Secondary School Literature

[tutormum]

Most of the tips have been shared by autumnbronze and mick007. The most important step is to read the text throughly for the contents. DS3 is reading Animal Farm for the second time (good for him and I'm thankful that he's doing it on his own :love: ). My approach will be:

Ask the 5 W and 1 H questions which are : Where, Who, What, Why and How. Example :
1. Where is the story taking place? The setting usually tells us what to expect of the characters and the storyline.
2. Who are the characters - we can separate the main and others. Even minor characters in the story add weight to the story and has their importance. It is very important to study every character by scrutinising their every action and word. Even a single line speech by a character add colour to the story.
3. What are they doing? The issues involved which justify the characters' behaviour.
4. Why are the characters behaving the way they do? This will reflect the social and morale issues.
5. How are things done and the story develops?
Once the student is well versed with the characters and storyline, he can proceed to form his own opinions and arguments to convince the examiner why he deserves that A*. :evil:
The student's command of the language will aid him in his expression cos using the correct word speaks volume of his literacy abilities.

[ycpang]

tutormum:

Most of the tips have been shared by autumnbronze and mick007. The most important step is to read the text throughly for the contents. DS3 is reading Animal Farm for the second time (good for him and I'm thankful that he's doing it on his own :love: ). My approach will be:

Ask the 5 W and 1 H questions which are : Where, Who, What, Why and How. Example :
1. Where is the story taking place? The setting usually tells us what to expect of the characters and the storyline.
2. Who are the characters - we can separate the main and others. Even minor characters in the story add weight to the story and has their importance. It is very important to study every character by scrutinising their every action and word. Even a single line speech by a character add colour to the story.
3. What are they doing? The issues involved which justify the characters' behaviour.
4. Why are the characters behaving the way they do? This will reflect the social and morale issues.
5. How are things done and the story develops?
Once the student is well versed with the characters and storyline, he can proceed to form his own opinions and arguments to convince the examiner why he deserves that A*. :evil:
The student's command of the language will aid him in his expression cos using the correct word speaks volume of his literacy abilities.

Thanks to autumnbronze & tutormum for sharing.

DS has finished reading the book. Now I know what to do next.

[Fairy]

autumnbronze:

Dear Parents,


This is the MOE website which provides the syllabus details on Lower Sec Literature:

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/languages-and-literature/files/literature-in-english-lower-secondary-2007.pdf

Hope this helps

At least, Animal Farm is interesting. My daughter's school is using A Sense Of Belonging. My daughter complained that the stories are boring. I tried reading it myself and really, it's been 2 weeks already. I still can't finish reading the book. It's really un-interesting. I usually read it before I sleep at night. Most of the time, I could not bring myself to carry on and decided to sleep instead. Wonder what the rationale for the school to choose this book was.
autumnbronze, have you read the book? How do you it?

[ooptimizer]

I also cannot finish A Sense Of Belonging, its very boring.

[autumnbronze]

Fairy:

At least, Animal Farm is interesting. My daughter's school is using A Sense Of Belonging. My daughter complained that the stories are boring. I tried reading it myself and really, it's been 2 weeks already. I still can't finish reading the book. It's really un-interesting. I usually read it before I sleep at night. Most of the time, I could not bring myself to carry on and decided to sleep instead. Wonder what the rationale for the school to choose this book was.

autumnbronze, have you read the book? How do you it?

Hi Fairy,

I don't recall reading/teaching the book. So I can't comment on anything rite now. Am thinking of dropping by at Populars during the wkend (DS goes for Mandarin enrichment), and to have a look at the book.

Is it a collection of short stories?? R u able to post the titles?

[Fairy]

autumnbronze:

Hi Fairy,


I don't recall reading/teaching the book. So I can't comment on anything rite now. Am thinking of dropping by at Populars during the wkend (DS goes for Mandarin enrichment), and to have a look at the book.

Is it a collection of short stories?? R u able to post the titles?

Hi autumnbronze, the title of the book is : A Sense Of Belonging - A short story Anthology edited by John Stevens. Publisher : Oxford University Press

The Stories in this book:
- The Tractor by Peter Cowan (ok)
- Samphire by Patrick O' Brian (not interesting, but not too bad)
- We look After Our Own by Kath Walker (ok, about racial prejudice)
- A Sense of Belonging by Witi Ihimaera (ok, about racial prejudice)
- A Really Splendid Evening by Lesley Rowlands (boring)
- The Test by Angelica Gibbs (ok, about racial prejudice)
- The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern (ok, about appreciating what we have, i think)
- Kindergarten by James E. Gunn (boring, a futuristic story)
- Naema Disparue by Mohammed Dib (extremely boring, can't carry on reading!)
- The Waste Land by Alan Paton (boring, can't figure out what the intended message is. maybe my brain not 'chim' enough).
- The Pelican by Cecil Mann (super boring, did not finish reading)

I have not read the following stories yet:
- The Limits Of Trooghaft by Desmond Stewart
- A sound Of Thunder by Ray Bradbury
- The Boss by Dan Jacobson
- Long Distance Runner by Mal Zin Hu
- Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes ( I read the original book b4 - very good read)
- The Vertical Ladder by William Sansom
- The Essence Of A Man by Alan Sullivan

[autumnbronze]

Fairy:

Hi autumnbronze, the title of the book is : A Sense Of Belonging - A short story Anthology edited by John Stevens. Publisher : Oxford University Press


The Stories in this book:
- The Tractor by Peter Cowan (ok)
- Samphire by Patrick O' Brian (not interesting, but not too bad)
- We look After Our Own by Kath Walker (ok, about racial prejudice)
- A Sense of Belonging by Witi Ihimaera (ok, about racial prejudice)
- A Really Splendid Evening by Lesley Rowlands (boring)
- The Test by Angelica Gibbs (ok, about racial prejudice)
- The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern (ok, about appreciating what we have, i think)
- Kindergarten by James E. Gunn (boring, a futuristic story)
- Naema Disparue by Mohammed Dib (extremely boring, can't carry on reading!)
- The Waste Land by Alan Paton (boring, can't figure out what the intended message is. maybe my brain not 'chim' enough).
- The Pelican by Cecil Mann (super boring, did not finish reading)

I have not read the following stories yet:
- The Limits Of Trooghaft by Desmond Stewart
- A sound Of Thunder by Ray Bradbury
- The Boss by Dan Jacobson
- Long Distance Runner by Mal Zin Hu
- Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes ( I read the original book b4 - very good read)
- The Vertical Ladder by William Sansom
- The Essence Of A Man by Alan Sullivan

Thank you Fairy,

They don't look familiar to me. Nonetheless, will go and check it out during the wkend.

But I don't think your DD's teacher will be going through all the stories rite?? Correct me if I am wrong :?

[MintLeaf]

autumnbronze:

Dear Parents,


This is the MOE website which provides the syllabus details on Lower Sec Literature:

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/languages-and-literature/files/literature-in-english-lower-secondary-2007.pdf

Hope this helps

Hi Autumnbronze,
Thanks for this. One question for you. How do I find out what is required for 'O' level Literature, that is, what are the books for a particular year and the paper format?

[Fairy]

autumnbronze:

Thank you Fairy,

They don't look familiar to me. Nonetheless, will go and check it out during the wkend.

But I don't think your DD's teacher will be going through all the stories rite?? Correct me if I am wrong :?

I have no idea.

[autumnbronze]

MintLeaf:

autumnbronze:

Dear Parents,


This is the MOE website which provides the syllabus details on Lower Sec Literature:

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/languages-and-literature/files/literature-in-english-lower-secondary-2007.pdf

Hope this helps

Hi Autumnbronze,
Thanks for this. One question for you. How do I find out what is required for 'O' level Literature, that is, what are the books for a particular year and the paper format?

Hi MintLeaf,

Perhaps this might help ...

http://nsinte1.moe.edu.sg/project/db/atl/db_puatl.nsf/AboutATL/O%20&%20N%20Level%20LIST/$FILE/Production%20ATL%202007%20Internet%20Public%20administration%20module.pdf