Portfolio: Brag Sheet

Your homework is to ask a parent/guardian and a friend/family member for feedback about who you are, what your strengths are, etc.  We will use that information (and the experiences you have listed on your résumé) to create a "brag sheet."


So what is a brag sheet?

When applying for a job, a college, or a social program (i.e. becoming a foster parent) you need letters of recommendation -- a letter from someone you know who is willing to vouch for your character, experience, or skills.

The biggest difficulty in getting a letter of recommendation is asking someone and, of course, letting them know what it is you need from them.  What should they talk about in the letter?  What should they avoid?  Are there any achievements you would like them to highlight?  Are there other things you want them to know before they write your recommendation?

Today we will be creating a "Brag Sheet" with some of your history and accomplishments that you can give to someone when you ask for a letter of recommendation.

Required:

1. Name as you would like it to appear on the letter.
2. Address, Phone Number, and Email (similar to résumé)
3. Do you have an intended major when applying to college?  What experience(s) have influenced this planned goal?
4. About Me:  Create a bulleted list of six adjectives which you, your family, or friends would use to describe you.  Give an example for each.
5. What are your proudest personal accomplishments?
6. What do you choose to learn on your own time?
7. Looking back at middle and high school, create bulleted lists of each the following:

• Extracurricular (Student government, yearbook, music, drama, art, clubs, etc.)
• Volunteer/Community Services
• Sports (organized sports in and out of school)
• Summer Experiences (Mission trips, summer travel programs (not vacations), etc.)
• Awards/Honors (Includes school, regional or national prizes in any subject, sports awards, etc.)
• Employment (Camp counselor, babysitting, tutoring, internships, jobs, etc.
• Hobbies (Interests that are not organized, like reading [with a book list], computer programming, etc.  Be selective)

Recommended:

1. Which course(s) have you enjoyed most?  Why?
2. Which course(s) have given you the most difficulty?  Why?
3. What positive factors (such as personal, family, summer experiences, teacher interactions) have contributed to your performance?
4. Have there been events, circumstances or experiences which have had a negative impact on your academic standing?  (Moving, cultural differences, sickness, accidents, divorces, deaths, etc.)
5. Looking back, how would you describe your high school experiences in the following ways:

• Academically
• Personally 

Notes:

• List extracurricular activities and hobbies in order of their importance to you.
• Everything else should be listed in chronological order, beginning with the most recent.
• Keep your Brag Sheet on 2 pages (or even better, 1 two-sided sheet).

Beginning Checking: Checks and Registers

Today we're going to begin a unit on using a checking account.  First we'll do a math worksheet going over percentages, decimals, and writing amounts out in longhand. (I will be handing out a copy in class, but you can get a copy here)

Next we will explore the general layout of a personal check:

Finally we will do a quick simulation of writing checks and using a check register.  I will be passing out a worksheet with three checks and a register (you can view a copy here: Checks with Register).  Use the following scenario to complete your worksheet:

• You begin your checking account today (12/02/16) with $135.72 from your piggy bank.
• You receive a Check for $550.00 from your work and Deposit it to your checking account on 12/03/16.
• Write a Check for your rent on 12/04/13 for $525 to Jellico Green Apartments.
• You go to dinner at Jellico Steakhouse on Saturday Night (12/05/16) for $18.27 and use your Debit Card.
• You send a Check to Edward Teach in the amount of $31.19 on 12/06/16 for a lamp you bought on eBay.
• You receive a Check for $550.00 on 12/07/16 from your work and you Deposit it to your checking account that afternoon.
• You write a Check for your car payment to Jellico Auto Brokers on 12/08/16 in the amount of $224.72.
• You use Online Banking to pay $124.25 for your PG&E bill on 12/09/16.

Compare your ending balance with a neighbors to verify your accuracy.

Here are a couple video clips to explore:

Computer Lab: Day 1 (Accounts & Word Processing)

Don't forget to bring your draft references and résumé so we can type them up in the computer lab tomorrow!

Today we will be using the computer lab to create some Google accounts, explore the Google Drive, and use word processing software (one of the Google Docs).

Our projects will include:

• References
• Résumés
• Email

To begin with, create a new Google Account (if you don't already have one).  This will be your email address, your Google Docs login, etc.  Sometimes Google asks you for a phone number to verify that you are a real person.  If you don't have a phone, you may have to borrow one from a friend for a few seconds.

Next we will look at Email.  You can either click the Gmail button in your Google Account or you can go to Gmail.com to access the tool.  You will send an email to: askgriff@gmail.com  and the subject of the email will be your name.  You can just type "Hello" or something in the email to get full credit for this assignment.

Résumé Template:  (Click Here)