This is what I mentioned in class today. Cops in shorts and casual polo t-shirts zipping around on mountain bikes will soon be a common sight in the neighbourhoods in Singapore!
Source: The Straits Times. http://www.straitstimes.com/Parliament/Story/STIStory_772812.html
Perhaps, the next time when you write your story, you don’t have to call for the assistance of the police on your mobile phone. They are just round the corner!
I’m looking forward to reading your 2nd piece of narrative writing.
Posted in Just sharing
I really enjoyed myself at the debating workshop held at Raffles Institution. The place was huge, and all the stuff there were really cool, and the boys there were really nice as well. They lead us with full confidence and patience, and they were really good teachers as well! Here are 3 of the things that I have learnt there:
1) The Debating Format
2) A Debating Strategy- PEEL
3) Rebutting
1) The Debating Format:
There are 2 sides in a debate- The Proposition and the Opposition , the short form is Prop and Opp. There are four speakers altogether on each side- Prop/Opp 1,2,3 and Prop/Opp Reply. This is the order: From Prop 1 to Opp 1, Opp 1 to Prop 2, Prop 2 to Opp 2 , Opp 2 to Prop 3 to Opp 3, followed by the Opp Reply, then the Prop reply. Prop one is basically about giving out points, Opp 1, Prop 2 and Opp 2 on giving out points and rebutting, Prop 3 and Opp 3 on nothing but rebutting and Prop Reply and Opp Reply are to summarize what the previous 3 speakers had said earlier. Each of the first three speakers on each side was given 4 minutes while both the replies were given 2 minutes. During our competition with ACS, I was Opp 1. However, I did absolutely no rebuttals, which was probably my biggest mistake out of my whole speech. I took about slightly more than 1 minute to finish my speech. There just wasn’t enough time to finish writing out my speech1) A Debating Strategy- PEEL
Basically, PEEL stands for:
Points; Elaboration; Example; and Link
I find them all relevant to debating. Without listing out your points clearly, nobody would be able to understand your content. And if you don’t elaborate enough, your speech would not be strong. At the same time, it’s also good to give a few examples to help with the elaboration of your points. And without any link to your points, it would be hard to go along with the flow of your other speakers.
2) Rebutting:
Rebutting is a way of arguing with your opponent in a formal way. Usually, Prop 2-3 and Opp 1-3 do the rebutting. Some terms that wecan use while rebutting are: Not True, Furthermore and Even If. I am rather weak at rebutting, especially on the part, ‘Even If ’.
So, these are 3 of the things that I have learnt at the workshop.
Posted in Reflections
Unbelievable! Time passed so quickly!
Remember to complete your writing task (correct all spelling mistakes for your previous writing assignment) and the Narrative Plot Planner (NPP).
For those who participate in the Scholastic writing competition, do send me your writing via email. There are some of you who want to do the second draft of your writing assignment. Please remember to submit too.
We will be going through your CA1 Paper 1 and NPP this coming Monday.
Meanwhile, have a good weekend and for me, a cup of coffee as I finish up the work.
Posted in Announcement, Just sharing
From this workshop, I have learnt how to debate, work together. From the talk, I learnt the basics of debating and the roles of the speakers. Our facilitator, Collin, explained in detail about the whole debating process. There were a motion and the preposition and opposition in a debate. There were also POIs that could interrupt the speakers. There was a practice spar with ACS(P) too and in that 1 hour to prepare, we learnt to work together to organise our thoughts. I am not sure about how to POI as I did not know how and when to interrupt the speaker from the other side. I am also not sure about the motion interpretation as it was confusing. I would like to know when debating started and how it started as it is a interesting thing to do. If there is such a workshop again, I would definitely go again if I am free.
Posted in Reflections
What are the three things I had learnt:
1. Debate is a formal argument between two sides, the proposition and the opposition (ACS propositon versus HWS oppositon)
2. There are four speakers in a group, 1st speaker, 2nd speaker, 3rd speaker and reply speaker. 1st-3rd have 4 mins to speak, reply speaker have 2 mins to speak.
3. We had to do subsantive arguments which you could apply PEEL to.
Points
Elaboration
Example
Link
2 things I am not sure of:
1. How to elaborate more
2. How to take down short notes of the debate
1 thing I would want to know more about:
I want to learn more about the rebuttals, our group did not rebutt too much as we did not really know how to do
Posted in Reflections
Dear Ms Lee,
I enjoyed the debating workshop. It has educated me and has changed the way I speak. Our usher, Collin, is also very friendly and likeable. By the way, I have learnt 3 valuable things. They include case set-ups, rebuttals and lastly link. Case set-ups is usually the opening section of the first speaker. It is to start of a speech and also to give his teammates a briefing of what to say. Secondly, rebuttals are a kind of short speech that does not prove the motion. Thirdly, the link is a part of an argument. For example, the final link is to wrap up the argument. However, do not look down on them. It serves a big purpose and without it, the argument may risk being irrelevant.
There are 2 things that I am not sure. That is to reply a speech and to elaborate. That is the reason why I did not do well in the role of the opposition reply. Luckily for me, my friends forgave me and encouraged me to do better.
The Last and Final thing that I want to say is about finding more information of reply speeches. I think that by finding more about reply speeches, I would be able to end the speech better. Anyway, this debating workshop is truly a wonderful experience for me. If given a second chance, I would definitely not want to miss it!
Posted in Reflections
Hi guys
For the 5 chosen pupils going for the above workshop, please spend some time blogging about the experience and share with others. If you could include pictures, that will be awesome!
Looking forward to reading your entries! 🙂
Posted in Announcement
This afternoon, some teachers and I attended an educators’ preview to the Gardens by the Bay. It is an exciting part of NParks’ vision of a City in a Garden. Despite rapid development in land-scarce Singapore, the country has actually more vegetation cover than before. The gardens look cool and will be ready in June. It’s another great place to learn more about the different types of flora.
Here are a few pictures for you.
Super trees
In the cooled conservatories
The bridge to MBS
Posted in Just sharing
Let’s attempt this! Give it a try!
You may choose to write on ONE of the following topics:
1) The House on the Hill
2) Life Without a Mobile Phone
3) Begin your story with: I woke up to the sound of running water. Sitting up in bed, I realised that my mattress was soaking wet. Still, in a daze, I flinched as a large, cold drop of water splashed on my head…
If you are in Group A (7 to 10 years old), the required essay length is between 500 – 1000 words.
If you are in Group B (11-14 years old), the required essay length is between 800-1500 words.
The entries should be typewritten and the title should appear at the top of the first page.
Posted in Announcement
Just a gentle reminder that there is Spelling on Monday so please bring along your Spelling book.
There is STRETCH lessons this coming week.
Posted in Announcement
5C 2012 