Holiday assignments

Hi guys,
Hope you guys are having a great time during this holiday season. I hope you all have your assignments ready bu the time you guys are back in school.

Farewell to 4B

The time is just around the corner when we break for the holidays.
All of you've been a wonderful bunch of kids whom I would miss teaching next year. May you all build on the foundation and go on to better things in life. Like what a famous motivator Napolean Hill says: Do not wait; the time will never be "just right'. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.
I wish all my MA4B all the best in your Form 5 studies. Good luck!
I would like to share a farewell song with all of you. Teaching you was a personal satisfaction to me. And now the song.........Raymond Lauchengco's "Farewell"......

We used to be frightened and scared to try
Of things we don't really understand why
We laugh for a moment and start to cry
We were crazy

Now that the end is already here
We reminisce 'bout old yells and cheers
Even if our last hurrahs were never clear

Farewell to you my friends
We'll see each other again
Don't cry 'cause it's not the end of everything
I may be miles away
But here is where my heart will stay
With you, my friends with you

Yesterday's a treasure, today is here
Tomorrows' on it's way, the sky is clear
Thank you for the mem'ries of all the laughters and tears

And not to mention our doubts and our fears
The hypertension we gave to our peers
It's really funny to look back after all of these years

Farewell to you my friends
We'll see each other again
Don't cry 'cause it's not the end of everything
I may be miles away
But here is where my heart will stay
With you, my friends with you

Farewell to you my friends
We'll see each other again
Don't cry 'cause it's not the end of everything
I may be miles away
But here is where my heart will stay
With you, my friends with you
With you, my friends with only you

If you want to hear the above song click on the link below or cut and paste it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc5Lj0u7vx4

The directed writing

In the 2nd part of Paper 1 of the GCE 'O' Level English paper you have the directed writing. I am sure all of you know that, but your performance in this writing leaves me wanting.

The feedback on the final year English paper

Fantastic performance guys. I think all of you have outdone yourselves. Keep up the good work. The part 2 of paper 1 is yet to be marked.

I just hope you guys have done that equally well. Enjoy your off days.

English paper2

Having just completed marking your Comprehension papers, I have to say that I am elated and delighted at your paper 2 performance. It was a revelation and jubilation. However I cannot say the same thing for your paper 1.

I am still going through your papers but I must say that it does not look all that pleasing.

Anyway keep reading, talking and improving your language. See you guys on Saturday. Enjoy your weekend and your respite no doubt. Cheers!

Directed writing

In the second section of the 1st paper of the GCE 'O' level English paper you would be answering the directed composition writing which could be anything from an informal letter to a report or a speech.

Now what is the difference between free composition and directed composition.

In the free composition writing you would have a choice. This means you can choose from the number of options available on what you want to write. The expected length would be a minimum of 350 and not to exceed 500 words if possible. Anyway just beware sometimes the more you write the more the mistakes, unless you proof read before you hand in the paper. Remember you need not write long winding sentence which could confuse the markers resulting in lower marks. Even short clear sentence is acceptable so long it is grammatically correct.

In the directed composition there would be no choice. A topic would be given with 5 or so bullet points and you are required to include those points and add in extra detail and write between 250 to 350 words. You need to understand the question first. Plan it and then incorporate the given points and fill it up with extra information. Draft it. Proof reading the draft is very very important.

Common formats

Right, for formal letters the sender's address followed by the date the recipient's address and then the salutation and title.

Name of Sender
Address

31st October 2008

Name of Receiver
Address


Dear Mr. Abdul Bari:

This letter is typed in blocked style. Note that all lines begin at the left margin except the date, complimentary close, and signature block. They start from the center, or slightly to the right off center on the page. Some authors refer to this form as the “modified block with block paragraphs.”

This style is usually typed with mixed or standard punctuation. The salutation is followed by a colon, and the complimentary close, by a comma. This form of punctuation is widely used in most business correspondence.

To facilitate typing the date and the closing lines, set the tabular stop at the center or slightly off to the right of the paper so that you can tabulate it whenever you wish.

Remember to always leave a space between the salutation and the name, so the person who is sending this has plenty of room to sign the letter.

Sincerely,


*Signature*

Good Luck Guys

Wishing all my students all the best for your end of the year examinations. It has been a wonderful year and may you guys pass with flying colours.

Some tips I'd like to share with you guys:
1. Use your revision time effectively. Prepare a revision time table.

2. When your energy level is the highest, tackle the difficult bits.

3. Do not postpone the difficult topics.

4. Attend to routine things like tidying up, at low energy times of the day.

5. Do not just read. Make notes. In fact summarizing and condensing notes focuses your mind.

6. Discuss topics, after having revised them, with your classmates.

7. Use diagrammatic representation where ever possible. You may find this easier to retain.

8. Take a 5 minutes break after every 40 minutes ( Certainly after an hour!).

9. Take a longer break after every 3 hours of study.

10. Eat well.

11. Play some game when you find time. This helps you relax.

12. Do your best during the revision.

13. On the examination day, do not worry, even if you feel that you remember nothing! Give it your best shot, you will be able to recall once the questions are in front of you.

14. Answer all questions. Ensure that you plan your time well during the examination.

I hope this well be of some help. Once again 'Good Luck'. My doa will always be there for you all.

Your task for 23rd October 2008

Continue your blog with writing. The topic is 'What I find most difficult to learn in English' or 'A funny story I want to share with you'

Survey Questainaires

Both 4B and 4I would be doing a survey online. Expose students to new online resources.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sq3dX7B_2bluxDG23G7fksCQ_3d_3d

For 4I for 22nd October 2008

Right students,

Your blog topic today is 'How reading can improve my English language learning' or 'Something interesting which happened to me this year'

For 4I

Write how you are preparing for your final examination in about 150-200 words. Plan your writing.

21st century innovations

Today we have technological inventions which could take us even further into the realm of dreams and uncharted territories in many fields especially in education.

Now students can use the internet as a means to acquiring knowledge and also to improve their skills and chances of finding suitable employment.

THis is for my 4I

Now students try to create your own blogs. First you must have your own emails. If you don't then you have to create an email account first.

1st blog for 4B

Today the 4B's were taken to the computer lab and introduced to blog creation. This I hope will be a medium through which I can interact better with my beloved students. :)

I hope you guys will get back to me on any difficult lesson or if you need any further clarification.

My email address is nashmuddin@gmail.com