The AP Psychology Research Symposium is an annual event held at Kennedy High School. At this event, all of the students that took AP Psych during the school year, present their end of the year research projects. Everyone comes all dressed up with their tri-fold poster boards for an evening of scholarly fun. This year's event took place today and I am here to share my thoughts.
Overall I believe that everything ran really smoothly throughout the course of the night. I didn't notice any no shows and very few people were scurrying in at the last minute. Everyone arrived promptly, set up their poster boards and anticipated their family and friends to come. In my opinion the attire that all the students wore was very appropriate. Everyone looked nice, not too formal yet not too casual. There were hardly any awkward outfits standing out like a sore thumb.
The food and drink was definitely a big hit. Who doesn't like free soda, chips, cookies, brownies, and fruit?? It worked really well having every participant bring a little something. I'm sure some brought more than their share and I'm sure some didn't bring anything, it all worked out fine! There was plenty of food for both the students and the guests. Which brings up my next point....
The food and drink should be for the guests first!!! I know how hard it is to stand at your table for 90 minutes but I really think students should have waited till the symposium was over to raid the snack table. It was basically a free for all which is my only complaint. I don't think students stood by their posters enough, rather they just walked around and talked to their friends. I think that's fine for a little bit but not for the whole evening. Then when the place starts to clear out I think its fine to pick up a drink and a few goodies.
Overall I think it was a very successful evening!! Everyone looked nice and all of the posters and projects were very well done. I could tell that the majority of students put quite a bit of time and effort into their project. Nice work 2011-2012 AP Psychology students!
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Reality of an Online Class
There are many advantages and disadvantages of being enrolled in an online class. Currently I am taking an online government one class which will allow me not to have to take it during my senior year. The benefits from taking this class are great but it also comes with quite a few drawbacks as well.
One of the many advantages of taking an online class is that you can do it on your own time. This is great because if there is a night that I have too much other homework from other classes I can pass on my online work for a night. Because you are doing everything on your own time you can work as slow or as fast as you would like. This means you can choose when you want to take your tests based on when you are ready for them.
I cannot speak for everyone but my online class is pretty easy. This is another advantage, there is not much to it besides reading and studying. I would prefer to be able to sit in a classroom and participate in activities and discussions, but having what I would consider an easy class is definitely nice.
Along with the benefits of an online class come quite a few disadvantages. Because you are doing all of the work on your own time, you must, absolutely must have good time management!! There is a lot of work to get through and not a whole lot of time. There are many nights that I am done with my other homework and I just want to go to bed or watch t.v., but I have to force myself to get a couple sections done.
Another disadvantage is how you have to take tests. You have to come into school and schedule a time to take a test in front of a teacher to verify that you are the one taking the test. This can be a bit of a pain at times. The reality of an online class is that you are teaching the information to yourself. There aren't opportunities to ask questions or work with other people on things that you don't understand. You have to be responsible and make sure you are staying on top of things.
The biggest drawback of all to taking an online class, as far as I know, is the busywork that it involves. I am one that likes to get my work done in a timely manner. I have to feel like there is a purpose for whatever were doing. All online government consists of is reading and filling out worksheets, filling out worksheets and reading some more. It's so redundant! I don't feel like I make any progress at all even if I work on it for over an hour.
There are definitely pros and cons to taking an online class. Most importantly it teaches you time management and responsibility. Right now its a bit overwhelming but I'm sure it will be more than worth it when it's completed!
One of the many advantages of taking an online class is that you can do it on your own time. This is great because if there is a night that I have too much other homework from other classes I can pass on my online work for a night. Because you are doing everything on your own time you can work as slow or as fast as you would like. This means you can choose when you want to take your tests based on when you are ready for them.
I cannot speak for everyone but my online class is pretty easy. This is another advantage, there is not much to it besides reading and studying. I would prefer to be able to sit in a classroom and participate in activities and discussions, but having what I would consider an easy class is definitely nice.
Along with the benefits of an online class come quite a few disadvantages. Because you are doing all of the work on your own time, you must, absolutely must have good time management!! There is a lot of work to get through and not a whole lot of time. There are many nights that I am done with my other homework and I just want to go to bed or watch t.v., but I have to force myself to get a couple sections done.
Another disadvantage is how you have to take tests. You have to come into school and schedule a time to take a test in front of a teacher to verify that you are the one taking the test. This can be a bit of a pain at times. The reality of an online class is that you are teaching the information to yourself. There aren't opportunities to ask questions or work with other people on things that you don't understand. You have to be responsible and make sure you are staying on top of things.
The biggest drawback of all to taking an online class, as far as I know, is the busywork that it involves. I am one that likes to get my work done in a timely manner. I have to feel like there is a purpose for whatever were doing. All online government consists of is reading and filling out worksheets, filling out worksheets and reading some more. It's so redundant! I don't feel like I make any progress at all even if I work on it for over an hour.
There are definitely pros and cons to taking an online class. Most importantly it teaches you time management and responsibility. Right now its a bit overwhelming but I'm sure it will be more than worth it when it's completed!
That's What Makes you Dad
I am the luckiest girl in the world to have him as my dad. He makes it so there is nothing more that I could want. There are so many things that makes him who he is and when all of those are put together, only one thing can become of it; my dad.
It is impossible to know where to start when having the goal to come up with everything that makes dad the person I know and love. The way his eyes tear up almost instantly when laughing is something I have never seen in anyone else. How he crosses his arms and stands shoulder width apart when he is on his feet is definitely something I have grown to recognize and even do myself. The bit of gray hair near his temples never seems to spread anywhere else as if it would make him lose his youthfulness with a head full of gray.
Sports have always been a common ground between my dad and I. He was the one who taught me how to catch and throw a ball, grip a baseball bat, swing a golf club, kick a soccer ball, and swim a length of the pool. I used to think he was the absolute best at every sport; now I know better (sorry dad)! He wouldn’t miss a softball game or swim meet for anything; his support is what has gotten me where I am today. From playing catch in the backyard before a big game or helping me come up with off-season workouts, his knowledge of sports undoubtedly sparked my interest as well.
Not only does dad play sports but watching sports is a passion for him. Being a diehard fan of the Denver Broncos creates some unneeded stress in his life but it doesn’t seem to bother him. I will never forget how he spent what had to be a couple hundred dollars in the Broncos gift shop at Mile High Stadium, comparable to a seven-year-old boy in a candy shop! My loyalty to the NFL is no doubt due to the fact that every fall Sunday consists of football and chips and dip, a tradition I will have no issue continuing.
Dad would not be considered perfect without all of his quirks and oddities. I will never forget how when we were little he would cut up our peanut butter toast into puzzle pieces and before we could eat it, we had to put the puzzle back together. He also has quite the singing voice, which he likes to make clear as he rides the stationary bike in the basement. Wearing his glasses on the tip of his nose is another dad trademark that I know will never change. Letting a Bronco loss affect his whole night in a negative way is something I can just laugh at and realize he really hasn’t grown up all of the way.
It would be a complete lie if I said this is everything that makes my dad who I know and love. A distinct appearance, love for sports, and quirks that make dad unique, are only the start of what makes me the luckiest girl in the world.
Book Review: "Water for Elephants"
Gruen, Sarah. Water for Elephants. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill: Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 2006. (331 pages)
I really enjoyed reading Water for Elephants. It is by far the most enjoyable book I have read in a long time; it is possibly my favorite book that I have read all school year. This book was packed with surprising drama that made me never want to put it down. It took less than two chapters to realize that I was officially hooked. Water for Elephants is emotional, quick paced, and riveting.
There were so many things about this book that I loved. I have discovered that I really like reading books from a male perspective because I have not read even close to as many books with a male narrator, and it is a totally different experience. Jacob Jankowski is the narrator in Water for Elephants, in both the past and the present.
I liked how Sarah Gruen set up this book, going back and forth between Jacob’s days in the circus and his present days in the nursing home. The flashback format made this book a bit challenging especially toward the beginning. I would just become accustomed to all of the characters who were part of the circus such as Marlena, August, Uncle Al, Earl, Grady, and Walter. Then the chapter would end and the story would revert to the present. This was only an issue for a few chapters and then I got to know the characters very well.
There were also some vocabulary terms in Water for Elephants that I have never encountered before I read this book. I would classify most of the unknown words as circus jargon. Words such as menagerie, redlight, and spec were all new to me until I read Water for Elephants. I also didn’t know that another name for an elephant is a bull, I definitely learned a few interesting things!
This book was so unique I cannot think of another book that I have read that is like it at all. I loved the combination of interesting characters, intriguing drama, and an aspect of historical fiction. Taking place during the depression and prohibition era made it all the more exciting because that is a time in history that interests me. Reading about a circus, both the business aspect and the relationships, was so new and different for me; I don’t think anything else can compare. Although a book can never be as good as the movie, I am excited to see how they relate. I definitely recommend Water for Elephants for anyone who is interested in a book they won’t be able to put down.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Problems with Parking
Going to a school with 1800 other students definitely has its advantages. There are more class options, lunch choices, teachers, resources, and sports just to name a few. To go along with the numerous advantages are a few disadvantages. Things such as crowded hallways, larger classes, longer lunch lines, and less one-on-one focus. One of the lingering issues here at Kennedy High School is the problems with parking.
There are two main parking lots at Kennedy in which students are allowed to park in. They are easily named the north lot and the south lot. The north lot is application based and only for seniors. The south lot on the other hand is open to any junior or senior who registers for a sticker at the beginning of the school year. The issues aren't typically involved in the north lot, its when things get complicated down south.
There is no limit to how many south lot stickers can be registered per year. This is the first issue because then there are undoubtedly more registered cars than there are parking spots. There seems to be no good solution for this, which is unfortunate. My suggestion would be to have an exact number of stickers and register them on a first come first serve basis. This would not be able to work because so many students get to school by car. You can't just turn students away with no place to park their car.
The churches around Kennedy High School have great systems going on. Typically it is sophomores who pay a small fee to park there each year. Ninety percent of the time this works out extremely well. The other 10 percent isn't so good. When the churches need their lots for something such as a funeral those students are told to park somewhere else. Where? No other place than the south lot. This does not go over well with the juniors and seniors who then have no place to park because their spot is now taken.
Problems with the limited parking have been going on for years and will most likely continue for more to come. Another suggestion that would result in multiple benefits is coordinating a carpool! There is nothing wrong with catching a ride to class or practice with a few friends. Not only does this cut down on the amount of cars that need a parking spot, but it saves gas and helps the environment too!
There are two main parking lots at Kennedy in which students are allowed to park in. They are easily named the north lot and the south lot. The north lot is application based and only for seniors. The south lot on the other hand is open to any junior or senior who registers for a sticker at the beginning of the school year. The issues aren't typically involved in the north lot, its when things get complicated down south.
There is no limit to how many south lot stickers can be registered per year. This is the first issue because then there are undoubtedly more registered cars than there are parking spots. There seems to be no good solution for this, which is unfortunate. My suggestion would be to have an exact number of stickers and register them on a first come first serve basis. This would not be able to work because so many students get to school by car. You can't just turn students away with no place to park their car.
The churches around Kennedy High School have great systems going on. Typically it is sophomores who pay a small fee to park there each year. Ninety percent of the time this works out extremely well. The other 10 percent isn't so good. When the churches need their lots for something such as a funeral those students are told to park somewhere else. Where? No other place than the south lot. This does not go over well with the juniors and seniors who then have no place to park because their spot is now taken.
Problems with the limited parking have been going on for years and will most likely continue for more to come. Another suggestion that would result in multiple benefits is coordinating a carpool! There is nothing wrong with catching a ride to class or practice with a few friends. Not only does this cut down on the amount of cars that need a parking spot, but it saves gas and helps the environment too!
Twenty Days and Counting...
We have finally hit the mark!! Twenty more school days and its finally summer! For as little as twenty days may seem, it is most likely going to be some of the most stressful and jam packed twenty days of the whole school year. There is so much going on and so little time to do all of it. Lets start the list from the top (this list would probably relate best to an A or B student in their junior year)....
No matter what time of year it is there are always going to be tests and projects. But when the end of the trimester comes the number of those projects and tests tend to multiply. Not only do you have to review everything that you have learned from the whole trimester but in addition you must include everything from the entire year. This takes a lot of time, hard work, and motivation.
AP exams also decide to make an appearance within the final twenty days of school. Not only are you studying for finals and completing projects but your review for AP exams as well. Taking practice tests and attending review sessions can take up a lot of time. AP exams take place over two weeks and depending on how many your taking you are more than likely in and out of school for a few days. This does not help when trying to stay on top of things in all of your other classes. But boy, what the relief when those tests are complete!
Jobs, sports and other activities can really take their toll on students during this time. Tennis, track and golf are in full swing during the month of may. Graduation parties are here, there and everywhere as well. Free food, friends, and hanging out will always sound better than the studying that you more than likely should be doing on a Sunday afternoon.
Miscellaneous things add up and can totally make focusing on school work and AP tests nearly impossible. Events such as prom, senior night, graduation, and induction ceremonies easily take your mind off of school! These are great stress relievers but can't get in the way of finishing the year out strong!
What I am clearly getting at here is that the last few weeks of school is a really exciting time! There is a lot to look forward to but a lot of things that need to get done before the excitement can happen. I challenge everyone to stick their heads in their books as much as possible, stay determined, and make the best of their twenty days and counting!
No matter what time of year it is there are always going to be tests and projects. But when the end of the trimester comes the number of those projects and tests tend to multiply. Not only do you have to review everything that you have learned from the whole trimester but in addition you must include everything from the entire year. This takes a lot of time, hard work, and motivation.
AP exams also decide to make an appearance within the final twenty days of school. Not only are you studying for finals and completing projects but your review for AP exams as well. Taking practice tests and attending review sessions can take up a lot of time. AP exams take place over two weeks and depending on how many your taking you are more than likely in and out of school for a few days. This does not help when trying to stay on top of things in all of your other classes. But boy, what the relief when those tests are complete!
Jobs, sports and other activities can really take their toll on students during this time. Tennis, track and golf are in full swing during the month of may. Graduation parties are here, there and everywhere as well. Free food, friends, and hanging out will always sound better than the studying that you more than likely should be doing on a Sunday afternoon.
Miscellaneous things add up and can totally make focusing on school work and AP tests nearly impossible. Events such as prom, senior night, graduation, and induction ceremonies easily take your mind off of school! These are great stress relievers but can't get in the way of finishing the year out strong!
What I am clearly getting at here is that the last few weeks of school is a really exciting time! There is a lot to look forward to but a lot of things that need to get done before the excitement can happen. I challenge everyone to stick their heads in their books as much as possible, stay determined, and make the best of their twenty days and counting!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
May Day!!
When the calendar rolls around to May first you should probably reconsider the typical day you think that you will be having. May first, or May Day as it has been titled, is a traditional spring holiday. Most people can probably go the entire day without knowing its a holiday unless you are lucky enough to receive a May Basket.
May Baskets are small baskets or bags filled with little goodies such as popcorn, candy, chocolate, or flowers. Traditionally these baskets are to be set on the doorstep of whom you are delivering too. The giver of the May Baskets is then supposed to ring the doorbell and run away. If you are really in tune to the May Day traditions, the receiver tries to catch the escaping giver. If caught, a kiss is exchanged, so watch out!
The interesting thing about May Day is that it is only celebrated from region to region. As far as I know it is only a Northern Hemisphere holiday, more specifically North American. I would not consider myself to be a May Day expert so if any of you out there would consider yourself knowledgeable in the May Day field, let me know!! Even within regions the celebrations can be sporadic. Having grown up in Cedar Rapids, I received a fair share of May Baskets. On the other hand I have many cousins from the Des Moines area who have never even heard of May Basket giving, how weird! Only two hours away, and May Day traditions vary quite differently.
Even if the whole traditional May Day celebration isn't your thing you can take advantage of the day and just make it a day to let your friends and family know you care about them. Make a few goodie bags, fill them up with popcorn and candy and surprise them! Something like this could make someone's day, who knows. Or if your feeling a little more adventurous gather up your May Baskets and deliver them at your friend's doorstep! Whatever it is that you choose to do come next May first, be spontaneous and most importantly have fun!
May Baskets are small baskets or bags filled with little goodies such as popcorn, candy, chocolate, or flowers. Traditionally these baskets are to be set on the doorstep of whom you are delivering too. The giver of the May Baskets is then supposed to ring the doorbell and run away. If you are really in tune to the May Day traditions, the receiver tries to catch the escaping giver. If caught, a kiss is exchanged, so watch out!
The interesting thing about May Day is that it is only celebrated from region to region. As far as I know it is only a Northern Hemisphere holiday, more specifically North American. I would not consider myself to be a May Day expert so if any of you out there would consider yourself knowledgeable in the May Day field, let me know!! Even within regions the celebrations can be sporadic. Having grown up in Cedar Rapids, I received a fair share of May Baskets. On the other hand I have many cousins from the Des Moines area who have never even heard of May Basket giving, how weird! Only two hours away, and May Day traditions vary quite differently.
Even if the whole traditional May Day celebration isn't your thing you can take advantage of the day and just make it a day to let your friends and family know you care about them. Make a few goodie bags, fill them up with popcorn and candy and surprise them! Something like this could make someone's day, who knows. Or if your feeling a little more adventurous gather up your May Baskets and deliver them at your friend's doorstep! Whatever it is that you choose to do come next May first, be spontaneous and most importantly have fun!
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