Sec 2: Persuasive Speech

Dear girls:

Sorry I have not been updating my blog recently. I've been covering different items for my two classes, so depending on which class you are in, I may have covered something for you, and not for the other class. Hence, I will only be putting up your homework assignments here, and what I feel is absolutely needed, instead of what was covered in class.

For Monday -

2C's homework
1) Bring a copy of a persuasive speech which you found on the Internet (identify the audience, purpose and context)
2) Research your topic using the Internet
3) Complete part I of SP3-6 (the first 4 questions)

2J's homework
1) Research your topic using the Internet
2) Complete part I of SP3-6 (the first 4 questions)

Drama girls from 2J - I apologize for not being able to exchange my two periods with Mr. Tan. The 12 of you would have to stay back on Friday from 2:50pm - 3:40pm to complete your in-class speech introduction writing assignment. Another alternative would be coming in a bit earlier, and write it between 9:40am - 10:50am. We can discuss this further on Monday when I see you.

Have a good weekend =)

Regards,
Ms. Yeo



An example of #3 'Startling statement or action — grab attention!' introduction


An example of #5 'Question of opinion' introduction - asking you to imagine bad living conditions (empathy: tries to get audience to sympathize with the chickens)

Sec 3: Make-up lesson

Dear girls:

Thursday's make-up lesson was cancelled because there were too many students who were unable to attend due to other committments. Mr Foo has very kindly agreed to give me your CME period (Wednesday 1:10pm - 2:20pm) to catch up with lessons.

There will be a test next Wednesday (3 Feb, 2010). I am seeing you twice on Wednesday, but it has not been decided which period you would be taking the test, as I understand some of you have committments outside of school at noon. I will let you know on Monday when I see you.

For homework, please read Chapters 14 - 15 of MM and be ready to answer questions on Monday.

Have a good weekend ahead!

Regards,
Ms. Yeo.

Sec 3: Characterization (I'm the King of the Castle)

In class:
- Students went through I'm the King of the Castle (MU page 39-45)
- Students studied the three level of conflicts that exist in the given passage (external and internal conflicts)
- Main literary themes that were highlighted: evoke, and the importance of titles
- Students watched a clip from Slapen
- Students were given 'O' levels Examination guide

Homework:
- Read MM Chapter 14 (page 145 - 160)
- Complete Exercises 14A - 14E

Sec 2: Remedial

Announcement:
Students who received 7.5 and below for the first comprehension test, attendance for English remedial is compulsory. Remedial starts this week, Wednesday (Jan 27, 2010), at 2:55pm to 3:40pm. Please meet me at 2C's classroom.

I understand some of you are unable to make it because of Chinese remedial. If you have Chinese remedial, please find me and let me know (I'm at the lower sec staff room - English Department). You'll be excused from English remedial if your Chinese teacher confirms with me that you've Chinese remedial. Subsquently, you may have to alternate your attendance on a week to week basis. I'll share with your details of the arrangment when it has been confirmed with your Chinese teacher.

UPDATE:
Girls who have both Chinese and English remedial are to attend Chinese remedial during even numbered weeks and English remedial during odd numbered weeks (updated 27th Jan). Next week will be week #5 (3 Feb, 2010), hence, you are suppose to attend English remedial.

Sec 2: Persuasive Speech (Features)

In class:
- Students checked answers for worksheet
- Use of different viewpoints and their effects are introduced (first, second, third person)
- Students are introduced to different techniques and features to make a speech persuasive (repetition, listing, etc)
- Students listened to audio clip of Severn Suzuki's speech
- Pair work / group work to identify different viewpoints and features of Severn Suzuki speech







Homework:
- Read comprehension passage and complete questions #1b, 2, 4, 7, 8 (2C & 2J)
- Bring a copy of persuasive speech to class (be able to identify audience, purpose, and context of the speech) 2J - this is due on Tuesday afternoon, 2C - this is due Friday


Announcement:
- Both classes, 2C & 2J, we'll be having lessons at MPR1 from 12pm - 1:10pm on Tuesday 26th Jan, 2010
- 2J: please bring all your belongings to MPR1 as you'll need to stay back for extra lessons after 1:10pm
- Please bring along your comprehension passage, the homework assigned, a green pen and a clipboard / hardcover book (there are no tables at MPR1)
- Some girls were asking for my email in class today, it's mselizabethyeo@yahoo.com.sg

Sec 3: Characterization (1984, G. Orwell)

In class:
- Students introduced to Orwell's 1984
- Activity on students' worst fears (MU 38)
- Students listened to audio clip on Part 3, chapter 5 of 1984
- Discussion and close reading on fear and desperation in 1984

Homework:
- Read "I'm the King of the Castle" (MU 39 - 40)

Announcement:
- Girls who have yet to hand in their assignments (essay & mindmap), marks will be deducted accordingly

Sec 2: Persuasive Speech (Introduction)

In class:
- Understand the connection between advertisments and persuasive speech
- Identify the key elements of persuasive advertisements and understand their correlation to speeches
- Understand that advertisments are used to influence you not only to buy a product, but it is also used to influence your choice of actions
- Watched two videos on persuasive speech
- Differentiate between the features of spoken and written language
- Read and listened to how President Ronald Reagan and Rev Martin Luther King Jr’s Speeches were delivered



The two videos shown in class:








Homework:
- Complete pages 3 - 4 of the handout

Clues for your homework:

Sec 2: Reading Comprehension Test

A REVIEW

1) Be a detective, and use evidence in the text when answering questions.

2) Pay attention to the question words - 5W 1H.

3) Find and locate the focus.

4) Give complete and accurate answers.

5) Use 'single quotation marks' when asked to quote.

6) Know the difference between a phrase and an expression.

7) If the passage given has too many characters, jot down key points or traits of the characters so you are not confused by who says what if there is a lot of dialogue.

8) If quoting a sentence, first word must be capitalized.
For example: The sentence is 'The minutes crawled by.'.

9) If quoting a sentence, you'll have two full periods (full stops) at the end of your answer
For example: The sentence is 'He grinned sheepishly at Brandon.'.

10) If quoting a phrase, first word is not capitalized.
For example: The phrase is 'grinned sheepishly'.

Sec 2: Answer Key for Practice Passage 4 (Blood Money)

1) He thought it was a joke. OR He thought it was funny.

*Do not answer ‘He thought she was funny.’. The question is asking for ‘the nurse’s answer’, not the nurse!


2) (a) They were inept / incompetent at piercing veins to draw blood. OR They found piercing veins to be a very difficult task.

(b) He was afraid he would bleed to death.


3) The Doctor intended to have Mr. Ashbury’s blood for breakfast.


4) It was the business of selling his blood.


5) (a) His shouts would not reach the ears of anyone / any people outside the room

(b) He will be unable to shout for someone outside to come to his aid.

*For question (5b), I’ll check with the other teachers if other answers are acceptable. I will address this question on Friday before your test. I know most of you might have answers like, ‘He will not be seen by someone outside, so there is no one to help him.’ or ‘He had no way to escape.’. However, in the passage, in paragraph 15, the author might mean that because there are no windows, therefore the room is soundproofed!
No window = soundproofed room = if he shouts, no one can hear him and help him


6) He was referring to his death.


7) He meant to reveal it to you little by little / bit by bit.


8) They were known to eat corpses / dead bodies.


9) It contains plenty of errors / mistakes / details that are not entirely correct.


10) It dries their skin and causes it to age faster / much earlier than normal human beings


11) (a) The doctor means he did not kill him / cause his death.

(b) There are no conditions / restrictions.


12) (a) closely

(b) immediately

(c) disgustingly

(d) a short time ago / not long ago

(e) fairly large in number / quite large in number / pretty large in number

Sec 2J

Dear 2J girls:

I hope you enjoyed your excursion to the Singapore Science Centre =)

It is unfortunate that we missed one English language period this afternoon. I intended to give you class time to start working on your Practice Passage 4 assignment (Blood Money). I am sorry you now have to use your time at home to complete the assignment.

I apologize for rushing through the last few questions of Practice Passage 3. Hence, I am going to provide these answers here for you to check. Please click on the pictures to enlarge them.

If you have any questions, please email me. However, as I will be busy with a 2-day training course with the Ministry of Education, I may or may not have time to reply you. I will try my best to reply, but if I do not, I will address your concerns in class on Friday before the test.

Regards,

Ms. Yeo.

Practice Passage 4 (pages 74 - 80)

Sec 2: 'Quote' Questions

In class:

- Went over points to take note of when answering 'quote' questions

- The importance of phrase vs. expression

- Went over answers from page 40 of Distinction in EL Lower Sec workbook

- Went over answers from Practice Passage 3 (pages 74 - 80)

Homework:

- Complete Practice Passage 4 (pages 81 - 86)

The English representative will provide the class with the answer key by Thursday. Please check your answers. Alternatively, you can email me by midnight on TUESDAY (12 Jan, 2010) if you want the answer key emailed to you. Include your name, index number, and class in the email to me. My email address is mselizabethyeo@yahoo.com.sg

The answer key will also be posted on this blog on Wednesday at 8pm.

Reminder:

READING COMPREHENSION TEST THIS FRIDAY!!!

Sec 2: Inferential Questions & 'Quote' Questions

In class:
- Went over answers from Inferential Qns Practice as a class
- Lesson on important points to remember when answering 'Quote' Questions (refer to pg 36 of Distinction in EL Lower Sec workbook)
- In-class assignment: Distinction EL Lower Sec workbook complete pg 40 - 41
Students who have already done so should read it over


Homework:
- Be prepared to answer in-class assignment
- Distinction in EL Lower Sec workbook pg 74 - 80 Qns #1, #4, #5, #7, #9, #10, #11, #13

Reminder:
- Vocabulary list for spelling to be completed
- Phrase book to be updated to at least 400 phrases
- TEST this Friday!!!

Sec 3: Characterization

Dear 3T girls:

This term, we'll be working with unseen prose, and for the next couple of weeks, we'll be focusing on CHARACTERIZATION! Characterization is how the author reveals the personality of a character.


For the next couple of weeks, we'll S.T.E.A.L & P.E.E a lot! It is important to have a strong grasp of S.T.E.A.L when analyzing a character. We use P.E.E to present our argument, to convince the marker that your opinion and answer is worthy of the full marks. In fact, we'll be using P.E.E for everything you'll be doing in literature for these two years!









In class:
- students to brainstorm in groups how they would feel if they were stranded on a deserted island 1st week vs. 4th month, discuss why the change?
- students share their opinions with the class
- sections of a film are played for discussion: as you watched the film, notice the changes in the main character, why was there a change? Also, pay attention to the friendship he has with Wilson.

Homework:
- read 'Z for Zachariah' from 'Mastering the Unseen' (MU)


Please remember that class will be held at:
MPR 1 on Wednesday!

I'll be away for a training program on Wednesday and Thursday. Hence, I'll not be in school. Mr. Jason Ng is kind enough to be reliefing my class for me. It is going to be a huge class, with more than 50 of you in MPR1, as we're combining your class with Mr. Ng's class. Mr. Ng is a wonderful Literature teacher, and I hope you girls will appreciate and enjoy this opportunity to be taught by him. I am sure Mr. Ng will be telling me how well-behaved you girls were when I come back to school on Friday =)

I'll see you girls next Monday! Hope you have a good week ahead =)

Sec 2: Reading for Inference

In class:
- Matching game 5W1H
- Go through answers from workbook pages 20 - 22 as a class
- Emphasis on question words when answering inferential question
- Emphasis on finding the focus when answering inferential question
- Distribute handouts for Inferential Qns Practice

Homework:
- Be prepared to answer Inferential Qns Practice next class
- Be prepared for a test next Friday, 15th Jan (date to be confirmed)
- Phrase book to be updated to 400 words
- Ten vocabulary words and definition for spelling to be done on foolscap paper

1) Incredulously
2) Encased
3) Manacles
4) Wallowed
5) Distended
6) Gaunt
7) Reverberated
8) Gleefully
9) Quizzical
10) Vicinity

Sec 3: Introduction

In class:
- Students are to visit the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board's website to download the 'O' levels guide for English Literature, paying extra attention to page 2 of the pdf file
- Alternatively, students can download it here
- Ice-breaker activity is done for students to get to know one another
- Students get the chance to know me through brainstorming activity

- Students are encouraged to visit Shakespeare's Globe if they have the chance to visit London

Homework:

- Mastering Unseen Prose and Poetry (MU) read pages 12 -15

Shakespeare's Globe officially opened in 1997. It is a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse in London. Then, it was often associated with Shakespeare as it was bulit by his playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men.

The original Globe Theatre was bulit in 1599, but unfortunately was destroyed by fire in 1613. A second Globe Theatre was bulit on the same site in 1614, but closed down in 1642.

Today, Shakespeare's Globe sits approximately 230m away from the original site. Audiences now enjoy plays and performances as how audiences did 400 years ago!

Sec 2: Reading for Inference

Objectives:
- Students should be able to identify the requirements of inferential questions and correctly answer them

In class:
- Students work in groups of 3 - 4 to solve practice questions using evidence in the text

- Do not let your pre-existing assumptions affect your inferiential skills!

"A man and his son are driving in a car. The car crashes into a tree, killing the father and seriously killing the father and seriously injuring his son. At the hospital, the boy needs the surgery. Upon looking at the boy, the doctor says, "I cannot operate on him. He is my son." This is possible because the doctor is the boy's mother.

- Go through and complete handouts "Reading for Inference" as a class

Homework:
- Lower Sec Distinction in EL pages 20 - 22

Welcome back to school!

Dear girls:

Welcome back to a new and exciting school year! I hope you have had a wonderful holiday and are ready to begin term 1. This year will be full of new learning experiences and discoveries. For my Sec 3 students, this year lays the solid foundation for your English Literature 'O' levels examination in 2011.

I'll be teaching Sec 2 English and Sec 3 English Literature. I've met most of you, but please be patient with me if I do not remember your names yet!

Please come to class ready to work and learn. As mentioned in all my classes, you are expected to have your materials prepared. This will ensure that you'll be on the same page as everyone else in the class. I understand no one is perfect, and that everyone can be forgetful from time to time, but there are ways to avoid that, such as making notes in your student's handbook, or visiting this blog =)

Everything that is done in class is relevant for your learning experience. Be appreciative of ALL the activities in class. There might be days I need that extra 5 min of your recess or after-school time, but there might also be days I'll let you have class time to complete your English homework in class so you have less to do at home, or simply for you to relax a little quietly, take a breather and rest your mind from all the information that has been shared with you.

With so many subjects to take in school, CCAs after school, tuition class, dance class, piano class, etc... it is no wonder you might get stressed out! To avoid that, manage your time well by planning what needs to be done, and please take care of your health by eating well and sleeping early =)

Do not be afraid to ask questions and voice your concerns. If you need to clarify something please leave a comment, email me at mselizabethyeo@yahoo.com.sg or see me in school. I'll be more than happy to talk to you =)

I look forward to having classes with all of you!

Regards,
Ms. Yeo.