T4W4 Journal Writing : Children's Day Celebration

Hi Everyone,
We celebrated 'Children's Day' on 1 October 2010. It was a special occasion as many of you came to school dressed in your outing clothes instead of the school uniform. In this blog, I would like you to reflect on how you and your classmates celebrated Children's Day.

To help you with the journal writing, I have listed some questions below. Please do not just answer the questions. You are to write in paragraphs.

1. Why do you think schools celebrate 'Children's Day'?
2. How did you and your class celebrate 'Children's Day'?
3. Was the celebration interesting and meaningful? Why?
4.The school allowed pupils to dress in their outing clothes on 'Children's Day'. Do you like this practice? Why?
5. Did your parents celebrate 'Children's Day' with you? If they did, tell us more about it.

You can check the internet for more information on Chidren's Day. This will help you write better.

I hope you will write an interesting reflection of at least 80 words. I look forward to reading your reflection soon.

Mr Ong

Festivals

Hi Everyone,
Recently, we celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival. The children had fun carrying lanterns. Adults and children also ate mooncakes. However, in a multi-racial society like Singapore, we celebrate many festivals. In this blog, I would like you to reflect on the celebration of festivals and tell us which festival you like best. To help you in your writing, I will list some questions below. Please do not just answer the questions. Write in paragraphs and in substantial length.
1. What are some of the festivals celebrated the different races in Singapore?
2. Why is it important to celebrate these festivals?
3. Which festival/s do you celebrate?
4. Explain how you celebrate one festival.
5. What can you do to make the other races understand your festival better?

I hope to read your reflection soon.

Mr Ong

T3W9 & 10 Journal Writing : My Favourite Teacher

Hi Everyone,
Teachers' Day is around the corner. I am sure you have a teacher whom you are very fond of. In this blog, you will write about your favourite teacher. To help you with your journal writing, I have listed some pointers/questions below:

1. Who is your favourite teacher?
2. Describe the teacher's physical appearance, personal characteristics, dressing, etc.
3. Why do you like this teacher?
4. What would you do to this teacher on Teachers' Day?

Remember to write in paragraphs and not just answer the questions. If possible, take a picture with the teacher and include it in your post.

I hope to read your journal writing soon.
Mr Ong

T3W6 Journal Writing : Loyalty to our Country

Hi Everyone,
Soon it will be 9 August 2010 and it will be our National Day. It is a day we remember the birth of our nation. In this post, I would like you to write a short essay, poem or song to show our loyalty to our country. In your journal writing, you can include one or more of these points:
1. What does Singapore mean to you?
2. How can you show your loyalty to our country?
3. What can you do to protect our country?
4. What do you hope our country will be in the future?

I am eagerly waiting to read your essay, poem or song.

Mr Ong

T3W1 Journal Writing : Holiday Homework

Hi Everyone,
We are back after a long holiday break. During the school holidays, many pupils were given holiday homework. Some pupils liked the idea while others felt that there should not be any homework at all. In this blog, you are encouraged to pen your thoughts on holiday homework. To help you, I have listed some questions for you to reflect on:

1. What holiday homework were you required to do?
2. Do you think it was necessary for your teachers to give you homework during the school holidays?
3. Give reasons to support why schools should give or should not give holiday homework to their pupils. You should try to build up a strong argument in support of your case.
4. If pupils are given holiday homework, what assignment do you think is suitable?

I hope to read your reflection soon.
Mr Ong

T2 W5 Journal Writing : Kindness

Hi Everyone,
Last week, we were treated to an assembly talk on kindness. Kindness is defined in Collins Cobuild Dictionary as 'the quality of being gentle, caring and helpful.' We can be kind to others in our words, thoughts and deeds. Here are some quotations on kindness for you to ponder:

• 'Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.' (Mother Teresa)
• 'Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.' (Mark Twain)
• ' expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.' (Stephen Grellet)

For this week, I would like you to reflect on the meaning of kindness in your life. To guide you in your writing, these are the questions for you to consider:

1. What do you mean by 'kindness?
2. Has anyone shown any kindness to you? Can you describe how he/she did it?
3. Have you done any act of kindness to anyone? Can you describe what you have done?
4. What acts of kindness do you intend to do for the month of April and May?

Here is a song on kindness which you will enjoy listening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX7NNMKBPsw&feature=related

I look forward to reading your reflection soon.

Mr Ong

T1 W7 & 8 Journal Writing : Fruittie Veggie Programme

Hi Everyone,
We know that eating fruit and vegetables is good for our body. In fact, there are some people who are vegetarians i.e they only eat vegetables and fruit. Doctors have always advocated the eating of fruit and vegetables for their patients and the general public. However, some pupils do not like to eat them. There are many reasons for their dislike.

For this journal writing, I would like you to reflect on the Fruittie Veggie Programme that was launched in our school recently. To help you with your reflection, I have listed some questions below:
1. Did you bring fruit to school on Fruittie days? If 'yes', what fruit did you bring? If 'no', why are you not bringing it?
2. Do you like to eat fruit and vegetables? Why?
3. Why is it important to eat fruit and vegetables?
4. Can you find out from the internet or books ONE fruit or vegetable that you like to eat. Tell us how important it is for our health.
5. How can we encourage more children to eat fruit and vegetables?

I hope you will start writing immediately. I am eagerly looking forward to reading your reflection.

Written by Mdm Diana Wong
Modified by Mr Ong Jin Cheng

T1W6 Journal Writing: Passion for Learning

Hi Everyone,
The school value for this month is 'Passion for Learning'. Passion is something that drives a person to excellence. Some examples of people with passion are Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein and Beethoven. They are all great people because they have a great passion for learning. For this journal writing, I would like you to reflect on how you can kindle this passion for learning in you and enjoy learning. To help you with your reflection, I have listed some questions below:
1. In your own words, what is passion for learning?
2. How does 'passion for learning' help you in your learning?
3. Do you have a passion for learning? If so, tell us why you have this passion? If not, tell us why you do not have this passion?
4. Can you find out from the internet or books ONE famous person who has a great passion for learning? Tell us what he/she is/was well-known for and what his/her passion is/was .
5. Can you tell us how you can develop or improve your passion for learning?

I am looking forward to reading your reflection.
Mr Ong

T1 W5 Journal Writing : Fire Prevention

Hi Everyone,
We know that fire is very useful to man. It keeps us warm and helps us cook our food. However, when we lose control of fire, it will destroy humans, houses and everything that is in its way. Hence we know that 'fire is a good servant but a bad master'. In this journal writing, I would like you to reflect on the danger of fire and how we can prevent it. To help you, I have listed some questions below:
1. What do some children do when they play with fire?
2. Where do they often play with fire?
3. Why do they play with fire?
4. What would you do if you see a fire in your house or outside?
5. How can you prevent fire from starting in your house or outside?
6. Do you think your house is protected from fire? If 'Yes', what are the safety features you have in your house. If 'No', what can you and your family do to protect yourselves from fire?

I hope to be able to read your reflection soon.

Mr Ong

The Importance of Reading

Hi Everyone,
With the increasing use of computers in school and at home, it appears that many pupils are not reading enough books. They spend a disproportionate about of time infront of their computers instead of reading. For this week's journal writing, I would like you to reflect on the importance of reading in your learning in school. To help you in your writing, I have listed some questions for you to ponder:
1. Why is reading so important to learning?
2. What types of books do you read?
3. Where can you get books to read?
4. How do you ensure that you get the best out of the books you read?
5. Do you like reading? Why?
6. What do you think the teachers can do to make you want to read?

Hope to read your reflection soon.

Mr Ong

T1 Wk 2 Journal Writing :

Dear Teachers,

Welcome back to school after a long holiday! I hope you have fully rested and are ready to begin a new year of learning. For this blog, I would like you to reflect on what you have done in the past year as well your future plans. To help you with the journal writing, I have listed some questions. These questions are just guides and you should not just answer them. Here are the questions:

1. What were some of the things you did well last year and planned to continue doing this year?

2. What were some of the things you did not do well last year?

3. How do you plan to improve on them this year?

4. What are the two main things you want to do this year to improve your learning?

5. How do you plan to accomplish them?

6. Who do you think can help you accomplished your plan?

I hope you will make your journal writing interesting. I am looking forward to reading your blog soon.

Mr Ong