Apologies

Dear All,

My apologies if I am unable to update the blog as often as I should be. You see, my desktop has broken down.

I am relying on my school laptop. I am bringing it home on weekends only.

SMART Cards

Dear all,

The children have received their School Smart Cards. I've made scanned copies of their cards so that they need not bring the actual card to school (not necessary unless they take public transport).

This is to prevent the loss of these precious cards. The scanned copied card can be used to borrow books from the school library too. Please take note of the information below.To start using the SSC for concessionary travel, students are required to activate the card at the Ticket Office/Passenger Services Centres at the MRT/Bus Interchange by paying a refundable travel deposit of $1 in addition to the top-up value for the card. The minimum top up value is $5. You may wish to call TransitLink at 1800 2255663 for further clarification (if any).

Term 1 Achievers

One Hope Yeah!
You deserve it!
Our Champion Spellers [Bryan Lim in absentia]
Tang Xiao Zhing and Yeo Hui Yi displaying their Best Leader Awards Certificates

Best Group Award goes to the Blue Group!
Congratulations to Muhammad Nur Syazani and Lee Zhi Yong for improving their handwriting!

Let's give a round of applause for our achievers!

I gave out certificates for Best Group, Write It Well Awards [improved handwriting], Best Group Leader Awards and Champion Speller Awards [ scoring full marks for all 6 Spelling exercises].

Reading Corner

Dear All,

thank you for all the books and magazines that have been donated. The children really love going to the Reading Corner. Of course, the walls of the corner is adorned by their work.

I would also like to say thank you to Chow Tong's mum for donating money for the mats. If not for it, the chidlren would have to sit on stools instead of the comfortable mats.

White Space - Learning Centres

White Space is something new that has been introduced in KCPPS. Some of the platforms that have been used in KCPPS are Learning Centres Approach, Drama in the Classroom, CNA: News in the Classroom, Shared Book Reading Approach and MLEA.

In the lower primary level, we are currently employing the Learning Centres Approach, Shared Book Reading Approach and MLEA. The P1 children would be doing Drama in the Classroom starting from Term 2.

Learning Centres Approach/ MLEA

This approach involves the teacher setting aside 3-5 periods of the day. In this approach, pupils are allowed to move from 'station to station' in their groups to complete group-based activities. This approach allows the pupils to learn interpersonal skills and intrapersonal skills.

MLEA is a 3 step platform. Firstly, pupils are facilitated by teacher to write a class-dictated story. Ideas on the topic are contributed by almost everyone to write this story. Secondly, pupils go into their groups to write their own version of the story. Thirdly, pupils will write a story on the topic individually. Usually, teachers will incorporate the 2nd step of MLEA into the Learning Centres Approach as well.

Shared Book Reading

This involves reading of a big book with the class. This lesson can be a tool to teach grammar, vocabulary or moral education lessons. After several readings, a follow-up activity can be used to reinforce lessons learnt.

Drama in the Classroom

Drama Conventions are used to engage pupils in this activity. This platform encourages pupils to think independently, cultivates feelings of empathy and widening perspectives.

We have White Space once every 2 weeks or more specifically, once for every topic. Learning Centres Approach can be substituted with Drama in the Classroom and vice versa.

Taken from MOE Website [ http://www.moe.gov.sg/speeches/2005/sp20050309a.htm] ,

'14. Our basic approach as we go forward is to go for more quality, and less quantity. We will focus on quality of learning, quality of CCA and community engagements, and the quality of the whole school experience that the student goes through. We will seek to cut back on quantity - careful and calculated cuts - so as to provide more 'white space' in the curriculum, space which gives schools and teachers the room to introduce their own programmes, to inject more quality in teaching, or give students themselves the room to exercise initiative, and shape more of their own learning.'

Important Highlights

Dear All,

there are several matters that I would like to highlight.

Parent Teacher Meeting
a letter will be given out today regarding Parent Teacher Meeting. PTM would be held next Friday, 9th March 2007. For those who will be attending the meeting,please proceed to class 1H. The last schooling day for Term 1 would be Thursday,8th March 2007.

Spelling List [ Term 2]
Spelling List for Term 2 will also be given out today. The 1st spelling will be on the 1st day of Term 2, Monday, 19th March 2007. Please ensure that your children learn their spelling as the best 5 spelling marks will be taken into account for SA1.

Fun Fruity Friday
Every Friday, students are strongly encouraged to bring fruits to class. During the 1st period, I hope that all of us can enjoy fruits that we have brought to school. To make it easier for your children to eat the fruits, please cut them up into bite sizes.

Class Duty
Class duty will start in Term 2 Week 2. Every day, a group of 5-6 children will stay back to clean the class during recess.Every child will only have to do class duty once a week. In the case your child does not have enought time for recess, please pack lunch for him/her.