June Holiday Homework

Hey Kids,
My apologies for not getting the worksheet out in time. Nevertheless, I have posted the homework here and please help by spreading the news. Let your classmates know that the homework can be accessed through the class blog.
Cheerios!

June Holiday Homework

Name: ________________ ( ) Class: _____________ Date:_____________

Shuqun Secondary School
Secondary 2 Normal Academic English Language
Holiday Assignment: Individual Guided Research Project / Photo Reflection

Objectives
-To expand student’s general knowledge for understanding comprehension themes.
-To enhance foundational writing skills for expository writing
-To expand vocabulary associated with the main themes.

Task
§ Select research topic of your choice from the list of topics provided
§ Identify which area of the topic you would like to work on
§ Conduct your reseach using online resources, books, magazines on the selected topic.
§ Identify a picture that best captures the area of research

For Submission
- Photo
- Reflection writing

Guidelines for photo essay
-Submit your photo essay in hard copy; i.e. print it out if you have done yours using the computer.
-Select a picture that best describes the topic/issue you have researched on.
-Give credit to the source you have taken the picture from

Guidelines for Reflection writing
-Write between 200-300 words
-Your write-up has to be original. Refrain from plagarising from online resources.
-Indicate which websites you have seen and researched by listing the website at the end of the reflection (minimum of 5 web URLs).

Assessment Criteria

Relevance of photo to topic 10
Reflection Writing 30
Originality 10

Total: 50 marks

Submission Deadline: 30 June 2011 (Thursday, 8am)


Topic
-Possible Research Questions

We are Singaporeans
-Singapore General Elections 2011
-Woodlands Drive Water Tank Murder

Myths and Legends
-Crystal Skull
-Vampires: Are they real?

Sports
-Youth Olympic Games
-Manchester United recent Championship win

Wildlife
-Extinction of animals
-Animals in the wild vs Animals in captivity

Environmental issues
-Global warming
-Deforestation

Famous and recent disasters
-Japan’s earthquake and nuclear meltdown
-Iceland’s volcanic eruption

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My selected topic: _____________________________________________

The area that I am working on : ___________________________________
Use the following points to guide with your writing.

Paragraph 1:
Why did you choose this picture?

Paragraph 2:
-What is the picture about? (background)

Paragraph 3:
-What is the relevance of the picture to the topic selected?
-How are they related?

Paragraph 4:
-How does the picture make you feel about it?

Paragraph 5:
-What do you think could have happened before and after this photo was taken?
-What do you think is the aim of the photographer when he/she was taking the picture?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sample:



















I chose this picture because it is symbolic of the sacrifices done by a group of men, after the disasterous nuclean meltdown in Japan. On a first glance, this picture shows a group of technician dressed in white suits and fixing cables. A common sight, some may say. But these simple workers are the Fukushima 50. They are the brave Japanese employees of Fukushima Daichi nuclear plant who decided to stay behind to fix the Fukushima I nuclear reactor after the Tohuku Earthquake and Tsunami in March 2011.

On 11th of March, 2011, Friday, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s northpeast coast, about 250 miles from Tokyo at 2.46pm (local time). The earthquake occured at a relatively shallow depth at 20 miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. This, combined with the high magnitude, caused a 10-metre tsunami that swept through North-eastern coast of Honshu, killing thousands, destroying homes and damaging the cooling unit of Fukishima I.

In the picture, there are men who are wearing safety suits and working on the damages reactor unit. Despite knowing that they are indefinitely putting their lives on the line, they are working to repair the unit. This picture shows the aftermath of the incident in Fukishima and the strength of the nation. I find this picture relevant to the topic because it shows how unpredictable natural disasters are and how they can cause adverse effects to a country and its people.

I am saddened by the incident in Japan and how it has crippled a nation. But I am very inspired by their determination, cooperation and their self-sacrificing nature for the common good.

I believe that the photographer wanted to show resilience in the Fukushima 50 and how they overcame a disaster that was beyond their control.

http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/japan_earthquake.html

reminder for the blog entry

hello dearies,

Hope most of you are finishing up with your blog post. For those of who are having trouble with your alignment, check that you are blogging under the "compose" tab and not the "edit html" tab...

for those of you who did not stay back on friday to complete your work, i want to see a written piece by tomorrow morning.

toodles!

Block 729

Jurong West Street 82

#10-120

Singapore 776729

14/-4/2011

Dear Mariah Carey,

I am Hamsa from Singapore. I am 14 and I have been listening to your music since I was a child...

My favourite song is ...... because..... . . .

I am very excited to hear that you are coming to Singapore for a concert in May. I have already started saving my pocket money to buy a ticket for the concert.

Yours truly,

Hamsa

assignment 2: fan letter

Hello there 24, once again, we are back at the lab. This would be our last lesson for this term. By now, I hope you have better understanding about lyrics and how they are used by songwriters to bring out emotions, their views and how influential some can be. For today's task, you are going to write a letter to one of the artist you have chosen. in your letter, you are to confess your admiration for them and their music. You can use the following points to help you with your letter.

• how much you like their music


• since when have you liked their music


• what is your favourite song and why you like it


• how does their music make you feel


• any questions you might want to ask them. i.e. I remember reading that you write your own songs and that you draw inspiration from your own experiences in school. What have you learnt about yourself as an artist through this process?


• what you hope to see in the future for the artist

the points above are meant to guide you. You can add other ideas in your letter. Write a letter in 200 words or more. This task will be graded for your CA1. Submission date: 17th April 2011, Sunday 2359h. I will not entertain late entries.

All the best!

Assignment 2

Heloo dearies, By now, you should have completed the following: 1) set up a blog 2) post 3 blog entries on biographies of 3 different artists 3) post videos 4) post blog chats 5) research on music reviews of the artitst you have chosen Now, I want you to write a music review of your own! 1) listen to the song you want to write your music review on. 2) Identify which genre it is from. 3) Identify what kind of instruments are being used. 4) Read the lyrics and interpret what the songwriter is trying to say. 5) Also add in your music review, how the songs makes you feel? What kind of emotions is it trying to portray? 5) Has the song won any awards? What do other music lovers think about the song you have chosen? Clarify with me if you encounter any problems =]

love the way you lie

love the way you lie

if i were a boy

music review on alicia keys's "As I am"

Self-confidence, together with talent, cultivates excellence. Such is certainly the case for Alicia Keys, who on her third studio album, As I Am, presents her strongest, most consistent effort yet with songs that defy superficial expression.
Indeed, the woman heard here imparts so much uninhibited conviction that her music often sounds like it was spiritually channeled rather than skillfully composed. Some songs evoke an old-school flavor while others feel entirely of the moment. Whatever the mood or the muse, though, Keys commands each one with a voice that’s matured into one almighty instrument.
While the emotive power of her voice exceeds almost anything she’s done prior, the album wouldn’t fare as well as it does if the songs themselves weren’t this good. “Teenage Love Affair” for instance, draws on a retro vibe and playful lyrics, with Keys as a coy schoolgirl who fools around with her crush before she sneaks back home. In a more grown-up scenario, “Lesson Learned,” which features John Mayer on both backing vocals and guitar, Keys guides a subtle groove with her piano while relating the heartache of a woman scorned yet strengthened by a broken relationship. And, with its Hip/Hop rhythms infused with dominant percussion, she wields “Wreckless Love” into a shameless plea for passion amid a fizzling romance.
It’s on “Sure Looks Good To Me,” the album’s closing track, that Keys exhibits the full breadth of her abilities. A piano begins the song, whereupon Keys sings in a voice achingly raw and soulful. The music evolves in its texture and progression, the sound of drums steadily rising toward a sonic plateau where the singer lets loose and wails, “I’m gonna risk it all/No freedom, no fall.” Organic in its tone, virulent in its intensity, and direct in its delivery, this song summarizes the album’s foremost theme of self-assurance.
As I Am constitutes the most cohesive album that Alicia Keys has created to date. While her preceding albums have illustrated a prodigious artist with formidable talent, this effort demonstrates an improvement and expansion of that talent.


Author: Donald Gibson

Taken from: http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-alicia-keys-as-i/

Words/Phrases describing the artiste:

- strongest, most consistent effort yet with songs that defy superficial expression.

- uninhibited conviction

-spiritually channeled rather than skillfully composed

- evoke an old-school flavor while others feel entirely of the moment.

- into one almighty instrument.

- a subtle groove

- and so on and so forth....

march hooooliday break

hey there 24!

just some reminders for the march break.

1) Complete 3 entries on your blog.Each entry should have a write up on their biography, names of their songs and albums and what are their inspiration. Or about awards they may have won.
you could look at some of your friends blogs to get an idea.
2) You could embed videos or chat boxes.
3)
-Research on music reviews by other music listeners. Search for them on google by typing "music review on alicia keys" for example.
-Copy and past their review on your blog. Do not forget to give credit to the author.
-Pick out phrases and words that describe the music. Clue: look out for adjectives. Make a list of these phrases. you could underline them, highlight etc...
-you are to complete at least 2 music reviews.
4) complete comprehension from revision 4. Complete revision 2 if you haven't done it yet.

That's it from me. I will periodically check the blog. You can post your msges on the cbox and i will get back to you soon. You can also answer your friends questions if you see it posted on my blog.

tooodles dearies....

bruno mars- just the way you are

Bruno Mars:Grenade

Teenage Dreams Glee

Bruno Mars

Born Peter Gene Hernandez, better known by his stage name, Bruno Mars, he started his music career very early on in his life. Surrounded by musical family, Mars grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. He performed at many musical gigs in his hometown and broke into the music scene in Los Angeles after graduating from High School. Mars began producing songs for other artists, joining production team, The Smeezingtons.

After an unsuccessful stint with Motown Records, Mars signed with Atlantic Records in 2009. He became recognized as a solo artist after lending his vocals and co-writing the hooks for the songs "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B, and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy. He also co-wrote the hits "Right Round" by Flo Rida featuring Kesha and "Wavin' Flag" by K'naan, . In October 2010, he released his debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Anchored by the worldwide number one singles "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade", the album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200.[2] He was nominated for seven Grammys at the 53rd Grammy Awards, winning Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Just the Way You Are".

Mars is inspired by music legends like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson and would often impersonate them. He likes to incorporate reggae and Motown in his music.

Credits:

-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Mars

Research on music artist

Heya 24,
its the last week of school before we break off for the march break. yipeeee!!! but before we bring out the party hat, we have to continue with our ELM programme. I hope everyone has completed creating your blog. The next thing to do is to start our research.

Lesson for the day:
Objectives: Research on at least 1 music artiste about the their background, what kind of music do they play, what inspires them.... you are going to be like the pa,pa,pa,parazzi for today.

1) Find out about their background. Where were they born? When is their birthday? When did they started on their music career?
2) What are the names of the albums they have created? When were these albums released?
3) What the names of some of their songs? Have any of them been on the billboard charts?MTV hitlist?
4) Have they been awarded any awards? Grammy? MTV awards?

These are some questions to help you with your research. Once you have done your research, post your findings on your blog. There is an example you can follow on this blogging. Happy researching.

Websites you might want to try:
-www.billboard.com
-http://www.mtvasia.com/

ps: Do give credit to your sources.

let those creative juices flow...

hey 24,

Now that we have seen how to be a cybersafe blogger, what do you think is next on our agenda? come on, i am sure you know... well, yes, you need to start your own blog! I leave the artistic part to you. You are given full permission to go as colourful, as wacky as you want it to be. You can choose from 
1)
http://tinyurl.com/bloggeradd

2)

http://wordpress.com/

I give you the liberty to choose your own username, blog title.
However, you have to ensure these following rules are adhered to(followed):

1. No obscene and vulgar language and images.
2. All blog entries are to be written in standard in English.
3. Give credit to sources that you have taken material from. Copyright rules apply here as well.
This blog creation of yours will be graded for CA1, so do put your best foot forward in doing your blog.

Once you are done with setting up your blog, you are to tag your blog to mine.

Assignment for the day:
Write a 150 word paragraph about yourself
-your hobby
-interest in music
-your ambition
-goals for 2011
-target for English

Welcome to eNgLiSh through MuSiC!

Hello lovelies,

Hope your long weekend break was well-spent and all charged up.

For the next 3 weeks, till the end of term 1, we will be working on a new programme called "English Learning through Music". We will be
- listening to songs and analysing them
- writing album reviews
- blogging
Before we embark on this new adventure, I need to set some rules.
1. Never give your personal information to anyone.
2. Be cyber-safe

Let's now look at how to be a cybersmart Shuqunite!