Alice’s Portfolio – I think you need some Volleyball！

Mixed Media Self-Portrait- ART

May 15, 2026 / Alice

This year in art, we approached a new project- the self portrait.

Looking at my artwork, I incorporated many different symbolism to demonstrate and communicate my inner thoughts. The many different flowers that are dotted around the canvas represent inner growth and opportunities that are represented to me- whether missed ones, earned ones, and how they are all special and beautiful to me. The more literal and straightforward objects are volleyball and violin, some of the things that represent my daily life, my hobbies, and things I do in my free time. The buttons, surrounding me, represents inner beauty and thoughts, creativity and the expansion for imagination. It represents how I am willing to use my own creativity and incorporate it into my daily life, how there are always many beautiful thoughts swirling around my brain, and how that makes me as an individual beautiful and unique. The stars represent the many people that impacted me and how they are all posses individual uniqueness- no star is the exact same. Whether my family, friends, there are many people who have brought me along my path, and this represents that. As well as that, my self portrait also involves a large amount of nature. This nature represents my simple love for being free, for enjoying the things provided to us in life. As well as that, the small “cute” based objects are not only there for decoration, they represent the ability to appreciate the small things, whether relevant or not, to posses compassion and gratitude. While I was creating this I did also think about my color scheme. I wanted to make it colorful, to make it look like it was popping out. I wanted to make it feel as if it was a full bundle of emotion, of a different feeling, to make it look special. Also, the books represent a big part of my life as well, how education has impacted me, and made me a special individual. The thought bubble represents my constant thoughts and willingness to put into effort, as well as finding beauty in life. Overall, whether in color or symbolism, my portrait mainly communicates everything related to individual uniqueness and how my portrait represents me, as well as how it demonstrates my inner beauty.

In my artwork, I took many risks, whether in placing down items, or experimenting with new items. I wanted to show creativity, so I made sure to put the buttons down, because every one of them had their own uniqueness, representing and reflecting my own inner imagination as well. I had never truly “decided” to use them, it was just my own experimenting with 3D items and how it could express my intended message. I also took a bold move in deciding to draw many many stars. Once drew, I knew it was permanent, but I did enjoy just as how the buttons, it was different in many different ways, showing individual uniqueness as well, correctly and accurately incorporating my message. Overall, my whole project was very experimental based mixed with my previous planning whether in the drawings, or the ripping of the items. No matter what, I am proud of my growth and how I managed to incorporate my message through the struggle of trying something new.

Science Reflection SLC’S

March 5, 2026 / Alice

Evidence of Organization

This year in science, my science notebook has aided me in many ways. From simply being a place where I can organize and jot down my notes, to somewhere I can review for quiz’s and study with. For example, I was able to effectively write down notes on many different things, as well as learn about different pieces of knoweledge throughout the units. To begin, the Atonamy with a Whale, which was organized, and many other notes.

Evidence of Active Learner Habits

Alice_Zhao+Science+Self+Assessment+October+7+2025 Download

Reflecting on my grades this year, I would say not only did I actively learn and grow as an individual, I got mainly full marks on everything I participated in, showing dedication, determination, and a open mindset to improve, willing to change and expand in knowledge as I continue to embark on the journey of learning. Three learner skills I have constantly have been proficient in is active learning, such as putting in my homework on time and being organized, Developing and using models, where I aimed to achieve and improve as I reached for a higher goal, as well as CER where I was able to effectively discuss my thoughts on numerous perspectives. One thing that I need to further improve on may be 3 for 3’s because, although I have a majority of full marks, there are a few questions that I answered incorrectly, but this allowed me to discover where my flaws were and how to improve.

Evidence of Understanding of Key Concepts

In the image above, is the photo of my 3 for 3 quiz’s. These quiz’s allowed me to improve and grow as I learned about where I needed to enhance and work on to become better. Overall, I have full marks, but the ones below 3 were concepts I hadn’t grasped entirely, meaning that they allowed me to know what I was missing.

Evidence of Growth in Science Skills

Standard 1: Developing and Using Models

These two images shows before and after of different ways I modeled my thoughts. At first glance, theres a drastic difference, showing how I displayed my curiosity and creativity much better in a board game. I was able to let my creativity flow rather than limit it on only one presentation/ppt, which ultimately made me prefer creating something hands on over presentation style.

Orchestra Portfolio Reflection

February 26, 2026 / Alice

This year in orchestra, I overcame many struggles, challenges, and improved as an individual overall. As we continue into the year, reflection becomes necessary. Some of the strengths I thought I had this year was playing notes accurately as my experience in violin increased, effectively reading the notes, integrating thoughtfulness as well as good communication with the orchestra. I was able to show correct articulations as well, and throughout many different concerts and even our new experience with the SCMF, I was able to wear proper performance attire, along with audience attire.

However, with these strengths came places to improve. I often found myself pondering over these strengths rather than focusing on bring materials such as my writing utensils to class. I constantly forgot to approach and bring a pencil, which hindered me in time as well as efficiency overall. However, I have come to a solution to this problem.

I decided to bring a pencil in my violin case at all time, this way, when unboxing my violin in class, I am able to take out my pencil and be able to annotate in class straight away, improving effectiveness overall, and not having to spend that much time looking for one nor in class to approach one.

A way I have extended my learning this year is being part of the section leader, as well as soon to be AISG participant. These both show how I have expanded and worked on being a musician as an individual. Being a section leader allowed me to explore a new opportunity with welcome arms along with strengthen and continue working upon my leadership skills of the orchestra on a whole. Working in AISG gives me a chance to learn and understand my surroundings, applying this not only to orchestra in SAS but also beyond, as well as truly showcasing my interest in music despite being outside of school.

This is the piece that I performed Section Leader for.

Group Clay Vessel

February 5, 2026 / Alice

During this project, I was able to creatively brainstorm and come up with ideas with my group mates as we discovered common interests between ourselves, integrating our love for cartoons and a slight pinch of nostalgia as we aim to recreate the famous childhood character, otherwise known as Curious George. Along this process, my teammates and myself actively participated, as numerous teammates contributed to different parts of the project. In one case, for example, one teammate may be sculpting and perfecting the round shape of the pottery/vase itself, one may be making the handles, one may be creating the slab to work on for a lid, a foot, etc. Another could be working on Curious George’s facial features, or others related to scoring and slipping on to the vase. A way we have demonstrated creative learner overall is how we came to overcome challenges, in a specific and unique way. For example, we were struggling with working on the top slab of the vase, meant to be like an opening. However, no matter how we worked on it, the outcome was not too similar to the imagined. Luckily, as we brainstormed and placed ideas on the table, we were lucky to reach an efficient and effective outcome, creating a lid, otherwise for the design in mind, his well known yellow hat. This not only contributed to the overall aesthetic of the piece, it integrated our learning process and coming out as not only creative learners, but effective collaborators, on a level. Ones sketchbook aids one in many ways, whether varying from helping one jot down notes and facts, or navigating them through challenges as written steps are being viewed. For myself, in our group, the sketchbook was viewed not only as a place to extend and reach into our imagination, but a place where we were allowed to efficiently change and subject our thinking so we could effectively discuss and adapt. Over this process of making the vase, my sketchbook has the overall draft of the imagined final product. But as challenges are met and possibly overcame, the sketchbook has become a place where we can plan ahead, where we can work on preparations along with how we can modify to adapt and take in these changes. It has almost been like a lab is to scientists for us- a place to experiment, keep track of progress, and change as we thrive to grow.

Chinese Reflection

February 3, 2026 / Alice

This year, Chinese has been a big part of my life at school. Whether it was this new experience in Advanced Mid, or challenges that I overcame, it has left a memorable experience on myself and my peers.

To begin, this year, as an individual, I have greatly enhanced my ability on working collaboratively with my peers. In numerous projects, I have discussed and put ideas on the table, not only offering a second perspective, helping to advance our learning process and final product in many ways.

One of my products where I reflected this learning was a partner project related to the traditions of the tribes of Chinese. This project was a challenging and complex presentation to complete, involving constant practice as well as spending time outside of school building on our learning.

We spent a long time discussing our ideas as well as how to appropriately incorporate information so that we can inform our audience in the correct ways. In this process, we were able to have healthy discussions, communicate effectively, and work together efficiently so that we received a product that we were proud of.

Besides this, another way I improved this year was by improving my reading comprehension skills overall. I was tasked with the assignment of reading a book weekly, allowing myself to “force” to improve. This has not only helped me understand better related to Chinese characters, it also helped me improve in writing essays and short stories as well.

A challenge I had to overcome was this exact Chinese reading project. I had to focus on enhancing my skills and going out of my boundaries where I had not ventured before. Previously, I did not try to study and focus on my reading skills, but as soon as I tried to work on it, I began to realize how challenging it was. This allowed me to challenge myself and allow me to overcome this challenge as well.

If I could go back and change anything I did in semester one, I would try to focus on time management over all. Although I was able to complete all my work on time, I do feel as if I need to finish my work beforehand so that things will not be as last-minute. This would be a big thing I will continue to strive to improve for the remaining of semester two as well.

Integrated Math 8 Semester 1

January 27, 2026 / Alice

Active Learner Habits

There are many strengths I strive to bring into the classroom to help myself and my peers improve on a whole. One of the strengths I am proud of is the fact that I consistently challenge myself throughout the whole year, always aiming for something can allow me to take a second and truly use my mind to think. I am proud of this because it has helped me, essentially, discover my overall love for math. Another strength I have is being a great leader and helping my group work together as a whole to improve together. I listen to my teammates and summarize their ideas so we can present and work together successfully. Finally, I have a determination to complete challenges whenever I can, to try to thrive for a response that I am proud of. This has helped me overcome many obstacles along the way.

One of the things I need to work on and improve in Math is raising my hand more in class to voice my thoughts. Although eighth grade has completely transformed me into someone who doesn’t care what other people think as much, I still need to work on actively participating in conversations, which I am working towards. I will work on this habit by sharing my thoughts with my peers more and learning to not only encourage myself but also encourage others to, this way being able to help and improve myself along the way.

Math Notation and Communication

This shows an obvious growth in organization for myself. In the start of the year, my notes did not reflect learning concepts and seem actually neat enough for myself to truly come back and reflect on my learning. They did not allow me to see and understand the same flow of thought I had in class, with not enough explaining what was going on at the moment. However, in more recent notes, titles have been included in numerous sections, allowing one to see what different sections mean. I show my work clearly as well, along with the different barriers to separate different topics, further enhancing my learning as well as my understanding. My math work overall has improved by becoming more organized and easy to understand, along with helping to improve my learning by becoming easier to read and neater.

Understanding of Key Concepts

This image is the story my partner and I managed to come up with for the Designing Your Own Problem project. This demonstrates clear understanding with topics as we further work together to enhance both of our understandings. As well as that, this shows effective collaborating as we were able to create this project and idea in a short amount of time, and Creative Learning, as we were able to create a creative project that we both enjoyed in the process of. We were both growing in the same process as we continued to communicate and put ideas down on the table, allowing us to improve in collaboration to understand how to effectively collaborate with others in the future, and learn how to create a successful outcome.

This is my Sticker Story Project. This reflects my learning as I further enhance my understanding of Transformation and Congruence. I was able to reach for the L4 expectations, showing how am I ready to challenge myself no matter how much additional work I may have to do. I found great joy in working on this project, as it allowed me to critically think about how I could continue to work on this and show notations for different transformations. This also shows growth because I have never done a project like this before, and having an experience like this has helped me further develop an understanding on expectations that allow myself to reach success in the future. I was also able to creatively think of a new idea.

Overall, my work demonstrates how this Semester, I was able to be an effective collaborator, critical thinker, creative learner, and how I am always willing to challenge myself.

Sketchbook Design

January 20, 2026 / Alice

My artwork on my journal reflects myself in many different ways. To begin, I chose collage for my artwork because of how it shows that I have many different versions of myself, and that its what the little parts that makes up me into a whole, turning me into an individual, that matters. The flower represents inner beauty and kindness, and the tree overall just reflects myself as an individual, striving to grow and improve. I used many different materials in creating my journal. At first, I jumped straight into using newspaper and other paper to create a green kind of based collage. It created the tree. Then, I used posca pens to create the trunk of the tree, and that went pretty successfully. However, I met my first challenge when trying to create the light blue background. It was hard to create with posca pens, because the pens were running out of ink and didn’t give off that affect I had previously imagined. Luckily, my table mate was using paint on her piece, and I had asked to borrow some, and was surprised at how easy it was instead. So, I moved to using paint and painted the grass along with the flowers, that added the final affect to the piece. Then, I was thinking about the empty backside, so I added a nighttime landscape that I enjoyed making, and it also reflected my love for natrue and inner beauty. For composition, I intended for my audience to first notice my name, in the center of the page, and highlighted and outlined. On top of that, the name background is a vibrant white, that easily catches the attention as it contrasts against the brown and blue background. Then, their eyes will naturally move to the largest object, the tree extending beyond the frame of the notebook. Following the “pathway” of the trunk, they notice the overall feeling as their eyes notice the flowers and later the grass, and this was how I intended my viewers to see the piece.

Designing a Story Problem

January 9, 2026 / Alice

In my story, the main context was revolving around an eighth grade math teacher, otherwise known as Ms. Baldwin, and her tendancy to forget about grading homework. The story progresses as Ms. Baldwin forgets and strucks a deal with her students, in hope of no longer forgetting to grade her students homework. The deal included the mutal understanding that every class Ms. Baldwin had forgotten to grade the homework, she must give each student (twenty) a packet of gummy bears. The story goes like this. Meet Ms. Baldwin, the wonderful red g8 math teacher, who was everyone’s favorite. However, she always had this one problem; she never remembered to grade their homework! Her class was enraged, but still supportive, giving Ms. Baldwin an option which was that every class that Ms. Baldwin had forgotten to grade the homework; she owed her class of 20 students 1 pack of gummy bears each. Ms. Baldwin agreed. Ms. Baldwin started with 100 gummy bear packs at home. She knew at this moment she could not waste any gummy bear packs. She took the homework home and left it on her table. When Sunday came, she was getting ready to grade the homework. An emergency message surprised her! Her friend was reminding her about her wedding, that was happening today! She rushed to the wedding which took hours, making her completely forget about grading the homework. When the next class arrived, she realized she had totally forgotten to grade the homework. She handed over 1 pack of gummy bears to all 20 students in her class. Still, she did not learn her lesson. The very next class she had forgotten again, giving her students 1 pack of gummy bear each. Ms. Baldwin knew she could not forget anymore. To stock up, she purchased 20 gummy bear packets. For the next few classes, Ms. Baldwin kept her word. For 3 classes she had not forgotten to grade the homework. During this time, she did not need to stock up on gummy bears as she did not give any out. During this time, Ms. Baldwin gave a project which her students did rather well on. As a prize, she rewarded all 20 students with 3 packs of gummy bears each. By class 8, seeing her stash of gummy bear packs decrease all a sudden, she purchased 40 gummy bear packs over the next three classes (assume she bought the same amount throughout all 3 classes). During this time, her class completely forgot to ask her about homework. Ms. Baldwin was delighted as she did not owe them any gummy bear packs. Finally, as the year was coming to an end, she gave out gummy bears to students she thought were working hard during her classes. For the next 4 classes, students were on their best behavior as she gave out 15 gummy bear packets per class. As the year ended, the gummy bears tradition was stopped, and the following year, she never forgot to mark the students’ homework again. On class 6, how many gummy bear packs did Ms. Baldwin have, and what could it mean in this context?

I am very proud of the progress my partner and I had taken to finish the project. To begin, we overcame little problems, such as distance, by meeting and calling at times, then working together. If I could do this project again, maybe I would challenge myself a bit more with adding more increases and decreases, although that would affect my story overall. I think that with this I will be able to spend more time engaging in the story problem. The story relates to real life and the inspiration was when Bobo made a bet with our Math Teacher related to gummy bears being given if homework was not graded, reflecting how the story relates and is a possible real life situation.

This is a link to my problem.

Alice Zhao – L4 Unit 2 Design a Story Problem – 3759753.docx

Health 2026 WELLNESS COMPASS

December 17, 2025 / Alice

What I value and want to prioritize in 2026.

Unit 3: Identity and Healthy Relationships

December 11, 2025 / Alice

This unit was mainly based on healthy relationship, identity, and how we can carry a healthy assertive relationship. To begin, there are three types of communication in a relationship. Passive, Aggressive, and Assertive. Passive communication is when one individual constantly gives in and “obeys” the other partner of the relationship, which ultimately is unhealthy due to the fact that there isn’t effective communication. For the same reason, aggressive communication is unhealthy. Aggressive communication is where one individual constantly forces the other to do something they may not want to, leading to another relationship without true CONSENT. Assertive communication is communication that is effective with true communication and boundaries set. Speaking of consent, there are ways to identify whether or not consent is truly given to another individual, that we have learned in the span of this unit. When looking for consent, you must ask the question clearly, make sure that the other individual is not peer pressured, and conscious. In the same way, they must also set boundaries with consent, telling them what is alright, and what is crossing the line. Healthy relationships include clear set boundaries, constant ask for consent before doing actions to invade others space, and true, assertive, communication. In addition, our project this unit was to analyze a relationship shown on media that could be widespread known. For this project, my group and I chose Beck and Jade from the TV show, Victorious. For context, the show talks about a school made for those who have talent, whether in music or acting. Beck and Jade are two characters that have constant fights, and in our project we accurately depicted whether or not their relationship was healthy, and how to improve it overall. We believed that Beck and Jade could improve by practicing more effective communication, understanding what both individuals actually WANTED in the relationship, rather than not only not understanding each other, but also fighting. We made our project in form of a video, and a link is pasted below along with a few photos.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAG5wruNB1I/IwBza_2GOhxSOI6qUK-PeA/edit?utm_content=DAG5wruNB1I&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton