Differentiated Assignment

Linguistic: Philip’s final blog! Philip writes his final entry before leaving for his new school, Washington Academy. What makes this interesting are the responses he receives from: Coach Jamison, Miss Narwin, Superintendent Albert Seymour and Mr. Lunser. Each one is very strong in his/her viewpoint. (tone)

This blog post is written with me assuming the character, Philip Malloy. This is going to be “my” final blog entry before “I” leave for “my” new school, Washington Academy. This is in reference to “Nothing but the Truth" by Avi.

Most of the kids in Harrison High hate me. They tease me and call me names making me feel awful. Allison and Todd even wanted to get a petition going to get me to say that I was wrong. Worst of all, Brian told Ken who told me that Coach Jamison gave Allison and Todd the idea to start the petition. Of all people why Coach Jamison? I am not going to apologise to Miss Narwin. I am not in the wrong. I do not know why all the kids are treating me this way. It is best that I transfer to another school. I will be going to Washington Academy. I really hope that life there will be better.

Responses from Coach Jamison, Miss Narwin, Superintendent Albert Seymour and Mr Lunser

Coach Jamison: Philip, I wanted you to admit that you were wrong as if you apologised to Miss Narwin, she would forgive you and you would be able to go back to her Literature classes. With you back in her class, you can ask her for more work and you might be able to join the track team. I really want you on the team. You are a rare talent. It is a such a pity that you have decided to transfer to another school. Anyway I wish you all the best in your new school.

Miss Narwin: Philip, whatever you decision is, I respect it. Let us both put this matter behind us and move on with life. I wish you all the best in your new school. Do not be angry with your friends. They were just trying to support me. Please remember what I said and put this matter behind you.

Superintendent Albert Seymour: It is good to know that you have decided to start life afresh in a new school. It might do you a lot of good if you forget about this incident and enjoy your life in you new school.

Mr Lunser: Hey Phil, I am sad to know that you will be going to another school. I have always liked you. Please do not hold a grudge against the kids. They just wanted you to apologise to Miss Narwin. I am sorry to have called you Uncle Sam. If that hurt you please forgive me.

Personal Best Record for 100m

13.48s

Last Saturday, I went for this 100m race at Bukit Gombak Stadium. When I reached there, it was packed with people from Nanyang, Cedar and RI.

When it was my turn to run, I could feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach. However I was not as nervous as my other friends, maybe my stomach had fewer butterflies than them.

I was actually running with a guy from NJC. He was in JC1. I took a look at him and knew that I definitely could not emerge champion in my heat. He was so tall and well built.

When I heard the gunshot, I leapt from the blocks. My whole mind was in a flurry. As I neared the finishing line, I bowed slightly so that my head could touch the finishing line. It is kind of like in the Olympics where you see all the sprinters use their heads to finish off. I was surprised to know that I was first in my heat.

According to my friends, the JC1 guy and I were travelling at the same speed until the 50m mark. They said they did not know what overcame me but I suddenly picked up speed and reached the finishing line close to 10m ahead of the JC1 guy. My timing-13.48s. It was my new personal best.

My coach told me that in April, I would be representing the school in the nationals. I will be running a 200m race. I really hope I can do well.

Reflection on Blog for Term 1

After one term of starting and maintaining a blog, I feel that my writing skills have definitely improved. Though it may not be a significant improvement it is still something to rejoice about.

What I like about blogging is that it is like an electronic diary open to the whole world to see. I can also put pictures on my blogs and decorate it in anyway I like. This makes it very personalised. As for now, I have no dislikes about blogging and I do not see a reason why I should dislike blogging now or even in the future.

Well I think this method used to improve our command of the English language does not need any improvements. I would say that this is a very unique way and not many teachers use blogging to help their students improve their language. I am happy with this user-friendly way of finding out my blog topic on my English teacher's blog.

I feel that with you knowing my reading habits and having access to my electronic bookshelf, you will understand me better. As quoted by my English teacher, "Interests kind of say it all".

I am currently reading this book titled "The Book of Rules". It is a book explaining the rules of different sports. As I am going for my track and field competition next Saturday on the 14 of March, I thought that this book would be useful in helping me to familiarise myself with the rules. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find the book on weread.com.

To view my electronic bookshelf, feel free to visit the link below:

http://weread.com/profile/Sean/845E661B-BB16-40D0-9A85-ACE693290BD0?con_sandbox=booksiread&container_type=booksiread

Narrative and Graphics My Connections

First, let me start off by stating the definitions of narrative and graphics.

Definition of a narrative novel:
1. A story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious.

2. A book, literary work, etc., containing such a story.

Definition of a graphic novel:
1. A graphic novel may be classified as a picture book, but graphic novels employ some other elements that distinguish them. In particular, they use sequential frames of pictures, with or without written text, to tell a story. Predominant sequences of panels and gutters throughout a narrative indicate that the text is a graphic novel.

In my opinion, both narrative and graphics are similar in a way that they both can tell a story. A narrative appears to have all the information. Thus, we may not be able to form our own ideas. The reader will not have a chance to view the story in his own way. However, in graphics, there are no words and just pictures. This "forces" the reader to interpret what the pictures are actually trying to show. Some readers will like this as this allows them to find out what the story really is about themselves.

I think that the only connection between both narrative and graphics is the fact that they both tell a story. Other than that, they don't seem to have any other things in common.

For graphic novels, different people will come up with different interpretations of the pictures. This explains why there is this famous phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words".

My preferred learning habits:

1. Logical (Number Smart)

2. Intrapersonal (Myself Smart)

3. Interpersonal (People Smart)

My Reading Habits

I read a wide variety of books from magazines to novels and of course newspapers. A typical day in my school usually starts off with a solid 20-minute reading period. This reading period is considered sacred. We read the day's newspapers, allowing ourselves to keep up with the world news. During recess if I have time, I will read the month's issue of "Reader's Digest". After school it is just homework, homework and homework so as you can see I really have no time to even sit down for an hour to do some reading.

However, when the weekends come, it is rest and relax. I am able to settle comfortably in my sofa, grab any book that gets my attention and savour it. The books can range from IT magazines to sports magazines to any book I buy from the bookshop. Sometimes I even read story books that goes like this " One fine day, little pig went out to play and he saw a............" Yes, it is childish but guess who I read it to? I read it to my toddler sister of course! She loves to listen to stories. Although she has yet to learn to talk properly, she seems to understand the story.

I really miss the good old days in Primary school when we had more time to spare for leisure reading. I remember reading picture books and stories about animals. Well, those times are now history. We should make do with whatever little time we have now and cultivate a love for books.

Want to check out some of the books I have read?

Go to the link below.

http://weread.com/profile/Sean/845E661B-BB16-40D0-9A85-ACE693290BD0?con_sandbox=booksiread&container_type=booksiread

My New Spike Shoes

Last Friday I went to buy new spike shoes. All my track seniors who wore the same shoe gave good comments about it.

This shoe uses "Christmas Tree" spikes. I don't know why the spikes are called "Christmas Tree" spikes but they do look like "Christmas Trees". There are other types of spikes out there.

A review from http://www.eastbay.com/ :

The ASICS Turbo Phantom is an elite track spike for events from 200
to 800 metres, including 110/300/400 metre hurdles. The synthetic
leather and mesh upper is specifically designed to assist and support
the athlete's foot on the turn. Hook-and-loop closure adds a
customized supportive fit. Polymetric monodensity spike plate with
removable spikes offers a stiff platform for sprint efficiency. A
SharkDuo® heel outsole provides traction for hurdling.
This shoe is an ideal 400/800 metre shoe due to its lightweight upper
and soft midsole. It really stands out as a hurdle spike and with its
hook-and-loop strap across the upper forefoot; the Turbo Phantom
offers great stability.

I just cannot wait for my training this Friday so that I can try on my new shoes. Tell me what you think about my shoe.

"Why Did I Do It?"

This blog post is written as a diary entry with me assuming the character, Philip Malloy, after his first day at his new school. This is in reference to "Nothing but the Truth" by Avi.

Today was horrible. I learnt from my new principal that there was no track team in my new school. During Homeroom period my teacher, Miss Rooney, even asked me to lead the class in the singing of the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". I did not know why, but I burst into tears and told her that I did not know the words. This is really embarrassing and I do not know how to face my teachers and classmates tomorrow. They must be wondering why "America's Number 1 patriot", who made the headlines for being punished, as he was patriotic, does not even know the lyrics for his own national anthem. This is the worst day of my life...