Emily's Portfolio

Science Unit 4 Refletion

May 26, 2026 /

Part 1: Essential Question and Standard Reflection

The differences in taste, color, and texture among apple varieties come from a combination of their genetic blueprint and the environment in which they grow. Genetically, each apple variety has a unique set of DNA that determines its potential for sweetness, acidity, skin color, and flesh texture—for example, a Granny Smith carries genes for tartness and firmness, while a Red Delicious carries genes for mild sweetness. Environmentally, factors like soil composition, sunlight exposure, temperature, and water availability directly affect how those genes are expressed; a Honeycrisp grown in a cool climate will develop better color and crispier texture than one grown in excessive heat. Reproduction plays a key role because apples grown from seeds (sexual reproduction) create entirely new, unpredictable genetic combinations, which is why most commercial apple trees are grafted. Grafting is a form of asexual reproduction that clones the parent tree, ensuring that every Pink Lady apple has the same reliable characteristics. Finally, the growth and development of an apple from flower to fruit depends on successful pollination (sexual reproduction) to produce seeds, while the fruit flesh itself develops from the flower’s ovary, influenced by both its inherited genetics and the season’s environmental conditions.

Part 2: Hands-On Experience

The two most impactful learning experiences for me were the Stations Activities (specifically the flower dissection) and the Hands-on Apple DNA extraction. As a kinesthetic and visual learner, I learn best when I can touch, manipulate, and see real objects rather than just reading or listening. The flower dissection allowed me to physically locate the pistil, stamen, and ovules, which made the abstract process of pollination and fertilization concrete and memorable. The DNA extraction was powerful because I could actually see the long, stringy DNA molecules clumping together in the test tube, proving that something so microscopic is physically present in the food I eat. These hands-on experiences turned difficult concepts about cells and body systems into real, observable science, which is why I remember them better than any video or worksheet.

Part 3: Improvement

If I could improve one aspect of my learning in this unit, it would be using the rubric as a final checklist before submitting assignments. I often finish my work and think it is complete, but then I lose small points because I forgot a single label, a description, or a conclusion sentence that was clearly listed on the rubric. To enhance future learning, I will print or copy the rubric for each major assignment and physically check off each required element before turning it in. This small change would help me move from rushing to submit to submitting polished, fully complete work that truly reflects what I learned.

G7 ELA Unit 5 Abuse of Power Portfolio Reflection

May 25, 2026 /

What are you proud of?

I am proud of my understanding of the topic, because I managed to answer all the questions and earn an exceeding.

What were some challenges for you?

Some challenges for me was to use hand gestures during my presentation, which means the highest I can go is a meeting. My peers had told me to use more hand gestures, but I failed to add it into my presentation because I do not know how to use hand gestures. I tried to learn how to use but eventually failed.

How effectively did you use feedback?

I used most of the feedback such as talking more confidently and speak loud, but I did not use the one that said to use hand gestures because I do not no how to use hand gestures. I tried to learn how to use hand gestures through the way of watching some Ted Ed Talks, but I cannot apply it into my own presentation.

If you could redo the summative assessment, what changes would you make?

If I could redo the summative assessment, I would like to make changes such as adding hand gestures (but I tried to use had gestures), because if I used hand gestures, it brings me the probability, even if it is low, of getting an exceeding, which will make my report card look better.

What advice would you give yourself for future presentations?

An advice that I would give myself for future presentation is that try again to use hand gestures, because it is worth a lot of points.

G7 Social Studies Unit 4 Documentary Film Reflection

May 25, 2026 /

During this unit, we learned about how to do research about a certain historical event, how to use words to make our essay sound more formal, how to use visual effects to keep our film attraction and interesting, and also how to make our own documentary film. We had to research about a historical event that we chose, using 2 articles and 1 video and record everything into a document. After the research, we need to write a essay explaining how did the event impact the population back then and the further impacts, which will later become our script to read for the documentary. Last but not least, which is the hardest part, was to finally create the documentary. For every single part of the project, we had to make sure that the two of us did equal amount of work.

What did we learn?

During this unit, w learned how to use creative ways to make a documentary film, and how to concentrate on researching on one topic and really learn about it. Also, we learned techniques to make our film more attracting, such as using proper visual and sound effects.

What did we do?

In this unit, we made our own documentary film, which should be in the length of 5-6 minutes, on a topic that we choose ourselves. Also, we have to research about this topic using a video and 2 different articles. We had to find our own images and videos to add into our films, which need to be the actual event and a high quality to make sure that it will not come out blurry on the cinema screen.

What did I do well?

I did well in the research part of the project, I found a lot of facts and data about the event and managed to finish on time. Also, I believe I did well in the essay writing part, I finished most of my part in the first class time and did a lot of edits following on.

What do I need to improve?

I need to improve my film making part of the project, I kinda failed the first time. I added too much of the HBO series, while it is not considered as realistic. Also, my voice wasn’t so great.

If I could redo it, what would I change?

If I could redo my project, I would like to make sure that I managed my time better in the film making part. I started strong but failed to continue working efficiently later on.

G7 Math Unit 4 Reflection

April 16, 2026 /

What did we do?

We learned about Geometry and Algebra using self-direct notes copying and did a final project of designing or changing a dream room, stadium, garden, and any other topic that can demonstrate our understanding of geometry and algebra.

What did I do well?

I copied a lot of note and I was able to start my final project before the majority of the class because I finished my notes on time after the teacher send my parents a email. Also, I did a lot of calculations in the final project and wrote it down on a A3 paper.

What do I need to improve?

I was extremely behind when we just started the project because I wasted some time on drawing a circle that I don’t need to, which caused my final sketch of my stadium to be terrible. Next time, I want to make sure that I don’t waste time at the start so I can turn a higher quality project to aim for a higher score. Also, I want to avoid chitchats in class so I can do more work, therefore I can finish my project and notes efficiently.

Health Unit 2 Reflection

April 7, 2026 /

What did I learn?

In this unit, we learned about media literacy, like the CRAAP test to test if the claim is credible or not. Also, we learned about how does the influencer spread misinformation an promote their products.

What did I do?

We analyzed a claim like Do not sleep with wet hair that we found on YouTube Shorts, and present it to the class in a form of video, PPT, Canva, infographic, or other ways. We need to include the CRAAP test analyze table in the presentation, the introduction of the influencer, and a conclusion that states if the claim is credible or not.

What am I proud of?

I am proud of my understanding of the ways that the influencer spread misinformation, and how does the influencer promote their products, and also how to analyze if this claim and influencer is credible or not using the CRAAP test. Also, I can prevent myself from being misinformed.

What do I need to improve?

I need to improve my final presentation’s quality, a tech problem occurred and that caused the youtube short video that I was supposed to show the class to glitch. Also I need to improve my ability of explaining the process of identifying the claim is credible or not using the CRAAP test.

SLC Reflection

March 16, 2026 /

How did the SLC Go?

The SLC went well, I talked for 30 minutes, which is more than what I expected. I explained every slide of mine like how I arranged, and it went pretty smooth.

Key Takeways

I learned about myself that I still have a lot of space for improvements, and I learned that I can do a presentation that is about a 30 minutes length.

Application for this year

I can apply to my learning by doing what I wrote in my SLC slides, like avoiding chitchats, side talks, and distractions. Also, I can participate actively in classes, like raising my hand actively in classes, and answer questions.

Plans for next year

My plan for next year that can help me improve my performance in academic will include avoiding chitchats, do not distract myself in class, pay attention to the teacher, and anwser questions.

Social Studies G7 Unit 3 Reflection

March 4, 2026 /

Process

I did this project with Suri on Steve Jobs. We first have to do research about what impacted him to be a significant historical figure and how did he impact the world and fill out a research organizer. Next, We need to write an essay about our research. And then, we make a video to do our speech, and last but not least we give the speech to the class.

What went well?

Our research went well. We each annotated and recorded 4 passages about Steve Job. Including information about his early life, what developed him to what he became, and what accomplishments did he achieve.

What would you do differently?

If I have a chance, I would like to make cue cards instead of reading directly from the printed copy of our essay. Also, I would like to slow myself down while giving the speech. When we did the speech, I talked to fast because I was nervous and the audience struggled to understand what I was saying. Also, I would like to pace ourself with the video again. During the speech, my partner and me rushed a bit so our pacing was too fast, so the speech did not come out as what we expected.

Health 7 Unit 1 Food and nutrition

February 25, 2026 /

The purpose of this task is help us to understand what does a healthy meal plan look like. Also, we can understand how to interact with AI to get what we want. I did this project with Gloria, and we used my profile as the student profile that we give to AI. We learned, especially me, what is a healthy and yummy meal.

The purpose of this task is to let us know how to collaborate with a partner to make food, and it can improve our knowledge about how to craft food. We made our frozen yogurt after school in ChenChen’s house, and we experienced some problems such as the machine is not functioning properly. We learned that we have different ways to solve a critical problem, which is the skill critical thinker.

Goal

I personally have a goal that is to eat less processed food.

Semester 1 report card reflection

February 5, 2026 /

What do you feel proud of?

I am proud of the amount of approaching I got in this semester. In last semester, I received 6 approaching in total, but this semester, I decreased the amount to 2.

What areas do you feel you need to improve on for Semester 2?

I feel like that I need to increase the amount of exceedings I get in semester 2’s report card. This semester, I received a low amount of exceedings from my encore classes and I want it to be from my core classes and a higher amount.

If you could go back and change something about how you approached the semester, what would it be?

I would like to retake my ELA summative again if I can, because that I got an approaching in one of my summatives and I took the retake when I can, but the retake turns out to be approaching again. I would like to approach my retake more prepared.

What specific actions can you take to improve your academic performance for Semester 2?

I would like to learn more actively in my classes, including always aim for exceeding level skills and focus in every class.

Math Unit 3 Reflection

January 20, 2026 /

In this unit we learned about percentage, precent change, and how to convert from decimal to fraction, fraction to precent, precent to decimal, etc. We also learned how to calculate precent change, or the amount that we will save.

We ended with a project with calculating which is better buy, and I did on a Christmas tree on Amazon with a fairly equal prize to make it a fair comparison. We have to calculate how much is the discount rate, how much is the discount, the amount of tax that me need to pay and compare the final price to find which one is the cheapest after all the discount and sale tax.

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