Wednesday, 31 October 2007

Sudoku!

Hello class,
I've recently added a Sudoku game in the blog. It's found at the bottom of the page. Do go and try it out and submit your scores! =)

Saturday, 27 October 2007

Deserts

Hi 4F,
If you remembered, we came across deserts when going through our English paper last week? I promised to get some information on the blog about deserts. Here they are.

Read on!

Where are hot deserts found?
In the centre or on the west coasts of continents.
Usually between latitudes 10 degrees and 30 degrees north or south of the Equator.
Where the prevailing wind (most common wind direction) comes from the dry land.

Why are these deserts dry?
The prevailing wind blows across land so it does not carry much moisture.
In Britain air usually rises, then air cols cools and condensation gives cloud and rain. BUT... In hot deserts air descends, then air gets warmer causes evaporation and cloudless skies.

Why is there a big difference between day and night temperatures in deserts?

DAY TIME:
In the day temperatures are very high. the sun's rays beat down and heat the ground surface
It is very hot in the day and can be very cold at night because there are no clouds to:
Keep the ground shaded by day.
Trap the heat at night.

Problems of survival in the desert:
Very high temperatures in the day/ strong sun.
Lack of nutrients/soil.
Being eaten by animals.
Little rain; occasional storms.
Competition from other plants.
Reproducing is difficult.
Removed by people.
Strong wind and sand storms.
Very cold at night.

Desert animals
Camels are among many animals which have specially adapted features so that they can survive in desert environment.

They have two eyelids.
Leathery mouths.
They can close their nose.
Padded feet.
Camels store fat in their humps, which can be broken down to provide food and water. This helps them survive long journeys in the desert.


Desert King Snake
Average Lifespan 10 years
Scientific name: lampropeltis getula splendida
Group: Colubird
Origin or range: North America
Relative size: Average (compared to other snakes)
Desert Kingsnakes are found in arid regions of the Southwest United States and Northern Mexico. They are quite easy to keep in captivity and are relatively non-aggressive.

Adapted from: http://www.didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk/depts/geog/bcs_geography/deserts.htm


View http://www.inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/desert/plants.htm for more information.

Hello

Hello class,
I've taken out the chatbox because it has been misused. Despite warnings, offensive language is still used against classmates, which is not good. Instead, I've put up a class poll about this blog. Do go and view it. =)

How has life been after the exams? Take this time to reflect through the time you spent learning and studying. Now's a good time to catch up on knowledge you didn't quite understand before the exams.

Thursday, 11 October 2007

If We Hold On Together

Hi class,
I'm glad you liked the song. I've found a better version, where this little girl sings. You might want to listen to it if you have the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64rQaoASn6k

URL

The URL of If We Hold On Together is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZYA0KpJiK0

If We Hold On Together

Dearest 4F,
It has indeed been a stressful week for all of us and I would like to encourage you with this song by Diana Ross, a popular singer, with If We Hold On Together.

This song encourages us to think and imagine the dreams we've always wanted to have. It may be to have good relationships with our siblings, it may be to excel in our studies, to fulfil your ambition, or it may also be to be a good friend to your classmates. Whatever your dreams are, holding on together is very important. Know that your family, friends and teachers are there for you, supporting you in your phases in life.

This is a meaningful song. Do ponder over the lyrics and you might just want to sing it to yourself when you feel really stressed, or down, or simply when you just need some encouragement. =)

The lyrics are as follows:

Don't lose your way
With each passing day
You've come so far
Don't throw it away
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith, hope & glory
Hold to the truth in your heart

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

Souls in the wind
Must learn how to bend
Seek out a star
Hold on to the end
Valley, mountain
There is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying
Someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

When we are out there in the dark
We'll dream about the sun
In the dark we'll feel the light
Warm our hearts, everyone

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I

Lyrics taken from: http://lyrics007.com

Monday, 8 October 2007

How to relax

Hi 4F,
These tips are taken from 'English At Work'.
Hope you find these useful. =)

This is often the opposite of how you are feeling when under pressure.
This is exactly what you have to do.
In order for your voice to remain calm and for your brain to "think", you have to be as relaxed as possible.
1. Take deep breaths. Feel your diaphragm rise and fall as you inhale and exhale.
2. Be positive! Take a second and give yourself a positive and affirming message.
3. Clench invisible muscles (thighs, biceps and feet) for a few seconds and release.


Other than how to relax, there is some tips on English writing. Take a look!
What is the difference between spicy & hot?
Can they be used interchangeably?
'Hot' has at least two meanings.
One of those is the same as 'spicy'.
Unfortunately, it also refers to temperature, so a meal can be 'hot' (temperature) without being 'hot' (spicy).
Sometimes it is necessary to indicate which of the meanings is intended and then you might hearsomeone say:
'This chicken is spicy hot.'
Take care and all the best for the English paper tomorrow! Remember to check and check and check through the paper. Do not leave any stones unturned as this is the first and last time you will be attempting this paper. Check for tenses, check for spelling, check for missing pages, check for punctuation, check for correct name and register number written and shaded properly. Check that shading is done properly and errors erased clearly.
Ok, I think I've done a fair bit of nagging, but you know what Ms Seow means. These little things add up to a lot, actually. Persevere!!!

Wednesday, 3 October 2007

How 4F relieves stress in the midst of exams

One of our journal entries was 'How I relieve myself of exam stress'.



Pupils of 4F contributed to this topic by offering their views and habits on how to cope with stress. Let's see what they are. Perhaps you might want to adopt them too!



Ee Leng: Listening to music/ Exercising



Li Xin: Sleep whenever she likes/ Play



Wei Hao: Play with sibling/ Play PC/ Watch TV



Bin Cheng: Read book/ Taking naps/ Playing



Nigel: Playing games/ Basketball



Ferlyn: Watch TV/ Play on the PC/ Do homework anytime



Yean Min: Don't think of anything



Chang Shen: Play games/ Soccer/ Play on the handphone/ Eat/ Sleep



Brenda: Go to the beach and shout 'ahhh!'/ Play with friends and family/ Go out and breathe in fresh air

Natalie: Not studying too hard for exams (care to explain further?)/ Listening to music

Ju Xiang: Play PC games/ Call a friend up to talk/ Watch TV/ Play with friends at the void deck

Khalisah: Sleep/ Play with cousin/ Go out and cycle/ Rollerblade/ Watch TV/ Read book/ Revise work

Zakis: Go to bed/ Read a book, feel sleepy, go sleep, wake up, and then stress is forgotten!

Zi Yan: Watch TV/ play with toys/ Play PC

Wanfang: Going for Band practise

Kamarullah: Stay in at home/ Do work in aircon room

Fazrey: Sleep

It's good that most of you have an outlet of relieving stress, class! =) Oh yes, maintain a healthy diet too! That's essential.

Okie, here's Ms Seow signing off for now.
Wow, it's been a tiring week. Have been having a cold on and off while teaching... =p Hope to get better soon.

See you tomorrow!

Monday, 1 October 2007

Happy Children's Day

Hello 4F,
HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY!!!

It's a holiday for all of you, and I'm sure you've had a good rest over the weekend too. Well, here's wishing all of you good health and all the best as you revise for the coming exams. Don't forget to have regular vision breaks or have a jog from time to time. *smiles*

Here's something I found regarding how the first Children's Day was celebrated in Singapore, by the National Library Board...

http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_1171_2006-06-02.html

The first Children's DaySchools in Singapore first celebrated Children's Day on 23 October 1961.On Wednesday 3 August 1961, the Ministry of Education announced that the estimated 37,000 school children in Singapore would be celebrating Children's Day for the first time that year. The day chosen for the celebration was Monday 23 October . The date was in keeping with the United Nation's Children's Day which fell on 22 October but since it was a Sunday, the celebration was held the following day, on Monday 23. Children's Day was marked as a school holiday.

For the first celebration, the Ministry of Education had a Children's Day song composed. Schools functioned for only two hours on that day; the morning session started from 7:45 am to 9:45 am, while the afternoon from 10 am to 12 noon. After the singing of the Children's Day song, principals delivered a special message from the Minister for Education, Mr Yong Nyuk Lin. Schools also announced the names of students to receive honours for their gallantry and outstanding achievements. Schools also had the choice to organise impromptu concerts, talentime, debates or film shows on that day.

AuthorNor-Afidah Abd Rahman