Term 4 Week 1 Learning Log

*Monday*

For the literature lesson on Monday, Mr Chua came in and gave out some papers he had marked. He went through the important ones and then told us about the exams thingy with those marks on it and how important our performance is to us to help us pull up our marks. Okay so, Mr Chua told us about the Exam things and the marks until the bell rang. To me, I think that this lesson really means a lot, because that lesson tells us how we should prepare ourselves for the upcoming Literature performance and exam. It also tells us about what we have done so far so that we can go back and revise those topics that Mr Chua had said. Plus, it also updates us on our progress on Literature. There’s one thing that I’m concerned about which is my sketch for the Mighty Mandarin… I didn’t pass that up because I was absent and I did not know anything about it. On Monday, when Mr Chua gave them their sketch back, I found out that I didn’t pass that up, I'm not sure when they were passed up, but I was really scared of Mr Chua as he is very fierce and sometimes not understanding… and I’m scared that if I tell him that I did not pass it up last time he might scold me in front of everyone and I might just get a fail grade… I’m still thinking about the sketch I drew… I don’t think if I drew it correctly… I drew all the characters inside with the gates and the walls… but no slippers and the gong, and the chair… it’s really confusing because Xin Yin drew something like mine and I don’t think she failed… and because most of my classmates said that even though I drew them wrongly, they still look cute… well I do hope that’s true.. and I hope that Mr Chua will give me a pass in that ^^

*Thursday*

We had a full dress rehearsal again. Luckily, this time round, our Juliet did come to school, so I just had to act as someone who’s at the Capulet’s party, someone talking to Juliet… okay I’ll begin at the start… we went to our ‘stage’ again and the whole class gathers around Mr Chua and he briefed us about what we have to do and by what time we have to finish. After the quite short briefing due to Daryl being called to stand up for talking, Mr Chua let us have 10 minutes to go and prepare for our rehearsal… that means we have to get ready, wear our costumes and set the props up… for my group, I think, our costumes are the worst… because the wardrobe IC in my group is Ann Gek, and she is responsible for all the costumes with Yu Zhen. I’m not insulting or trying to say anything bad… I just want to voice out my opinion. But, Ann Gek made those costumes look… a bit… old and more like rags than clothes? I’m really sorry to say it that way but…. She did make them look bad… For Romeo’s costume… it looks just like a plain tee shirt with some extra sleeves on them. And for Juliet, it’s worse… tight old clothes with cartoon sleeves which Putri can’t even fit in? Really bad… and lastly, Ann Gek’s role is to play the nurse… and her costume? Really pretty… she look more like she’s the Juliet and Putri’s the Nurse… But, nevermind, that’s my point of view… But as a group, we will all work hard together and try to get good marks and perform well on the actual exam which is on Monday… And for the rest of the Literature rehearsal, we learn from every wrong that we did and try our best to follow the Director’s instructions. As for me, I have to rack my brain for any creative ideas for the stage props and stuff…

Term 3 Week 10 Learning Log

(Monday)

This Monday, we had our full Literature rehearsals for the Romeo and Juliet play. Lessons start at the music room and all students are to sit in their Literature group. When we are seated in our group, Mr Chua saw that we do not have our costumes and props with us. Then he asked us about it. He then called the ICs of the wardrobe of each group to stand up and explain. My group, the IC said that she hasn’t made the costumes. Well, I’m not sure if I’m also in charge of that because I’m the stage manager, or IC of stage people. And then Mr Chua called the IC of the stage people to stand up and asked each of us to explain why we didn’t have our props with us. Well, for me, earlier that day, me and the director had already discussed about the props stuff, so, I didn’t know that we have to bring the props and costumes on that day. Anyway, after that ‘lecture’ all 4 groups are to prepare for the rehearsal which the director would be recording them down in their camera or hand phones. As we are the 2^nd group to ‘perform’, we still have a bit of time to practice. Once we are outside the music room, the director get into business. I have to say that my group is really lucky to have a director like Guang Hao, because when it’s time for serious matter, he really put all his heart and mind to it. And so, while the Director is setting the actors to their place, I was standing at the side, watching them. As I do not have to play a role in the play or there was no need of me in the play as an actor, haha, I just have to concentrate on just preparing the props. And well, on that particular day, our dear Juliet, Putri, was AGAIN suspended. GREAT! Just my luck… The director again pulled me inside into the play and said, “Please! Just today…” well, for the sake of my group, *sigh* I act as Juliet… again… anyway, the practice went quite well. And when it’s our group’s turn, everyone was very nervous. I wasn’t sure if I have to memorize those conversations of Juliet and do I have to act out those actions… But before we start, the director tells Mr Chua that our Juliet is in suspension and I am the substitute for that day, I can take the dialog with me to the ‘stage’^^ and so, while acting an watching, I was really nervous as almost half the class, plus Mr Chua, plus the director and his camera are all ‘watching’. And when it’s my turn to talk, I found that it’s quite easy as I just need to ‘stare’ at the file I had in my hand and just read it out loud:] well, when the others are doing their part in the play, I stood aside and I asked Romeo if later me and him have to do the actions like holding hands and the kiss… He said something really soft and I can’t really hear what he just said and well, it’s our turn already and so, me and him just went on ‘stage’ and speak out lines. When it comes to the kissing part, he was supposed to move towards me and act out the kissing part. Haha… well, I don’t expect him to REALLY act it out right now, because I’m not the real Juliet. And when he really do come near me, well, I got a bit nervous and scared and I just move backwards a bit, and when he tried again, I move back a few steps and the whole class laughed… haha, he then ‘gave up’ and returned to his speech. Everything is quite well after that. And when we go back to class, Reneita and Izyanti kept calling me Juliet… *sigh* nevermind, at least I get to go home now:]

(Thursday)

For literature that day, we got back our results for the test. And for the rest of the lesson, Mr Chua showed us a video of Romeo and Juliet’s movie. Well, I have the movie at home and I have already watched it before, but it was quite a nice movie, so watching it again won’t bother me. ^^ At each particular important scene, Mr Chua would pause and asked us about the atmosphere of the scene. Then at the romantic scene, slow music was played to show the peaceful and serenity of the scene. It was really very nice and we do not have time to watch the rest of the movie and they almost kiss when Romeo pulled Juliet away, which was then the bell, rang. Haha anyway, we can always watch it some other time:]

Term 3 Week 9 Learning Log

*Monday*

Today, we had our Literature test. Mr Chua came in and gave out the paper. Before we start the test, he reminds us about the P.E.E which means the point, evidence and explanation. After that, a teacher came in and just stood there. Then, when Mr Chua had finished telling us about the test, he rushed out, again, and the Lady teacher took over our class and gave us our test. Well, I think that the test is quite okay… But I’m a bit stuck at some question. After I had finished the test, I checked it again. Then, when time is up, the Lady Teacher collected out paper, and Literature lesson ended.

*Thursday*

On this day, Mr Chua came in and gave us a worksheet with a picture at the back... That picture is about an African girl, with a vulture at the background. We were group in 4 and elaborate what we saw in that picture. After that, we were to share it with the rest of the group members. Mr Chua then tells us more about the picture. That picture was actually a winning picture taken by Kevin Carter at 1994 I guess. Kevin Carter was interviewed about that picture. He was asked if he helped that little girl after he took that picture, but he said no, he just walked away after he took that picture. When people around the world heard about this, Kevin carter was criticize and pointed by them. So, he couldn’t take the depression and he committed suicide after a few months. I think that Kevin Carter really is ‘not a human‘. Because he didn’t want to help. He should just carry that girl and quickly run to the food aid centre and save a life….

Term 3 Week 8 Learning Log

@Monday@

On Monday, Mr Chua came in along with Mr Narz. I was a bit puzzled as he wasn’t one of our subject teachers. Mr Chua went straight to the point and distributed a worksheet on the Mighty Mandarin. He told us what we are supposed to do and explained to us the meaning of some words in the worksheet. He then reminded us to study for out test on Monday. He then rushed out to attend some of his stuff. But before he left, he say that Mr Narz would be looking after the class while he is away. Mr Narz told us to do our work quietly and to hand up our work by the end of the lesson. I did as I was told and finished the assignment on time. I was quite surprised that my class was much better behaved than usual. We were quite quiet actually. When the bell rang, Mr Narz collected our worksheet and we were only kept back for 2 minutes, and then all of us went home. I found out that my class can not only be quiet and well behaved when the teacher ‘threatens’ them, but sometimes, they can also be good when they want to.

@Thursday@

I missed the Literature lesson on Thursday as I was absent from school because I was sick. I think that missing out on Literature lessons is the unlucky thing, as I would miss out lots of stuff. I hope that I would catch up on what they did this coming Monday.^^

Term 3 Week 7 Learning Log

*~Monday~*

9th of August… Happy Birthday Singapore! Well, on Monday its Singapore’s Birthday, so we get to have a holiday that day :] Well, because it’s public holiday we don't have school on that day so that means… no Literature lessons... And so, we missed another day of Literature… Well, Happy 45th Birthday Singapore!!

*~Thursday~*

On Thursday we had our first rehearsal for our Shakespeare performances. We went to the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme Corner (CEPP corner) to rehearse. Before we started Mr Chua first briefed us about what we are supposed to do and how we should do it. We had to get into our own Literature group and start rehearsing at our own corner which Mr Chua had allocated for us. We were then given some time to rehearse. The other roles except for the actors and director were required to give feedback on the rehearsal in their own group while the rest of the group acts. During the rehearsal one of our actor wasn’t present on that day. She was one of the main characters. She’s Juliet. And so, we have to find a substitute for her role. The director, who I’m not sure weather is he out of his mind or not, chooses me to be the substitute Juliet, Oh my God…, they know that I can’t act or anything, plus, I’m not feeling well on that day AND I’m the stage manager! I have feedbacks to write… anyway, being the substitute Juliet means I don’t need to write the feedbacks right? :] Anyway, luckily, the director just let me speak the dialog of Juliet and not act out everything, because, it was just for that day and I’m a bit worried about the ‘kissing’ part. >.< Throughout the whole rehearsal, I found it very interesting and quite fun :]( except the part that I was chosen to act as Juliet for that day). After that we assembled back in front of the ‘stage’. Mr Chua called up some random register number and he or she who is not an actor or director was needed to share their feedback, to make sure that they did write down their feedback. Most of them commented that the actors speak softly and didn’t act out normally. There are some who were from other groups that talked about their actors but didn't elaborate well on the comments they made. Before the lesson ended, Mr Chua asked us whether we have any questions to ask so he can explain to us if we did not understand. Next he told some roles in the Shakespeare performances to stay back for awhile as he wanted to say some words to them regarding on what they're supposed to do( most of them are directors). We’ll continue our rehearsal on the next Literature lesson. So next Literature lesson is going to be our second rehearsal, I hope my group’s Juliet will be present in school, because I don’t want to act as the temporary Juliet again!

Term 3 Week 6 Learning Log

~~Monday~~

Lessons went on as per normal on Monday. Apparently Mr Chua had checked on our Learning Logs this week… Luckily I’ve done every single post. ^^ Anyway, we got back our AYLT worksheet, scene 2… I’m really happy to say that, I scored 15/15 for that worksheet^^ Mr. Chua then went through the whole worksheet but only explained a few important questions. Later on Mr Chua showed our progress about our Learning Logs on the screen. As I said, I’m really lucky that I have completed my Learning logs. :] But the only problem I have is I didn’t write enough thinking from my opinion over those posts, however Mr Chua still said “Well Done!” ^^ And so, Mr Chua kept going through the whole list of names for the Learning Log. There’s about more than half the class with students not finishing their Learning Log. Well, before Mr Chua could finish ‘lecturing’ those students, the bell rang. I think it’s kind of too bad for us, those who had done our Learning Log, because Mr Chua keep on going on and on with those ‘lectures’. Finally, after 5 minutes, we could go home. ^^ Well, I was thinking those students really should do their Learning Logs… so that students like me (Malaysian) won’t have to rush for the school bus home, and they won’t have to keep the other students from going home… but, Work hard everyone^^

~~Thursday~~

On Thursday Mr Chua started on a new topic, The Mighty Mandarin. I think that the whole lesson was really fun. :] There were different characters in the text, so Mr Chua divided our class into equal number of people to read the line of a character. The first row had to read the character Fu, and as I am in the first row Fu is who I had to read. So, as we read we have to stand up. Okay, so, the fun part is that, at one page or so there’s a conversation between Fu and Wu I think, their sentence is kind of short… so, it’s like we have to sit and stand, sit and stand, sit and stand again, in a really fast way. Haha ^^ that was really fun:] Oh, and another part is that because there’s not enough people to read the whole entire script, Mr Chua read two characters lines. The Mighty Mandarin and Sang. At one point Mr Chua accidently mixed up both of the characters and used a girl's voice, as in a high pitch voice to act out the voice. Haha :] it was really very funny:] the whole class keep laughing and laughing:], That was the most interesting and funniest Literature lesson I have had in weeks ^^ If we have that kind of lesson almost every week, I think everyone will be very happy and more people will ‘behave’ more :] And so, after that Mr Chua then briefed us about the Shakespeare performance, he called up all kinds of different roles. Like, Actors, Wardrobes, Stage Manager and Directors. As they stood up Mr Chua briefed them about what they are supposed to do. Slowly next is my turn. As stage manager, I don’t think we can be as free as the directors… I think Stage manager is the most busiest and most troublesome of the other roles, because they have to do EVERYTHING!!! ~ haha :] but yeah, it’s very tough, but it’s a challenge:] anyway, end of post ^^

Term 3 Week 5 Learning Log

@Monday@

Literature lesson started off differently today, Mr Chua wanted to check on everyone to make sure that they had all passed up their homework as instructed. Unfortunately there were some of the students who didn’t do their homework and were being called up then lectured by Mr Chua. After that he distributed a piece of homework on Elvis Presley Scene 2. It must be handed in next Monday and put it in the tray given before the lesson starts. Mr Chua then showed us the videos that our seniors did for their Shakespeare performances last year. Firstly he showed a video on The Merchant of Venice. My opinion is that they did quite well, just that their speech was not very clear, they talk quite softly. Next, it’s Romeo and Juliet., for this my opinion is that their speech is much clearer and the way they do their acting, it’s quite interesting. I hope that for my group we all will cooperate and do our very best to get high marks and not bore our audience. That’s all I think.

@Thursday@

On Thursday there was no Literature lesson for me as I was absent on that day. I guess I had missed out most of the lesson as the rest of my classmate had already moved on to scene 3. I hope I will catch up at the next Literature lesson.