Metaphor Poem Debrief

It was easy to explain what a metaphor was. It took a little more thought, though, to come up with an example. So to top it off, we were assigned to write our own metaphor poem THEN create a video illustrating it. Insane isn't it? It was fun anyway. :D

Originally I chose to compare myself with fireworks- because of the variety of colors and sparks, as well as the loads of energy they give off when lit up. I realized later that it would be difficult to film this because it was already February and fireworks in this time (especially aerials) are illegal.

The true reason why I picked a t-shirt as my metaphor was because the due date for writing the poem was inching closer, and I didn't have one yet. I was actually talking on the phone to Shaneika about it (it was about the same time as Ecybermission) and I was clearly stressing out while pacing my room. I was just listing off items I saw, and a t-shirt was one of them. As I thought more closely about the possible adjectives of a t-shirt, I figured that it suited me well.

My poem used a lot of describing words.. adjectives to show how I am most like a t-shirt. Comforting, belonging, laughs, creativity. While shooting my video I kept in mind that I wanted to have a voice over, so for most of the parts I needed to relay the message without sound. I didn't changed angles for the shots as much as I wanted to, but with what I had, I was able to insert some special effects that made up for the lack of angles. Also, in the video, the lighting was pretty good all the way through... well except for the ending, but I actually needed it dark to show the light contrast coming from my shirt.

I learned that I should probably choose a backup or plan B for the next project I have to do- so that when one doesn't work out, I won't spend as much time at square one again. Also, using media I now am better at using copyright free clips of music to make my own background sounds. Now that I think about it, writing poetry is really hard if it is forced... I mean, I did want to write a good poem, but I've never written a 'real' one before, so this was a big step. I sat at my desk at home looking at a piece of paper for at least half an hour, with only my name on it. I give credit to those famous poets. They are great for actually coming up with all those literary elements in their poems. (I wonder if they talk like that too.. hmmmm :D )

Journal #25-"My Vocabulary History"

Assess your own vocabulary. What are your strong points; what are your weak points when it comes to the trait of Word Choice in your writing and reading?

My strong points in vocabulary would have to be finding the right word to put into my paper. Most of the time I can find words that fit the audience level and make sense in the work. However, my weak points are using words I don't already know. I also don't like looking words up in the dictionary because I don't practice it frequently enough.

Describe how you have studied vocabulary in the past. What kinds of class activities and assignments have you experienced to work on your word choice?

In my seventh and eighth grade English classes, we worked on word choice by receiving about 10 vocabulary words per week. Throughout the week we would spend sometime in class using the words in sentences. When the week was done we would take a short quiz- but the words would have been familiar to most of us as we had read them through our literature piece within that same week.

Describe how you, personally, learn new words. Give a specific example of how you have learned a new word recently.

I learn new words spontaneously. I don't usually go out to find new words to expand my vocabulary, on my own. New words come up in reading material or just in conversations. After I have read or heard the word, I would ask someone or "Google" it on a site, like Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Recently I have learned the word 'decimate'. I heard in on the news when they were describing the damage that was caused by the destruction in Haiti. I asked my mom- who is a fifth grade school teacher. She said it was the magnitude of damage- the huge scale on what was destroyed. I figured out the spelling, and checked on an online dictionary afterwards.

What are your specific vocabulary/word choice goals? How many new words would you like to learn this semester? What will be your evidence that you “own them” and can use them in your speaking and writing?

My specific word choice goal is to use at least one third of the words, that we learn in our English class this quarter, in my everyday conversations. This semester I would like to learn at least 20 new vocabulary words- words that I actually understand. My evidence of using the new vocabulary word is that there will be more 'higher thinking' words popping up into my essays and everyday life. I'll use them in my speaking- because using big word correctly make me feel smart. :)

Reflection of Online Portfolio

Wow! This semester came and went quickly. I have produced lots of quality work and have created a online portfolio website to display it. I actually can't believe I have completed making my own website! It was made from HTML coding, and it takes a while to get the hang of it.

If your wondering how this aligns with the D.O.E. standards, it is part of GLO (General Learner Outcomes) #5- 'Being An Effective Communicator'. This is also a great opportunity to comment on my learning.

While commenting below, it would help me if you included answers to the following questions:

1. What did you like best about my portfolio and portfolio conference? What would you like to see me improve on in my portfolio?
   
2. From your point of view, which of my attainments of the 4 traits of writing is of most value? Please explain why you feel it is important and what about my documentation of it impresses you.
   
3. Which of the traits of writing would you like me to focus on in the coming semester?

So what are you waiting for? :) Click on the link here http://www2.k12.hi.us/~klum/HomePage.html to go!

Thank you!

Korie