Seah_EMS: February 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

A Robbery

A Robbery

1. day blossomed like a bright and lovely flower
2. warm rays of the sun filtered through the canopy of leaves
3. embracing the glistening dewdrops
4. bidding them farewell
5. screeched to a halt
6. leaped out of the vehicle with great ability
7. Before a befuddled Lucas could utter a word
8. put up a tough struggle
9. pair of burly arms that encased him
10. fear gripped the pits of his stomach
11. journey was treacherously long and bumpy
12. rough handling
13. turning blue in his face
14. ashen-faced
15. slowly regained his orientation
16. an idea dawned upon him
17. a dilapidated room
18. malodorous stench of garbage permeated the air
19. shuddered at the thought
20. creepy crawlers swarming
21. threatened malevolently
22. chuckling in glee at their imminent windfall
23. fatigue finally overwhelmed
24. jolted awake
25. tumultuous commotion
26. uncanny silence
27. ran fanatically
28. justice had finally been served

1 bustling activities
2 around the corner
3 a huge grin split across my face
4 at my disposal
5 broke my concentration
6 muttered in frustration
7 on the verge
8 torturous
9 devious
10 concorted
11 dressed to the nines
12 charming
13 pleasant and melodious
14 ingrained
15 flew out of my mind
16 boomed
17 ghastly pale
18 in a flash
19 stuttered and stammered
20 penetrating gaze
21 a shrug of his shoulders
22 took to his heels
23 apparently
24 con man
25 tactic
26 unsuspecting
27 a dressing down

1. mumbled irately
2. rummaging
3. exclaimed frenetically
4. literally ripping
5. an arduous search
6. priceless
7. coupled
8. alluring
9. critical perusal
10. arrays of mirrors
11. sauntered
12. edgy
13. muttering like a broken radio
14. threatened with baleful intent
15. mouths agape in shock
16. livid
17. berating
18. deck yourself like a Christmas tree
19. to catch the fancy of people
20. fell to the ground in a dead faint
21. register all that had just transpired
22. a dam of emotions
23. ear-splitting shriek
24. pierced through the silence of the night
25. screamed devastatingly
26. losing track of everything
27. flustered
28. cradling
29. crooned
30. staunch the flow of blood pooling ceaselessly
31. pleas echoed into the still night air
32. loud shrill that rang high into the night

1． A steady stream of customers
2． Crowd started to dwindle
3． Sinister expressions
4． Mean and menacing
5． Beads of perspiration streamed down his face
6． Stood rooted to the ground, his legs felt like jelly
7． Regained his composure
8． Bellowed
9． Demanded in a gruff voice
10． Stormed into the bank
11． Glanced
12． For the umpteenth time
13． Flustered
14． Accomplice
15． Scared speechless
16． Taken by surprise
17． Quivering in trepidation
18． Panic-stricken
19． Tension hung in the air
20． Lashed out threats
21． Brandished his knife
22． Whipped out a knife
23． With trembling hands
24． Discreetly pressed the silent alarm
25． Activate a distress signal
26． Shuddering in fear
27． Huddle in a corner
28． Worked the tellers
29． Eyes widened in awe
30． Excitement bubbled inside me
31． Chimney of money
32． Wads of money notes/cash
33． Stammered in a tone as soft and meek as a mouse
34． Grabbed the loot
35． Moment of jubilation
36． Made a dash
37． All was too late
38． Armed officers were hiding at strategic positions outside the bank, waiting to ambush the escaping robbers
39． Gave ourselves up
40． Everything happened in a blurry
41． Chill in my bones
42． Weight of repentance

A Car Collision

A Car Collision

When he drove past a petrol station, a huge rectangle poster caught his eyes. ’10 percent discount’, the bright red words on an equally bright orange background were crying for his attention. He turned to read the words in smaller print. He did not notice a car ahead of him. When he did, he jammed his brakes. The tyres screeched but the car did not stop.
He pressed the brakes harder. Too late. Bam! Clash! Crash! Clash! His car shook and vibrated. His body slumped forward. He gripped the steering wheel. His heart pounded. Beads of perspiration had formed on his forehead. A thousand pieces of broken glasses from the smashed windscreen lay scattered on the road, broken, sparkling and glittering like diamonds.

1. His spirits were immediately buoyed by the prospect of a weekend of relaxation.
2. walking along a hectic road to head home from school
3. His eyes went saucer-wide when he realized that an accident had occurred at the traffic junction.
4. A commotion of crowd had gathered in no time.
5. Acrid white fumes were ascending into the sky, shattered glass tinged with blood was scattered along the road.
6. Metal crumpled into a heap from the sheer force of the collision.
7. Traffic came to a standstill.
8. Two people staggered out of their respective cars.
9. One of them was drenched in blood that was oozing out from his forehead.
10. The latter had nasty cuts on his face. It was a ghastly sight.
11. A moment of paralysis struck Edwin. He was stunned speechless.
12. He could not believe he was witnessing the aftermath of a car collision. It was a really painful scene to look at.
13. Within minutes, the police and ambulance arrived at the scene. Medical assistance was rendered swiftly to the injured.
14. Edwin was commended for his prompt actions.

Study how a simple sentence can be changed into a more creative and vivid sentence

Study how a simple sentence can be changed into a more creative and vivid sentence

The table was filled with mouth-watering dishes.
Sandwiches, curry puffs, cookies and ice-cream in every flavour filled the table.

He pushed his way into the crowd.
He jostled and nudged his way into the crowd.

He was fat and heavy.
He sat on the sofa which sagged under his weight.

She was frightened when she opened her result slip.
With trembling fingers, she opened her result slip.

An old man with no teeth and an evil smile walked towards me.
A toothless old man with a wicked grin walked towards me.

The continuous ticking of the grandfather’s clock disturbed the silence.
‘Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock …’ the grandfather’s clock disturbed the silence.

The music was nice to hear.
The melodious music was soothing to my ears.

It is a windy day.
The wind blew gently as the leaves rustled in the trees.

I was approached by a very old lady.
An old lady whose face was wrinkled like a prune approached me.

It is very noisy outside my house.
Cars screech, children scream, dogs bark outside my house.

It was going to rain.
The great heavy clouds swept over the hills, the lightning flashed and the thunder roared.

The rain flooded the river.
The river was swollen with continuous rain.

He spoke loudly.
His booming voice filled the auditorium.

The police questioned the robber thoroughly.
The police grilled the robber.

The pain was unbearable.
He screamed more than he had ever screamed in his whole life, as the pain was too unbearable.

The teenagers pushed to get closer to their superstar.
The teenagers jostled and nudged each other to get closer to the superstar.

He smiled.
He grinned showing all his brilliant white teeth.

My mother greeted me warmly.
My mother hugged me and planted sweet kisses on my face.

The sun set slowly.
The large bright sun dipped slowly over the horizon and disappeared.

My teacher praised me.
My teacher heaped praises on me.

She walked out very dejected.
She walked with her head hung low.

He looked around suspiciously when he entered the room.
His eyes darted hither and thither when he entered the room.

Vinod waited nervously for the school principal.
Vinod drummed his fingers on the table as he waited for the school principal.

My grandmother is so old that she can hardly see.
My grandmother has to squint her eyes to see through her glasses.

She cried and cried uncontrollably.
She could not stifle her sobs nor hold back her tears.

She is so beautiful and has sharp features.
She has a delicate chiseled face and black eyebrows angled like a soaring seagull’s wings.

Runner Approaching the Finishing Line

Runner Approaching the Finishing Line

He entered the stadium. The scorching sun beat mercilessly on his back. A sea of grim faces stared at him. His shoes continued to pound the track. The sweat from his face trickled into his mouth that opened and closed like the mouth of a goldfish.
Suddenly the crowd stood up and started to cheer. He looked up. Many people waved at him. He realized that he was fast catching up on the only runner in front of him. He accelerated his pace. The crowd went wild. He felt as though he was walking on air. Soon, he was side by side with the runner. He extended his stride and overtook the runner. He was now in the lead. He gave one last push and his sweat drenched body cut through the white tape. He won.

A Race Against Time

A Race Against Time

Xing was putting every ounce of energy he had into running that race. He knew that his father, lying in hospital, diagnosed with cancer, would be watching him.
His father had been a champion runner and had won several awards before having found out about his deadly illness. Xing wanted to make his father proud and happy and to do that he needed to win the race.
Now, as he ran, flanked by seven other lithe bodies, he put every spare bit of energy into his running. He surged forward and passed Third quite easily. Now there was only Second and First in front of him. He managed to pass Second, and started to gain on First, who reacted to Xing’s challenge and spirited with desperate determination, kept his lead, even pulled ahead slightly.
Xing, muscles crying out for oxygen, stopped breathing altogether and used every last bit of his strength to pass First in one sustained burst. Heart bursting in agony, he saw in his mind’s eye, his pale father, bald as an egg from chemotherapy, urging him on. His strength renewed, Xing went on running to the finishing line. At the end, he found himself being presented with a trophy –-- he had won!
Drenched in perspiration, Xing rushed to the hospital to find his father dead and his sister sitting by his bed looking stunned and devastated. She was not crying, though. Her grief seemed to be beyond tears. For the longest time, they stared at each other.
“He was watching you,” said Xing’s sister at length. “He insisted on it. He was urging you on, cheering like a maniac. He struggled to stay awake. When you passed Second, the strain overcame him and he dropped off.
Then he came back to life! He watched you gain on First, and when your glorious moment came, his eyes shone with a strange fire. And then … he closed his eyes and never opened them again.”
Xing’s one consolation was that his father had seen him win, and had probably died peacefully and happily.
(by Natasha Ann Sahetapy)

Grammar Revision Notes

Grammar Revision Notes

1. (Qn Tag) The girls jog at Bishan Park every other day, don’t they?
2. (Conditional if) If I were you, I would not act so rashly.
3. (S-V Agree) All/Both + plural verb
4. (S-V Agree) All the participants but one attend the seminar.
5. (S-V Agree) Ellen, together with the boys, / Ellen, like the boys, is /has /does/ goes
6. (S-V Agree) The boys, as well as Gillian, / with Gillian, are/have/ do/ go
7. (S-V Agree) Each/ Every/ someone/anyone/ No one / Not one/ Nobody is/has/ does/goes
8. (S-V Agree) Either of the boys /Neither of the boys is/has/does/goes
9. (S-V Agree) Neither Susan nor the girls /Either Susan or the girls are/have/do/go
10. Plural Countable Nouns are always followed by plural verbs: many, few, some, a lot of , a number of, a great deal of e.g. Few cats are kept by the Chinese.
11. Uncountable Nouns are always followed by singular verbs: much, a little, some, a lot of, a great amount e.g. News is spread fast.
12. (Tense) As Mr Tan was walking to the gate, he heard the emergency bell ring/ringing.
13. (Active / Passive Voice) Nobody cleaned the board.
The board was not cleaned.
14. The better of the two boys won the prize. (good)
15. Tom is neater (neat) than Ali.
16. Of all the children, Susan is the worst (bad).
17. (Relative Pronoun) Mr Leong whose son had gone abroad to study bought a condominium recently.
18. (Emphatic Pronouns) I did this myself; You did this yourself. By ourselves; by themselves
19. (Conjunctions) Although/Though/Even though Mrs Syed was busy with her work, she came to help out. OR
20. (Conjunctions)Despite/In spite of Mrs Syed’s business with her work, she came to help out. OR
21. (Conjunctions)Despite /In spite of being busy with her work, Mrs Syed came to help out.
(Prepositions/ Phrasal Verbs)
22. according to
23. called for
24. come round/come across/ come into/come down
25. delighted for/ delighted with
26. difference between/ differ from
27. similar to
28. compare with /comparison to
29. dislike for
30. divided between
31. engaged to
32. fond of
33. liking for
34. married to
35. peel off
36. interested in
37. related to
38. summoned by
39. regard for
40. rely on
41. run into
42. similar to
43. thought of
44. withdraw from
45. worried for
46. interfere with
47. protect from
48. prevent from
49. conscious of
50. approve of

In case/ In order to /No matter/ None/Never/ As long as/ Much to

In case/ In order to /No matter/ None/Never/ As long as/ Much to

1. Spend fifty dollars at this store. You will get a mystery gift.
In order to get a mystery gift, you have to spend fifty dollars at this store.

2. Brush your teeth and have a regular dental check-up. Then your teeth will not decay.
In order to prevent your teeth from decaying/ decay, brush your teeth and have a regular check-up.

3. I didn’t want to lose my key. I made a duplicate key.
I made a duplicate key in case I lost my key.

4. It was possible that they hadn’t heard me. I rang the bell again.
I rang the bell again in case they hadn’t heard me.

5. I was afraid of a virus attack. I installed an anti-virus software in my computer.
I installed an anti-virus software in my computer in case of a virus attack.

No matter /As long as/None/ Much
1. Diana looked everywhere for the ring. She could not find it.
No matter where Diana looked /how hard Diana looked for the ring, she could not find it.

2. I told him many times to find a job. He refused to find a job.
No matter .

3. If you don’t provoke the dog, it will not bite you.
__________________________ as long as ____________________________.

4. All the goldfish I bought died when I reached home.
None ___________________________________________________________.

5. I was disgusted by him. He blew his nose while at the table.
Much to _________________________________________________________.

6. She wrote the note. Then she emailed it to her friend in China.
Having __________________________________________________________.

7. Always wash your hands before eating.
Never ___________________________________________________________.

8. Celestine is more knowledgeable about computers than I do.
I don’t know as _________________________________________________

Friday, February 21, 2014

Extra Spelling List: A Good Deed (Friday, 28 Feb, No: 1 -20);

A Good Deed

Stomach was churning
Clutching his abdomen tightly
Weaved his way through the crowded shopping mall
Like packed snow with shoppers milling around
Jamboree
Jovial chatters filled the air
Bawling at the top of their voices
Synergy of the boisterous crowd and the merriment all around
Stomach churned …violently
Urgency for the loo
Running as fast as his legs could carry him
Got his act together
Miniscule space
Hit the arcade
Sound reverberated
Craned his neck high and low
Contemplated seriously
Knitting his brows together earnestly
Weighed out his conscience and his desire
Little gadget came alive
After some major dithering
Fretful
Thanked Tim copiously
A dashing gentleman
Walked towards Tim in steady strides
A slight tinge of disinclination
Being a boy of integrity
Beamed a proud grin
Meandered through the crowd
Noise reached a deafening level

Spelling and Dictation (Wed 26 Feb) : P5 Unit 3 – Photography

Spelling and Dictation

The sky was overcast. Dark clouds loomed above giving the sky an ominous feel though rain would come crashing through any time soon. The ride was really bumpy. Being trapped in a small cabin for the next six hours was sheer mental torture. However, thoughts of seeing Grandpa and all my favourite cousins warmed my heart, making this all well worth it!

“BANG!” A sudden explosion followed by an earth-shattering jerk shook through the entire train. Everyone was thrown off their seats as the train tilted perilously to its side. I landed on the floor of the cabin in the most ungracious manner, banging my head in the process. Chaos reigned in the train as passengers flew into a panic. The train finally came to a full halt. My train had run off its track!

A glance outside to the once picturesque sights of calm hills filled with greenery was now a major nightmare. To keep my balance was like attempting a mission impossible. Everyone was lunging for the emergency exits. People were going berserk just to save their own lives. There was no time to spare. Anxiety charged through my veins. I grabbed the nearest suitcase off the rack and headed for the nearest window. With all my might, I heaved it at the window smashing it. I climbed out of the cabin and onto the muddy tracks. The sight that greeted me challenged my sanity.

Do Composition U2: A Person who overcomes all odds (Nick Vujicic - No limbs, Tan Guan Heng - Visually Impaired)

http://www.ncss.org.sg/presidents%20award/winners2010_Mr%20Tan%20Guan%20Heng.htm

http://www.rd.com/culture/what-makes-people-brave/

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Project Work: How to take a photograph that best describes a chosen proverb

Project Work

Objective : To take a photograph that best describes a chosen proverb

Task description: Group members do simple research on how they can go about taking good photographs. They can search for the relevant information by visiting the library and/or surfing the Internet.

Group members will choose a given proverb and take a photograph that best describes it.

Group members will present their photographs

to their peers and teacher.

Group name : __________________________________

Group members : 1)_________________________________

2)_________________________________

3)_________________________________

4)_________________________________

Role of group members (to make sure all members of the team stay on task during group discussions).

Leader – __________________________________

__________________________________

Encourager – __________________________________

__________________________________

Questioner – __________________________________

__________________________________

Timekeeper – __________________________________

__________________________________

List of proverbs to choose from:

a) A bad workman always blames his tools.

b) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

c) An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

d) Don’t carry all your eggs in one basket.

e) Birds of a feather flock together.

Proverb chosen: _________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

What did the group members do in order to take a suitable photograph for the proverb chosen?

You may refer to the guiding questions below and write it out in point form. These points will be useful for your Group Writing.

Guiding questions:

1. How did the members decide on an appropriate setting for their

photograph?

2. How did the group members decide on the contents of the photo?

3. How was the photo taken, e.g., which mode was used?

4. How did the group decide on the best photograph to be used for the presentation?

5. How did the group prepare for the presentation?

_____________________________________________________

My Thoughts After the Project

1 What did I learn about myself and my friends from doing this project?

______________________________________________________

2 What other knowledge did I use when I was taking photographs in my group?

______________________________________________________

3 What might I do differently if I were to do this project again?

______________________________________________________

4 Did I enjoy working with my group members? Why?

______________________________________________________

Note to pupil:

Remember to bring along this resource sheet (RS3.7) for your Group and Individual Writing.

Additional readings for pupils prior to Project Work

1) What to consider when buying a camera

Define your needs

· Write down what your primary goal is. Why do you need a camera? If all you need is a camera for vacation snapshots, then a cheaper model might be better for you.

· Write down how many times you expect to be using the camera. The more you use it, the more likely you are to upgrade your camera. Buy nice or buy twice.

· Write down how much you want to spend. This is a good way to decide on the type of camera you will be buying. Do not be afraid to go a little over so that you can get a camera you will keep much longer.

Compare the different models of cameras

· Feel the weight. Is it too heavy for you to carry around while on vacation?

· Feel the camera in your hands. Is it comfortable?

· Take notes or ask for brochures so that you will not forget what you just had in your hands.

Tips

· Think about the future. If you think you won't be taking pictures as a hobby, but rather just to point and shoot, it's probably not worth getting an expensive digital SLR camera.

· With digital cameras, do not be taken in by the number of megapixels. A typical compact camera will show a decrease in image quality above six megapixels.

· Be sure to compare a lot. There are lots of websites full of information, reviews and user experiences. Use this to your advantage.

· Do not forget to get accessories. A carrying strap or bag can be a lifesaver when you're carrying your camera around a lot.

· If you choose a digital camera, ask the salesperson how many pictures you can fit on a given memory card. Decide if this is too much or too little.

· It is normally cheaper to buy a memory card with storage capacity of one giga-byte rather than two memory cards with storage of 512 mega-bytes each.

· Buy plenty of memory. Do not buy a small amount and resort to deleting pictures from the camera to make room. Furthermore, deleting pictures can corrupt the card.

· Format the memory card after each time you upload them to your computer.

2) How do you take good photographs?

· Press the “on” button and wait for it to load.

· Adjust the settings if necessary.

· Look into the LCD screen or use the viewfinder to frame your picture.

· Zoom in or out if necessary.

· Once the target is in the screen, hold the camera still, press and hold in the button until the camera flashes. On most digital cameras, if you press the photo button halfway, it will focus the picture and make the image look nicer.

· View your picture by using the playback button on the camera.

Additional resources:

http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/basic-photography-tips.html

http://www.photography-tips-and-techniques.com/index.html

*Note that the teacher is to preview the links before the lesson. The links were active

and suitable for classroom use at the time of printing.

What the Proverbs Mean

1. A bad workman always blames his tools.

A careless or unskilled worker often blames bad work on his tools rather than on himself.

2. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

It is better to have something certain than to run after two of the same thing and not be sure of getting them.

3. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Apples are so nutritious they keep you in the peak of health. (Literal meaning)

4. Don’t carry all your eggs in one basket.

Do not rely too much on something or someone such that success or failure depends solely on it.

5. Birds of a feather flock together.

Those with similar taste or characteristics often come together as a group.

Procedural Text Type Chart

Structure	· An aim or goal · A list of materials needed · Steps/instructions on how to proceed (using imperative verbs)
Format	· Aim stated as a statement or specifically labeled Aim: · Materials needed either integrated in the text or written as a list · A set of instructions, as specific steps or in paragraph form · A glossary or dictionary with the entries sometimes shown in the text in italics
Language	· the reader is often referred to in a general way, e.g., you (understood) or one · action verbs (imperative verbs), e.g., cut, fold, twist, hold · simple present tense, e.g., (you) cut, fold, mix · linking words to do with time are used to connect the text, e.g., first, then, next · detailed factual description (shape, size, colour, amount)

How to use a camera:

· First of all, be sure to hold the camera properly and keep your fingers out of the way of the lens and the flash.

· It is very important to learn the basic functions such as switching the camera on and off. Switch the camera off when not in use so that the battery will not run out so soon.

· Use the display in the LCD to compose your photos because viewfinders are more difficult to use.

· Focus on the object to make it sharp.

· Zoom in on the object if it is too far away. Alternatively, you may want to explore the macro mode when taking close-up shots.

· Utilise a tripod to stabilise the camera, especially under low light conditions when you need to slow down the exposure to allow more light to enter the camera.

· Click on the shutter button when you are taking the shot. For some cameras, you have to press the shutter and hold it for a second or two to take the shot.

· Review and delete photos that are not well taken so that storage space will not be wasted.

· Transfer the images to a computer.

· Create a folder to store the photos that you want on the computer.

· Remember to delete the photos from the memory card after transferring them onto the computer. This will ensure more storage space for the next photo-taking session.