Journal 1: New Year Resolution

Dear Students,

Welcome back from your vacation break! As it is the new year, it is a good time to reflect on the changes we want or need to make. So I like you to share with me on your first journal your new year resolution for 2009 and what you can do to achieve your goal. Also I would like you to share with me what you have done during the December holiday break. I am sure some of you would have interesting stories to tell. I look forward to your posting.

Warmest Regards
Mr Owen Lau

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