Saturday, March 31, 2007

Is Scientology a religion?

During the IRP discussion about Intelligent Design, I mentioned that there are other religions. One of them is Scientology which some celebrities like Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and John Travolta subscribe to.

Is Scientology a religion?

It depends on your definition of religion. Proponents of Scientology believe it is a religion. Opponents accuse it to be a cult.

Please remember that this is just for reference and to highlight to you that there are other religions, other than the mainstream religions - Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and etc.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Domokun Party

I felt better after watching this Domokun video. The song is performed by a band called Guitar Wolf. ROCKKKK

Week 2 Updates

Dear all,

This is only the second week so there are routines to be familiarised and rules to be reinforced.

Anybody can remember what is R.I.P?
The 3 rules which if you (a student of OMY) don't follow, you are DEAD.

One class has already broken a rule, specifically Punctuality. They were late for 15 minutes, strolling into the class so they only attended 20 minutes of one period (5 min for closure).

When you are in my class, what should you do?
Not checking your sms, not talking to your friends, not staring into space.
Take out your Powerbook, Wordbank book and writing materials.
If I am late, read your newspaper articles. * ST:Review section

What assignment must you hand in?
*not hand up or pass up, it is HAND IN*

1. IT Presentation Sign-up List in the pigeon hole:
I recommend 2 pairs of GP Buddies; 4 in a group. Min: 3, Max: 5
Choose a group name, topic, the issue you want to present.
Do not remove the list from the pigeon hole
DL: Friday, 30 Mar


2. Essay Question Analysis:
With your GP Buddy, discuss the focus and define the key terms of the essay qns strip you have.
DL: To be discussed in the next lesson

3. Article Review:
With your GP Buddy, the article for review is the one I gave you in class. Not any newspaper article because some of you said you don't know what article to look out for. If you have already cut the article or think that my article is too dry, you can still proceed. I will provide you with articles this week. If you didn't get one, get it from my pigeon hole.
Hand in 1 Mindmap + 1 Template Worksheet per pair.
DL: Monday, April 2nd. GP Reps, pls collect

I understand that you have doubts, questions and insecurities. Do not keep them to yourself.
Tell me so that I can help you.
However, choose an appropriate time.
If you are late for your next class, the subject tutor's lesson will be affected so go for your next class.
Email me or Tag me or MSN me. Make use of IT.
I am glad that some students such as Fian, TupacShakar (not sure who is it) have harnessed the benefits of IT. Keep it up!

I hope the GP lessons were not unbearable. All feedback are welcomed.

Regards,
Miss Ong M.Y

Monday, March 26, 2007

IT presentation sign-up list

The IT presentation suggested topics and rubric are sent to your email.
Please check.
Discuss the topic and particular issues you want to present with your group members .
The issues are not restricted to those suggested in the document.

The list is in my pigeon hole. Please sign up before Friday 30 March

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Does body art affect life opportunities?


Body art includes tattoos, body piercing, scarifications and body painting. Tattoos are long associated with secret societies and gang involvement. However, it has evolved to a way of expressing individualism in today's societies. It is not difficult to see young working white-collared executives sporting an intricate tribal symbol on their biceps when they roll up their sleeves or a little butterfly on a office lady's shoulder blade or hips along Shenton Way.

A tattoo removal programme launched by Tanjong Pagar GRC aims to help those who have tattoos improve their job prospects. Read further in this CNA article

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Term 2 Week 1

I have met 3 out of 4 classes I am going to teach this year - 07A7, 07B4, 07S1.

For the record, the content pages for IRP, and GP file, class contact list, article review and worksheet template have been sent to your emailbox .

Some pending issues include your choice of GP Buddy, IT presentation group and topic which I would elaborate more next week.

With regards to the computer/ internet/ printer problems, I hope you can resolve them soon.

For the time being, I suggest you can seek other ways to get around the problem. There are some suggestions below:

a) If you don't have a computer or internet access at home, you can use the computers in school or apply for subsidies to purchase one.

b) If you encounter slow internet connection and happen to have a laptop, you can access free wireless internet from various WiFi hotspots, eg. MacDonalds, Coffee Bean

c) If your printer isn't working, you can ask your friend to print an extra copy for you.

d) If your printer runs out of ink, buy ink cartridges.

e) If all the above does not solve your problem , please email me so that your GP tutor cum tech support can help you tackle it.

Today's advice: Take responsibility for your own learning.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Email Delivery Failure

These email addresses below are those which my email bounced. To protect your privacy and prevent spamming, I did not write the full email address.
Students, please rectify your email problem as soon as possible.
07A5
- fandy
- mehru
- darly devil

07A7
- shitno
- pearl
- chipmunk
- fast

07B4
- sharifah
- boakwann

07S1
- tongtong
- kikii
-angelic

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

First Article Review

The first article review will be done in groups of 4 so that you can discuss with your classmates and have more time to give a good piece of work. This does not mean that only 1 person will end up doing all the work. I hope you remember what 'I' stands for.
1st Review Due Date: April 2nd (Monday)

Steps to do the article review

How to go about doing the article review

  1. Creating A Mind Map

§ In order to convince the reader, the writer presents a number of arguments in the article.

§ Create a mind map of the claims / arguments / ideas presented in the article.

  1. Vocabulary

§ After you have completed Activity 1, write down at least 5 new words in your word bank book.

§ Using the dictionary, you should also write down the meaning of the words and an example sentence.

  1. Worksheet (Template)

§ Using the template, write a list of claims / arguments / ideas made by the author (as compiled in your mindmap) in the left hand column.

§ In the middle column, write down the evidence the author presents in support of each argument.

§ In the right column, provide your own examples to support or refute the writer’s and evaluate them (i.e. Do you think they are valid? Why? Why not?) Please research. Other than Google, you can try other search engines like Answers , Wikipedia and Clusty

  1. Application

§ Now based on the information gathered above, see how you can use these ideas and examples in answering (a) the Application question (b) the Essay question

Just come up with 2 questions each that involve the ideas/ examples discussed in the article.

Sample questions can be found at
The full instructional documents and template will be send to your email box.
Please check your emails and clear your mailbox regularly.

Article Review - Weekly Assignment

Article Review – Weekly Assignment

To build your knowledge about world and local issues as well as your language and style of writing, you MUST read the newspaper (The Straits Times) as well as other news resources at home or outside curriculum time. Use the class time to discuss issues and to analyse the articles. You need content before you can discuss. Besides reading articles on issues in the world, prime news and home news, you must also read:

a) the Review page

b) the ‘Special Report’ page (Saturday)

c) the ‘Think’ page (Sunday)

d) the Forum page

These are particularly the type of language, information and style required for GP by the Cambridge examiners.

Your choice of article reviews should come from either (a), (b) or (c). The categories are unlimited - ranging from biotechnology to philosophy. Well, it is GENERAL paper so any topic under the sun, as long as it is an issue would be of interest. The more controversial the topic, the more arguments can be found. You can also select opinion pieces from online newspapers. The links can be found in various GP blogs.

Resources needed for article review

For this assignment, you will need an article, a good dictionary (Collins/ Oxford/ Webster), a worksheet and your word bank book. Online dictionary (www.m-w.com)

Please make copies of the worksheet template so that you can complete the article review.

Format for article review

  1. State the Topic, Source, Date, Title, Author

Example

Topic: Corporate Social Responsibility

Source: The Straits Times/ Review

Date: 21 March 2007

Title: Not a black-and-white issue

Author: David Vogel

  1. Paste the article on a blank white A4 or A3 size paper. OR Print the article out.
  1. Use the article review template (worksheet) to review the article.
  1. Submit the worksheet, mindmap, article (in that order) to your GP rep by Monday 2 pm.

GP Rep is to put the collected article reviews and class list (indicating those who did not hand in) in my pigeon hole.

  1. If you are unable to submit on time, please stay back at the library to complete.

Learning Styles

To all my students,

Knowing your learning style can help me plan your lessons to help you achieve greater results.

Please take the learning style questionnaire or survey

Do the test before the next GP lesson.

Note down your learning style
so that I can collate the results during the lesson. Thank you.

If you are interested to know more, this NUS CDTL article looks at the different instruments of learning styles. Want to know which part of the brain do you utilise more? Take this brain test.

As a learner, an understanding of your learning style can help in the classroom and at home.

In the classroom:
If you have difficulty following a teacher's presentation of new material, ask if it can be presented in a way that appeals to your style. For example, if you are a visual learner, you may find it difficult to absorb content if the teacher just speaks. Approach your teacher and ask him/her to write key points on the board while they are talking.

At home:
When working independently to study for tests or complete assignments, you will find that you use your time more effectively if you use the strategies recommended for your style. For example, if you are an auditory learner, try recording summaries of notes you have taken from readings. To study, just sit back and listen...

So take the learning style test now! questionnaire or survey

Letter to MI JAE 2007 students


Dear MI 07S1, 07B4, 07A4 and 07A7 students,

Welcome to my blog. As you can see from my pathetic blog, I am not a very tech-savvy person but I am trying very hard to harness technology so that you can check for assignment updates and read while you are online.

There are more well-established GP blogs than mine such as VJC GP blog and Mr Tan CB's blog which you can either bookmark or get the RSS feeds. If you want any links to online newspapers, they have an extensive list of links which you can utilise too.

I also strongly encourage you to subscribe to the Channel News Asia newsfeed so that you have an inkling of what is happening in the world.

I will expect you to speak up in class. Besides dangling the carrot of participation marks, class participation is vital in developing critical thinking skills and building a conducive learning environment. What if you have no questions?

Active class participation is not only about asking questions, it includes:
· asking questions;
· value-adding and providing new insights in the form of supporting arguments, personal views, opinions and experiences;
· clarifying materials presented; and
· exploring new perspective

If you want to be a successful learner, you can get some tips from the NUS Centre of Teaching and Learning . There is no end to the learning journey. I would appreciate it if you can recommend me books, videos, music, websites , articles, events, anything which you find interesting. It is through sharing, we can learn together.

I look forward to many fruitful lessons with you.

Regards,
Miss Ong M.Y

07S13 BBQ

PAE MI O7S13

Weeleng & I

On 12th March, MI PAE 07S13 and their home tutor,Mr Ser, invited me to their class BBQ at East Coast Park.
Check out the photos at
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2094526626

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

In memory of PAE MI 07S9


PAE MI 07S9

07S9 - a class full of energetic and dedicated students who are always game for anything.

The hangman forfeits and anatomical idiom charades were hilarious.
No one expected Tong to do a handstand. No 07S9er can forget the idiom "Gut reaction" which was performed by the ACS boys.

Although the class outing to Sentosa was cancelled due to heavy downpour, we still had fun (: Six hours of bridge! Bridge addicts unite - Woody, Valerie, Ali, Tong and yours truly

Some unforgettable 07S9ers and lots more!

Ali: Sweet and optimistic
Grace: Laughs like a man, snorts, crazy but all the more lovable
Imran: Constantly flirting with the teacher and his moms sells Tupperware.
Izza: The Energizer bunny, always on the ball
Eugene: Very sweet to his model girlfriend. Played violin, watched sunset and made breakfast! A romantic ideal boyfriend.
Joshua: Tricked me that he is Jonathan Leong's brother!
Mimi: Seems to be quite shy but is not!
Soleha: Sweet chick
S.H.E: Enjoyed the short walks home with you girls. Thanks! ~ Meiqian resembles Chicken Little when she smiles
Suhairi: Can do stunts with the stick! I mean the band stick.
Syafiq: Suspicious s3xual orientation but has a huge crush on Miss Annie Koh
Tong: Guaister judoka
VV twins: Vannessa and Valerie. Identical look but different character and hairstyle.
Woody: upload a lot of Youtube videos about 07S9
Yong Sheng: techno lover dreamer

Thursday, March 15, 2007

First post

Arggh... finally going to blog after a six-year hiatus. Still suffering from a fear of privacy being invaded. NO choice. I'm at a blogging workshop now. Testing 1, 2, 3.... gooooooo