1.
Out of all the enriching yet sometimes stressful assignments we have been directed to post on this blog, two favorites do stand out. I really loved writing the piece comparing myself to a fairy tale character and assessing my strengths and weaknesses within a group. It is not often that we sit down and take a second to analyze what we lack and how we can learn that from those around us. I enjoyed writing this piece specifically, because I was able to utilize one of my favorite quotes from Timothy Leary and apply that to my own way of thinking. After writing this piece, I was better able to work in a group dynamic, and when I realized that I was holding in an idea or not contributing to my fullest extent, I was able to control that.
Another assignment I thoroughly enjoyed was the American Drama Project. I am happy to say that the people in my group for that project are now good friends of mine! Not only was this a great experience to apply what we have been learning about successful group work in class, but also a chance to fully realize our potential as actors. Through different techniques we utilized in our video, we were able to recognize how meaning is created in works of literature, through the different aspects of mise en scene. We were able to get and stay in character, and when my character achieved victory, it made me feel as if I did too. We worked very hard on this project and despite some technological problems and some other scary things the night before it was due, we somehow pulled it off seamlessly, and managed to make some people laugh in the process.
2.
I do not consider myself a shy person. I do not consider myself a quiet person. However, as I have assessed in my group work post, I tend to hold knowledge back. Sometimes a large boulder seems to hinder my mouth from opening even though I may know the answer, simply out of fear of being incorrect. It's not my best quality, but I have definitely been working through it in the process of this class. I participate in group work and when the class in split in smaller sections. However, I could use a bit of a push when it comes to speaking out during a class discussion where an opinion-based question has been proposed. I'm afraid to say the wrong thing, and afraid that people might not understand me if I was to express something. I wish this didn't stop me, but I'm doing what I can to try and break that hindrance.
That being said, I do participate in every way that I can, which includes reading the assigned readings, helping those around me, and paying attention during class. Although I do not raise my hand to tell everyone what Shakespeare means, I do understand and appreciate his writing in my own head, and if someone were to ask me the question one-on-one, I do answer it fully. If I have a question or I need some extra help understanding something, I usually come to Ms. Wilson and ask her directly or ask my classmates for help. I stay updated with the work in this class. In group presentations, I am learning to be a proactive leader, especially in the American Drama Project. I helped set time stamped goals for my group and took action when technology was causing problems.
3.
I can honestly say that the goals I set at the beginning of the trimester have to be reassessed. Although I do try to review literary terms and vocabulary every week as I indicated in my first reflection post, it is unrealistic to devote that much time to just that one activity in a AP-crammed schedule. I decided that I needed a strategy to "get the most for my buck." I made a set of flashcards that I review every couple days whenever I get a couple free moments and each Sunday, I add two more words to the list. These flashcards include the different kinds of sonnets, literary devices, and some sentence exercises and identifying the technique. This has been more helpful that setting an unrealistic goal that I could not meet. The new strategy allows me to review literary terms on my own time and work that into my busy schedule. I will often make extra time before tests and finals to review these so they will be fresh in my mind before I am tested on them.
Even on the final multiple choice that we took today, I felt much stronger about my abilities as an AP Lit multiple choice test taker. I believe that it is due to my new strategy that I have been using. Moreover, I want to take this a step further and devise another technique I can use in my everyday life. Just like junior year when I realized I was too quiet and implemented a self goal in which I would talk to one new person a day, I have decided to complete one AP style multiple choice question a day. I found a couple practice tests online and I will complete one question a day from those. Or, if get that one question incorrect, I will keep answering questions until I get one correct. I think this is a stress-free and maintainable goal. By the AP test, I will have had a lot of practice and experience with what these questions look like and how the test makers seek to trick us with the wording of the questions.
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