eye contact, and other tactics really enabled her presentation to be stimulating without any visuals.
Carrie also did an excellent job of referring to research, and personal experiences all in her one presentation. Carrie really set the bar high for the level of presentations. I learned a lot about how the evaluating and presenting process is set up. I am eager to get started on mine.
Carrie's presentation was unique in the fact that it used very little visuals. She had no power point, or posters, or anything. She did show us the book that she writes her poetry in. But other than that, she only spoke to the crowd. This is a very risky move because it is more likely that she would lose the attention of the audience. But Carrie's tone, movement, eye contact, and other tactics really enabled her presentation to be stimulating without any visuals.
Carrie also did an excellent job of referring to research, and personal experiences all in her one presentation. Carrie really set the bar high for the level of presentations. I learned a lot about how the evaluating and presenting process is set up. I am eager to get started on mine.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Quick Update
Here is a quick update of what I have been up to...
I generated a list of what I would like for donations from places. I am going to have Ms.G write me up a little letter that I will present to the places that I am asking donations from.
Still no response from the Children's Garden. I got their number tonight online, and I am going to call them tomorrow.
I have most of my ideas for the garden sketched, but they are not very pretty...
Tomorrow is the WISE sample presentation at the school at 6!
I generated a list of what I would like for donations from places. I am going to have Ms.G write me up a little letter that I will present to the places that I am asking donations from.
Still no response from the Children's Garden. I got their number tonight online, and I am going to call them tomorrow.
I have most of my ideas for the garden sketched, but they are not very pretty...
Tomorrow is the WISE sample presentation at the school at 6!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Frustrations
I realized that I haven't had a blog post to just vent about my project...
Well, there are some little things. Like my inability to draw is making my sketches for the garden look kinda crappy.
The bigger problem, though, is the Children's Garden. I have all of my plans ready to go and I want to move along with the garden project. I have sent the Children's Garden a few e-mails, but I haven't gotten a response. I know they are busy. I am very anxious to keep going though, and I don't want to wait around much longer!
Phew...I feel a little better now.
Well, there are some little things. Like my inability to draw is making my sketches for the garden look kinda crappy.
The bigger problem, though, is the Children's Garden. I have all of my plans ready to go and I want to move along with the garden project. I have sent the Children's Garden a few e-mails, but I haven't gotten a response. I know they are busy. I am very anxious to keep going though, and I don't want to wait around much longer!
Phew...I feel a little better now.
Class Day 5/23
Today in class we did a 10-15 minute write about what we know now that we didn't know in September. After that we talked about upcoming events. Our last class is next Tuesday! yikes. Sitting there in class, I realized how important it was to me to attend as many WISE students presentations as possible. I want to be able to see what my fellow students are doing. Because soon I will be off to college, and I won't be able to see these kids everyday!
So anyway...Mrs.G wanted us to blog our What I know now that I didn't know in September. So here it is!
I know now that there are so many community classes to get involved in, garden related classes. I'm not sure if this abundance of classes is only available in my topic, or if other topics such as pottery and photo also have classes in great numbers. I now know the importance of focusing on one task rather than trying to handle many. If I could put all of my energy and effort into one project- it would be amazing. I have found during my WISE project that I have so many great ideas, but my other focuses such as school and clubs keep me from totally excelling in one area. I also know now a lot of WISE projects depend on other people and sources, in order to be finished. For example, right now the way my project is going is being dictated by the Ithaca Children's Garden. I know how to compost!!! I know that my project could have very easily been to become a master composter. I know the importance of community contacts. These people can be great resources. I know now that every single person has their own ideas and motives and goals that they want to achieve. And to make your ideas and motives and goals crystal clear to others is a very difficult task that demands the use of many different forms of communication. Pictures, speech, body language, examples, metaphors, eye contact; and sometimes even then your ideas are still vague to others. Maybe as vague as my last few sentences...
So anyway...Mrs.G wanted us to blog our What I know now that I didn't know in September. So here it is!
I know now that there are so many community classes to get involved in, garden related classes. I'm not sure if this abundance of classes is only available in my topic, or if other topics such as pottery and photo also have classes in great numbers. I now know the importance of focusing on one task rather than trying to handle many. If I could put all of my energy and effort into one project- it would be amazing. I have found during my WISE project that I have so many great ideas, but my other focuses such as school and clubs keep me from totally excelling in one area. I also know now a lot of WISE projects depend on other people and sources, in order to be finished. For example, right now the way my project is going is being dictated by the Ithaca Children's Garden. I know how to compost!!! I know that my project could have very easily been to become a master composter. I know the importance of community contacts. These people can be great resources. I know now that every single person has their own ideas and motives and goals that they want to achieve. And to make your ideas and motives and goals crystal clear to others is a very difficult task that demands the use of many different forms of communication. Pictures, speech, body language, examples, metaphors, eye contact; and sometimes even then your ideas are still vague to others. Maybe as vague as my last few sentences...
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Research- Musical Plants
The following research/list comes from the book The 400 Best Garden Plants by Elvin McDonald.
Here is a list of musical plants that I found from the book. Once I pick the flowers that I want to use, I will do further research.
Annuals:
-Coral Bells
-Angel/Devil Trumpet
-Snapdragon
-Million Bells
-Viola Pansy
-Eustoma; Texas Bluebell
-Chilean Bellflower
Perennials:
-Bugleweed
-Carpet Bugle
-Windflower
-Bellflower
-Coral Bells
-Blue Trumpet Vine
Bulbs:
-English bluebell
-Spanish Bluebell
-Temple Bells
Shrubs:
-Bellflower
-Silver Bell
Here is a list of musical plants that I found from the book. Once I pick the flowers that I want to use, I will do further research.
Annuals:
-Coral Bells
-Angel/Devil Trumpet
-Snapdragon
-Million Bells
-Viola Pansy
-Eustoma; Texas Bluebell
-Chilean Bellflower
Perennials:
-Bugleweed
-Carpet Bugle
-Windflower
-Bellflower
-Coral Bells
-Blue Trumpet Vine
Bulbs:
-English bluebell
-Spanish Bluebell
-Temple Bells
Shrubs:
-Bellflower
-Silver Bell
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