Simon Baker-Mongelli
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Senior Projects Blog
The most challenging part of my senior project was presenting it. Not because it was difficult to do, but the anticipation and seriousness to the project induced a lot of anxiety. To prepare, I went over how I would present in my head every day leading up. I practiced at least three times; That didn’t help because it only added to the stress. I decided it was a better idea to ditch some of the formalities detailed in the rubric and try to be more plain with my speech. Treating the presentation like a conversation helped because it felt natural. Overall I think I should have earned any grade from a C to a B.
Managing the Writer’s Guild while writing a book as a whole was a little challenging. I had a few problems such as: Scheduling issues (fitting my project in with other class work), participation (I had to poke and prod to get students to participate), and I had basic writing problems to deal with (writer's block, procrastination, low self esteem, etc.). If I could do anything different, I would have tried to start advertising earlier in order to amass more participants. Some advice I can offer to students is that you shouldn’t stress out about the process, take it a little less seriously than you are told to. This project should be something you like, having fun with it really helps it get done. To the teachers, really try to simmer down on the impending doom that this project is advertised to be. Students should be concerned on getting it done, but they shouldn’t fear getting it done. My project was a success because it shows how creative we can be in a learning environment catering more to creativity rather than conformity. This school works well with this club, I suggest someone keeps it going. I pass because I feel the work I put into this got myself and other students to learn valuable things.
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Still finishing last bit of story before sending book to get bound.
I have finished my Senior Project presentation. It was very successful; only thing I wish I did better on was wearing better legwear. As hinted by the title however, I have one thing left to do. I must bind my book, should be pretty easy.
The last two weeks have been great for the Writer's Guild. The Haiku contest was a success, eight participants. Same goes for the Free Verse contest I hosted this week (Also eight participants). Right now I am in the editing phase of writing my book. I also am planning up the next contest idea, I am thinking riddles.
This project has been both beneficial and challenging in a couple ways. One challenge is that I had trouble getting students to post their writings at first. Another was trying to find the time to write stuff for "my book". However, one of the most beneficial things about this experience is seeing how many students are actually passionate about writing. I also found that writing a book is easier than I thought it would be (I set my expectations way too high). One thing I hope KCS can keep in the future is more curriculum that promotes creativity (Like creative writing.)
In an attempt to spur some more submissions from student writers, I started a Haiku contest. The four best Haiku submissions will be awarded with a $5 Starbucks gift card (Business Literacy)! I also finished the poster, It should be being put up all around the school.
Over the course of this project, I have learned more about organizing a school club. Two 21st century skills I utilized were Self Directed and Thinking and Problem Solving. This whole break I have been focused on writing my book (and I still am right now) without anyone nagging me to do so. I want to do this; this is how my career in writing will hopefully kick off. Thinking and Problem Solving has to do with the amount of problems I had to deal with when trying to use Weebly.
Journal 7: In the past few weeks I have made pretty good progress on my book and website. Pictured below (from top to bottom) is a picture of me typing up my book, a picture of the Writer's Guild archives, and a sketch of one of my characters. Over the break I plan on organizing the activities that I hope to have students participate in. I will also be buying prizes (Starbucks giftcards) for writing contests I will hold often. Another huge chunk of my break will go to writing the short story collective that is my book.
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May 2017
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