A meaningful quote to share with all of you...

Saw this quote on my brother-in-law's Facebook wall and thought that it is a meaningful quote, especially for educators and parents...

Source of image : http://let-me-say.com/2011/06/20/let-me-say-everybodys-a-genius/

A Word A Week - Week 1

Do you find it easy to learn new vocabulary in English? A word a week is a great way to learn new words. 


Bizarre : Strange, unusual and difficult to explain


Sentence: He was wearing a bizarre outfit and everyone was staring at him. The outfit was made out of recycled drink cans.

Direction of Education in the New Landscape...

During the MOE Workplan Seminar on 22 September, Minister of Education , Mr Heng Swee Keat, announced that that there will be two key emphases for the next stage of development. MOE aims to make our education system even more student-centric and there will be more focus on holistic education - centred on values and character development.

I was glad to read from the Minister's speech that he reiterated that CCAs are an integral part of education, to build character and provide holistic education. The intent of CCAs is "not to win medals per se, but to learn the value of excellence, teamwork and discipline; to be gracious in victory and resilient in defeat." I sincerely hope that all schools remember this intent well. Some of my ex-pupils did tell me about how they could only choose from certain non-competitive CCAs as those that they are interested in only accept pupils who can represent their school on a competitive level. Hence, it is heartening to hear the Minister mentioning that we should "increase our capacity to enable students to participate in recreational sports and other activities."

I also read with delight that MOE is going to remove the Sustained Achievement Awards (SAA). The rationale? It will "free up resources to allow schools to pursue achievements over a broader range of activities, in line with student-centric, holistic education."

The Minister also stated that award assessment will be conducted during the SEM external validation. Many teachers will definitely be saying, "Horray!" Gone are the days when schools need to apply for awards. This will definitely reduce the workload of teachers in preparing the paperwork so as to apply for awards. As an ex-teacher, I definitely applaud this change. This will mean that teachers can spend more time on student-centric activities instead of preparing the paperwork for the application of awards. In the past, a lot of man-hours were spent on preparing the paperwork for the application of awards. Some teachers become jaded and begin to question what their core job is. Is it to be involved in student-centric activities or to be playing the role of an administrator i.e. to prepare reports and evidence for award application?

It was also reported in the newspapers that very often, schools are seen hanging banners outside their school gates to inform the public about the awards that they have attained. Awards are given to recognise schools for their good programmes and systems. Hence, I believe that with the abovementioned change, the education system here will not become a mere chasing of awards by schools.

~ Serena's Greenhouse

Differences between British and American Spelling

Which spelling is correct, "recognise" or "recognize"? What is the difference between "color" and "colour"? Have you ever wondered why there are different versions of a word? Essentially, the differences arise due to the differences in convention between British and American spelling.

Today, I will be listing down some differences between British and American spelling. It is useful for learners of the English language to know the differences. On 6 September 2011, Mr Lee Kuan Yew said at the official opening of the English Language Institute of English (Elis) that there is a need to teach pupils to recognise American English. The growing dominance of the American media means that Singaporeans are increasingly exposed to American English, both in the spoken and written forms. 

Currently, pupils are not penalised for using American English in schools and in national examinations, so long as they are consistent. 

Some differences between British and American spelling:

(1) -our vs -or

British                               American

colour                                 color

favourite                             favorite

honour                                honor

(2) -re vs -er

British                                American

centre                                  center

metre                                   meter

theatre                                 theater

(3) -l vs -ll

British                                American

enrolment                            enrollment

fulfil                                    fulfill

skilful                                  skillful

(4) -ogue vs -og

British                                 American

catalogue                              catalog

dialogue                                dialog                              

(5) - ck or -k vs -que
British                                American
cheque                                check


(6) -ce vs -se

British                                American

defence                               defense

licence                                license

(7) - se vs -ze

British                                American

analyse                                analyze

criticise                                criticize

memorise                             memorize

organise                               organize

(8) - e vs - oe or -ae
British                                American
encyclopaedia                     encyclopedia
maneuver                            manoeuvre


I will be posting an entry on some differences between American and British vocabulary at a later date. 


~ By Serena's Greenhouse

Have fun with REBUS!

A REBUS is a picture representation of a name, work, or phrase.  Here's an example of a rebus puzzle.

                                                                HEAD
                                                                HEELS

                                                    Answer: Head over heels

Here are more rebus puzzles:
(A)
GIVE    GET
GIVE    GET
GIVE    GET
GIVE    GET

(B)

SECRET

SECRET

SECRET

(C) 

HERRING

(D)

TICKLED

(E)

AGEDAGEDAGED

(F)

STOOD

MISS

(G)

MILL1ON

(H)

historyhistory

ANSWERS:

(A) Forgive and forget

(B) Top secret

(C) Red herring

(D) Tickled pink

(E) Middle-aged

(F) Misunderstood

(G) One in a million

(H) History repeats itself

Why can birds perch on power lines without being electrocuted?

One of my pupils asked me this interesting question: why can birds perch on power lines without being electrocuted?

Here's the scientific explanation:
Birds usually perch on a single power line. Hence, there is no potential difference between the two feet and no electric current will flow through the bird.

For the bird to be electrocuted, a potential difference must exist across its two feet. If the bird touches two power lines at a time, or one power line and a ground wire or the Earth, the bird would be electrocuted and die.

Many large birds such as eagles and vultures can be electrocuted when their wide wings touch a power line and a ground wire at the same time.

Let's watch a video that explains this phenomenon through an experiment:

A word of advice:Do not fly a kite near power lines. If the kite gets tangled in the power lines, the kite string acts as a ground and you can be electrocuted.


~ By Serena's Greenhouse

Adaptations - Puffer fish

Watch this video to find out how a puffer fish protects itself from its predators...

Adaptations
When threatened by a predator, a puffer fish will suck in water and sometimes air to inflate itself like a balloon, making itself look bigger. Hence the predator will not be able to eat it as it is too big for the predator's mouth. Some species also have spines on their skin to ward off predators.


If a predator gobbles up a puffer before it inflates, it will not enjoy the food. Most pufferfish contain a toxic substance that makes them taste foul and potentially deadly to other fish. There is enough toxins in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans and there is no known antidote.


Other facts about the puffer fish
In Japan, puffer fish are known as fugu and they are an expensive delicacy. They are prepared only by licensed fugu chefs.

"Passed" vs "Past"

Pupils are often confused about the usage of these two words, "passed" and "past".

I will explain how these two words can be used below.

(A)Past 

Relates to location

The word past locates something in time and sometimes in space. It can be
used as an adjective, noun, or adverb.

(A.1) “Past” as an adjective

Meaning: "Gone by in time; elapsed; done with; over" (Source: Oxford English Dictionary)

Example:

• The days for celebration are now past.
• I have not heard much of the actor for the past year.

Meaning: "belonging to an earlier time" (Source: Oxford English Dictionary)

Example:

• Past students attended the school concert.

(A.2) “Past” as a noun

Meaning: “The time that has gone by; a time, or all of the time, before the present” (Source: Oxford English Dictionary)

Example:

• Many people did not have access to the computer in the past.
• We cannot live in the past

Meaning: "A person's past life or career " (Source: Oxford English Dictionary)'

Example:

May did not know anything about her boyfriend's past.

(A.3) “Past” as a preposition

Meaning: “Beyond in time; after; beyond the age for or time of; (in stating the time of day) so many minutes, or a quarter or half of an hour, after a particular hour.” (Source: Oxford English Dictionary)

Example:

• It is almost half past six now. Are you hungry?

Meaning: “Beyond in place; further on than; at or on the further side of; to a point beyond.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

Example:

• My house is the one just past the shopping centre.

(A.4) “Past” as an adverb

Meaning:“So as to pass or go by; by.” (Source: Oxford English Dictionary)

Example: I walked past the library just now.

(B) Passed – a verb in the past tense

Passed is the past participle of the verb “to pass”. It can be an intransitive verb (one which does not require an object) or a transitive verb (one which requires both a subject and one or more objects).

“To pass” means “To proceed, move forward, depart; to cause to do this.” (Oxford English Dictionary) This can refer to movement forwards in time, in space, or in life (such as “to pass an examination”).

Example:

• “The months passed quickly.” (Intransitive: subject “the weeks” and no object).
• “I passed all my driving test!” (Transitive: subject “I” and object “driving test”.)
• “He passed the ball during the last five minutes of the game.” (Transitive: subject “He” and object “the ball”.)

~ Serena's Greenhouse

Teaching from the Heart

I have always believed in the importance of doing what you believe in. Hence I have always been the strict and "no-nonsense" teacher in the eyes of my kids (pupils). I can be fun but they know that if they do not complete my homework and prepare for my tests, they will have to face my wrath.


It is heartening that after graduating, my kids will visit me and update me on their lives. Yesterday was no exception. As I have left the education service, some of them arranged to meet up with me near the school or at Jurong Point. 


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I posted my reflection after meeting up with my ex-pupils on Facebook. Here's the message.


Was really touched by all my lovely ex-pupils who met up with me or sent me an sms today even though I had left Rulang. When I see all my "kids" in Poly, JC2 or in secondary school, I really feel OLD. Many of my "kids" even waited for me patiently near the school or at Jurong Point as I was talking to the different batches. Sorry to keep you waiting and sorry for not being able to spend more time with you. I did not manage to spend much time chatting with all of you. Do keep in contact via sms, email (still the same email: venus_in_sg@yahoo.com.sg) or Facebook. Thank you, folks! I will remember the times I spent "torturing" you with PSP (for earlier batches) and my much-hated tests (for my recent batches). I am really thankful that most of you understand why I conducted those "torture" sessions. What some of you wrote in your card or what you told me reaffirmed what I believe in: Teach from the heart and your "kids" will understand why you do what you are doing one day... Thanks, everyone.
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After that, I read an article about teaching from the heart. I quote a sentence that I find very true during the years of teaching:

"Small wonder, then, that teaching tugs at the heart, opens the heart, even breaks the heart–and the more one loves teaching, the more heartbreaking it can be."

When pupils do not meet our expectations in terms of their attitude or behaviour, it can be heartbreaking.  This can affect our morale too. However, we must continue to believe in what we do and teach from the heart.

~ Serena's Greenhouse

Bad Hair Day?

Have you walked across a carpet and then felt a stinging sensation when you touched a door knob? What causes this tingling sensation? Have you combed your hair and still find them standing on end? What causes the hair to stand? The answer is static electricity.


What is static electricity?

All matter is made of atoms. An atom has three types of particles: (1) positively charged particles called protons (2) negatively charged particles called electrons and (3) particles with a neutral charge called neutrons.


Some materials such as nylon and hair lose electrons very easily. Have you combed your hair and realised that they are standing on end? When you run a dry comb through your hair, your hair loses some of its electrons to the comb. Hence your hair becomes positively charged while the comb becomes negatively charged. Your hair will stand on end as each strand of hair is positively charged and repel each other. Like charges repel each other, just like like poles repel each other in magnets.


The triboelectric series ranks materials by how easily they give up electrons. Hair and nylon are at the top of the series as they lose electrons easily. Scotch tape and Teflon are at the bottom as they grab electrons.

Watch a video on how a Van de Graaff Generator make hair stand

How does a Van de Graaff Generator work?

A Van de Graaff generator consists of a few parts: a motor, a belt, two rollers (the bottom roller can be made of nylon and the upper roller can be made of Teflon), two combs and a metal sphere. As the motor turns, the rubber belt first goes over the nylon roller. One comb pulls electrons from the nylon which loses electrons easily and transfers them to the rubber belt. The rubber belt then travels to the Teflon roller. The second comb collects the electrons from the belt and stores them on the metal sphere. Hence the sphere quickly collects a lot of electrons and becomes negatively charged.

When we touch the metal sphere while standing on an insulated material, the electrons will flow through our body and our hair. As we are standing on an insulated material, the charges cannot get to the ground. We are filled up with electrons. Even our hair is filled up with electrons and becomes negatively charged. Like charges repel. Hence the strands of hair which are negatively charged repel each other and stand.