CREATIVITY
Afterschool Dance
I have been dancing for many years in several dance schools, therefore I decided that as part as my CAS experiences, I was going to join the after school dance class. Although this was much simpler than the classes I was used to, I learned many things by mylself, the peers, and the teacher.
Learning Outcomes
I have been dancing for many years in several dance schools, therefore I decided that as part as my CAS experiences, I was going to join the after school dance class. Although this was much simpler than the classes I was used to, I learned many things by mylself, the peers, and the teacher.
Learning Outcomes
- As part of my after school dance class participation, I did a dance which was very challenging as it was my first time choreographing for my own solo performance. I overcame it by asking for feedback by the teacher who used to perform a lot of solos when she was in a dance company. Now I feel prepare to create more solos and also give feedback to others who want to choreograph their first individual performances.
- I realized that my areas of strengths are coming up with a strong idea for a theme and also modifying old movements. Creating new ones was difficult at first but not impossible. Now it is easier to develop new movements and create a great choreography.
- Sometimes I got frustrated when I could not come up with moves for my solo and the other group performances. I wanted to give up and take moves from already created choreographies but that is unethical. In times such as this one, I said to myself to keep working hard and I would see progress. In the end I made one of the best solo and group dance ever and was proud of myself for the commitment and perseverance.
- I work closely with the other dancers to create a group performance. There was nothing challenging about this since we would all agree on each other's ideas.
- I helped plan and initiate various warmups and choreographies. This experience helped me realized how creative I am; something that I would always negate.
Dance Class
I decided to teach a dance class and apply what I learned at the dance school I attended when I was younger. Although I did not teach this class for a long time I learned and realized things that I did not know:
Learning Outcomes:
I decided to teach a dance class and apply what I learned at the dance school I attended when I was younger. Although I did not teach this class for a long time I learned and realized things that I did not know:
Learning Outcomes:
- Because it was my first time teaching a class, I had to develop new skills and take risks. For example, I had to make the class as easy as possible for the "student", but also make it challenging in order for her to develop new skills as well. The first classes were very difficult to teach as I did not know the level of dance the student was in. Therefore, I gave her a mini "test" in which I could see what level she was in. After this, the other classes were not as challenging for me as the instructor.
- After teaching this class, I realized that I need to work on giving simple explanations for others to understand what is being asked better. However, I am good at demonstrating how things are supposed to be done and helping people getting them right.
- Due to the amount of homework I had during this period of teaching, sometimes the best thing to do was to cancel the practice, but I did not do this because if one does not practice what is learned when going to a dance class, those learned skills could be loss within two weeks.
- Each week I had to plan the lessons for the dance class. Each plan consisted of a different warmup, different flexibility exercises, technique exercises, and new moves for the choreography.
Spanish Club
I joined the Spanish Club because I am Hispanic/Latina and I wanted to share part of my culture with other individuals who were seeking to learn more about Hispanic cultures. In the club, I learned the following things:
Learning Outcomes:
I joined the Spanish Club because I am Hispanic/Latina and I wanted to share part of my culture with other individuals who were seeking to learn more about Hispanic cultures. In the club, I learned the following things:
Learning Outcomes:
- I showed commitment and perseverance by attending almost every meeting and by participating in the different events the Spanish Club held, such as the Apple Fest, World Fest, and dinners at different Hispanic restaurants around Frankfurt am Main.
- I had to work with other when deciding what was going to be sold in each fest hosted by the school and which tasks we were going to assign to each member.
ACTION
Fitness Center
For the "Action" part of CAS, I have been going to the Fitness Center in the Stroth Center. Sometimes I went with a gym partner and other times alone. I realized that I like going with a "gym buddy" better because we motivate each other and it is harder to give up when one is tired. Additionally, during the tough times of the year, although I did not stick to my planned schedule to attend the gym due to the amount of rigorous course work, my partner encouraged me to go every time I had the chance. Every time I went to the gym I released stress and it gave me energy to do a better performance in tasks.
Learning Outcomes:
For the "Action" part of CAS, I have been going to the Fitness Center in the Stroth Center. Sometimes I went with a gym partner and other times alone. I realized that I like going with a "gym buddy" better because we motivate each other and it is harder to give up when one is tired. Additionally, during the tough times of the year, although I did not stick to my planned schedule to attend the gym due to the amount of rigorous course work, my partner encouraged me to go every time I had the chance. Every time I went to the gym I released stress and it gave me energy to do a better performance in tasks.
Learning Outcomes:
- When I first went to the Fitness Center to exercise, a challenge I experienced was not knowing how far to push myself. I would overdo some exercises and the following day my muscles would be really sore. In order for this not to occur, I read many articles on how not be sore and followed the instructions given. Now I stretch before and after every movement and I am not sore anymore.
- I feel confident about myself now that I am healthier. Before going to the Fitness Center often, I did not feel good about my image, but I realized that is not the body image was makes one happy, but being healthy does.
- When things got difficult (workload, lack of sleep, etc.), I did not stop going to the Fitness Center. I did not go often but that did not stop me from achieving my goals.
- I went to the gym with my "gym Buddy"/ friend Lisa Jungmann most of the time. We learned to respect each other's level in the "fitness world". For some types of exercises, she was more advanced than I was and visa versa. We also learned to motivate each other when we wanted to give up, as both of us knew that each one had goals to achieve.
- In order to achieve my aim, sometimes I planned a gym session so that I would not be without a clue about what was I going to do next.
SERVICE
Wilderness International
I heard about Wilderness International through some friends and decided to join because the purpose of this club is related to what I will study in university (environmental science). Although I knew most of the topics discussed in the meetings, it was also a great opportunity to learn about other things that make up our environment and their importance:
Learning outcomes
I heard about Wilderness International through some friends and decided to join because the purpose of this club is related to what I will study in university (environmental science). Although I knew most of the topics discussed in the meetings, it was also a great opportunity to learn about other things that make up our environment and their importance:
Learning outcomes
- I attended almost every meeting and also participated in the different bake sales WIN did. In the bake sales I sometimes sold, bake, or did both.
- I worked with the other members of the club when deciding which things were going to be sold in the bake sales.
- We promoted what the club does and therefore we raise money in order to achieve the Wilderness International's purpose. With the money, we adopted a piece of land in Canada and it cannot be harm by human activities. Animals are free to do what they would like to do in this adopted land without being intimidated by humans.
Girl Up
I decided to join Girl Up when I heard about it through my 10th grade counselor. When I joined the club, I got motivated to do more in the club in order to help the girls without the same rights as us. I learned many things and I hope I can share the information acquired with other students at the university I will attend.
Learning outcomes:
I decided to join Girl Up when I heard about it through my 10th grade counselor. When I joined the club, I got motivated to do more in the club in order to help the girls without the same rights as us. I learned many things and I hope I can share the information acquired with other students at the university I will attend.
Learning outcomes:
- I learned new ways in which one can help individuals who are not as fortunate as us in developing countries. For instance, one can get in contact with an organization in those countries and send aid to help them help the unfortunate ones.
- I showed commitment and perseverance by attending every meeting and by also selling and baking in each bake sale. I also helped in the Charity Fashion by being one of the models for one of the designers.
- We helped girls in developing countries to be as privileged as girls in more economically developed countries. For example, we raised money to provide girls in Uganda with good education.