Parent Commentary

Reflection:
So as a first year menemacer, I have learned a lot. One thing that is most important to me is writing a paper. Throughout my life, I know I will need to write papers in college and on job resumes. So constructing a paper correctly is very crucial to me. Being in menemac English core, has taught me how to construct a paper in a way so there are important traits that are followed. These traits include ideas, voice, organization, and word choice.

According to my introductory letter, I stated “I want to work on my writing skills. I want to write more vivid and detailed essays. Another thing I want to work on is building up my vocabulary so I can write better stories or essays.” Overall, I think I followed up on all of my goals. I have learned a lot of new vocabulary words and learned how to apply them to my essays. I have also been able to write vivid and detailed stories, thanks to my “word choice” and “voice” trait. I really believe that being in the menemac core has benefitted me for the better.

Proud Achievements: I am most proud of my "voice" and "organization" traits. In the first quarter, I already had the concept of voice and organization but I didn’t fully understand it. I knew that using voice was based on personal perspectives and being myself, which wasn't hard. The same goes for the "organization" trait. Although I understand the process, due to 8th grade, I only got 3's on both traits. At first, I didn't understand what I was doing wrong, but then as we began to write more and more essay I had a better understanding of the two traits. I am proud to say that I fully grasp the two traits. To me, I believe that it was my proudest achievements. I guess you can say practice makes perfect. Besides traits, I am so proud of my KC3 essay. It was the only essay in the entire first and second quarter, that I got all 4’s on each trait (4/4). Not only does it shows me the progress in my understanding in the traits, but it also shows me that it is NOT impossible to get a perfect paper in English.

Challenges: In the beginning of the year, I had a lot of challenges with the "ideas" and "word choice" trait. Whenever I wrote my papers, I either had too much detail which threw off my focus or I put unnecessary words to describe a topic. The more I tried to be “more descriptive”, my papers would lose focus which affected my “ideas” and my “word choice” traits. Throughout the second quarter, I began to understand how to make my paper more focused. I have learned that by using smaller yet effective words, I made my paper focus more on the topic then the vocabulary words. I have also improved my vocabulary and I have learned how to use the new words.

Goals for next year: My goals next year is to keep up the good work. After only 2 quarters, I believe that my understanding of the traits is strong. My goal in the beginning of the quarter was to get at least one perfect paper and I have succeeded. My goal next year is to continue to do the same. When I first received the 4/4 paper, I was thrilled and speechless! I want to have that feeling again. I am aiming for the best and I am going to try my hardest to get another 4/4 paper. Since I grasp the concept of the 4 traits, I don’t think it will be as hard as the first time. It’s all about how to structure a paper.

After looking through my portfolio, please answer the following questions listed:

What did you like best about my portfolio and portfolio conference? What would you like to see me improve on in my portfolio?

From your point of view, which of my attainments of the 4 traits of writing is of most value? Please explain why you feel it is important and what about my documentation of it impresses you.

Which of the traits of writing would you like me to focus on in the coming semester?

heres the link to my portfolio.
English Portfolio