Journal 17: Vandalism and Littering

Dear Students,
The next topic is on littering and vandalism. The school belongs to all of us. It is our common property. Hence, it is important to keep the common places clean. One way I do it is to remind myself 'Think of the next user. Let me keep it clean so that the next person can use it too'. I hope you can reflect on littering and vandalism in your own blog. As usual, to help you along, I will list some questions:
1. What is 'littering' and 'vandalism'? (Check the dictionary if you are not sure)
2. Do you know the difference?
3. Why do some children litter and vandalise?
4. How do you feel when the place is littered or vandalised?
5. Have you seen places that are littered or vandalise? Where?
6. How can we stop littering and vandalism in the school?
7. What should we do to those who litter or vandalise?

Regards
Mr Owen Lau

Journal 16:

Hi Fine Knights,

The Formula One Racing is launched in Singapore for the first time from 26 to 28 September 2008. It is also the first time that the F1 race is taking place at night. Since this is such a great international event, I would like you to take the opportunity to learn some things about F1. The websites you can visit are :

http://www.formula1.com/
http://www.f1-racing.org/frames1.html

For the second website, please go to the FAQ and read the questions and answers.

After reading the information in the websites, I would like you to write your personal response to F1 racing. To help you along, I have given you some questions below:

1. What is F1 ?
2. When and where did F1 first start?
3. In which cities are F1 held?
4. Do you think Singapore should stage the F1? Why?
5. What benefits do Singapore get for staging the F1?
6. Who is your favourite F1 driver?
7. Why do you like him?
8. Is there anything you like or dislike about the F1? What is it?
8. Did you watch the F1 race? If you did, share with us your experience of watching the race?

I hope to read your personal response soon.

Regards
Mr Owen Lau

Journal 15: Recycling

Dear Fine Knights,

This week's reflection is prompted by Mr Koo, the Green Club Teacher. Recycling is essential as many of the things we throw away can be reused. To help you with the reflection, I have listed some questions below:

1. What do you understand by 'recycling'?
2. Why is it necessary to recycle things?
3. What are the various ways in which things can be recycled?
4. Do you practise recycling?
5. If so, what do you recycle? How do you recycle the materials?
6. Do you think the school is doing enough in recycling?
7. What can the school do to help in the recycling process?
8. What message would you tell your friends and classmates about recycling?

Do post your reflection soon. I am awaiting to read your response.

Regards
Mr Owen Lau

Journal 14: Addiction to Computer Games

Hi Everyone,

Do you know that there has been a lot of discussions about students spending a lot of time playing computer games? As this has something to do with you, I would like you to reflect on this issue. If you have been spending a lot of time playing computer games, you should have no problem sharing your views. However, for those who do not play computer games, you are encouraged to give your opinions too. To help you in writing your reflection, I have listed some questions below:

1. Do you play computer games? If you do, why do you do so? If not, why are you not doing so?
2. What computer game/s do you play?
3. Why are you attracted to the computer game?
4. Do you think many students play computer games? Why do you think they do so?
5. How many hours do you spend playing computer games in one week?
6. Do you think playing computer games will affect your studies? Please explain.
7. Are you aware that people can be addicted to computer games? If so, what are you doing about it?

Hope to read your response soon.

Journal 13: Sleepy Kids

Hi Everyone,
The 'Sunday Times' reported on 20 July that 'nearly half of the primary school pupils polled say they are not getting enough sleep'.( Sunday Times, 20 July, Home section, p 8) Is this true in your case? Read our Principal, Mr Tan's response in this article. To assist you in reflecting on this article, I have posed some questions below:
1. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
2. Do you think you have enough sleep each day?
3. If you think you have enough sleep, how do you manage to do that?
If you do not have enough sleep, what are you doing that keep you awake and hence
prevent you from getting enough sleep?
4. Do you think you have too many things to do every day?
5. What are things you have to do from morning till night?
6. What do you think children and parents can do to ensure that children get enough sleep?

I hope you can discuss this issue in great detail as I am very interested in it.

Looking forward to reading your response soon.

Regards
Mr Owen Lau

Journal 12: Olympics Games 2008

Hi Class,

It has been a while since we did blogging since I was away for reservist training for a long time and we need to catch up to prepare for your class test. The Olympics was over and Singapore has finally got a medal. For this week, I want you to reflect on the Olympics and what it means to you. To help you with your reflection, I have listed some questions below:
1. What is the origin of 'Olympics' ?
2. Why is it such an important event in sports?
3. Have you watched any Olympic event? Why/Why not?
4. Which athlete/s or event impresses you most? Why?
5. Would you like to participate in the Olympics Games? If so, what event would you like to take part and why?
6. Do you think it is worth organising the Olympics? Why?

Please post your response in your blog. Love to read it soon.

Regards
Mr Owen Lau

Journal 11: NE Show 2008

Dear Fine Knights,

It has almost been a week since we went to Marina Bay to watch the NE Show.
For this week's journal, I like you to share with me your thoughts and reflections about your experience. You may use the following questions to guide you in your writing:-
1) What did you most enjoy and why?
2) What did you least enjoy and why?
3) Why do you think all P5 students in Singapore must watch the NE Show?
4) What other performance do you think should be included in the NE Show? (Be as creative as you can!)

Warmest Regards
Mr Owen Lau

Journal 10: Interdisciplinary Project Work

Dear Fine Knights.

Now that the holidays are here and that you had completed 1 week of IPW (Interdisciplinary Project Work), I would like to hear your views and reflections. Please refer to the questions below and give me your feedback.

1. Could your group work together well and complete your project? Why or why not?
2. What did you think of your group’s presentation?
3. What did you learn from this project?
4. What did you learn from the other groups?
5. Did you enjoy working with your group? Why or why not?
6. Do you think project work is important and useful? Why or why not?

Warmest Regards
Mr Owen Lau

Journal 9: Earthquake

Dear Fine Knights,
I am sure all of you have heard about the earthquake in China. It was a tragedy which had robbed many people of their lives and left many people homeless. Hence, for this week, I like you to read the link provided below and be more aware of earthquakes.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/kids//

To help you in your personal response, I have prepared some questions below:
1. What are the causes of earthquake?
2. What can people do when there is an earthquake?
3. Do you think scientists can detect an earthquake? If so, how do they do it?
4. Where have earthquakes occurred?
5. Why do these countries have earthquakes?
6. Do you think there will be an earthquake in Singapore? Why?
Do explore the link given. I hope you have learned more about earthquakes.

I am eagerly waiting to read your personal response.

Regards

Mr Owen Lau

Journal 8: Mother

Dear Fine Knights,

Now that SA1 is over, we can start blogging again. Although Mother's Day is just over, I would like all of you to talk about this day which honours perhaps one of the most important person in our lives - our mother.

Our principal, Mr Tan, had spoken about showing love and respect for our mother. In this post, I would like you to spend some time reflecting on the role your mother has played in your life. The following are some questions to assist you in this task:-

1. What do you think of Mother's Day?

2. What did you do for your mother on Mother's Day?

3. What is your relationship with your mother?

4. How has your mother helped you through the years?

5. How do you strengthen your relationship with your mother?

6. Do you think mothers are important in children's lives? Why?

7. If there is one special thing you can do for your mother, what would that be and why?

I hope to read your reflection soon.

Regards

Mr Owen Lau

Journal 7: Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Dear Fine Knights,

I am sure you have heard the news, your parents, principal, teachers and even friends talking about HFMD (hand-foot-and-mouth disease). But how much do you know about it?

For the next journal, I like you to do a bit of research to find out more about this disease.

Let me know the following:-

1) What is HFMD?

2) Do you know how it can be spread?

3) What are the symptoms?

4) Is there a treatment for it?

5) What good practices can you do to reduce the risk of contracting HFMD?

Best Regards

Mr Owen Lau

Journal 6: Reflections on Earth Day

Dear Fine Knights,

As you all know, Earth Day was celebrated on April 22.
Well, I have talked to you about it and showed you three videos related to Earth Day.
For this week's journal, I would like you all to reflect and share your views on the following:-
1) What does Earth Day means to you?
2) Do you know why we have Earth Day?
3) What do you think you can do or we should do for our Mother Earth?
4) Can you suggest how the school can celebrate Earth Day in the future?
If you need more information, you may type "Earth Day" in google and do a search.
Please be reminded again that you are not to just write 3 or 4 sentences for your journal.

Best Regards
Mr Owen Lau

Journal 5: Reflections on Friendship

Dear Pupils,

We had celebrated International Friendship Day last Friday at school and I would like you to write your reflection on the theme of Friendship.

The following are the things that you can write about:-
1) What do think a true friend should be like?
2) Do you think it is important to have friends? Why or why not?
3) How do you think you can build strong friendship with others?
4) Do you know why it is important for a country like Singapore to be friendly with other countries?
5) Did you enjoy the activities during our school International Friendship Day? Which activities did you enjoy most? Why?
6) What other activities do you think can be included in the International Friendship Day celebration next year?

Please be reminded that one or two lines are not adequate as reflection. Do put some thoughts into it. It would be most interesting if you could include some photographs in your post. Hope to read your reflection soon.

Warmest Regards
Mr Owen Lau

Journal 4: Reflections on Racial Harmony

"Hi Everyone,Time seems to fly. We are now in Week 2.

For this week, you are given a link. After you have read the story, you will give your personal response.Week 2 : What you have to do:

1. Go to this link: http://sam11.moe.gov.sg/racialharmony/Click on 'Articles' and go to '2. Regardless of race' article.

2. Read the article.

3. Give your personal response to what you have just read. To help you, I have given some questions for you to give your response.

Here are the questions:

a) What do you think is 'racial harmony'?

b) How can misunderstanding among the various races arise?

c) What do you think of Rajah's solution? (He said, "We shan't be Chinese or Malay or Indian. Everyone is the same, no races at all and there will be no more fights."

d) How can we encourage people of different races to be friends?

e) What do you think our school should do on Racial Harmony Day?

In writing your personal response in your blog, please write the title : Personal Response 1 : Racial Harmony.Happy writing. Waiting eagerly to read your responses.

Regards

Mr Owen Lau

Journal 3: Get Well Soon Basil!

Dear Students,

As you know, Basil will not be joining our class for the next few weeks. Let us write something to him to express our concern and well wishes. You may share with him any interesting thing that has happened to you lately, a joke or a fun website.

Regards

Mr Owen Lau

Journal 2: What is a Hero?

Dear Students,

After Total Defence Day and our excursion to Bukit Chandu and Old Ford Factory, you must have heard and read about local heroes and heroines such as Lim Bo Seng, Adnan Nin Saidi and Elizabeth Choy.

Do you know what it takes to be a hero or heroine? What do you think are the qualities of a hero and heroine? Must you have superpowers to be one? Do you have a hero or heroine that you idolize? Do share with me and your classmates in the blog. Tell me why you like him or her. Please note that you are to write not less than 100 words.

Warmest Regards

Mr Lau

Journal 1: Introduce Yourself!

Dear Students,

I know you have written an earlier journal introducing yourself to me. Now, please kindly write one introducing yourself to the class and any other readers who read our blog. You may insert pictures showing your favourite cartoon characters, pet, family etc. You should complete this by 1 March 2008. Thanks.

Warmest Regards

Mr Owen Lau

Welcome Message

Dear Pupils of P5-09,

Welcome to the class blog.

Please kindly note that the class blog is created for you as an alternative to journal writing. Hence, you are required to post your views and comments (should not be too short) weekly.

As the blog can be viewed by others, here are some ground rules:-

1) Please do not use nicknames for your display name. Make use of your real name.
2) If you want to write your opinion on a topic, make sure you are not going to be offensive as you write it.
3) Never disrespect someone else in your blog, whether it is a person, an organisation, or just a general idea.
4) Watch your language. This is part of our school community. Language that is inappropriate in school is also inappropriate in your blog.
5) Always make sure you check over your post for spelling errors, grammar errors, and your use of words.
6) Keep it education-oriented. That means that you probably should not be discussing your plans for the weekend or do 'chit-chatting' on this blog. Inappropriate posting will be deleted away.

Thank you and Happy Blogging
Warmest Regards
Mr Owen Lau