Chinese Mothers Controversy

1.    Do you agree / disagree with the content/issue? Why?

I disagree with the content. The excerpt states that why Chinese parents manage to produce such talent out of their children is because they restrict their child’s freedom, disallowing them to do the stuff they like to do. For example, the child may not get to play any musical instrument other than the piano or violin, which the child may coincidentally dislike. There is neither computer time nor television time for these children. I feel that this is not humane. Every human should have his or her freedom be it child, adult or elderly. Restricting a child’s choice is not the way to go. The child should be allowed to choose whatever he wants to do and his or her parents should support him unless he is making a wrong choice.

2.    Do you have any experiences or observations related to the issue at hand here? (evidence)

I personally have no experiences nor observed anything related to the issue at hand here.

3.    Is there some form of stereotypes being / will be formed here? What are the implications?

I feel that the stereotype being formed here is that Chinese Mothers are inhumane and very strict. It suggests that Chinese Children have tough times at home.

Mind Map on Civil Rights Movement

 

 

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Home Learning Exercise 24/1/11

Choice of Characters and Pictures:
Firstly, I had to decide on who to be the bully and who to use as the bullied. I chose the bullied to be as weak looking as possible and the bully to be as big and unfriendly as possible. This gives people the impression that the boy is no match for the bully and is in serious trouble if he doesn't flee. In the first few boxes, the bullied is depicted to be in a state of shock and sorrow respectfully. He at first was kneeling and towards the end, his emotions change and he becomes braver in a way, as he slowly picks himself up from a kneeling position to a standing one and from a state of shock to anger. The background moves from in school to outdoors in public. This goes to show that the bully is persistent and keeps bullying the little boy who finally snaps at one point. All this goes hand in hand with the message, "Do not judge a book by its cover". The bully takes the bullied lightly and constantly treats him badly. When his barbarian like friend has been beat up by the bullied, the bully immediately tries to make a "peace treaty" with the bullied. This helps emphasize the message too.

Target for 2011

1.       What went well last year?

I improved in my comprehension skills (I am better able to find the answers), I hit my target for poetry and my composition improved by a few marks.

2.       What went wrong last year?

My comprehension had several ups and downs in terms of marks. My literature essays never really got any better, and my blog was a failure (I was unable to post very regularly due to my forgetfulness)

3.       What is my target MSG for 2011?

My target MSG for 2011 is 2.0 and below. For LA, I intend to get an A2.

4.       How do you intend to achieve this?

I intend to focus more on LA.

Blog Prompt 2

Is it better to have never known something than to have known something and to ultimately lose it later?

      I feel that it is better to have known something than to have known something and lose it later. Although this way, we would feel the heartache of losing the something we used to know, the happiness felt during this period of knowing that something is quite likely to be more than the heartache felt.
      I used to keep hamsters at home. There were two of them. One was fat while the other was amazingly active. We had a good time together. I played little games with them. They always won, like when I played "Who can crack open the sunflower seed first?" with them. They won and I rewarded them with two more sunflower seeds. I also brought them around my house. This experience is one in a lifetime. There is only a slight possiblility of encountering another hamster just as cooperative, just as fun to play with out there in the vast world. My beloved hamsters died one day. It died of old age. Though it is heartbreaking to lose a being I cared so much about, I still had a good time with it and I am sure they had a good time too. I always recall the times I spent with my hamsters with a smile on my face. I think of it positively. We all had a good time.
      It is better to have known something than and lose it in the end only if you think of your experience positively. Otherwise, it is best to keep safe and not know anything which you stand a high chance losing in the end as it may affect your life greatly.

Blog prompt 1

Yes.  I have been in the company of a group of which I was clearly not a member. Back then, I was in Primary 5. Most of the boys in my class are all very into football. They watch every other match there is on the television till late in the night. Also, they don’t study much. Most of their time is spent doing homework the teacher has assigned and nothing else. No revision at all. These boys are the noisier ones in class. I am not as noisy as these boys, but definitely not as quiet as the quiet boys in my class. I try to get along with the nosier ones as they lead more interesting lifestyles. However, I was usually ignored as whatever I said is usually not about football. Whenever they discuss about other topics, usually for a minute or so, I try to socialise with them. These efforts are usually futile. To them, I was like the wind. Sometimes, it’s there, but other times it’s not. Whenever they required help in their homework, I try to help them. Although they listen to my explanation and thank me with a simple “Thank you”, they go on discussing about soccer again. Yet again, whatever I say would usually be deemed unimportant, even when I remind them of the time. Therefore, I usually spend my time listening to what they have to say.