Tara

Mekosh
Periodic Table Story Board
September 23, 2013
Poster board, Paper, Mixed Media

After much contemplation, I decided to create a Periodic Table Story Board to display my
literacy history. I chose to use this genre for two reasons. One, being that in my free time I can be found
studying for my Chemistry classes and two because of my literacy history, I have an abundance of
negative experiences and a small amount of these experiences that impacted me in a positive way. The
periodic table story board allowed me to incorporate these stories into my project in an organized
manner.
Within the periodic table there are specific columns that have charges. Certain columns are
positive and others are negative while one stays neutral. The first two columns, Group 1A and 2A, both
have positive charges. Inside these first columns, I have written out my positive experiences with
literacy. One positive experience I had with literacy was reading the Harry Potter books with my Mom.
Every night when I was younger we would curl up into bed, by ourselves, and read the Harry Potter
series. We would take turns reading and she would take the time to make sure I comprehended what I
was reading or hearing. After completing each book, we would take a trip to the movie theaters and
have a movie date together. The effort my Mom put forth into my literacy in reading was greatly
appreciated and has led me to love to read myself.
Secondly, columns thirteen through seventeen, Group 3A to 7A, all have negative charges, and
within them I have written the negative stories about my literacy history. One of the worst years of my
life was fourth grade. I was so young and the teacher, Mr. White, ran his classroom like we were in the
military. Every essay I turned in I would receive a low grade. Eventually, I began to think nothing I wrote
was good enough. I dreaded going to class and for that reason I would make myself sick so that I could
stay home. The effects of Mr. Whites downgrading of my work has traveled with me over the years. I
still believe I need an immense amount of improvement in writing, and still fear writing for academic
purposes.
Finally, the last column, Group 8A, has no charge and for that reason I have written about things
that I believe did not affect me in a positive or negative light. In tenth grade a student in North Carolina
has to take the writing test, and tenth grade English is supposed to prepare you for the test. Sadly, my
English teacher, Mrs. Carriker, did not take her job seriously. Instead of working on our literacy skills we
would watch videos and have pot lucks every day. Since we did not spend time working on our literacy
skills I found that my tenth grade year was more neutral than any other option. At the end of the year I
neither improved, nor declined in my ability to read and write.
My specific audience does not include everyone. Instead, it is geared to those who have a basic
chemistry knowledge. Every person may not understand the format of the genre, due to the fact that
my genre is a periodic table; however, I believe individuals will be able to comprehend the stories
contained in my project. I wanted to convey my knowledge on chemistry, while also displaying my
literacies in a creative way. Overall, I believe this project depicts my history with literacy accurately.
Perhaps my project is not flawless, but the time and effort compensate for the imperfections, just as my
literary history.

Aly Pfeil 9/26/13 10:00 AM

Comment [1]: Reword this part. A small
amount of these experiences have impacted
me in a positive way?
Aly Pfeil 9/26/13 10:02 AM
Comment [2]: I like this sentence because it
explains to the audience about the periodic
table.
Aly Pfeil 9/26/13 10:03 AM
Comment [3]: Change wording
Aly Pfeil 9/26/13 10:05 AM
Comment [4]: Movie theater?
Aly Pfeil 9/26/13 10:05 AM
Comment [5]: Into my reading literacy?
Aly Pfeil 9/26/13 10:06 AM
Comment [6]: Im confused. It has made you
love to read? Or love to read to yourself? I do
not think you need the myself at the end

Aly Pfeil 9/26/13 10:08 AM

Comment [7]: Every student

Aly Pfeil 9/26/13 10:09 AM

Comment [8]: It is easy for us to understand
because you explained it well J
Aly Pfeil 9/26/13 10:10 AM
Comment [9]: In chemistry?