Monday, January 29, 2007

We are starting on Emily!

We are finally going to begin our study on Emily of Emerald Hill this week!

I have been doing an introduction to the various text types with my classes over the past few weeks and the feedback I have been getting is that the material is rather dry.

I know that....but it is something we have to go through...(my students would have heard this many times, but I'm saying it again) it IS very important!

Anyway, to kick off the study of Emily, here's a little anecdote...

Last week, I was travelling on the bus and there was this HCI boy sitting next to me. I was reading my Emily and after a while, I noticed the boy staring into my book.

Normally, if you want to spy on what the person next to you is reading, you do it discreetly...in the form of a sideway glance, or perhaps an occasional peek...but what this boy did was stare long and hard!

At first, I was a little annoyed, but I feigned ignorance, hoping that he would become embarrassed and look away soon. However, he continued to gawk at my book!

After a few moments of tension, he blurted out, "She wraps her family in quilts - signifying control".

I was reading the part on how Emily knitted quilts for her family, and I realized he was talking to me about the book.

It turned out to be an introduction to a nice chat between us, where I found out that the HCI boys do Emily of Emerald Hill in Sec 2 and he also updated me on various aspects of my alma mater.

Well, to all of my students...Hope that all you have re-read Emily over the weekend and will pass with flying colours the quiz on Friday and the scrap-book presentation tomorrow.

Just a few reminders on the presentation:

1) Speak loud and clear. Project your voice to the last row.
2) Show genuine interest in what you are presenting. This will be infectious! .
3) Rehearse your presentation and make sure you keep to the 3 minute time limit.
4) Structure your presentation so that it flows smoothly.

Good luck!