Dear all,
As we reflect back on this week thus far, I would like to take a break from academics and pay tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, our first Prime Minister. Through our observance ceremony, I am sure we all know about the important contributions made by him. It is essential to know about why we remember him rather than just knowing about his life and what he had done.
In terms of education, the reason why we are able to speak and write English proficiently is due to his great contribution. He had the vision to foresee that English language is an important aspect of uniting the different races in Singapore with one common language. Also, English is an important language spoken worldwide. Compared to our neighbouring countries in the region, we are ranked highly in terms of our standard of English. We must be eternally grateful for this.
You may not have personally experienced what he had done but nonetheless, we remember him for his vast contributions in building this country. As such, do take some time to visit and pen down some words on www.rememberingleekuanyew.sg
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
March Holiday Homework
Dear all,
As we reach the midway point of the March holidays, I hope you have been enjoying your holidays thus far. Here are the reminders for the holiday homework:
1. Two newspaper articles with comments (learning points) from your parents for each article.
2. Sign your English files for Term 1 and bring them on Monday.
3. MC Online Assignments on Grammar
As mentioned and encouraged to you in class, do re-look at your CA papers and cover the mistakes and redo the questions again. This will then help you to improve upon your mistakes.
Here are the Newspaper Articles from the last assignment.
As we reach the midway point of the March holidays, I hope you have been enjoying your holidays thus far. Here are the reminders for the holiday homework:
1. Two newspaper articles with comments (learning points) from your parents for each article.
2. Sign your English files for Term 1 and bring them on Monday.
3. MC Online Assignments on Grammar
As mentioned and encouraged to you in class, do re-look at your CA papers and cover the mistakes and redo the questions again. This will then help you to improve upon your mistakes.
Here are the Newspaper Articles from the last assignment.
Happy holidays and see you next Monday.
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Post CA1 Feedback and Thoughts
Dear all,
Term 1 is drawing to a close and the CA1 results have been tabulated with your papers being given back for checking. Here are some feedback about the English paper.
- The target of 35 'Band 1's has not been met. Massively disappointed but I know that you can bounce back and achieve the 35 'Band 1's.
- Sections that need more focus and improvement this time around include Editing and Comprehension Cloze with Comprehension Cloze being the worst fared section of them all.
- Going back to the drawing board, I will look to focus on teaching you how and what to highlight in terms of the keywords for Comprehension Cloze. Some of you have given me the feedback that you do not know what to highlight. Taking this feedback, I will have extra focus on teaching you what to highlight so that no matter what the passage is, you will be confident of knowing what to highlight.
- You will need to brush up on your spelling and phrasal verbs which are major letdowns for the editing section. It is still a surprise to see that some of you are not able to spell simple words.
- Most of you are passing Comprehension OE but still, the marks could be better. Like I always say, you need to be aware of your tenses/singular/plural form.
Remember to not give up and press on for further improvement especially with SA1 coming up next term. This time around, you will sit for oral, listening and composition.
I know that English is in fact, very open and unlike Mathematics or Science, there are no fixed topics. Therefore, you need to make it a point to get your basics right and note down the grammar rules that I constantly go through with you in the classroom. There is a reason why I often repeat these rules because if you know them, you can apply them to any given situation and question. You need to know what verbs, nouns, adjectives, prepositions, adverbs, conjunctions are.
Reminders:
Please complete your composition corrections by this Friday.
Areas for Improvement in terms of Composition:
Lack of explanation. You need to explain your points. How? Why? Do not just tell me that Grandmother fell. How did she fall? Why did she fall? Likewise, do explain why the characters are feeling a certain way. If not, the composition is mostly quite well-done.
Quote of the Day:
The greatest glory in life lies not in failing but knowing what went wrong during the failure and having the courage to not fail the next time around.
We can do it!
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Term 1 is drawing to a close and the CA1 results have been tabulated with your papers being given back for checking. Here are some feedback about the English paper.
- The target of 35 'Band 1's has not been met. Massively disappointed but I know that you can bounce back and achieve the 35 'Band 1's.
- Sections that need more focus and improvement this time around include Editing and Comprehension Cloze with Comprehension Cloze being the worst fared section of them all.
- Going back to the drawing board, I will look to focus on teaching you how and what to highlight in terms of the keywords for Comprehension Cloze. Some of you have given me the feedback that you do not know what to highlight. Taking this feedback, I will have extra focus on teaching you what to highlight so that no matter what the passage is, you will be confident of knowing what to highlight.
- You will need to brush up on your spelling and phrasal verbs which are major letdowns for the editing section. It is still a surprise to see that some of you are not able to spell simple words.
- Most of you are passing Comprehension OE but still, the marks could be better. Like I always say, you need to be aware of your tenses/singular/plural form.
Remember to not give up and press on for further improvement especially with SA1 coming up next term. This time around, you will sit for oral, listening and composition.
I know that English is in fact, very open and unlike Mathematics or Science, there are no fixed topics. Therefore, you need to make it a point to get your basics right and note down the grammar rules that I constantly go through with you in the classroom. There is a reason why I often repeat these rules because if you know them, you can apply them to any given situation and question. You need to know what verbs, nouns, adjectives, prepositions, adverbs, conjunctions are.
Reminders:
Please complete your composition corrections by this Friday.
Areas for Improvement in terms of Composition:
Lack of explanation. You need to explain your points. How? Why? Do not just tell me that Grandmother fell. How did she fall? Why did she fall? Likewise, do explain why the characters are feeling a certain way. If not, the composition is mostly quite well-done.
Quote of the Day:
The greatest glory in life lies not in failing but knowing what went wrong during the failure and having the courage to not fail the next time around.
We can do it!
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Dear all,
Here are some last minute tips and reminders for tomorrow's CA1 Paper.
Remember to highlight the key words and draw the arrows for the clues. Most importantly, look out for the grammar rules and for singular / plural and tenses.
For the passages given to you, please read through first and then jot down the main idea. After which, remember to highlight the key words and look out for the grammar rules in place.
Comprehension Cloze
1. Read the passage first.
2. Jot down the main idea
3. Highlight they key words (tenses/plural/singular)
4. Draw the arrows (You can get some of the answers to the blanks from the words in the passage thus it is important to read through once first)
5. Re-read and check with your answers.
Remember to visualise / form the pictures of the passage in your mind as you read.
Comprehension OE
1. Look at the questions first.
2. Do your Pre-reading activity (What I Know / What I Want to Know)
3. Highlight key words in the questions (5W1H and tenses)
4. Read the passage for understanding
5. Highlight the parts from the passage that answer the question
When you copy a word from the passage from questions that ask you to quote a word or phrase or sentence from the passage, remember to pay attention to the punctuation and spelling.
Synthesis
Remember that you are always tested for grammar structures in the form of conjunctions.
Pay attention to the structures that I have told you to focus on.
Vocabulary
Always read the passage for the given context / situation before you answer. Certain words may have the same meaning but only one word can fit the given situation.
Narrow down your options through the elimination method. Then, check if the word in the passage is used negatively or positively. This will help you greatly.
'lie' and 'lay' rule
Lie (bluff)(present tense) Lied (past tense) Lied (perfect tense)
Lie (rest)(present tense) Lay (past tense) Lain (perfect tense)
Lay (place or put down)(present tense) Laid (past tense) Laid (perfect tense)
Lay (as in to lay an egg)(present tense) Laid (past tense) Laid (perfect tense)
All the best! My target is to achieve all 35 Band 1s! :)
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Here are some last minute tips and reminders for tomorrow's CA1 Paper.
Remember to highlight the key words and draw the arrows for the clues. Most importantly, look out for the grammar rules and for singular / plural and tenses.
For the passages given to you, please read through first and then jot down the main idea. After which, remember to highlight the key words and look out for the grammar rules in place.
Comprehension Cloze
1. Read the passage first.
2. Jot down the main idea
3. Highlight they key words (tenses/plural/singular)
4. Draw the arrows (You can get some of the answers to the blanks from the words in the passage thus it is important to read through once first)
5. Re-read and check with your answers.
Remember to visualise / form the pictures of the passage in your mind as you read.
Comprehension OE
1. Look at the questions first.
2. Do your Pre-reading activity (What I Know / What I Want to Know)
3. Highlight key words in the questions (5W1H and tenses)
4. Read the passage for understanding
5. Highlight the parts from the passage that answer the question
When you copy a word from the passage from questions that ask you to quote a word or phrase or sentence from the passage, remember to pay attention to the punctuation and spelling.
Synthesis
Remember that you are always tested for grammar structures in the form of conjunctions.
Pay attention to the structures that I have told you to focus on.
Vocabulary
Always read the passage for the given context / situation before you answer. Certain words may have the same meaning but only one word can fit the given situation.
Narrow down your options through the elimination method. Then, check if the word in the passage is used negatively or positively. This will help you greatly.
'lie' and 'lay' rule
Lie (bluff)(present tense) Lied (past tense) Lied (perfect tense)
Lie (rest)(present tense) Lay (past tense) Lain (perfect tense)
Lay (place or put down)(present tense) Laid (past tense) Laid (perfect tense)
Lay (as in to lay an egg)(present tense) Laid (past tense) Laid (perfect tense)
All the best! My target is to achieve all 35 Band 1s! :)
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Monday, 23 February 2015
Grammar Rules (CA1 Week)
Dear all,
Here is a recap of the grammar rules gone through in class today and that are important for the upcoming CA paper.
1. Adjectives - Comparative Adjectives - Superlative Adjectives
good - better - best
Comparative adjectives compare 2 items.
Superlative adjectives compare 3 or more items.
Here is a good website that has comprehensive notes for your learning.
2. 'whom' rule
Person [whom] Person
e.g He is the boy whom the pupils often praise.
Father whom my grandmother dotes on is buying pineapple tarts for her.
3. 'whose' rule
Person [whose] item (belonging to the person)
e.g Tom whose wallet was lost is making a police report now.
Jerry whose examination paper was torn is making another copy of it now.
4. 'who' rule
Person [who] verb
e.g He is the student who scored well for the Mathematics test.
Peter is the boy who likes to run around the field.
5. 'as well as', 'together with' rule
Noun 1, as well as Noun 2, ..............
Noun 1, together with Noun 2, ..........
Look at Noun 1 to determine if the verb is singular or plural.
e.g Peter, as well as the boys, is at the canteen now.
The dog, as well as the cats, is sleeping at the garden now.
6. 'VNV' rule or 'Verb - Noun - Verb' rule
Verb Noun Verb (2nd verb is always in the root word form - Present tense + plural form)
e.g I saw Peter take the book from the locker.
The boys noticed Tom steal the wallet just now.
I witnessed the dog bark at the suspicious man.
The spectators watched the dolphin swim in the aquarium.
7. Singular words / phrases
One of
Either of
Neither of
None
No one
Everyone
Every
Each
These words are singular.
8. Countable / Uncountable Nouns
Countable nouns can be singular or plural.
The bottle of water is on the table.
A can of drink is being opened by the boy.
Uncountable nouns are always singular.
Sugar is widely used to make coffee sweeter.
9. 'Prefers......to............' 'Rather.......than........'
Prefers Verb(continuous form with the -ing) to Verb(continuous form with the -ing)
He prefers walking to jogging.
Rather Verb (without the -ing form) than Verb(without the -ing form)
He would rather walk than jog.
Vocabulary Words
Biennale (every two years)
Biannual (twice in a year)
Fortnight (once every two weeks)
Decade (every ten years)
Century (every hundred years)
Happy Lunar New Year to each and every one and your families. :) May wealth, good health and prosperity be showered upon you this year of the goat.
Revise hard and look through the sections you have not done well. .
Files are given back to you. Please revise and go through together with your practice papers.
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Here is a recap of the grammar rules gone through in class today and that are important for the upcoming CA paper.
1. Adjectives - Comparative Adjectives - Superlative Adjectives
good - better - best
Comparative adjectives compare 2 items.
Superlative adjectives compare 3 or more items.
Here is a good website that has comprehensive notes for your learning.
2. 'whom' rule
Person [whom] Person
e.g He is the boy whom the pupils often praise.
Father whom my grandmother dotes on is buying pineapple tarts for her.
3. 'whose' rule
Person [whose] item (belonging to the person)
e.g Tom whose wallet was lost is making a police report now.
Jerry whose examination paper was torn is making another copy of it now.
4. 'who' rule
Person [who] verb
e.g He is the student who scored well for the Mathematics test.
Peter is the boy who likes to run around the field.
5. 'as well as', 'together with' rule
Noun 1, as well as Noun 2, ..............
Noun 1, together with Noun 2, ..........
Look at Noun 1 to determine if the verb is singular or plural.
e.g Peter, as well as the boys, is at the canteen now.
The dog, as well as the cats, is sleeping at the garden now.
6. 'VNV' rule or 'Verb - Noun - Verb' rule
Verb Noun Verb (2nd verb is always in the root word form - Present tense + plural form)
e.g I saw Peter take the book from the locker.
The boys noticed Tom steal the wallet just now.
I witnessed the dog bark at the suspicious man.
The spectators watched the dolphin swim in the aquarium.
7. Singular words / phrases
One of
Either of
Neither of
None
No one
Everyone
Every
Each
These words are singular.
8. Countable / Uncountable Nouns
Countable nouns can be singular or plural.
The bottle of water is on the table.
A can of drink is being opened by the boy.
Uncountable nouns are always singular.
Sugar is widely used to make coffee sweeter.
9. 'Prefers......to............' 'Rather.......than........'
Prefers Verb(continuous form with the -ing) to Verb(continuous form with the -ing)
He prefers walking to jogging.
Rather Verb (without the -ing form) than Verb(without the -ing form)
He would rather walk than jog.
Vocabulary Words
Biennale (every two years)
Biannual (twice in a year)
Fortnight (once every two weeks)
Decade (every ten years)
Century (every hundred years)
Happy Lunar New Year to each and every one and your families. :) May wealth, good health and prosperity be showered upon you this year of the goat.
Revise hard and look through the sections you have not done well. .
Files are given back to you. Please revise and go through together with your practice papers.
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Monday, 16 February 2015
Grammar Rules
Dear all,
As we are about to celebrate Chinese New Year, do enjoy the days leading up to the festive period. There is nothing more important than the coming together of your family. Thereafter, do remember that your CA1 is coming up on the 26th February. We are just left with revising of our revision paper.
Some of the grammar rules covered these few days:
- Uncountable nouns (Always use the singular verb)
- Sally, as well as her sisters, ............
We only look at Sally in this case. 'as well as her sisters' is just extra information. The main subject is simply Sally (Singular), thus you should use the singular verb.
- Sally, together with her sisters, ..............
We only look at Sally in this case. 'together with her sisters' is just extra information. The main subject is simply Sally (Singular), thus you should use the singular verb.
- Prefers ....... to...............
- Rather .......... than.................
- Neither (noun 1) nor (noun 2) ................
- Either (noun 1) or (noun 2) ......................
We always look at the second noun to determine whether to use the singular or plural verb form.
e.g
Neither the boys nor Peter is at the playground.
Either you or I am to complete the work.
Synonyms
are words that mean the same.
e.g Friendly & Hospitable, Evil & Bad, Delicious & Sumptuous
Antonyms
are words that have the different/opposite meaning.
e.g Evil vs Good, Kind vs Cruel
Here are this week's newspaper articles:
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
As we are about to celebrate Chinese New Year, do enjoy the days leading up to the festive period. There is nothing more important than the coming together of your family. Thereafter, do remember that your CA1 is coming up on the 26th February. We are just left with revising of our revision paper.
Some of the grammar rules covered these few days:
- Uncountable nouns (Always use the singular verb)
- Sally, as well as her sisters, ............
We only look at Sally in this case. 'as well as her sisters' is just extra information. The main subject is simply Sally (Singular), thus you should use the singular verb.
- Sally, together with her sisters, ..............
We only look at Sally in this case. 'together with her sisters' is just extra information. The main subject is simply Sally (Singular), thus you should use the singular verb.
- Prefers ....... to...............
- Rather .......... than.................
- Neither (noun 1) nor (noun 2) ................
- Either (noun 1) or (noun 2) ......................
We always look at the second noun to determine whether to use the singular or plural verb form.
e.g
Neither the boys nor Peter is at the playground.
Either you or I am to complete the work.
Synonyms
are words that mean the same.
e.g Friendly & Hospitable, Evil & Bad, Delicious & Sumptuous
Antonyms
are words that have the different/opposite meaning.
e.g Evil vs Good, Kind vs Cruel
Here are this week's newspaper articles:
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Synthesis & Phrasal Verbs
Dear all,
As we are about to complete all the booklets, here is a recap and focus on the important Synthesis structures:
Rather.....than........
Rather [verb - Never in the continuous -ing form] than [verb - Never in the continuous -ing form]
I would rather walk than jog.
The boys rather complete their work than continue playing computer games.
Prefer......to............
Prefer [verb - changed to the continuous -ing form] to [verb - changed to the continuous -ing form]
I prefer walking to jogging.
The boys prefer kicking the football to throwing the ball.
Despite / In spite of
One of the easiest way to tackle such structures is to use the words ' the fact that ' after 'despite' and 'in spite of'
Despite the fact that he was taller than the rest, he could not jump the highest.
Mr Lim fell down in spite of the fact that the floor was slippery.
Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are a common feature of grammar and vocabulary items, often appearing in grammar mcq / grammar cloze / comprehension cloze / editing / vocabulary mcq
A phrasal verb involved a verb + preposition as a phrase.
e.g
Fall back
Climb over
Run through
Take in
This link here <-- is a good web page to learn about the various phrasal verbs which you can apply to your work.
For Synthesis & Transformation, it really requires you to be mindful of the grammar rules and structures. Make a point to remember and apply them accordingly.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
As we are about to complete all the booklets, here is a recap and focus on the important Synthesis structures:
Rather.....than........
Rather [verb - Never in the continuous -ing form] than [verb - Never in the continuous -ing form]
I would rather walk than jog.
The boys rather complete their work than continue playing computer games.
Prefer......to............
Prefer [verb - changed to the continuous -ing form] to [verb - changed to the continuous -ing form]
I prefer walking to jogging.
The boys prefer kicking the football to throwing the ball.
Despite / In spite of
One of the easiest way to tackle such structures is to use the words ' the fact that ' after 'despite' and 'in spite of'
Despite the fact that he was taller than the rest, he could not jump the highest.
Mr Lim fell down in spite of the fact that the floor was slippery.
Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are a common feature of grammar and vocabulary items, often appearing in grammar mcq / grammar cloze / comprehension cloze / editing / vocabulary mcq
A phrasal verb involved a verb + preposition as a phrase.
e.g
Fall back
Climb over
Run through
Take in
This link here <-- is a good web page to learn about the various phrasal verbs which you can apply to your work.
For Synthesis & Transformation, it really requires you to be mindful of the grammar rules and structures. Make a point to remember and apply them accordingly.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)