(Term 2 Wk 5, 20/4 - 24/4)

Warm greetings!

Hi everyone, especially to those who has been following this blog regularly, you would have realised that there wasn't any posting last week (Term 2 Wk 4). Well, due to several commitments, I wasn't able to find the time to write on the blog. Anyway, as the title suggests, you will get to read the posting for Week 5. Here here we go... : )

Let's have a recall... a two weeks recall... In week 4, there was the NAPFA test (5 items) on 13 April 2009. It was NOT new to you and everyone could get it done quickly. What is left will be the 1.6km run. As of yesterday, the run is scheduled on the 4 May 2009, Monday. Remember to put on P.E attire that day. As the date comes nearer, I will remind you again.

Besides physical activity, you also went through some practice tests and examinations during week 4 and 5. You had your SA1 EL and MT oral examinations on 20 April 2009. There was also the EL practice test that you had taken rather recently. Coming up next , it will be very eventful. Next week, there are MA practice (Mon), Sci practice and SA1 MT Paper 1 (Tue), SA1 EL Paper 1 (Wed) and Labour Day - aka May Day (Fri).

Hmmm, did I mention public holiday? Well, it will be a four-day week next week. I have spoken to you with regards to all the events/activities coming up. You must continue to cooperate and manage your time and revision well.

Alright, as for learning;

EL - there was the usual practices of Open-Ended (OE) comprehension, Synthesis and Transformation and Grammar Learning (Grammar Booklet). We had also completed on the theme on Sports where you learnt about Badminton (not physically). In the next topic, we had discussed on some of the common occupations in the society. You had also written a journal entry on your dream job. In fact, if you can recall, you had written something similar in the past. Many of you had a change of mind in the job that you want to have. I find it captivating as I read through your writings because I find your explanations for your dream job logical, meaningful and purposeful. I will definitely wish you the best to find a job that you like in future.

MA - The topic Speed moved as fast as its definition. Well, Circle is the new kid on the block. You have learnt centre of a cirlce, radius/radii, circumference of a circle and perimeter of a figure (that includes a/part of a circle). Refer to your TB as guide as you go through your work. I will continue with the Perimeter section next week before we head to AREA of a circle.

SCI - Environment, environment! Look around our environment, how are the physical characteristics affecting our lifestyle? How do they interact with each other? Why do we feel cooler when we are in the shade? What is the cacti more suitable in the deserts? Can we change all the trees in Singapore to conifer trees? Well well, these are some questions that you should be able to answer after the lesson on Environment. Don't forget to revise the topic for SA1. Coming up soon, it will be the topic 'Web of Life'.

To end off, let's look at the work to be done.

1) EL - Grammar Bklet (Direct to Indirect Practice)

2) EL - TB Reading on Occupations

3) MA - Pract 3 (Only Q1)

4) SCI - Self revision

Well, that's all for the time being, will see you on Monday.

SMILE! Be happy.

(I want to be happy. What about you?)

(Term 2 Week 3, 6/4 - 10/4)

A short school week, ending off with a public holiday - Good Friday.

Well, I'm stuck with this posting, uncertain what to type (thus the title 'Clueless Entry') since I wasn't around a few days. Anyway, I had told you to make use of the time to revise your work. Based on the work collected, I know you had been working hard during lessons. Nevertheless, I would still indicate the work you have to do over the weekend as well as upcoming event in the next week.

So here they go;

1) EL - Comprehension Bklet: Passage 1

2) MA - Revision WS

Event coming up;

1) NAPFA Test on Monday (to be in PE attire!)

I know you have a long weekend. While studies is the priority, do remember to rest well too. See you on Monday!

(Term 2 Wk 2, 30/3 - 3/4)

Some of you said these to me in the class and after I had reacted to these concerns, a familiar response came ... "APRIL FOOL!" It just seemed funny when I had mentioned April Fool Day several times before the actual day (coincidentally the Meet-The-Parents session falls on 1st April too) and yet I was 'fooled' by some of you. Well, we don't fall for the same trick twice so I became alert after fallen for similar jokes in the first period.

Ok, on a serious note, we are putting week 2 of Term 2 behind us now. Six months left. No joke. Lessons continued in the week and we had gone through several practices too.

In EL, you practised Passage Reading and Picture Discussion (2 Components in Oral Exam). It was rather fresh for you to role-play as Teacher as well as a Student in the activity. If you recall, you were partnered up with another friend and both of you took turns to be Teacher/Student. It was a good learning experience 'to test your friend' and 'to be tested by your friend'. The aims were to practise ORAL and understand how you are actually tested during ORAL exam. That aside, there were the usual practice of Comprehension, Composition and Situational Writing. Not to forget the ever-present Spelling on Thursday!

The topic 'Percentage' was quickly followed by the topic 'Speed'. There was great emphasis in using model-drawing method in solving word problems involving Percentage. Model-drawing helps you to understand the questions better so I would encourage you to use it. 60 words/min. Yes, that is the SPEED of my typing. (sorry, I made up that number!) How do you read 60 words/min ? Hmmm, it means 60 words in one minute. You have by now know how to read speed and calculate speed by time. Most importantly, you also know the three key components - Distance, Speed and Time. They are related within a triangle. Use that to help you solve questions involving Speed. I will elaborate more in Week 3.

Forces. What is a force? What are the effects of forces? What types of forces are there? How do you explain, with examples, the functions of the different forces?

The questions can go on and on. Understand the concepts in the topic 'Forces' and apply them properly. Recall the experiments to on Gravitational Force, Frictional Force, Elastic Spring Force and Magnetic Force. Just remember not to mixed up with the concepts from the topic 'Energy'.

Week 2 was just another packed week. I hope I have listed all the work for weekend.

1. EL - Spelling (Correction + Parent's Signature)

2. EL - Grammar (A) - first three pages

3. EL - Journal 'I will say NO to ... '

4. MA - AB Pract 2

5. SCI - Forces WS1

6. Prepare an Exercise Book for Focus Group (Coming soon)

Long Term Target: PSLE

Short Term Target: SA1 (Mid-Year Exams)

See you on Monday.