One of my favourite songs and videos...

Beggin'

Right at the bottom...

Let's be articulate!

This might be a reason why English is important. :)

Well, the first part of being understood is to listen and understand. Therefore, today's lesson will be on spelling! Hmm... What might this have to do with listening, you may ask?

Go to the website below. Create a profile, or you can play the spelling games without logging in. Let us see who can get the highest score by the end of the day!

http://www.timesspellingbee.co.uk/Default.aspx

Note: You can also go to the website at your own leisure.

Swine flu update on 30/04/2009 (No additional posts required... unless you really feel like it)

Here is an update on the developments surrounding the swine flu pandemic. On your own, you can visit the various news agencies around the world like our local The Straits Times, BBC, CNN New York Times, or even Yahoo! News to get updates and keep abreast of develoments.

Remember, we are all global citizens!

Do you know the answers to these following questions?

1. What are the symptoms of swine flu?
2. How is it spread? Through food? Is it airborne?
3. What is the current pandemic alert level as indicated by the WHO? Do you think Singapore is at risk?
4. What are your thoughts and feelings towards this event? Are you afraid? Confident in the government? Worried about your relatives? Ambivalent? Happy that schools may be closed?

Related links:
The Straits Times News Reports today 30/04/2009.

BBC News Report as at 29/04/2009 Wednesday (Click on the various tabs! There is a wealth of information here!

WHO (World Health Organisation) website on the swine flu pandemic (They are the authority on this matter. They are also the ones who are monitoring and issuing the pandemic alert levels).

Article on Yahoo! News posted on 30/04/2009 Thursday.

Comments!

Hi 4E5,

By now, everyone has at least one posting on your own blog. You may enhance your blogs with videos, music or other gadgets on the sidebars. For example, I have added a widget to Dictionary.com on my sidebar.

Well done to all who have completed two posts and have the links to all the students set up.

Task for today:
Complete your two postings and run a spell check. You can copy and paste your post into Microsoft Word to weed out some of the common problems.
Write comments on at least two of your friends' blog. Look at the links on my blog. Write comments for students whose name is one above yours and for the one below yours. You can take your cue from the comments given to Christopher.
What kind of comments to give?
State if you agree or disagree and give reasons.
Language: highlight some areas for improvement. Give constructive, helpful and useful comments. Not just empty words of praises.
If there is still time, read the blogs created by Mrs Choong's students.

Change in blog address

Dear 4E5,

Shirlyn has changed her blog address. Her new URL is: http://www.i-am-schizophrenic.blogspot.com/

Please update your links accordingly.

Carpe Noctem,
Michael Lee

Let's finish some work!

Hi guys and gals!

Today, I just want to finish and consolidate some of the work we have done these two days.

Firstly, make sure that you have embedded the clip from http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081/Chicken-a#videoDetail in your first post on your blog.

Secondly, make sure you have published a second post about the current flu epidemic. (It looks soon to be a pandemic so better get your thermometers ready!)

The third item to accomplish would be to create a link tab at the side to link to all your classmates' blogs (similar to what I have on my blog).

Lastly, I want all of you to visit each other's blogs and give comments to your friends. It can be to correct their language or grammar, to offer comments on their reflections, to say that you disagree or agree with them, or simply to just drop an encouraging message to them.

PLEASE read this blog religiously for more updates on activities to come.

Your striking mentor in English,
Michael Lee

Swine Flu 27/04/2009

Read the latest news at http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/World/Story/STIStory_369071.html

Follow up on any additional links related to this medical pandemic. You might like to research on the history, cause and effects of swine flu.

In your blog, comment on what is happening, paying attention to the questions below.

1. What COULD be the cause of this outbreak?
2. Do you think the governments around the world are doing enough to help the people?
3. Your feelings/views on the reaction of people worldwide. Is it rational and helpful? What do you think people should do?
4. Any other feelings or reactions to this event.

Related links:

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8016909.stm
• http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090424/ap_on_he_me/med_swine_flu
• http://health.yahoo.com/news/ap/med_swine_flu.html
• http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517737,00.html

Interesting Video From VP, Mr Chia

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

What is your initial reaction after watching the clip?

Think of three questions you have about the clip.

Try to provide some answers to your questions.

Procrastination

Finally back after a long hiatus.... have not had the time, energy or interest to update my blog since the last entry.... Guess I'm back here to pour out my boredom. School is a cannonball chained to the legs of my soul, as usual. As is usually the case, have some event to attend after school today; the student council's investiture. Work is piling up but still nothing gets done.

Darn it all... I'm going to eat now....

Life has to have more meaning than this...