When I am drawing, I think about the things I like to do, especially observing the world around me. I focus a lot on the eyes because they can show feelings and tell a story. I also like to make my drawings abstract so they can stand for ideas, not just real objects. The cracks in my drawing represent problems or obstacles in life. They show that things are not always easy. The person going into the mouth shows my curiosity. It means I like to explore new things and find out what is hidden. My art is not just about what I see, but also about what I think and feel.
Some of the art techniques I used are a mix of different styles. For example, I combined a simple cartoon style with more realistic methods like shadow drawing and careful shading to create depth and dimension. In some parts, I drew basic stick figures to keep the focus on movement and gesture, while in other areas I created more complex, detailed figures. This mix of simple and detailed forms adds contrast, creates visual interest, and makes the overall piece feel more lively and dynamic.
U- I now have a better understanding of how percentages are used in real life, such as when calculating discounts while shopping, figuring out tax or tip on a bill, and finding percentage increases or decreases in different situations. I also learned several useful formulas for working with percentages, like how to find a percentage of a number, how to calculate what percentage one number is of another, and how to work backwards from a percentage to find the original amount. Because of this, I feel more confident when solving percentage problems both in math class and in everyday life.
N- One thing I learned was how percentages are used in real life, especially when calculating sales tax and tips. For example, when you buy something at a store, you have to add a certain percentage of sales tax to the original price, and when you eat at a restaurant, you usually leave a tip that is a percentage of the total bill. Learning this helped me understand how to figure out the final amount I need to pay.
I- Something that I found very interesting is that the order of percentage increases and decreases actually matters. For example, if a value increases by 20% and then decreases by 20%, you do not end up with the original value. Changing the order or combination of these percentage changes can lead to different final results, even if the percentages themselves look the same.
T- Something that was tricky was calculating the percentages because I had to be very careful with the numbers, double-check my calculations, and make sure I was using the correct total each time.
Things I did well: I designed and built a detailed model and a 3D book that clearly showed my ideas. I put effort into making the structures accurate and visually appealing. I also organized my explanation so it was easy to follow, using clear language, step-by-step reasoning, and specific examples to help others understand my thinking and process.
Things I can improve on: One important thing I need to improve is shortening my speaking time. Sometimes my answers or explanations are longer than they need to be, which can make it harder for others to stay focused or have time to speak. To improve this, I will practice planning what I want to say before I talk, starting with the main point and then adding only key details. I will also watch the time during discussions and remind myself to pause so others can share.
The question that I answered was about: what happens when you’re sick? When you get sick, many parts of your body work together to fight the illness. First, germs like viruses or bacteria enter your body, usually through your nose, mouth, or a cut in your skin, or in diseases like Parkinson’s, changes begin inside your brain cells. Your immune system quickly notices germs because they don’t belong in your body, while in Parkinson’s disease, brain cells that make a chemical called dopamine slowly stop working properly.
We learned about these systems by carefully dissecting specimens, identifying each organ and structure, and then comparing what we saw to examples from real life, such as how our own bodies function and how animals use these systems in their everyday activities.
PART 2:
The VR project helped me grow and improve as a collaborator. Through this experience, I learned how to communicate my ideas more clearly with my team members. I also became better at listening to others and respecting their perspectives. Working together and learning about a new technology improved my technology and communication skills. I gained confidence in sharing responsibilities and supporting my teammates. Overall, the VR project greatly strengthened my collaboration skills. Another activity was building a cell model. I had to really use my creative thinking skills to decide which materials to use and how to represent each organelle accurately. This project helped me improve my creativity, attention to detail, and understanding of how the different parts of a cell work together.
PART 3:
One area I really need to improve on is my critical thinking skills. In several of my CERs, my reasoning was not detailed or specific enough to fully explain the evidence, which meant I had to redo or retest parts of my work. I want to work on explaining my thinking more clearly, connecting each piece of evidence to the claim, and considering possible counterarguments so that my reasoning is stronger and more complete.
Peer Feedback: One of the major mistakes we made during our project was incorrectly assuming that vaping is the same as smoking. This misunderstanding led us to include inaccurate information in several parts of our initial write-up. As a result, we had to revisit our research and rewrite significant sections to correct these errors and accurately represent the differences between vaping and smoking.
The DECIDE Steps Explained
Define the problem: Clearly identify the core issue or decision that needs to be made.
Establish criteria: Determine the standards or requirements for a successful solution.
Consider alternatives: Brainstorm and explore various possible options or courses of action.
Identify the best alternative: Evaluate the options against your criteria to find the optimal choice.
Develop and implement a plan: Create and put into action a concrete plan for the chosen solution.
Evaluate and monitor: Review the outcomes of the decision and make adjustments as needed.
Smoking under the Law:
Key Prohibitions (Examples)
All Indoor Public Places: Including air-conditioned spaces, shops, offices, food establishments (except designated smoking corners, which are being phased out), and hawker centres (except some smoking corners).
Transport: Public buses, taxis, bus interchanges, shelters, and most enclosed terminal areas.
Healthcare & Education: Hospitals, clinics, schools, universities, and childcare centres.
Recreation: Cinemas, theatres, amusement centres, sports facilities, and swimming pools.
Common Areas: Lobbies, corridors, void decks, and pavilions in residential buildings.
Orchard Road: Expanded as a No Smoking Zone (NSZ).
Individuals: Liable for a $200 composition fine or up to a $1,000 fine if convicted in court for smoking in a prohibited area.
Premises Managers: Must prevent smoking and can request offenders to leave; failure to do so can lead to penalties.
Reporting: You can report violations to NEA at 1800-CALL-NEA (1800-2255-632) or to management where possible.
Age Restrictions
Minimum Legal Age: 21 years old for purchasing, possessing, using, or selling tobacco products (since Jan 1, 2021).
Why are Smoking so addictive?
Smoking is addictive primarily due to nicotine, a powerful chemical that rapidly reaches the brain (within seconds), triggering a dopamine release that creates pleasure, reduces stress, and improves focus, making the brain crave that sensation. Over time, the brain adapts, requiring more nicotine to get the same “good feeling,” leading to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, irritability) when nicotine levels drop, creating a cycle of dependence that’s hard to break.
Source: Mental Health Foundation. (2021, March 9). Smoking and mental health. Retrieved from Mental Health Foundation website: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/smoking-and-mental-health
I learned how to draw a tape model by breaking a whole into equal parts using rectangles. This helped me see clearly how different parts make up a percentage of the total amount. I practiced using these models to solve percentage problems, like finding what percent one part is of another or how much a certain percent would be out of a total. I also learned to understand real-life situations, such as calculating how much money is saved during a sale, figuring out tips at a restaurant, or seeing what portion of a class voted for something. This made learning percentages easier and showed me how useful they are every day.
N What new information did you this unit?
I learned how to calculate percentages in greater detail, especially when working with decimal numbers. I now understand how to break down a percentage problem step by step, multiply or divide with decimals, and convert numbers between fractions, decimals, and percentages. This has made solving these problems much easier.
I What was interesting in this unit?
I am extremely interested that people use scales to measure things of different sizes in real life. For example, they use meters to measure tall buildings like the Eiffel Tower or kilometers for very large things like the Earth. On maps or models, a small length can stand for a much bigger real-world distance. Using scales like these makes it easier for us to understand and compare the size of big things using simple numbers.
T What was tricky for you in this unit?
One thing that was especially tricky was figuring out scale factors, particularly when shapes or models were flipped. When a model is flipped, its sides and angles change direction, which makes it confusing to figure out which parts match up between the original and the flipped version. I had to carefully check which sides or measurements lined up and make sure I was comparing the right ones. Sometimes, I needed to go back and redo my calculations to be certain they were correct. This extra step made the process much more challenging and required me to stay focused so I didn’t make mistakes.
Unfortunately, my team was unable to perform because I was ill on the day of the event. Although I couldn’t participate, I gained valuable insights throughout our preparation process, which I would like to reflect on in more detail:
The Ability to Float: During lessons, we practiced floating techniques that allowed us to glide smoothly across the water. I learned to float into different shapes, such as forming the impression of a beautiful flower by coordinating spins and arm movements with my teammates. We also performed moves like the “oyster,” which required curling our bodies tightly and then popping open with control, mimicking the opening of a shell. These techniques demand precise body control and strong core muscles, teaching me not just the mechanics of floating, but also the importance of teamwork and timing.
The Ability to Lift: One of the most challenging, yet rewarding, skills was learning how to safely lift a teammate above the water. In PE, lifting isn’t just about strength—it’s about correct body positioning, effective communication, and trust among team members. The skill is vital beyond class performances: knowing how to lift or support someone in the water can be essential in emergency situations, where helping someone to stay afloat could make a real difference. The repeated practice helped me build both physical strength and confidence in the water.
The Ability to Jump in the Water: Jumping into the water was an opportunity to experiment with creativity and rhythm. We tried various jump styles—from cannonballs to more elegant leaps—each matching different tempos of music or routines. Starting our jumps in unique ways allowed us to express ourselves and coordinate with the group, making each practice session fun and dynamic. These jumping drills not only improved my entry technique but also boosted my overall enjoyment and comfort in the water.
Even though I missed the final performance, the process taught me important physical skills, fostered teamwork, and increased my appreciation for aquatic activities.
I used to think that youtube is a somewhat a trustworthy website. However, after this project I found out each flaw in a skincare video and some misleading claims even from the most professional users. After all, anyone can lie, right? But now I understand how to identify misleading claims in videos. The platform doesn’t really matter, instead the person posting the information is the one who should be investigated using the craap test.
Additionally, doing research is important to ensure one information is trustworthy or credible. One of the most important thing I learned is: Social media can control what you see and control what you not see. Things with no solid evidence often can’t be trustworthy.
For example: In the video I investigated with the CRAAP test, the youtuber claimed that Micellar water is healthy for eyes, it sounds trustworthy! Or does it? I researched this claim online and scientists explain that Micellar water is irritating to eyes since it contains chemicals and perfumes.
What are pieces of feedback that you received and then incorporated into your work?
One significant piece of feedback I often receive is to improve my eye contact. During the real presentation, I made a point to look at the audience (camera), which helped me appear more natural. Another important suggestion was to use more word connotations to make my influencer video more persuasive. In response, I incorporated phrases like “It has your back,” to create a sense of trust and reliability, and used words like “lifesaving,” which conveys helpfulness and importance. This suggests the Stanley Cup is not just wanted but needed, making the product feel more essential to the audience.
While making my video, I focused on using creative ideas and interesting visuals to capture my viewers’ attention. I tried different things like adding music, graphics, and text to make the video more engaging. Throughout, I made sure to clearly explain what I had learned, sharing examples and personal insights. I spoke confidently, aiming to show both my creative side and how much I had grown and learned during the process.
I could improve on…….
One major thing I can improve on is to somehow interact with the audience and building a hook at the start of my presentation, this could make my presentation even more interesting. Additionally, I could work on trying to memorize my presentation next time so that I could look more natural and formal at the same time, it shows that I’m prepared for the presentation.
A bias is a certain opinion, or prejudice toward or against something or someone. Some biases are positive and helpful—like choosing to only eat foods that are considered healthy or staying away from someone who has knowingly caused harm. But biases are often based on stereotypes, rather than actual knowledge of an individual or circumstance. For example: the bias people have towards dark skinned english teachers.
Whether positive or negative, such cognitive shortcuts can result in prejudgments that lead to wrong decisions or discriminatory actions that might have a big impact on the perspectives of people.
Now Let’s imagine a world where everyone has the same perspective……
Pros:
When everyone agrees on a certain claim, it leads to peace among individuals. There are no disagreements or conflicts because everyone shares the same opinions. When peace exists, people can collaborate to accomplish great things, potentially making the world a better place.
Cons:
However, when everyone shares the same opinion, inventions cannot exist. Inventions arise from new and different ideas contributed by various people. With different perspectives, there will always be someone who thinks differently so our world continues to thrive.
We learned what is a proportional relationship, by using models, graphs and equations. We also learned that to determine if at least 3 numbers are proportional, we need to work out if the pattern only involves division and multiplication, only starts at (0,0) and the rate must be constant. If not, these numbers don’t have a proportional relationship.
We can use proportional relationships in real life situations!
Buying From a store- In order to calculate how much does different amounts of the product cost, you need to follow the proportional relationship.
Speed- In order to make sure you drive properly, you must know the speed with is the amount of km per hour, this formula is based on their proportional relationship.
Some new vocab I learned are……
Proportional- Multiple numbers that follows a constant rate.
Variable- something that can change and be measured, representing a symbol or quantity whose value is not fixed
Ratio- A ratio is a comparison of two or more quantities that indicates how much of one thing there is compared to another.
