In this unit, we learnt different badminton serves, such as the forehand serve and the backhand serve. We were assessed on the two serves and angles we played at. I think I did well in this unit as I was already familiar with these serves and I have played badminton before. I enjoyed this unit even though it got a bit boring in between, but overall, I think it was a fun unit.
In this project, we were tasked with designing a sketchbook cover that reflected our unique identity and personality. The goal was to create a piece that not only showcased our artistic skills but also conveyed something meaningful about ourselves. To start, I began by mapping out a detailed plan for my drawing, thinking carefully about the symbols, colors, and images that best represented who I am. I wanted my design to be personal and expressive, so I included elements that I felt connected to my interests, values, and experiences.
As I worked, I mostly sticked to the plan I had sketched out, adding in the elements I had previously decided on. Some parts of my cover were straightforward, based directly on my initial ideas. However, I also incorporated some collage techniques, blending different images and textures to add more depth and visual interest. I used all of my class time to work on this project, trying to make it as detailed and meaningful as possible. Despite my efforts, I was unable to complete the entire design before the deadline.
Throughout the process, I had a general plan for how I wanted my cover to look, but I realize now that it was not very clear or specific. This lack of clarity made it difficult for me to stay organized and focused, which ultimately led to me not finishing the project on time. Reflecting on this, I believe that in the future, I need to create a clearer, more detailed plan before I start working. I also need to make sure I follow that plan step-by-step, managing my time more effectively so I can complete my work fully and to the best of my ability. Overall, this experience taught me the importance of planning carefully and staying disciplined throughout the creative process.
We had to write a CER about our invention. We researched our invention and found 3-4 articles and annotated them, and put them in a graphic organizer. My notes in my graphic organizer used keywords from sources. I believe that I effectively identified multiple pieces of evidence from various sources that strongly supported my key paragraphs, and I cited all sources. I made sure that my information was recorded neatly and is highly useful for the final product. I tried. My best on the essay, but I could still improve with my reasoning, enhance my word choices, and double-check my citations. Considering that I have done a CER before in different subjects and in 6th-grade social studies, it wasn’t hard, but there were different expectations and rubrics.
In this unit, we learned about transportation and communication. We had to choose an invention that had impacted society and annotate articles with information, leading us to write a CER essay. We also had to make a visual creation, and we were allowed to make it in many forms, such as MMR, Minecraft, video, model, and more.
I chose the printing press as my invention and made a working interpretation model of it. My model met the expectations, and the design and creativity was used with intent. I used my time wisely, although I could still make the model more detailed and complex. I am proud of what I did, as it was hard to figure out the mechanism and actually make it. I believe that my design choices suited my topic and supported the information well, and kept people’s attention throughout. I covered all the main points in a logical order, used examples that clarified key ideas, and moved through my explanation smoothly. My tone and pacing were confident and easy to follow, and I tried to engage the audience with eye contact and clear explanation.
Overall, I think I did a good job in the unit, and I really enjoyed the visual creation and presenting to parents. I just want to practice and improve on my CER.
OneDrive. (2026). Retrieved January 8, 2026, from Sharepoint.com website: https://saschina-my.sharepoint.com/personal/catherine_sawyer_saschina_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?ga=1&id=%2Fpersonal%2Fcatherine%5Fsawyer%5Fsaschina%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FSocial%20Studies%202025%2D2026%2FTransportaion%20and%20Communication%2FPhotos%2FIMG%5F0249%2EHEIC&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Fcatherine%5Fsawyer%5Fsaschina%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FSocial%20Studies%202025%2D2026%2FTransportaion%20and%20Communication%2FPhotos: Social Studies Unit 2 Reflection
(2026). Retrieved January 8, 2026, from Sharepoint.com website: https://saschina-my.sharepoint.com/personal/catherine_sawyer_saschina_org/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fcatherine%5Fsawyer%5Fsaschina%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FSocial%20Studies%202025%2D2026%2FTransportaion%20and%20Communication%2FTransportation%20and%20Communication%20videos%2FIMG%5F0235%2EMOV&referrer=StreamWebApp%2EWeb&referrerScenario=AddressBarCopied%2Eview%2E07aff66b%2Dcf46%2D4ff1%2D96b7%2Dc7730763739d: Social Studies Unit 2 Reflection
U: What do you understand in this unit?
In this unit, I understood how to successfully solve percent equations, tax, tip, and interest rate problems. A percent is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. Per means for every, and cent means hundred. I understood percent increase and decrease very well, which was shown in my project.
N: What new information did you learn in this unit?
I learnt new ways and techniques to solve problems. I learnt many new, different types of equations for solving percent equations.
I: What was interesting in this unit?
I found learning about tax, tips, and interest rates interesting, as they are real-world examples of percentages, and it was interesting to know how different places have different rates.
T: What was tricky for you in this unit?
I struggled a bit with percent equations and tape diagrams. I found percent equations difficult at the start, but when I made an equation with variables myself, it was easier to solve. In the tape diagrams, I understood how it works. I just struggled with what number pattern I want to follow.
In conclusion, this unit went well as I understood most concepts and learnt new things. For further improvement, I would like to utilize resources like IXL or Amplify to enhance my skills. I am proud of my project and my understanding of percentages.
- What was the essential question you chose to answer?
- What happens inside our bodies when we get sick?
- How did what you learn about cells and human body systems help you to answer this essential question?
- Knowing the parts of the cell and all the functions of the organelles was really important, because if an organelle or body system were not functioning, I would need to understand the function of that organelle or body system to understand what’s happening inside the body and how. Knowing the systems was also crucial, as I needed to understand their role in the illness.
- How does this relate to the idea that the body is a system of subsystems made up of groups of cells?
- This is related to the idea, as when I chose a sickness (leukemia), I was able to research and understand how different systems worked together to keep the body running, or how they were not functioning.
The learning experience that was the most helpful for me as a learner was review games and extended learning activities. I found review games helpful. It was not very fun, but it helped me learn more and review before quizzes. The extended learning activities were fun and showed me an interpretation of how things actually worked. As learner, I find models very helpful since you able to see how something looks and works, as learner I also like to have a solid learning base.
I think I could improve my CER. I think I could have stronger reasoning. Even if I got a meeting, I would like to work my way up to get an exceeding. I also want to pay attention to reading the rubric, so I don’t miss requirements. I think I just need to follow the checklist and double-check if I am missing something, and keep a reminder somewhere to add something that is missing.
In this unit, we focused on learning and practicing fundamental volleyball skills, including basic passing techniques and underhand serving. Throughout the lessons, we engaged in both competitive and recreational games, which helped us apply what we learned in real-game situations. To accommodate different skill levels, we were divided into small groups, allowing for more personalized instruction and practice. I was pleased to find that I met the set criteria and was successful in performing underhand serves and bumping techniques. This gave me confidence and a good foundation to build upon. Looking ahead, I believe I can take these skills to the next level by learning how to set the ball accurately and spike effectively to score points. Additionally, I think I could improve my aim and consistency to become a more effective player. Overall, I feel that this unit went very well for me. I enjoyed the learning process, the games, and the teamwork involved. It was a fun and rewarding experience that has motivated me to continue practicing volleyball and develop my skills further.
In this unit, we made a decision model about substance use and scenarios to avoid peer pressure.
D- Define the problem
What’s the real problem? What is happening in the current situation or scenario? Think about what is happening currently and establish the problem. For example, your friends invite you to a party and offer you a drink. Think about the problem it could cause and what’s happening.
E- Explore your options
What options do you have? How could you respond to this? Make sure to find many solutions to the problem and how to respond. For example, you could give in to your friends and have a drink, or you can walk away.
C- Consider the consequences
Before you make your decision consider the consequences of your decision. What are the effects of this decision? How would my parents react if if told them?
I- I identify your values
What do you value more, your friends or your own morals? Before you make the decision, if you feel pressured, you have thought of the consequences, but what do you care about more?
D- Decide what do
You hacve consider all the consequences and have thought of your values. Now what would you do make a final choice.
E- Evaluate your Decision
For example, you decided to tell your friends that you don’t want to, and you tell them not to drink for their own safety. Now that you have made your decision, evaluate it you did do the right thing.
Effects of substance abuse
People with addiction often have one or more associated health issues, which could include lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, or mental health conditions. Imaging scans, chest X-rays, and blood tests can show the damaging effects of long-term drug use throughout the body.
My group and I worked really well together and made a good decision model, and split the work equally. In conclusion, this unit was really good to learn about for our own safety.
U: What do you understand in this unit?
I understand what a scale factor and scale copy are. A scale copy is a new figure that is the same shape as the original but a different size, with all corresponding lengths multiplied by the same number. The scale factor is the number a multiplier used to enlarge a figure if it’s greater than 1, or to shrink it if it’s less than 1.
N: What new information did you learn in this unit?
This whole unit was new for me, as I have never learnt Scale Factor. Not everything in this unit was completely new; I knew some concepts, such as area, perimeter, corresponding sides, and exponents. Many of the equations were also new for me, like copying over the original and equations for the scaled area and the scaled perimeter.
I: What was interesting in this unit?
Considering that a lot of things related to scale were new to me, it was interesting, but the most interesting thing for me was the scaled area and the scaled perimeter. I found this interesting because I was familiar with area and perimeter, but I had never heard of scaled area and perimeter.
T: What was tricky for you in this unit?
In this unit, I struggled a bit with word problems. I struggled with the word scale as it confused me. Overall, I think I have a good understanding of this unit, but I can do a lot better considering my summative score.
In this unit, we learned how to tread water, scull, perform safety strokes, and engage in artistic swimming. We learnt basic safety strokes that were vital for swimming. We practiced freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly stroke, and side stroke. To begin with, we learnt many new things, such as artistic swimming, which was a new thing for me. I found it very fun and engaging. We learnt how to create a routine with different ways to enter, like egg drops, pencil dives, etc. My group and I did come across conflicts as we were not able to finish the routine in time, and many of the members could not perform. Even though we had members missing from our group, we tried our best and improvised. Overall, I think that artistic swimming was very fun, and even though I came across conflicts, my group and I persevered through them and tried our best.