Word of the Day (6Charity)

In this week's issue of LRD, we learnt about how some pupils memorise the dictionary to prepare themselves for the RHB-The Straits Times National Spelling Championship this coming Saturday.

Our curiosity piqued, we decided to each find an interesting word from the dictionary. Look at the words below. Do you know their meaning? You might find them useful for your compositions. Scroll down for the meaning of the words. Happy guessing! And spelling! And pronouncing! Don't get your tongues all twisted!

Scintillating

Cantankerous

Recalcitrant

Despondent

Unceremonious

Kohlrabi

Ambidextrous

Pyknic

Quaff

Pugnacious

Emaciated

The following are the meanings of the words:

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Scintillating:  Very interesting (Geetha)

Cantankerous: Ill-natured (Ying Hui)

Recalcitrant: Stubborn / obstinately defiant of authority (Mikka)

Despondent: Feelings of  / showing hopelessness (Anna)

Unceremonious: Rude & abrupt (Varshana)

Kohlrabi: Cabbage with an enlarged & edible stem (Tricia)

Ambidextrous: Able to use both your hands equally well (Cheryl)

Pyknic: Short & fat (Tamara)

Quaff: To drink deeply; gulp (Ashley)

Pugnacious: (someone who is) ready to start a fight (Fiona)

Emaciated: Abnormally thin & weak (Leela)

What is one interesting word YOU have found in the dictionary?

A Place for all Creeds & Races - the former Bidadari Cemetery (6 Joy)

LRD Issue: 10 April 2012
Class: 6 Joy

The former Bidadari Cemetery is just a few bus-stops away from Canossa Convent Primary School (CCPS). If you have ever taken a bus from CCPS to NEX Shopping Mall, you would have passed by the defunct cemetery.

In 1998, the Government drew up a Master Plan for Singapore. In the Master Plan, it was stated that Bidadari Cemetery was to be cleared for the building of houses. The relatives of those who were buried there were informed that they had four years to claim the remains.

Today, the former cemetery is a park. There are also plans to build a New Town. There have been various debates over whether it is right to “destroy” a cemetery to make way for the building of houses. Besides that, there is also the question of whether anyone would want to stay in a flat/house that is built over a cemetery.

What are your thoughts on this? Post your answers to the following two questions as a comment to this blog entry:

• What do you think of “destroying” a cemetery to make way for the building of houses?
• Will you stay in a flat/house that is built over a cemetery?

Penang (6Hope)

Treasures to be Treasured

Singaporeans, in search of comfort food and an inexpensive, quick and relaxing holiday in a nearby destination, often think of Penang as one of the best choices. From the amazing beaches of Batu Ferringhi and stunning views from Penang Hill to the lively food haven in Gurney Drive, Penang has fascinated all her visitors.

However, it is in the quiet streets that we see the real treasures of Penang. The beautiful buildings with their decorative faces, the museum, art, heritage and music, dating from long ago, that we see what we need to restore and conserve so that generations can enjoy them for years to come.

This is also true for us here in Singapore. There are so many reminders of the past e.g. the shop houses in Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, besides the music, culture and food that we need to remind us of where we came from.

Do you think that we need such reminders? What would you consider worth saving from the past?

We are so excited to be at the MOE Excel Fest 2012. We will be here from 30 to 31 March at Suntec City Convention Hall 401, Booth B71. We are sharing with visitors how we use newspaper in class to learn more about Singapore and the world. When we discuss the articles in class with our classmates and teachers, we also learn the right values. We also have to share our thoughts on the issues discussed with our teachers through our reflections.

While we may feel tired, we are heartened that many visitors like how we use newspaper in class.

Do you like the way we use newspaper in education? Do you have a suggestion for us? We appreciate your comments and feedback.

If You Are Caught... (6 Faith)

Issue: 6 March 2012
Title of article: If you are caught...


Beside the fact that drugs mess with one's mind (LRD Issue on 21 Feb 2012, page 3), there are also dire consequences when one gets involved in drugs.


The type of punishment meted out to such offenders ranges from a stint in a rehabilitation centre to jail time and caning. As stated in the article, it's the responsibility of the person charged with trafficking drugs, such as heroin and methamphetamine, to prove his innocence and not the authorities.


Take a look at the following video to find out more about the negative effects on one's mind and body when one takes drugs.





Extension activity: Write a letter to tell your best friend about the consequences of taking drugs and the legal actions that might be taken against the person who's caught taking/trafficking it. [Post it as a comment to this blog entry.]

Wet Markets vs Supermarkets by 4 Joy 2012

Photo taken by Amanda Lau 4 Joy: The uncle selling fish at Blk 89 MacPherson Market specially picked up a big fish from his storage for Amanda to take this awesome picture.

Should wet markets go or stay? Wet markets have been around before many of us were born. Just Tekka Market alone was built in 1915! The first concrete wet market was built in 1894 and it is Telok Ayer Market. However, this was not the first wet market. Surprise! Surprise! The truly first wet market in Singapore was ordered to be built by Sir Stamford Raffles himself in 1825 but torn down shortly as it was inadequate.

We, as kids, find the wet markets stinky and filthy. Some of us have even witnessed live fishes taking a leap from the tray on to the wet floor. One of us has even slipped and fallen on the slippery floor. Nonetheless, our parents still go to the wet markets week after week. Why?

We found out that wet markets sell fresher produce than supermarkets. Also, we get to buy live animals like fish and prawns from wet markets and get to see them killed and cleaned. That helps us ensure that the food is really fresh and safe to eat. Wet markets also have fresher and more unique fruits and vegetables like figs.

On top of that, if we are familiar with the stall vendors, we get freebies and discounts. At wet markets, the stall vendors will not count to the last decimal point the weight of our purchase. We often enjoy a bit more of what we want. Also, we get special advices from the vendors if the food is fresh for a certain way of cooking. You never get such treatments at supermarkets!

So do you think wet markets should stay or go?

Photo taken by Amanda Lau 4 Joy: Uncle selling vegetables at Macpherson Market Blk 89.

Photo taken by Amanda Lau 4 Joy: A happy fishmonger at the market. Amanda interviewed her and found out about her work.

Photo taken by Amanda Lau 4 Joy: Uncle selling eggs happy that Amanda is patronising the stall.

Saying Thanks for Kindness

Over the last few months, we have been reading about different ways to show kindness to ourselves and to others around us through the activities in The Straits Times Little Red Dot Kindness Passport as well as the articles in LRD on kindness.

In our school, we were so inspired by all these articles that we wrote down notes to thank people in our lives who are kind to us.

Here are some of our notes for you to read an enjoy! Remember to say thank you to someone who has been kind to you today!

Do you remember the kindness messages you sent to each other? Did you receive any kindness messages from your friends? Did you feel appreciated?

Phone Scams and personal safety

Today, the P6 level read an article about phone kidnap scams and learnt about some tips on personal safety.

What do you do to be safe?

P6 personal safety talk

View more presentations from misswongccps.

To Singapore, With Love (LRD Issue on 2 August 2011 - page 15) - done by 4 Joy

National Day is just round the corner and the spirit of celebration can be felt all around. Let's share our birthday wishes for our beloved country, Singapore!

National Day Theme Songs - Vote for your favourite!

National Day is just round the corner. This year, you get to have a say in which National Day Theme Songs we will sing during our National Day Celebration on 8 August. Listen to the following songs and vote for your favourite in the poll below!

online polls

National Day Theme Song 2001 - Where I Belong








National Day Theme Song 2002 - We Will Get There







National Day Theme Song 2003 - One United People







National Day Theme Song 1998 & 2004 – Home (1998 version)







National Day Theme Song 2005 - Reach for the Skies







National Day Theme Song 2006 - My Island Home







National Day Theme Song 2007- Will You







National Day Theme Song 2008 - Shine For Singapore







National Day Theme Song 2009 - What Do You See







National Day Theme Song 2010 - Song For Singapore







National Day Theme Song 2011 - In A Heartbeat