**Journal**

My Journal October 8th : Not much has been accomplished so far excet for getting under way with my research. I have spent about 3 hours at least reading my different sources. I have spent some time talking with my mother (who is also my mentor) and basically I have decided to use the format and information on the flyer from the drive last year but just update it and make it look nice and add stuff to it. Within the next two weeks I hope to have flyers done for around the school. An Anomoto/ regular annocement done for the school annocements and have picked out/ found big boxes to collect my iteams. In addition I need to decorate the boxes and make them look cool which I think from an advertising point of view would make people more apt to donate. Oh and I almost forgot, this week I need to ask around school in places like the library or the office of Mrs. Dean to see if I can leave donation boxes there. This is basically just a chaotic time for me balancing this, school, and college stuff. However, I'm sure it will all work out.

Oct 11: I emailed the Project Aloe organization and told them what I was doing and what I wanted to do and asked them for pictures or videos.

October 15: I created the posters that will decorate the collection box and I have talked to Mrs. Velenza about allowing me to leave the collection box in the library. She said it was fine.

October 25: Today in class I spent about 45 minutes watching a video presentation by Jonathan School and taking notes on what he was sayings. This was incredibly helpful because it gave me ideaas of other things to research for my project. It also showed me theat there are many ways to look at the issue of the achievement gap. I could focus on the students, the teachers, the schools, the government and so many other factors that I didn't think about before watching this video. After watching this video I have figured out some possible topics for my last two reaserch topics that I plan to find tonight when I go home, which will probably take me another hour.

November 8: Today I finished my outline of my first research project, which will be a glogster. and I have stated working on it. It is a really cool tool and I like it a lot. I also made fliers that I would like to hand out to students in their home rooms.

December 20:

About twice or three times a week during my study call period I spend either the entire block or part of the block with the special needs kids. It is an extremely humbling and rewarding experience. The kids and the staff are all so genuinely wonderful and I always enjoy my time with them. Most Fridays, we go up to Mrs. Fem's room and dance and sing with her. It is a lot of fun and everyone enjoys it. I also read to them, assist with their group activities and help them pack up to go home. We work on many skills to help them be prepared for when they leave high school. I think that without a doubt I have learned so much more from them then they have from me. They teach me to be grateful for the tiniest things. They teach me to love and accept people as they are. These kids are considered to be the outlanders of society and yet they have abilities that some very educated people do not have. They are affectionate, loving and helpful. They see all people the same, ignorant to race, wealth, size. All they care about is how you treat them. And I think more people should be like them. Imagine a world where everyone was genuine, acted how they were feeling, never tried to conceal their emotions always willing to spread love, this world would be a different place. Because of my experience with these kids I am grateful for more than what I have, but my ability to communicate. A skill that too many people take for granted. Imagine having a pain, or being hungry and not being able to tell anyone. These kids make me want to genuinely be a better person. They are all my friends and I am forever grateful for what they have thought me.