Academy 21 is a class with a project based learning style. We do projects on topics of our choice. I chose to do a project on Yo-yos. We try to incorporate science, social studies, math, and language arts into our projects. Academy 21 is similar to and different from regular classes on the core subjects. I will explain why.
In Academy 21 as well as regular math classes, assessments or quizzes are taken every few days to track progress. By the end of the year, we also learn the same general science and social studies concepts as the standard classes. Lastly, writing assignments take place in both types of classes.
Academy 21 are also very different from the typical classes. We do an online math program called Aleks that lets you learn at your own pace by giving explanations if you don't understand the topic. In a regular class, everyone works on the same thing and gets the same homework even if they already understand the concept. In a typical science or social studies class, everyone gets assigned the same projects and other work by the teacher. However, in the Academy, we just have to incorporate the subjects into our projects that we picked. For example, in my yo-yo project I related Newton's first law, the law of inertia, to the way the yo-yo works. I also included the history of the yo-yo covering the social studies portion. Lastly, a language arts class will have to write about what the teacher tells them. On the other hand, in the Academy we write about topics of our choice and may use creative methods of presenting them.
As you can see, there are many similar characteristics between Academy 21 and standard classes, and there are also many differences between the two. Both learning styles are effective even though they are conducted in different ways.
Academy 21 are also very different from the typical classes. We do an online math program called Aleks that lets you learn at your own pace by giving explanations if you don't understand the topic. In a regular class, everyone works on the same thing and gets the same homework even if they already understand the concept. In a typical science or social studies class, everyone gets assigned the same projects and other work by the teacher. However, in the Academy, we just have to incorporate the subjects into our projects that we picked. For example, in my yo-yo project I related Newton's first law, the law of inertia, to the way the yo-yo works. I also included the history of the yo-yo covering the social studies portion. Lastly, a language arts class will have to write about what the teacher tells them. On the other hand, in the Academy we write about topics of our choice and may use creative methods of presenting them.
As you can see, there are many similar characteristics between Academy 21 and standard classes, and there are also many differences between the two. Both learning styles are effective even though they are conducted in different ways.
your intro is very clear and sort of interesting. One thing you could do to make it more exciting is you could add in that we could do anything for our projects that we like or that fascinates us.
ReplyDeleteYou had your thesis statement set up pretty good. I mean you didn't say "I like academy 21 because, ______. You explained why you liked it in the paragraphs by explaining how it's better than regular classes. In some of the paragraphs topic sentences, it stuck to the topic in some you mixed it up a bit.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you made it clearer to the reader that academy 21 is different but also like other classes
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ReplyDeleteThis was a really interesting piece. You clearly understand the main purpose of the Academy, and do a good job of communicating how projects work. I like how you site the specific example of the yo-yo project, and Newton's first Law of Inertia. Excellent job.
ReplyDeleteIt was how you compared academy 21 to other classes. I also liked your thesis statement and body. But the words I'm here to explain why kind of threw me maybe you could used something different.
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