The first type of reward refers to awards such as medals, vouchers and so on given by the school to encourage students to put in more effort in school. Such rewards may be effective in promoting a young child's love of learning and generate interest to study, as well as a motivation to pay attention in class. When the students grow up, they can set goals in their learning journey, aiming to absorb more in class and to revise their homework. However, when they grow older, they should develop their own passion for learning, though awards would help them in goal setting. Even though studying is for the good of the child, some students may not find anything worthwhile when they are young, and thus having an award system is a good idea.
The second type of reward is the rewards that the parents give to a child, which may include electronic gaming devices or computer games. The idea is to motivate the child to study first then have fun later, while making sure that the child plays only after the exams and study hard for it so that they can enjoy their time afterwards. Even though this is a good option to make children study hard for the test, the children may be too young to resist the temptation to play, and since it has already been introduced, they might be addicted and lose concentration in their studies. Besides, they might have the passion to learn and are motivated to get high grades just so that they can play these games. When these children grow older, they may not be able to pick up as fast as the rest as they are addicted to playing games, and do not seek to set personal goals for themselves.
Thus, I think that awards for the effort put in at school would be useful to motivate as well as encourage students to put in effort in homework as well as pay attention in class, though the reward should not make the child stop working hard. Parents can award their children by taking them on fun or educational trips, as well as bring them to the library or let them start a hobby for them to devote their time in.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
55 fiction
Tom stared at the music box resting upon the shelf.
Heart pumping slightly, he reached out a trembling finger towards the box.
A telephone rang from the living room. As he turned, the dappled sunlight from the window cast a soft ray upon the fine layer of dust upon Tom's forgotten gift.
Heart pumping slightly, he reached out a trembling finger towards the box.
A telephone rang from the living room. As he turned, the dappled sunlight from the window cast a soft ray upon the fine layer of dust upon Tom's forgotten gift.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
What is beauty?
Beauty is a person's perspective of what is desirable and that stands above the rest. For humans, beauty can mean inner beauty, the characteristics of a person or outer beauty, which refers to physical attractiveness. Beauty is a matter of opinion, as what one person finds to be beauty another may not. For example, one person may enjoy a certain hobby collecting beautiful insects, while another person may find it a complete waste of time and point out that the insects are foul and disgusting. Thus, beauty is not easily defined, as everyone has their own likes, character and attitude. Due to character, some people may look out for physical beauty while others may look out for inner beauty, the good traits of someone. This may also be due to attitude, where somebody who has a positive attitude looks out for the good qualities of something while others who do not look out for the bad qualities in others. Thus, beauty is based on the perspective of those who appreciate the good qualities in something or someone.
Thus, beauty can take a very important role as to determine whether something is seen as beautiful or not. Someone with a good attitude and who looks out for good qualities in others can help them to develop their good qualities and prevent them from wasting away. Therefore, beauty cannot be easily defined but can take an important role to those who appreciate it.
the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or a pattern.
(freedictionary.com)
to be continued...
Thus, beauty can take a very important role as to determine whether something is seen as beautiful or not. Someone with a good attitude and who looks out for good qualities in others can help them to develop their good qualities and prevent them from wasting away. Therefore, beauty cannot be easily defined but can take an important role to those who appreciate it.
the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or a pattern.
(freedictionary.com)
to be continued...
Monday, 25 May 2009
My first semester as a secondary one student
My first semester as a secondary one student was extremely interesting, with many new and interesting events happening in the school.
Firstly, I had new classmates, friends, subjects and so on. I had to adapt to my new classmates and the new cirriculumn quickly. Though it was not unexpected, I had to leave my old friends in primary school behind and socialize with my new classmates, and I met many friends in this school, through class and CCA. The new cirriculumn was interesting, but there were many new subjects, most which were different from my past cirriculumn. These new subjects were quite interesting, though there was more homework to be done. The cirriculumn was also more difficult and the exams had to be thouroughly revised for.
I joined a new CCA as well, which was very exciting as it comprised of many different types of outdoor activities such as outdoor cooking. In my new CCA, I learned much about the history of scouting.
The lessons consisted of fun and meaningful activities to help us understand better the content of the subjects. We also did many projects that we had to present to the class, where we had to research the topic thouroughly and present it to the class, helping us learn more about it. In Hwa Chong, there were many facilities which aided us in learning, such as sports facilities for the PE lessons and the computer labs for us to learn IS.
However, I did not do very well for some of the subjects that I had excelled in when I was primary school. I had to revise my work very thoroughly before the examinations. Due to the excessive amount of homework, I had very little leisure time left. The CCA also required us to stay back for two days, once on Friday and one on Saturday. I had to learn how to spend my time as I often found myself sleeping very late. Although I did not have as much leisure time as before, the activities held in school were enough to make up for it. There were camps held by the school and by the CCAs where we experienced many activites such as building a catapult and pitching a tent.
(to be continued...)
Firstly, I had new classmates, friends, subjects and so on. I had to adapt to my new classmates and the new cirriculumn quickly. Though it was not unexpected, I had to leave my old friends in primary school behind and socialize with my new classmates, and I met many friends in this school, through class and CCA. The new cirriculumn was interesting, but there were many new subjects, most which were different from my past cirriculumn. These new subjects were quite interesting, though there was more homework to be done. The cirriculumn was also more difficult and the exams had to be thouroughly revised for.
I joined a new CCA as well, which was very exciting as it comprised of many different types of outdoor activities such as outdoor cooking. In my new CCA, I learned much about the history of scouting.
The lessons consisted of fun and meaningful activities to help us understand better the content of the subjects. We also did many projects that we had to present to the class, where we had to research the topic thouroughly and present it to the class, helping us learn more about it. In Hwa Chong, there were many facilities which aided us in learning, such as sports facilities for the PE lessons and the computer labs for us to learn IS.
However, I did not do very well for some of the subjects that I had excelled in when I was primary school. I had to revise my work very thoroughly before the examinations. Due to the excessive amount of homework, I had very little leisure time left. The CCA also required us to stay back for two days, once on Friday and one on Saturday. I had to learn how to spend my time as I often found myself sleeping very late. Although I did not have as much leisure time as before, the activities held in school were enough to make up for it. There were camps held by the school and by the CCAs where we experienced many activites such as building a catapult and pitching a tent.
(to be continued...)
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Courtesy begins at home
I think that courtesy begins at home, as that is where children learn from their parents to be a courteous person. At home, a child's parents correct his/her mistakes and teaches her the correct morals and how to be polite. A parent also teaches his/her child table manners and how to behave in the public.
However, children can also learn to be courteous in school where they have more exposure to other students. They learn how to treat their classmates courteously, as well as learn how to be considerate from their teachers.
Thus, I think that courtesy begins at home, where the child learns from his/her parents, but can be enforced in school or in the public where the child receives much more exposure and the experience of dealing with others.
However, children can also learn to be courteous in school where they have more exposure to other students. They learn how to treat their classmates courteously, as well as learn how to be considerate from their teachers.
Thus, I think that courtesy begins at home, where the child learns from his/her parents, but can be enforced in school or in the public where the child receives much more exposure and the experience of dealing with others.
Blog Prompt: Gaming Addiction
When I was primary four, my classmates introduced a extremely addicting game to me. That game had no ending, and they spent hours and hours playing it without stop.
I was curious and decided to try the game for myself. Once I started playing, I got hooked. I would play the game for hours after hours, never getting tired of it, as there was no definite end to the game. My classmates and I frequently met on the game and we played the game together. Very soon, I started to pay less attention in class, and there were also times I had to play without my parents consent.
I found myself growing more irritable when i could not play. I did not play with my other siblings and did not participate in family outings so that I could play.
However, the real schock came to me when my Mid-year examinations came out. For many of my examinations, I got only 70+ marks. From then on, I tried very hard to curb my addiction. However, I found that i missed out on many occasions that I could have been with my family. I also dragged down my average by a lot. Although I still managed to scrap band 1s for all my subjects in the end, I lost the subject prize by 1 mark. If i had been willing to put in more effort in my studies and not play that computer game, I would have managed to get that subject prize.
I regretted my actions very deeply and tried to stop playing computer games until the holidays. If only I knew how to balance between play and work, I could have managed to get better marks for my exams, as well as improved my family relations.
I was curious and decided to try the game for myself. Once I started playing, I got hooked. I would play the game for hours after hours, never getting tired of it, as there was no definite end to the game. My classmates and I frequently met on the game and we played the game together. Very soon, I started to pay less attention in class, and there were also times I had to play without my parents consent.
I found myself growing more irritable when i could not play. I did not play with my other siblings and did not participate in family outings so that I could play.
However, the real schock came to me when my Mid-year examinations came out. For many of my examinations, I got only 70+ marks. From then on, I tried very hard to curb my addiction. However, I found that i missed out on many occasions that I could have been with my family. I also dragged down my average by a lot. Although I still managed to scrap band 1s for all my subjects in the end, I lost the subject prize by 1 mark. If i had been willing to put in more effort in my studies and not play that computer game, I would have managed to get that subject prize.
I regretted my actions very deeply and tried to stop playing computer games until the holidays. If only I knew how to balance between play and work, I could have managed to get better marks for my exams, as well as improved my family relations.
Blog Prompt: social entreprenuership business
Dear Resident Committee,
On behalf of my team members, I would like to propose the setting up of stalls near primary schools, where our team members can be stationed. They would invite primary school students to ask questions that they do not understand related to their curriculum. They will pay 50 cents for every question that they ask. The money that we collect will be used to buy second-hand books, writing materials and to help pay for school fees, and these shall be donated to charitable organizations to be distributed.
Our team chooses to do so as both help students with difficulty studying, only do not understand a few problems or do not have the time to go to tuition, and those students who do not have enough money to pay for school books, writing materials or school fees.
These stalls are stationed near primary schools or if possible, within them. This is to provide students with the ease of accessibility and to encourage more students to participate. Students can also donate their old books or writing materials instead of 50 cents, and each student who asks more than 1 question would get a sticker, to encourage the students to ask more questions.
Our team will operate from the school's dismissal time to 2.30, to cater for students who are waiting to be fetched, having their lunch in school or waiting for their CCA to start. Students can also ask for help with their homework, as many of them do their homework during this period.
Thus, I hope that the Resident Committee can accept our proposal and allow us to run our stall near these schools and persuade schools to allow us to set up our stalls within them to aid students in their learning journey, as well as raise funds for underprivileged students.
Yours Sincerely,
Leong Qi Dong
On behalf of my team members, I would like to propose the setting up of stalls near primary schools, where our team members can be stationed. They would invite primary school students to ask questions that they do not understand related to their curriculum. They will pay 50 cents for every question that they ask. The money that we collect will be used to buy second-hand books, writing materials and to help pay for school fees, and these shall be donated to charitable organizations to be distributed.
Our team chooses to do so as both help students with difficulty studying, only do not understand a few problems or do not have the time to go to tuition, and those students who do not have enough money to pay for school books, writing materials or school fees.
These stalls are stationed near primary schools or if possible, within them. This is to provide students with the ease of accessibility and to encourage more students to participate. Students can also donate their old books or writing materials instead of 50 cents, and each student who asks more than 1 question would get a sticker, to encourage the students to ask more questions.
Our team will operate from the school's dismissal time to 2.30, to cater for students who are waiting to be fetched, having their lunch in school or waiting for their CCA to start. Students can also ask for help with their homework, as many of them do their homework during this period.
Thus, I hope that the Resident Committee can accept our proposal and allow us to run our stall near these schools and persuade schools to allow us to set up our stalls within them to aid students in their learning journey, as well as raise funds for underprivileged students.
Yours Sincerely,
Leong Qi Dong
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