What is your raison d'être?

rai⋅son d'ê⋅tre

   [rey-zohn de-truh ]

–noun, plural rai⋅sons d'ê⋅tre  

reason or justification for being or existence: Art is the artist's raison d'être.

Much Ado About English

Can you guess the Origin of each word?

From Much Ado About English by Richard Todd

Ans: C, A, B. Interesting isn't it?

Photos courtesy of Shavon. 

Volenti non fit injuria

Volenti non fit injuria = to the willing, no injury is done

I know my classes have watched 'Supersize Me' 

Do you remember that people tried to sue McDonalds for eating their food? 

Nobody forced the food into their mouths. Does that mean that as long as you chose to eat it, you can't blame anyone for the consequences? 

Similarly for smoking, Cigarettes in Singapore have plenty of health warnings on the packaging. Does that mean that you can't blame anyone when you get lung cancer? Or can you still blame the tobacco company for making it addictive and getting you hooked?

Message to 1/2

Okay... where do I start

"1/2 ahhhh..." (imitating Ms Lee's voice) 

You guys were awesome. 

Haha.. ridiculously tiring, needs attention as much as plants needs water, full of nonsense, lovable, smart (if only you used all that brilliance at studying). 

I still remember the first week that I taught your class. I didn't talk to you guys at all. I practically SCREAMED at you guys. However, you guys made me proud. Especially since all of you passed. I still remember that towards the end, some of you really mellowed down and focused on studying. 

Faiz: I remember you looked so stressed and you really focused on doing all the compres. Keep it up but keep your hair down. 

Hui Yao: I loved how you were so honest in your compos. How you really tried your best and wanted to top the class at compres. and Yess... YOU ARE CUTE!! (stop asking me that question) same to you, keep your hair down!

Ramdan: You are a really bright kid. Topped the class for english leh. In case the class is wondering, He didn't do it by fluke ok? In the last term, I remember how you handed up homework even before I asked the class to do it. I have seen the way you play soccer. Awesome man. Remember excel at everything but do not try to get attention by making a scene ya? 

Jas: You are capable of doing much better ok? Do not waste your time acting like a monkey in class la. Focus on your studies k? Don't get caught for doing nonsense outside of school. Remember, girls like smart boys who make it to good schools. 

Dylan: Dylan you are a great class monitor! Full of potential. Able to keep cool under pressure. Keep it up my man!

Hidayah: You are a good girl.. Don't share your hair gel/wax with the boys. Their hair is high enough already. 

Ok I will continue next time ya? Too much to write.

Happy Holidays + Message to 1/5

Hey you all!
Hope you are happy that its the holidays!
Time just zoomed right past us.

Anyway... I really had fun teaching you guys and it might have been the last time that I taught you guys.

Sorry I didn't get to see 1/5 much after exams but you probably didn't miss anything =)
Since I didn't get to see much of 1/5 let me do a shoutout to them first.

Dear 1/5:

You guys have been very well-behaved in my class. Thanks! Thanks for the sweet girls (Rachael, Kai Juan, Liz, etc) Who have been so kind to me when I first taught you guys.) Thank you Priya for offering your help as the english rep.

Boys, stop being so distracted by the rubics cube, shuffling and all that nonsense.
If you want to shuffle,exhibit your talent to the whole class. Don't be so paiseh. We promise not to laugh too loud.

Cai Sing, Please study hard next year. Streaming liao. Don't always be distracted!

Xin Shen, Don't bully Priya. Otherwise Grace will smack you.

Kok Sin, don't think bout girls so much.

Taka, don't think bout games so much.

Darren & Gyan, I think you 2 are the most mature in class. (I might be wrong though) but please try to whack some sense into the rest of the boys.

The Sewels, I think you guys are awesome and very cooperative.

NICHOLAS!! Class monitor!!: Haha.. how could I forget Mr Good Conduct. 1/5 you better listen to him. He really tries his best to get the class together ok? Wish you all the best.

For the rest of 1/5 hope you have fun next year. You guys are responsible for your own class. If you want it to be fun, cooperate with each other. Make it fun together. Don't expect it to be fun when you guys don't even put in an effort.

ENGLISH PAPER TOMORROW!!!

I wish u all the best for all your papers!

Study hard and Gambatte folks!!

Results for Informal Letter and compre.

1/2's results for Term 4

>>Click Here<<



1/5's results for Term 4

>>Click Here<<

If there are any discrepencies, please let me know.

Back to school

Well I've been checking out some of your blogs and I figured its only fair for me to share a bit here too. 

During the hols, I went over to Bintan for a short trip with my family... Can't believe I had to bring your scripts over to mark. 

Was driving so fast on a jetski that my whole body was aching from clinging on to the high speed contraption. 

This morning was especially hard to get out of bed. (I'm sure it was the same for you guys.) Horror of horrors!! I misplaced my staff pass and had to do some detective work around the house to find it. 

Today was a pretty awesome day. I was quite satisfied with 1/2's behavior in class and very impressed with the people who handed up their work without me having to ask. (Thanks guys!)

and as usual, there were some jokers who asked me, "What homework??! (applies to both 1/2 and 1/5, you know who you are.) I didn't have enough time with 1/2 today so we'll go through inferential skills tomorrow. Apparently, Kok Sin thought that the worksheet was too easy so maybe I should tell him to give us the answers tomorrow. 

Remedial was good but I think I talked too much. Have an itchy throat now, so I beg you guys to not make me shout tomorrow. 

Exams are in about 3 weeks so please take everything more seriously from now on.

This is what we will cover this week:

1/2: Go through Compre (Animals in Old Singapore) 

1/5: Go through Informal Letter 

Compre on Thursday and Friday 

Inferential Skills

Oel: Supersize me

Ok, time to mark your papers. See you tomorrow.

Box o' Goodies!!!

Here are some of the prizes for the top scorers for class assignments! 

MonKEY, key decorations

Pilot Super Grip XS

Miniature mechanical pencil

See how many of the 100 most common words in the English language you can guess in 5 minutes...

>>>Here<<<

Ten Tips for Taking Tests

1. Read the instructions carefully. Never assume you will know what they will say! Ask the teacher if you are unsure about anything.
2. Read the entire test through before starting. Notice the point value of each section. This will help you to pace yourself.
3. Answer the easiest questions first, then the ones with the highest point value. You don't want to spend 20 minutes trying to figure out a two-point problem!
4. Keep busy! If you get stuck on a question, come back to it later. The answer might come to you while you are working on another part of the test.
5. If you aren't sure how to answer a question fully, try to answer at least part of it. You might get partial credit.
6. Need to guess on a multiple-choice test? First, eliminate the answers that you know are wrong. Then take a guess. Because your first guess is most likely to be correct, you shouldn't go back and change an answer later unless you are certain you were wrong.
7. On an essay test, take a moment to plan your writing. First, jot down the important points you want to make. Then number these points in the order you will cover them.
8. Keep it neat! If your teacher can't read your writing, you might lose points.
9. Don't waste time doing things for which you will not receive credit, such as rewriting test questions.
10. Leave time at the end to look over your work. Did you answer every question? Did you proofread for errors? It is easy to make careless mistakes while taking a test.

from: http://www.factmonster.com/homework/studyskills4.html#tips

Can or May??

May: used when asking for permission.

Student: 'May I go to the restroom?'
-not, 'can I go to the restroom?' of course you can, but your teacher has to give you the permission to.

Can: possibility.
Is it possible to do something.

John: 'Can I lift that heavy box?"
-not, 'May I lift that heavy box?' (In this case, John is asking if he has the permission to lift the box, while in the first question, he is wondering if he has the ability to lift the box.

What happens when your english sucks

*Characters*

During the exam, there is hardly any time to come up with a good story.
So... always prepare! Try to keep a Character's Bank.

The character bank will consist of your arsenal of characters to plug into any story regardless of context. It will be like your avatar in every game. Ok 'nuff said, let's create some characters.

Step 1: Ask yourself questions about this character

1. Who is this character?
2. Where does he live?
3. What is he doing now?
4. Why is he doing it?

Ok? so this will form the superficial aspect of your character.

1. How does he feel?
2. Why does he feel that way?
3. What is he thinking?
4. Where is he now?

and now you know the emotive aspect of your character.

Here is the character I created:

Name: Sora

Sora is the daughter of an aristocratic family. She was born mute and was banished to the surburbs so that her parents can conceal the embarassment of having a disabled child.

She is tanned with long wavy black hair and features that are simply a delectable treat for the eyes.

If she wasn't mute, she would definitely be talking non-stop. She's a highly intelligent girl with no chance to show it.

She's also very contemplative especially at night when she cry herself to sleep because of her abandonment.

As you can tell, this is a very depressing character. Good for stories when you need a sad ending. (I like sad endings)

try to go into an exam with at least 3 characters in the characte bank.

Narrative Writing

3 important things in a short story

1) Character: am I interested in the character?
2) Action: is it 'happening'?
3) Atmosphere: do you share the feeling of the character

Nouns and Pronouns

Nouns: Names for things
E.g. Cup, mouse, wallet, etc.

Pronouns: Words that can replace nouns to prevent repetition
E.g. He, she, them, etc.