journal.docx€¦ · web viewprocess journal. june 25, 2014. atl skill categories addressed in...

The fabulous Journey of Kristi Funk and her Personal Project- Tenth GradeProcess Journal

June 25, 2014

ATL skill categories addressed in entry: Organization Communication

Collaboration Information Literacy Problem Solving Reflection

Inspiration/ideas:❖ fabric textures❖ colors-how they work together ❖ fashion❖ dance (hip hop)❖ self-defense classes❖ mixed-martial arts❖ magazine❖ mini fashion collection❖ sky diving❖ scuba diving❖ shopping❖ cooking/molecular gastronomy

The fabulous Journey of Kristi Funk and her Personal Project- Tenth Grade

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- Brainstorming ideas for a project topic using a mind map to help further the inspirational process.

August 8, 2014

ATL skill categories addressed in entry: Organization Communication Collaboration

Information Literacy Problem SolvingReflection

Today, I have decided to try to organize a women’s self-defense workshop at the school for the 9th through 12th grade girls who are interested. I’ll will ask the marines


who have put on self-defense classes on the local military base and see if they would be able to have a workshop on the ISS campus. And as an accompaniment I would take some weekly self-defense classes. I believe that many girls would be interested and if they were available would sign up to participate. What made me decide to this was that I had gone to two of the before mentioned marines’ classes and really enjoyed them and learned a lot, and my mother suggested that others would benefit from this type of class as well. My mother really helped me and discussed with me how to narrow down my ideas on what I should do. What pushed me even further to decide that this was most definitely what I should do for my personal project was when I was on a run at dusk and I was scared just because it was dark and I’m a young girl. I was jumpy and whenever I saw someone I automatically thought that I was in danger when I had no reason these people wanted to harm me. I felt ridiculous for being scared, so now I don’t want to be scared anymore. I want to be able to feel confident in my abilities to defend myself and have others feel the same way.

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- I was planning ahead and setting goals of what I was going to be doing. such as, having a women’s self-defense workshop be the main goal of my personal project and deciding that I would like to have the Marines, that I have previously gone to, instruct the workshop. Collaboration- I worked with my mother, bouncing ideas off of her and deciding what my goal should be. Furthermore, I would like to collaborate with the marines for my final project.Problem Solving- I solved the problem of deciding what was finally going to be doing and making plans. I also was thinking of a way to make myself and other girls feel more confident and safe.

August 28, 2014




Today, I went to three PP (personal project) workshops meant to help us in our work. In the first workshop, with Mrs. Morrissey, we worked on planning ahead and making timelines. I started writing down deadlines such as deadlines for myself and other major due dates. I have been writing them in my calendar so that I’m able to meet them and plan for any and all upcoming deadlines. I have also started on my SMART goal and writing it out and breaking it down into smaller steps, so that I get a better idea of what I’m doing and when to do them.

In the second workshop with Mrs. Pollard, we worked on our process journal and what should be in here and being creative, etc. That is where I worked on improving my journal, by making it more visually interesting and adding a mind map.

At that point, I was feeling very confused with the new information because, I haven’t had a lot of explaining of what the individual parts such as the ATL goals are or working with breaking down my SMART goals, or many of the other parts. Most of the time I was stressing out because many of the teachers were speaking as if we had a big percentage of our PP done, which was not the case for me. I feel that I have much work ahead of me. I also need to find a supervisor because I have not been assigned one yet, and schedule a meeting with them to better understand what I am confused on.

In our third workshop we focused on global context with Ms. Key. I feel that my PP is very strong in this aspect because I’m focusing on women’s self-defense which is relevant all over the world. I believe that women need to be able to hold their ground against attackers, and I believe that others feel this way also. My global context will be identities and relationships and I will be specifically focusing on the independence and physical aspects of that context. The independence would be relevant because girls would be able to depend on themselves, not needing help from others, to defend themselves against attackers. The physical aspect is relevant because to defend yourself that most all ways involve fighting, which is having a lot to do with fitness and hand-to-hand defense.

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- I was planning ahead, and setting deadlines. As well as continuing and writing them into my planner.Collaboration- I went to workshops that were taught by Mrs. Morrissey, Mrs. Pollard, and Ms. Key. They gave us a lot of information, and we completed exercises to better understand what we need to do to further our personal project, and how to do it. As well as talking with them one-on-one to ask questions and better understand.


Problem solving- I was learning more and being able to understand aspects of the PP that I had no idea about before. For example, some ATL goals, SMART goals, what could a process journal look like, etc.Reflection- I was reflecting on the workshops, and what we did.

September 4, 2014



Today, Ms. Key is officially my mentor. I’ve set a date with her to meet for Monday, September the 8th. I’m very excited that I was allowed to be able to have Ms. Key as my supervisor because she is fantastic, and just what I need as a mentor. There is going to be a lot to work this year, including PP and I believe that Ms. Key will make it more enjoyable while helping me get stuff done. She also wrote me a note today saying she was glad to be my mentor, which is helping me look forward to starting the PP process.

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization-I was setting dates and making a move to start and organize meetings with my mentor.Collaboration- I have a mentor now, and have worked and talked a little bit with Ms. Key already; setting dates and talking briefly about PP.

September 11, 2014

ATL skill categories addressed in entry:


Organization Communication CollaborationInformation Literacy Problem SolvingReflection

Today, I missed not the first but my second personal project meeting with my mentor. I missed the first one, but Ms. Key said that she could meet me on Thursday during lunch, and I missed that one too. I’m so disappointed in myself. The worst part was that she was patient, she wasn’t mad at me, or verbally telling me that what I did was terrible, but she said it’s ok, and that we can meet on Monday. I could tell she was disappointed with me and that’s terrible. It’s easier to deal with verbal disappointment, but this is a lot harder. I now know that I really need to work on time management skills. I’m going to start being really serious with this project, and crack down on what I’m supposed to be doing. I hope things get better, and I can redeem Ms. Key’s faith in me.

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization-I realize that I really need to work on my time management skills, and I also need to work harder on my personal project. Collaboration- I missed a meeting with Ms. Key, again. I need to do everything I can in order to get trust from her again.

September 15, 2014



Today, I had my first meeting with my supervisor. It was a bit daunting because it got me to realize that there is a lot of work to be done. I still need to write my SMART goal sheet but I plan on doing that soon. I also need to start researching for topic, such as statistics, pros and cons on learning self-defense, interviews from people who have been in an attack, etc. Ms. Key brought up an important aspect on my PP that I need to


consider. Is this project for me, or for others? I don’t know yet, but I think it’s more for myself, to learn self-defense and teach others, and to feel that I’ve made an impact, and that others will remember my workshop that I plan on putting on. Although, I’m still deciding. I’ve also kept up my weekly Krav Maga classes, and they are going fantastically.

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- Finding what I need to research, and starting my SMART goal sheet.Collaboration- I finally made my meeting with my mentor. We discussed what I needed to do next. Reflection- I’ve started deciding whether or not I want to do this project for myself, or for others.

September 23, 2014



Today, I dedicated my afternoon to working and progressing in my personal project. Previously I talked to Ms. Key and started discussing what I needed to research and do. An overview. I first need to get my sources, then I need to research further, and really get involved in learning. Then I need to start planning and organizing the workshop, I believe, I will have it in November sometime. I would rather have the marines come in and instruct the girls attending, because they are more trained and qualified to teach others. After the workshop has been carried out, I need to evaluate, then write my essay. Specifically today, I worked on planning out what I needed to do for the month of October, and I set deadlines, for sources, research, etc. I also recorded that my global context is Identities and Relationships (independence and physical). I submitted my draft of my SMART goal to ManageBac. It feels so much better to know that I have a schedule, and that I am starting to get into PP. In the mornings I arrive early to school, so I’m now going to start dedicating my free time then, to research sources. I’m also going to try to make another PP meeting with Ms. Key, to discuss more about my actual project.


Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- I planned, and set deadlines. Submitting my draft of SMART goal sheet, and determining my global context.Communication- I’m using different forms of communicating by using a calendar and color coding dates, and deadlines. Reflection- Reviewing what I need to do, and deciding more factors that will affect my PP in the long run (ex. global context, marines instructing versus me)

September 30, 2014



Today, I had my second meeting with Ms. Key. I am very happy with how it went. I followed everything that was going on, and I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I took notes of everything that we were talking about, and felt more organized and prepared than I did before. We discussed my SMART goal sheet, made changes to it, and finalized it. I just finished uploading it to ManageBac, and now I’m just waiting for Ms. Key to sign to sign off on it on ManageBac.

One question that Ms. Key asked me, that I found really intriguing, was if some of the girls who participated in the workshop, didn’t achieve a level one completion, did I still reach my goal? I said yes, and still believe so, because my ultimate non-specific goal is to make a difference in some people’s lives. So, even if these girls don’t complete level


one, I still helped them to be more prepared in an attack, than they would’ve been before. I still made a difference.

We also talk about the progress fair coming up. Since my project isn’t creating something like an art piece for example, I cannot just show my work that I’ve completed so far. We thought that it would be good to show what I have started to research, my sources, pictures of me carrying out self-defense moves, and a video or two of myself interacting (fighting/ defending) with another person, showing what I have learned so far.

Overall, I feel that the meeting helped me a lot and made me feel more comfortable and prepared in what I’m doing. We’ve set another meeting for the 14th of October to review the sources I have chosen.

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- I planned for upcoming events, such as the progress fair, and figured out specifically what I’m going to be doing for it. I also set another meeting. Collaboration- I talked, planned, and finalized with Ms. Key on the SMART goal sheet, and progress fair details. Reflection- I thought about how I was going to measure certain aspects of my SMART goal, and I thought about my final goal, and if I what would make me not succeed, and different variables, about the success or nonperformance of my project.

October 12, 2014



Today, I finished searching for sources. I also finished my bibliography for the sources. I used a program called Evernote to save simplified versions of the articles, where I could then highlight specific, or important things addressing what I’m looking for. I could also take out, or delete parts, that didn’t apply to me. Making it easier to focus on the


information that I was honing in on. I highlighted the parts pertaining to me and also what I would need for my report, and to talk about as an introduction in my workshop.

The sources I’m planning on using are: ● “Stranger rape”- RAINN● “Extra: 10 Steps to Plan a Workshop” - workshops.350.org● “Facts about violence” - Feminist.com● “Self-Defense - What Is More Important Physical or Mental Self-Defense Skills” - Martial

Arts Site Awards● “Are Women Safer When They Learn Self-Defense?” - Cascade● "Why Women Don’t Learn Self-Defense" - Be Moxie

These sources combined, they fill the requirements that I need. Such as, they are appropriate for our age, some are a bit blunt, but that is sometimes what is needed to get a point across. They also cover a range or depth, so that when I’m using this information I can put the information from each article in an order so that the information will start off broad, then narrow down to specific accounts, and facts. Many of the articles unfortunately didn’t not have dates of when they were published. Although, because this information does not really expire, it is still relevant. For example, stating that self-defense increases chances of survival in attacks. That will still be relevant 20 years from now. All of the sources, come from authority figures, whether having been in an attack situation, or being a well-known reliable, and accurate source, such as the University, of Oregon. Some of the articles, like Be Moxie, are slightly bias, because they are encouraging you to join a martial arts class. But the article still provides relevant information, of a woman’s story of being sexually harassed. Overall, these sources, are good choices to start with and will help me in my project.

Proof of ATL skills use:Communication- I talked about how using different programs to keep track of my sources and notes. I also finished looking and researching different articles for my project.Information Literacy- I went through the RADCAB acronym to make sure that my sources were acceptable. Checking for relevance, appropriateness, detail, currency, authority, and bias.

October 19, 2014




Today, I’m reflecting a bit late on the meeting I had with Ms. Key on Tuesday. We just went over everything that I have finished with my sources, we also discussed the progress fair coming up and she gave me ideas for that, and I bounced ideas off of her to see which were better than others. I am sticking with the previous things I said I’m going to present, such as pictures/videos, my sources, my process journal, but I plan to also include a rough draft of a poster to advertise and gain students’ interest in the workshop at school. I’m feeling confident that I have everything that i need to have a good presentation at the progress fair.

Another instruction from Ms. Key was to think about the alternative plans that I have in mind if something doesn’t go according to plan. Such as, the marines. If they are not available to teach the class then I might ask my Krav Maga instructor, although I might have to pay him. If both of those options will not work, then I guess that I will have to teach the class myself, with a few friends for assistance. i also need to think about if the school doesn’t allow me to hold the workshop there, or if the time that I had in mind was not available. Right now I am highly dependent on the school being able to host my workshop. If not then they will most likely allow me to use the school after the school day is over. As for the times, it would like to have it during the last two periods of the day so that when the students who come are sweaty, they aren’t going to their classes afterwards stinky. Again, if it is not available for it to be held at that time, then possibly during lunch, or after school, or during study hall, or advisory.

According to my SMART goal, nothing needs to be changed. Right now I need to start making meetings with the school to discuss availability. Other than that, I have been going to my Krav Maga self-defense classes, and I love them. They are my favorite activity. I’m getting to be more fit, I have more confidence, especially when I’m alone. I’ve been working really hard to learn the techniques, and be more self-


dependent, like my global context says. I even have bruises from working hard-

Overall, everything is good, and going well. Now onto the main part of my project.

Proof of ATL skills use:Collaboration- I had a meeting with MS. Key discussing what needs to be done and what I have done so far. Problem Solving- Working out what will need to change if what I have in mind is not available for the workshop. Reflection-Looking back on what I have done so far, and thinking about what I like about my classes.

November 8, 2014

ATL skill categories addressed in entry:


Organization Communication CollaborationInformation

Literacy Problem Solving ReflectionToday, I am writing about multiple events that have occurred since my last entry. My first event that has changed some aspect of my project is that I have broken my arm. This sucks. I am still continuing my Krav Maga courses it is just that I cannot practice using my left arm (the broken one). Having a broken arm does affect my options for my workshop though. I thought that before, if the United States Marine Corps were unavailable to instruct the workshop that I could put on the workshop myself. Now, I will not be able to do that by myself. My back-up plan will be to get some friends to help me teach the class.

We had our progress fair and it went well. I had prepared a poster board with pictures of basic poses for fighting and a mockup of the poster I would use to advertise my workshop. I also had videos of myself explaining some basic techniques. Many people were interested in my project and it was nice getting to explain to others what my project was about.

I also had a meeting with Ms. Martin, the upper school director. I talked to her about my workshop and proposed the idea to her. She discussed the workshop at a meeting (I don’t know what sort) and they decided that it was a good idea, and they would support me in putting it on, I just need to fill out an event form and turn it in for them to approve. I need to email the Marines to see which dates are available for them, and if they can do it at all. If they can, then I fill in that information and turn in the sheet and I should be


good to go. I plan to send the proposal to the marines tomorrow and they will probably receive it on Monday. I seem to be on the right track, and I will make a meeting with Ms. Key to make sure.

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- Planning out what I need to do for the workshop and getting information on how to be able to get my workshop started. Collaboration- I had a meeting with Ms. Martin, and discussed my workshop.

December 2, 2014



Today, I talked to Ms. Martin, Mr. Pereira, and the lower school P.E. teachers. Last Wednesday I had a meeting with Ms. Key about the event form and information from the marines that I had received. I emailed the Marines and they had said that there might be a person available, but it turned out that they wouldn’t be available to come until after the winter break which is when I would have to start my essay. So, Ms. Key recommended that I go with my plan C and just teach the class myself with the help of some friends. This would be better for reflection in my essay and overall experience. I plan to ask the marines which moves would be best for a first level class over an email interview. During the workshop I want to have prepared some pictures of me doing the moves, and some videos as well. I would also have a short presentation about women’s self-defense, and during the workshop have someone filming it.

I want the event to be held on Wednesday the 17th of December. I would have it during study hall and break, and I would need punching bags, floor mats, and the participants to be excused from their classes.

I asked the upper school gym teachers if the gym was available, and they had said yes but I had to check with the lower school teachers to make sure they didn’t need to use


the HS (high school). They then said that it wasn’t available because they needed it for one of their classes. So In talked to Ms. Martin again and asked about the availability of the Aula which is the assembly room for the school, but she said I needed to check with her secretary. Mr. Pereira came in and said that I should talk to him not the lower school teachers so I have a meeting with him at break time tomorrow. He also said that the school has a punching bag that I may be able to use.

I now need to finalize the dates to make sure everything would be for sure then enter the information into the poster and have a sign-up date in the school corridor. This is within two weeks. I also need to change my goals to teaching a workshop instead of organizing one. I believe I can get this done in that period of time.

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- I organized dates and all of the information needed for the event form. Collaboration- I have had a meeting with Ms. Key and discussed times, places and materials with different people such as the lower school teachers, Mr. Pereira, and Ms. Martin. Problem Solving- I’m working to find the venue for the workshop and the times in which it can be held. Reflection- I’m thinking about what goals and ideas I had before and what I need to do as my project progresses.

December 11, 2014



Today, I am reflecting on what has happened in the past several days. Most importantly, I have gotten my workshop approved with a few minor adjustments. Instead of having 9-12th grade girls, I am now only having 10th grade girls due to a dilemma with time. if I wanted it to be from the start of study hall to the end of first break, which I did, I would only be able to have the 10th grade girls come because for the girls in other


grades, especially IB, would be difficult to excuse them from their classes. Luckily it worked out, and I will probably perform better with more familiar surroundings.

I put up the posters around the 10th grade areas, and I already have 10 girls signed up, which was my minimum, but I am still hoping to get more signed up. For the actual workshop, I still have to create a short information PowerPoint and a schedule of what moves will be practiced and the amount of time each technique will take. Tomorrow I am meeting with Leon (a classmate who has been training in Krav Maga with me and will be assisting me in carrying-out the workshop) and he will be helping me solidify my schedule for the workshop. I also have another classmate helping me carry out the workshop, but he is less experienced with self-defense. For another type of assistant, I need a camera person to video tape the workshop, to show a completed workshop.

I talk to my Krav Maga instructor what techniques would be best to have at the workshop and we need a short of verbal interview, in which I will post the schedule including the moves we discussed at a later date after they have been finalized.

Since most of our projects are coming to an end we had a report writing workshop hosted by Mr. Kapetanovic (the teacher in charge of the overall PP). It was productive and gave me an insight onto what I needed to start on and complete by, and also tips and what needs to be included in the essay.

So far this year has been very difficult in balancing school life, personal project, after school activities, free time, and sleep. However, doing this PP has helped me learn to do this more easily.

Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- I organized what moves I will be doing and I also planned out what I need to do to finish my final product. Collaboration- I have had an interview with my Krav Maga instructor, and I have also been working with two other classmates who will help me carry-out the workshop. Problem Solving- I changed my original plan to what it needed to be, just 10th grade girls, in order for the workshop to be successful. Reflection- I have been thinking about what I have been doing and how successful I have been in make progress on my PP.

December 19, 2014




Today, I am reflecting on the events that have occurred, one of those events being the most important part of my project, the product, my Women’s self-defense workshop. This last Wednesday, I finished my women’s self-defense workshop and it was a huge success! I had 12 girls signed up but around 17 girls attended. This is because many girls were not sure if they could attend so they did not sign up, but when they came to me before the workshop started and asked if they could come, I said yes because i had room, and wanted to help as many girls as possible to better defend themselves. Everything went, according to plan, and we were able to teach all of the techniques and scenarios that we wanted to. I was able to find someone to film the workshop, and they finished the video and have given it to me, which I plan to use in the project fair on the 12th of February. Although, I would have been nicer to have had more time, we got what we needed to get done. Yesterday, I wrote up a survey and today I handed them out and got most of them back. The general consensus was that it was a success but it would have been nicer to have more time, or have the workshop split into 2 periods. Ms. Key also was very proud on how everything went and agreed that the workshop was a huge success. So, I’m glad with how it worked out, and I now have to start my report.

There was also a huge change in my project because I was informed that Ms. Key would be leaving and my supervisor would then be changed to Mr. Kapetanovic. I am sad to have to switch from such a wonderful mentor, but I am also open to the change because Mr. Kapetanovic should be a very helpful in the rest of my journey. He is the head of PP and is very knowledgeable in the subject, and should help me finish my project report successfully.

I plan to finish my rough draft of my report by the first week of school, and hand it in to my new supervisor, email it to my old supervisor, and have my parents check it as well. All in all, so far everything is going great.

Proof of ATL skills use:Collaboration- I worked with my mentor and assistants for my final product that went successfully. I met my new Supervisor, Mr. Kapetanovic.


Problem Solving- I had to adjust to having a new supervisor, by talking to him, and also being able to contact my old supervisor in case I needed help. And I also had to adjust my workshop to teach more girls who didn’t sign up. Reflection- I have been thinking about what I have been doing and how successful I have been in make progress on my PP, and moving onto the next step of my project.

January 29, 2014



Today, I am revisiting the past and discussing the present and future. Firstly, I finished my rough draft of my report and turned it in for comments with my supervisor. I had a meeting with Mr. Kapetanovic discussing the changes that needed to be made, and other questions I had, such as the types of process journal extracts we should include. I received the report back and am currently working on the second draft. The complete final report is due next Thursday and it feels like it is looming over me like a rain cloud. I have been pretty successful so far in providing the information needed for the report, but I believe the most difficult part will be choosing which journal extracts to include. I know that they need to represent investigating, planning, taking action, and reflecting but it will still be difficult to choose which best represent those categories. Once that is all done, then have to run the report through plagscan and fill out the academic honesty form, and I should be good. Lastly we will have the project fair and it will be over. It’s been difficult keeping up with everything that needs to be done, especially at the end of the semester and the internship coming up. Although it has really helped me to learn how to manage my time, and that there isn’t always time for breaks.

After finishing the PP I think I will be more prepared for the Diploma Years (DP) and the work that I will have to go through, but I will also feel relieved that the project is over. I love Krav Maga and will not stop attending the weekly sessions, but I will be relieved to have more time for other areas of my life. For now though, I need to focus on getting what I need to get done, then bask in the glory of finishing the PP.


Proof of ATL skills use:Organization- I planned for what needs to be done in the future, and the upcoming events that I need to plan for. Collaboration- I worked with Mr. Kapetanovic on my report discussing what needs to change and receiving feedback for the first rough draft of the report. Reflection- I reflected on the difficulty of the PP but also why is had helped and prepared me for the future.

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