Miss Serene Lai’s English Blog

Entries from May 2009

sometimes we miss the most obvious

May 27, 2009 · Leave a Comment

It’s been pretty dreary this week since I had no lessons.  I miss the bantering and interaction in class.  Today has been one of the most trying days in a long while.  I went for an extra long run to work off the frustration and put things into perspective.  At the end of today’s run, I realised when I go running, I am reminded of the simple things in life that I should be grateful for.

When I run in the evenings, some of these things cheer me up:

  1. simple laughter from children playing in the playgrounds
  2. really cute dogs excited by the prospect of sniffing out something interesting
  3. inspiration from many more stronger joggers who seem to go on endlessly with little effort
  4. peace and privacy to sort out my crowded mind
  5. a lady with an amputated leg exercising with one remaining limb
  6. fragrance from some flowering trees that rest heavily at one corner

Most of all, I am reminded that many  simple things in life outweigh the burdens that we carry. They make life meaningful.  So, don’t miss the obvious!

Categories: meme

You are my Bunny Fairy

May 21, 2009 · 6 Comments

Categories: meme

Grrrrrrreat Presentations (3)

May 13, 2009 · 2 Comments

Notice how clean and sleek this one is. Crystal clear organisation of ideas and supported by a strong script.

This presentation on transport has good content that I believe all of us will benefit from it.

Categories: Oral Skills

Grrrrrreat Presentation (2) – File Sharing

May 12, 2009 · 2 Comments

I just realised that Slideshare.net only allows a portion of the slides to be shown :( It’s a pity that most of you can’t see the full presentation. Anyway, here is another great one from Foong Ming, Grace, Michelle and Liqi. Well done gals!

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Categories: Oral Skills

Green Roofs via The Pink Panda

May 9, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Categories: Lesson Notes

Grrrrreat presentations – Samples (1)

May 8, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Dear everyone,

The presentations have begun for 4DEF. We have gathered several learning points. Remember that this is a journey that we are moving forwards together. As such, I have decided to share on some of the winning elements to help everyone succeed and improve. Here are two presentations which have incorporated the learning points from “Death by Powerpoint” very successfully.

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Categories: Lesson Notes · Oral Skills

Share your learning points with me please.

May 6, 2009 · 25 Comments

Feedback helps me to improve and be a more effective teacher. I would really appreciate it if you share with me a something that you learnt in the course of preparing the template, research, powerpoint storyboarding and especially watching / presenting.  Drop me a note in the comment box please.

Categories: Oral Skills · meme

Rubrics

May 5, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Thanks to 4ABC, it was very encouraging to hear that you want feedback on your presentations. That is the spirit of learning! I am really challenged by you guys and so here is my first draft of the rubrics which I will use to give both classes feedback. No marks but descriptors for the whole group and individual member. Have a look and let me know what you think about it.

Oral Presentation Rubrics – Draft

Categories: Announcements · Oral Skills

It’s Presentation Time!

May 5, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Checklist for Presentations
1. Allocate parts to every member of the group.
2. Each member should have your own script – preferably in cards.
3. Memorise your script so that you can maintain eye contact with the audience.
4. Finalise the sequence of the presentation.

Checklist for Powerpoint Slides

1. Make a backup copy
2. Do a final run check for – grammar errors and visual clarity (Remember what you learnt in “Death by Powerpoint”)
3. Rehearse / appoint the “clicker”

Ready? Let’s go! :)

Categories: Announcements · Oral Skills

I found this in Yong Kian’s group template very inspiring.

May 4, 2009 · 2 Comments

Photobucket

Categories: Announcements · Oral Skills · meme