Up on the housetop :) 

Just to let you guys hear me play, here is a quick little post!
I'm so sad that this project is almost over :( I have had so much fun with playing and learning the flute this year. I feel truly happy that I've had the opportunity to do this project. I feel also as though I have come a long way because I now know so much more. I can play a variety if small songs and part of "Let it Go." I'm very impressed with what I've done and proud of how much progress that I've made. I wish to keep on playing the flute in the future and over the summer to become the best that I can possibly be at it. This summer I'm renting out the school flute again so that I can keep practicing :) This project and blogging has been the best and I'm excited to see what more I can accomplish. Maybe one day I can play a much more challenging and larger song for the flute.

IBWL – 20-Time Final Reflection                                        Name: Elaina Parrillo

Directions: Please answer the following questions in complete sentences. Be honest and specific. How you respond will not be “graded”; however the thorough and honest completion of the reflection will be worth a portion of your final exam score (see rubric). Turn in your typed responses by Friday, June 6^th. This reflection will help me evaluate your 20-time project and 20-time itself. You may want to use the ideas in this reflection for your final blog post and/or final lightning talk.

1.     What did you intend to accomplish with your 20time project? What did you actually accomplish with your 20time project?

With my 20-Time project I intended to play a beginners song on the flute that was in tune. I accomplished playing many different little songs that I played from a beginners book such as: “Mary had a Little Lamb,” “Are you Sleeping,” “Yankee Doodle,” and much more. I got to about page 20 of my song-book so I learned a decent amount of small songs that I was able to play-for the most part-in tune. Furthermore, I learned how to play a little bit of the song “Let it Go” by just teaching myself.

2. Describe the impact of your project on yourself and others. How could you use what you learned to create a positive change in someone else or the community?

I think that first of all, this project has had a huge impact on me. I have always wanted to do something that I want to do. Yes, I play tennis and the cello but sometimes I think we all need a break from our busy lives so that we can try something new. This project helped me form what my passions are and I do truly love music. A positive change that I could create in the community is teaching others what this project taught me: do what you love.

3.     What roadblocks did you run into? What were the areas of the project that were more difficult than you expected them to be?

I think I thought time management was going to be way easier than it was; with my already busy schedule I think it was more difficult to try and break my routine by adding in a whole new thing that takes up time. I did my best to try and make time for it, though. It got a bit trickier at the end though because of all the pressure with tennis states and schoolwork.

4. What new learning, if any, did you gain because of the roadblock? Did the roadblock give you new insight, change the course of the project, etc.? How?

From the roadblocks I definitely did learn the importance of having a plan and to have a schedule set for how you are going to work everything into your schedule. It did not give me any change of course but I did realize that what I was trying to learn was more difficult than it appeared to me.

5.     Finish this sentence: The thing about this kind of learning that works best for me is….that I get to be creative.

6.     Finish this sentence: The thing about this kind of learning that is a challenge for me is...that I wish I would’ve had more time to learn because we only got about two months.

7.     Would you consider your project a success? A failure? Somewhere in between? Explain your answer.

I would consider my project somewhere in between. I have devoted time to learning how to play a variety of little songs that are in tune and I’m very proud of what I have accomplished. Although, I was really thinking that I would be able to play more of a longer song not just ones such as “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

8.     Estimate how much time you spent on your 20-Time project per week: I spent on average about an hour and a half per week.

9. How does what you did in 20-Time connect with the IB Learner Profile (see Moodle or Intro Packet for the IB Learner Profile qualities)? Discuss any and all qualities that apply.

I think my 20-time project connected to inquiry and thinking. Playing an instrument is not a walk in the park and there are many challenges that I had to face while playing such as learning notes and how to make them sound in tune when I played them. I had to research different notes and how to play them and really had to think about it was supposed to work because I was doing things my mentor hadn’t taught me yet. I think I successfully used those two traits and was able to play a whole lot better because of it. 

10. How does what you did in 20-Time show relevant learning in your English class? Things that may apply: written communication, oral communication, collaboration, research skills, technology/digital media skills, reading skills, etc.

Personally, I think learning how to play the flute would be probably research skills. I had no idea how to play this instrument when I picked it up and I got some minor help from my mentor on the way to hold it, make a sound, etc. but all the songs that I played I learned how to play myself. I researched how to play certain notes and learned two scales on my own. I took the initiative and learned a bunch of things before my mentor got to teach me.

11. What advice would you have for teachers who are doing 20-time projects in the future? What would you tell them that would make the project go more smoothly or more successfully?

I would start the project a little bit earlier than the last few months of school; for me personally it takes a lot of time to get better at playing the flute and if I want to keep improving it’s a gradual process over time and I feel it is that way for many students in the class.

12. What advice would you have for students who are doing a 20-time project in the future? What would you tell them that would make the project go more smoothly or more successfully?

Plan out your time wisely because everyone is busy and has a lot to do; if you’re doing something you’re passionate about you will want to create a plan so you get to accomplish a goal that is very important to you.

13.  Will you continue with your independent learning/creating beyond this class? Why or why not?

Yes I will! This summer I won’t have schoolwork to fret about and I really want to take out the school flute again and practice and become a better flutist. I feel as though with more time, I will have a better chance at finding time to practice and improving. Plus, I really do like playing the flute and I’m glad to have had this opportunity to do so.

14.  Anything else you would like me to know? (optional)

Hey everyone :) I just want to say that I love playing my flute. I feel so proud of how far I've come during this project. Now I'd like to talk about why I chose to play the flute and not chose something else. Ever since  fourth grade I've been committed to playing a stringed instrument, the cello. I've never had the chance to try something different to even see if I enjoyed it. Orchestra is wonderful and all,  but people play songs that are old and boring while band kids are playing pop songs that are full of life. They just seem to enjoy their class more, which gives me motivation to play a band instrument. It's been kind of hard being able to do this project and learn the flute because I'm always so preocupied with school and tennis but the time that I have committed to the flute has been such a good experience. When I take a break from the stressful schoolwork and sports, it just makes my day so much brighter and I could honestly spenc hours jut practicing and practicing the flute .
I'm so greatful that I've had the opportunity and I love that I get the chance for the first time to do something that I've always wanted to do and I love playing music. Well thanks for listening to me :) bye!

I wish I had more time for this beautiful instrument. These past few weeks have been so busy with school and tennis; tennis has been so draining lately I will come home and just fall asleep on my couch at like eight. One week we had a match or tournament every day of the week too. School wise, HOA and math have been brutal. I actually just got writing a math paper. How awful does that sound?  Time management is tricky in the spring for me, but I'm trying my best to fit in time for the flute. Unfortunately though, I still do not get much time with it. I don't even think I'll be ready for the whole presentation for the project on the thirteenth. Oh well. I still really want to play this instrument though, I really do. As much as I love the sound of the cello, I regret not playing a band instrument. Plus, the flute is much nicer and easier to carry around hahaha. My gradual progress is not much to brag about, but isn't going to stop me. I believe that if you can get through obstacles to reach a goal it just proves how dedicated you are. I think I just need to stay optimistic about it. Also I'm pretty impressed that my blog has gotten over 70 views haha I feel quite loved, so thanks random people for seeing what I'm doing and how my progress has been with my flute :)
       

Progress so far has been really good :) I've practiced my flute quite a bit and I'm able to play two scales and a lot of short songs. Last Friday I played my flute with my mentor and the people around us said that they were impressed how well I was doing; the teacher in the room stated he couldn't even tell who was the actual flute player and who wasn't! Over spring break I tried to practice almost every day and I'm gradually improving every time I do.

Also here is a video of the first time I picked up my flute and made a sound out of it. Since then, I've improved a lot and I'm very proud of myself.

I going to keep practicing as much as I can even though I have a busy schedule now with playing tennis. I hope to keep improving and learning this instrument to the best of my abilities.

        I'm not sure what to write on this blog, but I'm going to start off by saying that I have never been more excited for a school project. For this 20-Time project I have selected learning how to play the flute; I am a cellist and I've always wondered what it would be like to play a band instrument (plus the flute is so pretty). This idea was the first thing that came to mind and I was ready to get started right away. Also along with learning how to play this instrument, I get to teach a friend, Emily, how to play the cello while she helps me with my flute!
       The flute that I have in my possession right now is a school flute, courtesy of Mr. Derees. When I got my first glimpse of the flute up close it just looked like metal stick with a bunch of complicated keys covering it. I just thought to myself, "What have I gotten myself into?" But I am determined to learn. The catch about the flute is that you have to blow into it a certain way and I'm foreign to this idea because all i do is place a bow across the strings of my cello. I was told that you have to blow over it like you're blowing on a hot cup of coffee, you can't puff up your cheeks, you have to hold the flute a certain way on your lips, etc. My first attempts at trying to make a sound out of this strange object were not so pleasant to the ear; it either wouldn't make a sound or it would make this muffled, high- pitched noise.
       With the failure of even producing a sound out of the instrument, it pushed me to practice until I figured it out. I went home and practiced for hours trying to just make a few good sounding notes...which didn't go too well. My little brother even told me I was the worst flute player on the planet, which probably wasn't an incorrect accusation. I finally could play a few notes after practicing for about three hours. Every day from then on, I've practiced at least once a day trying to learn basic songs like "Mary had a Little Lamb" and such. As of right now, I can officially play nine notes! Pretty impressive if I do say so myself ;)
        My plan as of now is to keep practicing, getting help from Emily and my mother (who used to play the flute), and to just have fun with this. So far, I've been driven to try and do my best at learning how to play. I'll be keeping this blog updated with my progress and I hope to be able to play a beginners level song-in tune- by the end of the semester.