To all who are working on this text, I've done up the annotations for the following: Drunken Prawns MRT Shrimps in Space Teochew Porridge The Durian Man and his Daughters Perfecting Pratas If I do find time during the holidays, I might consider working on the annotations for the rest of the plays as well. … Continue reading Student Plays by Desmond Sim – Brief Annotations
Hook and Eye – Everest Reflection Notes
Everest is a short story about dreams and the ability to make our dreams come true in Singapore, no matter how impossible. It also presents to us the perspective of an immigrant family and their unintentional integration and adaptation to Singapore society. As with the Reflections Framework I have shared previously, these notes have been … Continue reading Hook and Eye – Everest Reflection Notes
Literary Devices to Know: Lower Secondary & Elective Literature
Hello!!The last time I did this was years ago and it was a very simplified package. Here's a new, updated version. Even if you don't care about literature, these literary devices can be useful to know to help you answer English comprehension questions (e.g. How is the language used unusual and effective, what is ironic … Continue reading Literary Devices to Know: Lower Secondary & Elective Literature
Hook and Eye: Practice Essay Questions (and Mindmap tips!)
Want to test your understanding of the anthology "Hook and Eye: Stories from the Margins"? Hook-And-Eye-essay-questionsDownload Writing essays can take a very long time, especially as there are so many questions. A great way to create notes for yourself whilst answering these questions is to mindmap. BUT HOLD ON! This is not an excuse for … Continue reading Hook and Eye: Practice Essay Questions (and Mindmap tips!)
Hook and Eye – The Borrowed Boy Reflection Notes
The Borrowed Boy is a tale, ironically, about Junaidah and the boy she borrows for the day to make herself feel better. Except things do not turn out the way she has planned and her attempts to plug the void within her results her in using another person. Instead of doing good, she becomes, ironically, … Continue reading Hook and Eye – The Borrowed Boy Reflection Notes
Hook and Eye – Cave Man Reflection Notes
Cave Man is a fantasy depiction of Singapore in the future, in which most Singaporeans live underground whilst only the fortunate get to live above-ground in the sunshine. Alfred, the protagonist dreams of solitude and isolation - or does he? As with the Reflections Framework I have shared previously, these notes have been created with … Continue reading Hook and Eye – Cave Man Reflection Notes
Hook and Eye – The Boy with the Missing Thumb Reflection Notes
The Boy with the Missing Thumb is a very surreal story that drags us on a horrific journey of toxic self-marginalisation from the perspective of the main protagonist, Gregory. As with the Reflections Framework I have shared previously, these notes have been created with the intention of helping you to reflect personally. Therefore, you will … Continue reading Hook and Eye – The Boy with the Missing Thumb Reflection Notes
Hook and Eye – Sophia’s Party Reflection Notes
Sophia's Party is a story about a very Singaporean National Day party, told from the perspective of a foreigner who struggles with understanding Singaporeans. As with the Reflections Framework I have shared previously, these notes have been created with the intention of helping you to reflect personally. Therefore, you will find that it comes with … Continue reading Hook and Eye – Sophia’s Party Reflection Notes
Hook and Eye – Reflection Framework
If you've read the introduction as well as the notes to students that are found at the beginning of Hook and Eye, you'd realise that Philip Holden intended for this collection of short stories to be interpreted very personally. What that means is it meant to be experienced differently by different readers, because we are … Continue reading Hook and Eye – Reflection Framework
News Articles for English and Social Studies
A question I get asked a lot is about studying for social studies and English discursive/argumentative essays. What makes these two examination types so unique is the lack of spoon-feeding - there are no books or concrete notes that provide a student with the evidence required to attempt such essays. To help with the learning … Continue reading News Articles for English and Social Studies
Teacher Jo 