Anushka's SAS Blog

My new learning in Math 8+ this year included factoring, quadratics and functions. In the beginning of the year, I knew very little about these concepts, but now I can easily factor quadratic equations quickly, as well as simplify exponential equations. I really understand how different types of functions can be applied, because of different relationships between variables in linear, exponential and quadratic functions. I have also reinforced my basic skills such as order of operations by applying the when solving these problems. Over summer break, I should practice checking my work carefully, especially when it comes to equations and inequalities, because most of my errors are a result of not checking my work thoroughly. I also should make sure to continue to review graphing functions from equations, to practice finding intercepts or solutions. Doing homework on the day that it was assigned, but checking answers the next day was an effective way to study for me, because it kept ...

What did you enjoy most about PE this year?  What did you enjoy least about PE this year? I liked being able to play and collaborate with a lot of different people, and my teammates were all supportive when I messed up, most people also made conscious efforts to pass and include everyone. It was also interesting to try such as wide variety of sports. What I didn't really enjoy was running the mile, but it was still important because it made me persevere in the end. I definitely improved over the year, but it wasn't my favorite because I'm not a runner. 2. What units did you enjoy most?  What units would you add or change? I really liked the water polo unit, because though I enjoyed swimming, it was mainly because everyone was involved and having fun in that unit. I also had fun in floor hockey, soccer and field for similar reasons. It would be interesting if there were a dance/gymnastics/yoga unit, because it's a different type of fitness and it would help s...

] One of the main things I wanted to learn this unit was how to revise boring non-fiction using narrative techniques, and I needed to learn how to write proper research. Also, I was curious about Auschwitz, so it was interesting to research that topic. The First Part of my Chapter I learned many ways to weave narrative into my writing, and it made my topic much more interesting to read. It was fun to write after all my research, because all I had to do was tell the story like any personal narrative. The important part to the writing process was researching, because that’s where I had to collect all of the information. Inventing would have destroyed the non-fiction element of the piece, so that’s where I had to dig deep and find the best possible sources to base my writing off of. My multiple sources and images are in my bibliography, and I have an mix of primary and secondary. All of my learning was showcased when I put together my iBook. I can still continue to learn about th...

This video talked a lot about how we get addicted so that we understand what's fully happening to our brain. I liked it because it explained how first of all, we can get addicted to many things other than drugs, because our brain is balanced and addictions throw our brain off. When offering solutions, it talks about how those solutions also affect the brain, so it's easier to understand which solutions work best for the differing types of addiction. I learned more about how addicts feel and why they can't stop because of a system that we all have. It was also interactive and though he used a lot of big words, he explained everything clearly.

When I think about modern day slavery, I still have trouble believing it. Here is a fact: there could be 21 to 49 million slaves on this planet right now, but I wasn't aware. We are so vastly naive about this issue that we assume that slavery pretty much ended back when the emancipation proclamation was issued. We are, however, in a paradox; the difference between back then and today is that slavery is now illegal. Before, it was legal to own slaves, and the underground railway was to illegally escape. Now, ironically, slavery is illegal in every part of the world, and yet it exists everywhere, just underground. I just assumed hat since it was illegal, it wasn't an issue anymore. All over the world, people, including children, can be tricked or forced into slavery; Masters can drown them in endless debt or take their documentation. All of them are unpaid, under the threat of violence and cannot leave.  I tried to blame it on the greed of the masters of those slaves, but then re...

This is our health video that talks about how food advertisements can be deceiving and lead us to make bad choices in terms of health, even though we think we're making the right choice.

In RLA, we had a persuasive speech unit, where we picked a topic, researched a little bit and tried to persuade the audience. In the end, we presented our speeches to the class; my final product is above. The topic I chose was uniforms, and I argued that uniforms where very beneficial to the school and we should be happy we have them as well as encourage others.

Reflection: We just finished up the journalism unit, which was unique in comparison to others, because we had a lot more freedom, which seldom happens. It was fun getting to meet a real journalist and try it out on our own, with interviews and a podcast at the end. I am most proud of the research that I did on my topic, including the interviews. I feel that I asked many follow up questions and found good information that I could use in my podcast. I also was able to find reliable sources to draw statistics from. My interviews let me learn about SAS as well, because Mrs. Mehrbach told me a few things about uniforms that I was surprised to hear. One of the biggest challenges I had was finding a good topic, because I not only wanted something that had an impact on me/SAS, but also needed something researchable. The first few topics I tried out had few good sources in all of the databases I tried, so I eventually settled with uniforms. Also, Garageband was hard for me to use, because...

My fitness goal is to improve my cardio and stamina so that I can run my mile faster. This will be useful in many sports so that I don't get tired as fast. I will run 2-3 days a week for 30-45 minutes each time, and I will know that my plan is working when my mile time is below 7:50 (now it is 8:05). Here is the link to my plan sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13CZYllVLbfXb2C4-tooPqGIXiUQmkMa47Pr7B_od08g/edit

Dear Mrs. Windust and Mr. Arleth, It’s been a great journey to reaching the finished product of my application essay. For me, it was one of the most difficult writing styles to try. I learned a lot from this process about writing and myself as a writer. My piece definitely isn’t perfect, but I’m proud of how I was able to show something that was unique to me. I came up with this idea while my grandma was skyping me, but I was setting myself up to be the perfect character and my essay had little meaning to me as a writer. However, by reading Mrs. Windust’s essay and “Armpit Hair”, I learned how to set myself up as imperfect. The whole point of my essay was how I realised that I was not being a good person and I changed, and that change is a big part of who I am now. If I hadn’t had mentor texts and guidance, I wouldn’t have had the element in my essay that I’m most pleased with. Here's an excerpt from my essay where I am the...let's say antihero. " I used to imagine...

Me and Ashleigh sing Silent Night in a two part harmony to show that I can stay on a harmony while someone else sings the melody.

1. How do you think people felt upon reaching Ellis Island? People were likely excited to be in a new country, and hopeful to start a new life there. I think that seeing the statue of Liberty must have been an incredible feeling. They were probably very relieved to reach America, but also exhausted from their long trip. If anything, they probably wanted to go rest. 2. What do you think the screening process was like in the immigration hall? It must have been nerve-racking and panicky because it would be so easy to be deported. Also, they had to wait for a long time to get to their turn, so they must have been tired, hungry and thirsty. On top of the stress and exhaustion, it must have been a difficult time. 3. How did you feel when you arrived at the classroom and learned about your fate? When I arrived, I was confused before anything else. Slowly, I was a bit nervous, like why am deported? Did I do something wrong? Eventually, I was a bit disappointed, because I didn't get ...

Dear Bartolomé, I'm glad they have allowed this last letter. As your servant, you and I have gone through plenty. I do hope you are well. By order of the Spanish crown, I have been taken away from you. However, something has been troubling me for a while, which is the encomienda system. I must keep this short, but I want you to know that it is unjust. I know that living under his Highness King Ferdinand's Spanish Empire, you have come to believe that it is okay to treat my people and I, the Tainos, poorly. Taxing us and forcing us to do labour is similar to saying we are sub people. Yet, you know what your pastor used to say, we are all created equal under the God's eyes. Us Natives, or Indians as you call us, also have two eyes, 10 fingers and two feet. Just like you. Our treatment is not what God would have wanted, and I know that you know that, even though you looked up to Christopher Columbus before. Please give my final words to you some thought, and I hope sha...

This is a Chupa Chups advertisement for a sugar-free lollipop. I know that there is a lollipop from this brand that is in fact sugar free. It uses a lot of different artificial sweeteners, such as splenda and aspartame. I think that the source is reliable, because such a big company couldn't tweak information on something so blunt, and the ingredients are very clear. Of course, however, there is bias, because it's an advertisement and they're trying to sell their products. Otherwise, the risk of artificial sweeteners (another perspective) would be mentioned. I can infer that they are trying to sell this to people who love candy, but want ot watch their weight. I think that this ad is using a creative way to promote its sugar free products. Instead of body shaming or guilt tripping, they use this so that people don't stop buying their products all together as a result of guilt.

D ear Anushka, If you see your mother’s foundation, leave it ALONE. I know, I know, it’s not easy to be different. But if you do pick up the foundation, you will inevitably try it on. Then you’ll want a little more. And then- okay. I’m getting ahead of ourselves. I’ll tell you about it a little later. You’re a good kid; pretty smart, loyal and trustworthy. For a 1st grader, you’re pretty mature. You push in chairs, finish your homework and have never gone to the principal. Here's a quote from the book twilight, a book you will eventually read and love, “I was born 30 and get more middle-aged every year.” Can you relate? Creekside Elementary is small, but still sweet. You know, with the green trees, flowers and creek, which was actually more of a stream. You never miss an opportunity to tell anyone that. You’ve met some good friends; Emi, Marib and Yasmeen are quirky, funny and cool. You know that though. Yet, inside of the school, there aren’t too many dark-s...

“I want to improve my mile time by at least 20 seconds the end of second quarter by going running for longer times in my neighbourhood, so I can build up my stamina and more fit.”