Tuesday, March 29, 2011

In-house training on revised literature component 2011

The English Panel held an in-house training for the English Language teachers on Saturday, March 26, at BTV 1 at 8.30am.

The objectives are:
a. to inform the teachers about the writing of the daily lesson plan for a literature lesson
b. to share some fun and exciting activities for literature class.

Facilitators:
1. Mdm Renuha Ratnasingam
2. Pn Sakina Ramli

Programme

Slot 1: Writing of Record Book
- yearly plan
- daily lesson plan
- workshop - writing daily lesson plan
- group presentation

Slot 2: Assessment and Testing
- testing for SPM 2011
- summative and formative testing (school-based/ ULBS/PLBS)

Slot 3: Workshop on Activities based on Literature Component (Form 1- Form 5)
- poems
- short stories
- graphic novel
- drama
- novel

Monday, March 28, 2011

Today's Word - February

WORDS

MEANING / SENTENCES

1

absent (adj)

not in the place where you are expected to be, especially at school or work.

Jay Ming has been absent from school for three days now.

2

accept (v)

to say 'yes' to an offer or invitation.

I've just accepted an invitation to the birthday party.

3

admire (v)

to respect and approve of someone or their behaviour

I really admire people who can work in such difficult conditions.

4

afford (v)

to be able to buy or do something because you have enough money or time:

Few people are able to afford cars like that.

5

afraid (adj)

feeling fear, or feeling anxiety about the possible results of a particular situation:

I've always been afraid of spiders.

6

almost (adv)

nearly

It was almost six o'clock when he left.

7

ancient (adj)

very old

He's got an ancient computer.

8

apologise (v)

to tell someone that you are sorry for having done something that has caused them inconvenience or unhappiness

I must apologize to Isobel for my lateness.

9

arrest (v)

to take hold of a person because he or she has broken the law.

The police arrested her for drinking and driving.

10

arrive (v)

to reach a place, especially at the end of a journey:

It was dark by the time we arrived at the station.

11

article (n)

a piece of writing on a particular subject in a newspaper or magazine:

There was an interesting article on water pollution in the paper yesterday.

12

ashamed (adj)

feeling guilty or embarrassed about something you have done or a quality in your character:

He was ashamed to admit to his mistake.

13

audience (n)

the group of people gathered in one place to watch or listen to a play, film, someone speaking, etc

The audience was clearly delighted with the

performance.

14

autumn (n)

the season of the year between summer and winter, lasting from September to November.

We like to travel in the autumn when there are fewer tourists.

15

avoid (v)

to stay away from someone or something.

I try to avoid supermarkets on Saturdays - they're always so

busy.

Today's Expression - February

EXPRESSION

MEANING

SENTENCE

Every cloud has a silver lining

If you say that every cloud has a silver lining, you mean that every sad or unpleasant situation has a positive side to it. If you talk about silver lining you are talking about something positive that comes out of a sad or unpleasant situation.

Do not despair when facing a difficult situation as every cloud has a silver lining.

All that glitters is not gold

Do not be deceived by things or offers that appear to be attractive.

Do not be easily fooled by his sweet talk for all that glitters in not gold.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

One should not risk everything he has in a single venture.

It is wise not to put all your eggs in one basket, otherwise you might lose everything you have if the business fails.

Any time means no time

When an event is not decided on or planned earlier it will never take place.

Let’s not procrastinate anymore or we might end up in a situation : any time means no time.

Between the devil and the deep sea

To choose between two equally bad alternatives in a serious dilemma.

It’s between the devil and the deep sea. Either you pay the fine or go to jail.

Where there's a will there's a way

When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it.

Do not give up easily and try your best because where there’s a will there’s a way.

A friend in need is a friend indeed

A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend.

One can always count on him. He is responsible, kind and caring. He really fits the description of a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Empty vessels make the most noise

Those people who have a little knowledge usually talk the most and make the greatest fuss.

As an empty vessel makes the most noise, so is John, who actually knows nothing but likes to boast of his own cleverness.

Better late than never

To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little late is still better than not doing it at all.

Do not say it’s too late to practice a healthy lifestyle. Better late than never.

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush

Something that one already has is better than going after something seemingly more worthwhile that one may not be able to get.

Do not be greedy. Be contented and happy with what one has for a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

Birds of a feather flock together

People of the same sort of character or belief always go together.

If you are lazy, you will always befriend people who are lazy too as birds of a feather flock together.

Charity begins at home

A person's first obligation should be to help the member of his own family before he can begin thinking of talking about helping others.

Charity begins at home, so help your poor and homeless relatives first before you think of donating money to the poor.

An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.

One who has nothing to do will be tempted to do many mischievous acts.

Make sure your time is always wisely occupied for a idle brain is the devil’s workshop.

A penny saved is a penny gained

By being thrifty one will be able to save up.

A penny saved is a penny gained so do not spend on things you want but do not need.

As you sow, so you shall reap

One will either enjoy or suffer the consequences of his earlier actions or inactions.

We must always take care of our health and avoid junk food for as you sow, so you shall reap.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

2011 RHB-NST Spell It Right Competition


Students who are interested to participate in this year's Spell It Right Competition, please consult your English teacher and submit your name to Mr Chin Wai Fatt who is our co-ordinator for this year.

The contest in brief:
  1. This challenge is open to Malaysian citizens from Year 1 - Year 6 (Category 1 - Primary Level) and Form 1 - Form 5 (Category 2 - Secondary Level) who are enrolled in national, national-type and private schools using the Malaysian national education system.
  2. Participation is open to individuals but each school is allowed a maximum of ten (10) participants only.
  3. Only two hundred and forty (240) participants from each state will be accepted in each category. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
  4. Each participant must fully complete the original entry form published in the New Straits Times. Incomplete and illegible forms will not be entertained. Photocopied forms will not be accepted.
  5. The entry form must be faxed to SIR Registration Secretariat, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd at 03-2284 0386 no later than March 31, 2011 Entries will not be accepted after the deadline.
  6. Each participant must be accompanied by an adult (18 years and above) who are required to stay with the participant until the end of the challenge duration.
  7. The reference texts for the challenge shall be the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary 7th Edition, Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner's English Dictionary New Edition, Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary Third Edition, Merriam-Webster Online, Dictionary.com and MSN Encarta.

Watch video of previous years' competitions :

Dublin Literary Award for Young Malaysians 2011

Students between 14 and 18 can now submit essays for the Eighth Dublin Literary Award for Young Malaysians competition. The winner and his/her parent will be sent to Dublin, UNESCO City of Literature, to attend the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards, the world's richest book prize.

For more details :

http://thestar.com.my/dublin/

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Petrosains Science Show Competition 2011

RULES

1. This competition is open to all schools in Malaysia.

2. This competition is divided into 2 categories:

a. lower secondary category : open to students of form 1, 2 & 3 only.

b. higher secondary category: open to students of form 4 & 5 only.

3. Participation is by teams, comprising of 2 students and one teacher.

4. The maximum participation is 3 teams for each category, from each school.

5. The presentation must adhere to the science education syllabus (physics/chemistry/etc.) of Malaysian schools.

6. The presentation script should be prepared either in Bahasa Melayu or English.

7. The presentation script should be of original work. It should be typed out in the following format:

FONT: ARIAL

SIZE: 12

SPACING: DOUBLE SPACING

8. The Science Show duration must not exceed 20 minutes.

9. The show’s script theme should be based on Science concepts. Participants are advised to not combine several Science topics in one presentation, for evaluation purposes.

10. Participants are not allowed to include sensitive issues such as religions, race, politics and sex in the presentation.

11. Participants should wear clothing that is neat, decent and appropriate. The wearing of costumes is subject to the creativity of each team and should not disrupt the presentation’s flow.

12. Equipment/Experiment, etc.: Participants are not encouraged to conduct experiments and use materials/instruments that are dangerous and compromise safety.

13. Priority will be given to teams that utilise used-materials resources or practice the 3R Concept.

14. All applications sent are deemed as belonging to or the property of Petrosains including any intellectual ownership concerned.

15. Entry forms must be submitted to Petrosains by 22 March 2011.

16. The judges’ decision will be final.

Those interested can check the link below for more info

http://www.petrosains.com.my/scienceshowcompetition/eng/rules/

Friday, March 11, 2011

TODAY’S WORD/EXPRESSION 2011

This is the new improvised language programme by the English Language Panel. The students are to learn a word or an expression a day. The words/expressions, meanings and sentences are put up on the special “Today’s Word/Expression” Board. The coordinator will slot in the words/expressions, meaning and sentences daily for the respective month. The students will write these words/expressions, meanings and sentences into an exercise book daily. 10% of the monthly test mark is allocated for this programme.

There will also be a supplementary programme coordinated by the ‘Bahasa Melayu’ and Chinese Language Society which provides the translations and meanings of the English expressions and words of the day.

Afternoon session - words

Morning session - expressions eg. proverbs, idioms, phrasal verbs

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Mag Inc 2011

The Star-Pizza Hut's Mag Inc 2011 is back. It was recently launched by Datuk Dr. Wee Ka Siong, Deputy Education Minister. This year theme is 'Speak Out'.

Sunday March 6, 2011

The Sunday Star

The Mag Inc 2011 nationwide mini magazine competition is launched with excitement, anticipation, and pizzas!

CLAD in neatly pressed school blazers and a Powerpoint presentation in hand, five teenagers from SMK Bukit Mewah, Seremban, took to the stage to share their experience from their recent trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The memorable four day-three night trip was the coveted prize for the champions for the lower secondary category of last year’s The Star-Pizza Hut Newspaper-in-Education (NiE) contest.

Team members Amelia Kwan Su Yin, Alyssa Neesha Yau Swee Lynn, Stephany Michelle Rajasingam, Stephanie Liew San San and John Lee Yong Xian impressed judges at the Mag Inc 2010 contest themed “A Better Life” with their entry titled S.H.A.R.E. The entry stressed the importance of doing charity work and voluntary services for the needy.

Can’t wait to ‘Speak Out!’: Students with Jamaludin and Yeoh holding up Pizza Hut vouchers and last year’s entries at the launch event.

Putting those words into action, the team told the audience that their visit to the Little Angels orphanage was the highlight of their experience there, while showing photographs of their trip.

Although they were initially very excited at the thought of their impending trip to Cambodia, the altruistic youngsters wanted to do something more.

That was how the idea of visiting and donating items at a local orphanage was mooted. They went to great lengths, from doing household chores to participating in a church charity drive, to raise money to buy the items.

When asked what they remembered most about the trip, Stephany said she would never forget the state of poverty that the Cambodian people had to live with every day. However, she was quick to add that despite this, they were warm and friendly.

Alyssa too said that she had a wonderful experience in Cambodia.

Speaking about a wheelchair-bound orphan who was almost her age, Alyssa said, “It was extremely disheartening to see him struggling.”

Tasty treat: Students from SMK Lembah Bujang enjoying their pizzas at the event.

Such encounters, she said, reminded her to count her blessings time and time again.

For team member John, it was seeing the floating markets and floating basketball courts on Tonle Sap Lake which was an “out of this world” experience for him.

Learning the fun way

At the launch of Mag Inc 2011 themed “Speak Out!” held at the Pizza Hut restaurant in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong who officiated the event said, “By learning to express their opinions and ideas objectively, students develop critical thinking skills.”

During the event, Dr Wee who tweets as weekasiongmp, said: “At the launch of Mag Inc 2011, a project jointly organised by The Star and Pizza Hut. Last year, 122,000 from 428 schools participated in this contest. Well done.”

QSR Brands Bhd managing director Jamaludin Md Ali said he hoped to see more schools participating in the contest this year.

“This year we hope to see participation from over 500 schools. This contest is a fun and stimulating way to learn English, and of course, there are always attractive prizes to be won.”

He added that apart from honing their writing skills, the competition can help students learn how to work as a team, and form better relationships among their peers.

Increasing their scholarship prizes this year for the upper-secondary category champions, Taylor’s Education Group corporate marketing chief marketing officer Lydia Wang said that the quality of entries last year were very impressive.

“The students demonstrated passion in their work and in what they believe in, and this is something that is very important and close to us at Taylor’s, as we are always working closely with the youth and youth development,” she said.

Winners of the upper-secondary category will receive scholarships of RM150,000 for Foundation, Diploma and Degree courses from Taylor’s University or scholarships of RM100,000 for Pre-University studies from Taylor’s College.

Education Ministry Co-curriculum and Arts Division principal assistant director Roslina Mohd Roslin, who was one of the judges for last year’s contest, said that she was very impressed by the standard of entries.

“There were a lot more entries last year compared to the year before that, and I think with stiff competition, we get the best crop.”

She added that the judges looked for a creative entry, and one that displayed maturity of thought.

“This is one way we can look into the minds of teenagers, and how they view issues that are so relevant to us today,” she said.

Taylor’s University School of Communication dean Josephine Tan, who has been on the panel of judges for the past two years, said “Speak Out!” would give a voice to the younger generation who were already making their thoughts and opinions heard through new media and social networking.

“The difference here is that they have the opportunity to reach a larger audience, rather than confine themselves to a circle of friends, like on Facebook.”

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Grammar Exercises 4 U

This link has a variety of step-by-step exercises on basic tenses which are suitable for students.
Grammar Exercises 4 U

Saturday, March 5, 2011

SMKTP English Language Panel

Welcome to the English Language Panel of SMK Tanah Putih, Kuantan

Head of Department
Mr See Koon Suan

Panel Head
Mdm Renuha a/p Ratnasingam

Panel Secretary
Mdm Norizan Ahmad

Teachers (Morning)
- Mdm Fauziah bt Abu Hassan
- Mdm Suriana bt Ali
- Mr Rangasamy
- Mdm Wong Meei Woei
- Mdm Chan Wei Chi
- Mr Koh Teck Seng
- Mr Chin Wai Fatt
- Mr Gamini a/l Chanderasana

Teachers (Afternoon)
- Mr Tan Kia Leng
- Mr Izzat Muazz
- Mdm Sakina bt Ramli
- Mdm Lakshmi a/p Permal
- Mr Adnan b Naim
- Mr Senthil Nathan
- Mr Lau Tin Baw