Final Capstone Reflection Journal Entry

The last requirement of the Capstone Project prior to your presentation is to

reflect on the process by writing a final journal reflection. You will need to answer
ALL required questions.
Please use PARAGRAPHS IN YOUR WRITING. YOU MUST INCLUDE DETAILS IN
YOUR RESPONSES.
___________________________________________________________________
¨ The Capstone is a unique and demanding challenge. In completing it, what
did you learn about your subject? Your skill set? Yourself?

¨ How is your project relevant to you, the school or the community-at-large?

¨ How did you demonstrate the six Core Competencies throughout this
project? (See attached Core Competency sheet)

¨ What impact if any did your Capstone project have?

¨ Thinking about the whole process and your finished product, what are you
most proud of?

¨ What was a difficulty you encountered and how did you solve the problem?

¨ What is one thing about your finished project you wish you could change?
Why?

¨ What advice would you give to a student who will be completing their
Capstone Project next year?

¨ What source from your research helped you the most? (or least?).

¨ What is one thing about your approach to your project that you wish you
could change? Why?
 When working on my capstone I learned more about the dishes I was making
and the importance of these dishes in Ghana. Apart from this, I learned how these
dishes bring people together, seeing the joy on my family’s faces as they ate the
food I made, made me so happy and being told that the food was good brought
me even more joy. I also learned how capable I am in the kitchen, I got help from
my mom with most of the dishes, because of the difficulty. But one of the days my
mom left me on my own and I was able to make the dish without any assistance
from her. As well as how well I do when it comes to solving problems.
This project is relevant to me, because it is a cookbook on Ghanaian dishes and
as a Ghanaian Canadian this was an opportunity for me learn more about my
culture and learn how the dishes have an impact on my family and friends. This is
relevant to the community because this allows them to learn about another
culture and the food that is eaten there, as well as how the dishes bring people
together. This project also allowed me to explore more about myself and the
importance and impact these dishes have.
I was able to demonstrate creative thinking when it came to the layout of
cookbook, I thought of different ways that it could look and how to arrange the
pictures. Critical thinking was demonstrated when I was writing down the
measurements. As well as when I was reading over the directions to make sure
everything was correct. I allowed for different perspectives and took those into
consideration when making the cookbook. This demonstrated social
responsibility. I showed personal awareness and responsibility by taking time out
of my day to make these recipes and voiced what I needed from my mentor for
me to succeed. When making my cookbook I demonstrated communication by
saying what I needed from others to help me with the cookbook. By making this
cookbook that is about Ghanaian dishes I demonstrated personal and cultural
identity.
My cookbook mainly had an impact on me as it allowed me to learn how to
make these dishes I grew up on. Although I’ve been eating these dishes and
watching my mom make them my whole life, I never really knew the process of
how these dishes were made. When making them I learned the process and hard
work that goes into it.
 I am most proud of the fact that I was able to make some of these dishes on
my own without any assistance from my mother. I always thought that I needed
my mom’s help making these, but when left alone I was able to figure out what
does and doesn’t work. The fact that I could do it on my own is what makes me so
proud. My whole life I relied on my parents, so to know that I’m able make entire
meals on my own brings me much joy.
A difficulty I encountered was finding time when both my mom and I were
free, since I had school and she had work I struggled to find time that worked for
both of us. To solve this problem, I would let my mom know when I wanted to
cook so she could get the ingredients I needed and find time to guide me in what
to do.
One thing I wish I could change is where I made the cookbook. I feel if I used a
different app to make it, it would have looked nicer compared to how I made it. I
feel if I laid it out differently it could have looked neater.
The advice I would give future grade 12’s is don’t wait too long before getting
started on the project. Even though it may seem like a lot of time it goes by fast.
So, if you have an idea go with it and if you change it along the way that’s ok. If I
learned anything from the experience, it’s to not waste time and get it done or
else you will become more stressed the closer you get to the end of year.
Prioritize things well so that you are well organized and know what your plan is.
The source that helped me the most was the article about Ghanaian food. It
talked about how Ghanaian dishes bring people together, and that was the main
goal for my cookbook I wanted to bring people together and help them learn
about a new culture and its food. That source discussed things that could help me
think of ways that this cookbook could help others.
One thing I wish I could change about my approach to the project is how I
made the meals. Whenever I made a meal, I didn’t write it down right away. I
waited a few days before writing it. I wish I typed up the meal right away so that I
could have better recollection of how I made the meal. Not to say that the
cookbook is not accurate, but I feel that it would be even more accurate if wrote
down the recipe the day of.