Gabriela Duran

Reflecting on the readings:

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being not at all, and 5 being very well, how well did you understand this
week's readings?
Overall I feel like I am at a 4 because I understood so far what is going on with the Jeff Chang
book but with the article, that is where I had some difficulty.

1. Jeff Chang's "Is Diversity for White People?"

5 because it captured my attention and it mentions situations that is happening now in

day.

2. Richard Valencia "The Mexican American Struggle for..."

3 because I struggled in understanding some of the vocabulary which made it difficult for
me to understand what was being argued. Although I understood the major concept
because I understood Valencias purpose and objective by writing the article.

2. Are you using your reading strategies to add to your knowledge about the topic?
What specific strategies are you applying and how are they helping you? If you are
not, why not? Explain. (reference the Reading Strategies List)
I do use my reading strategies when I am reading by defining words that I dont understand to
better my understanding of the text, breaking down sections when I know itll be a big reading
(Summary/Paraphrase), and I reread sections I dont understand. Although I should go more in
debth with my reading by trying to find a connection with the author and questions for myself
and the text that may later be answer in the text. Also, I should better prepare myself on finding
the time to read my reading critically.

3. Review your annotations for Valencia's text. Reference the annotations handout and
identify the types of annotations you are using. List them below. (reference the
Types of Annotations Handout)
Highlighting sections that I have something to say about it (Agreements/Disagreements)
Wrote the words I didnt know the meaning of, up at the top with their definitions
(Language/Diction)
Sectioned my reading by breaking it down (Summary/Paraphrase)

Part 2 Directions: Set up your Weebly Hybrid portfolio- make sure you have done the following
to set up your portfolio. (You should have finished this in class, but if not, use this as a checklist)

1. Establish your domain name/url: make sure it reflects who you are as a student and
remember you can change this later [DONE]
2. Title your Portfolio: remember you can change this later [DONE]
3. Change your password [DONE]
4. Choose a Theme that you want to use: remember you can change this later [DONE]
5. Select and add an image to your page [DONE]
 6. Play around with the website and start thinking about how you might want to
organize it. [DONE]

Part 3 Directions: brainstorm ideas for your portfolio by answering the following questions.

Establish your ETHOS as a writer, a critical thinker, a college student, a

university-bound scholar:
What do you want people to think about who you are as a student?
I want people to know that I am a college student/Latina who is coming from a family
who migrated here with nothing, worked their butts off to provide me with my education. I
am doing this for them. To make them proud.

How do you want people to think about the way you see yourself and
your educational journey?
I want people to know that I am a hard worker when It comes to school. I always try to do
the best I can. I started off high school not caring about my school worked and I slacked
off throughout my high school years, College has changed me to think about the
importance of education one self. Sacrifices and struggles are bound to happen in my
educational journey to get to where I want to be. But I consider it to be a beautiful
struggle because it will be all worth it at the end.

Why did you make the choice to join the Puente Program, an
accelerated, challenging program that pushes your reading and writing
abilities?
English wasnt one of my best subjects. Ive struggled a lot with spelling and thinking
critically about a topic I had to write about. When I first heard of Puente, I knew that this
program was going to be tough but I had to challenge myself to see what I am really
capable of. So far I have seen huge differences. And I can honestly say that Puente has
changed my point of view on being more mature and responsible.

What are your basic values and/or beliefs about life in general and your
educational path specifically?
I believe that getting an education is the best thing you can do. You get well educated so
that makes you prepared to be informed about what is going around you. To grow as a
person, you must go through struggles in life. Same thing for school, Its a struggle at
first, but one must learn not to give up and all of your struggle with be rewarded at the
end by you becoming someone. Having that dream job youve always wanted.

What word, phrase, or quote best captures how you want people to see
you in the context of your educational journey? Explain why you think this
is an important word, phrase, or quote.
Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives
by bending with the wind - Bruce Lee
This quote connects with my educational journey because bamboos take years
to fully develop. Its a tough plant to grow but if you do it right, once its fully
develope, nothing can break it down; its strong. This quote is basically saying
that to become successful in life, one must work hard, suffer, and struggle. Not
everything will be easy and we have to learn to accept that. If we take the easy
 way out, for example, not go to school, then we'll be stuck with our un grown self
while you see other people becoming something in life, those people will easily
be torn down. Unlike those who work their butt off and struggle and face
challenges, those people at the end will notice that all of their struggle wasnt for
no reason, you are happy with who you have become and you won't be able to
be torn down.
Connect to your audience and use PATHOS to connect with your intended
audience.
My intended audience is those who have had that lost of hope. Who have been told by others
that you wont make it far.
7th to 8th grade, following all through high school, I had special ed. In middle school, I
didnt really know why I was put there but that meant I had to take my english and math classes
separate from everyone else. I didnt complain, I didnt really care. Once I got to high school, I
started getting bothered by it because I would always tell myself that I didnt need it, that I was
able to do my assignment on my own and I was able to get through my subjects without any
special help. I tried so hard my sophomore year to get rid of my special ed class and I did. But
once I was left alone, I struggled. After that, I doubted myself, I kept putting myself down that I
wasnt able to do anything and that school just wasnt my thing. So my junior year, college was
very important because thats when counselors start talking to you about where you might want
to go. I knew that I at least wanted to go to a community college but I had a dream as well. I
wanted to go to UCD because I read online that they had a great Vet program. I told my
counselors what I wanted to do and they actually told me to apply to Foothill because they were
the best school to go to if I wanted to later on transfer to UCD. My Senior year, my special ed
teacher asked me what my plan after high school was, at that time, I was for sure set that I was
going to attend Foothill and later on transfer to UCD. When I told him, he said that because I
was a special ed student, I probably wouldnt make it to a 4-year and wouldnt even be allowed
to apply I was so sad. I had changed my mind about transferring and I was only going
graduate from community college. Puente has taught me that no matter where you come from
and your past, If you want to further expand your education, its possible. They got me back on
my feet and have motivated and taught me that struggling can be looked as a positive way if I
make it be.

Aside from me, your instructor, who do you most want to reach and
impact with a demonstration of your work? Who is your INTENDED
audience?
Special Ed students
Students with lost motivation

Is it an audience of today? A future audience? Describe your audience.

I would say its both a today's audience and future audience because there is a lot of
students who get placed in special education. Some may not even need it but they are
placed there. Making them feel like they are labeled as stupid and unsuccessful

Consider your purpose and how you hope to impact, influence, or reach your
particular intended audience:
What do you want your intended audience to understand about you and
your learning journey?
That I struggled all throughout my high school years thinking that I wasnt capable of
doing things on my own. Being in special ed made me feel stupid so I wouldnt try. But
later on lifted myself up and changed my how perspective of myself and my education
thanks to Puente.

Demonstrate your growth as a critical thinker and writer (LOGOS)

Reference the page, C reating Your Hybrid Portfolio, and read the Terms
to Know sections. Based upon these terms, as well as your experience in
the work you've done in this class from last quarter to this quarter, what
are some categories or "tabs" you think you should have to organize your
portfolio? List your possible TABS/PAGES on your portfolio website.
About The Author
reflections
Personal Dictionaries
Final/ Finishing Pieces