Spare Parts - Reading Response Journal

Reading Response Journals (RRJs) are an informal space for you to explore the readings as well as your own reading
process. The first step to writing an RRJ is to read carefully, taking notes on the text as you go. RRJs should include the
following:
1.

A brief summary of the chapters (5-8 sentences) including major events, characters, and important information
about setting (place and time).

After gathering all the necessary materials and devices, it was time they started putting them together. However,
they needed to practice assembling first because once they glued their project, it would be impossible to
disassemble it. The team went through a hard time when gluing the ROVs parts together and ended up having
too much space to put the briefcase. That gap could be flooded with water and create electric shock. Therefore,
Lorenzo came up with an idea of bending the pipes to narrow the space. Later on, they named the ROV after the
smell of glue created during assembling process, which was Stinky. After completing their project, they
brought it to Scuba Sciences to carry out the experiment. They found the buoyancy still problematic and tried
balancing Stinky with a sunscreen bottle. While Cristian and Hanck were trying to make it dive, the robot
bumped into the wall twice. The second time, the system was down, making Stinky float. They brought it back
to the closet for a repair and went back for the second experiment. Cristian and Hanck continued to practice
controlling the robot, but unfortunately Hanck was not able to attend the competition due to academic failure.
Oscar had to take in his place because everyone else already had their own tasks. They asked for another session
at the pool for Oscar to get accustomed to controlling Stinky. They began their trip and also revised their
presentation on the way to UCSB. They brought the robot to try out at the pool next morning after they arrived
and found problems with the cables and a leak on the briefcase, which led the water in.

2.

Your response to the reading (5-8 sentences) including your opinions about and reaction to the assigned chapters.
This section is a place to think deeply about the book and the emotions and complex ideas it brings up for you.

I felt like I was observing the growth of something incredible. Their project was becoming more and more
complete step by step. To my astonishment, even though they encountered countless problems, they eventually
found the solutions as always. I was also impressed because of their team spirit, motivation, and patience. They
achieved the greatest self-breakthrough in their entire lives, but Stinky had an undeniable flaw which was its
appearance. In my opinion, when the judges saw the robot, they would automatically have low impression and
expectation. I needed to admit I was much on the side of aesthetics because if something wanted to catch my
eyes, it should be appealing from the outside first. However, if I knew the story behind the robot, I would
definitely have a different view.

3.

2 discussion questions. These should be openended questions that could lead to an interesting conversation, not
factbased yes or no questions.

What would motivate you to move on when you were facing a discouraging situation?
Imagine if there was only one person doing the group work, how would the project turn out?

4.

An explanation of your reading process. How did this weeks reading go for you? Discuss specific sections that
made you confused or questions that you have about the text. Point out strategies that helped you overcome
challenges in your reading. Choose one or two of the following prompts to develop your ideas:
While I was reading,
I felt confused when so I
I was distracted by but then I
I started to think aboutbecause
The time went quickly because
I figured outby
I finally understood
I remembered that earlier in the book
I was reminded of

This weeks RRJ was done in an extremely relaxing mode. I turned on the music and started reading. The music
was supposed to be a distractor, but I would just let it be for the day. I did not need to procrastinate, so just take
my time and enjoy every moment of my spring break with the book. Sometimes I would take a rest at the end of
each chunk, lying on bed and staring at the ceilings, but eventually got back to the reading. I loved when there
was no stress putting on me because I did not fancy studying under pressure. I would rather spend the whole
day reading rather than two hours forcing myself to focus on the book.

5. 3-5 significant words from this particular readingwords that you feel are important to understand the text, or
that you have decided to learn to develop your academic vocabulary. Define the words you choose and explain
why you chose them.

Feasibility (n): practicality

The feasibility of the task was low, if not impossible.
Chaperon (n): a person, such as a parent or a teacher, who goes with a group of young people on a trip to
encourage good behavior.
Chaperon (v): to act as a chaperon
A marine science teacher came along with the team to UCSB as a chaperon.
Solder (v): to join pieces of metal or wire with solder
They needed to solder the wires again or else it would cause the robot to malfunction.
I usually skipped the words I did not know and carried on with the reading. To be honest, I was really lazy
looking up new vocabulary, and barely stopped reading when encountering a new word because when I
stopped, I would be distracted. Instead of searching for the meaning, I ended browsing the webs. I rarely
looked up any new words unless they were appealing to me and I desperately wanted to know their meanings.
Those words were usually the keywords of the sentences, without which I could not understand precisely.

You will receive complete credit on every RRJ (20 points) by thoughtfully completing the steps as described above, looking
at the rubric to check completeness, and by turning your RRJ in on time. The RRJs are a space for you to think through
the readings without having to worry too much about grammar, organization, and the other requirements of more formal
writing assignments. However, do follow basic rules such as capitalizing I and using appropriate language.