Final Reflection + Individual Report

Dear 3/1,


Thank you for your participation in this project.

I am still trying to assess all the submissions amongst all the proof-read for language errors. Please bear with me while the assessment is done.

I realised I've not posted the final reflection topic up on the blog as promised. My apologies for that. (No penalties for missing deadlines). For those of you who have already posted, thank you for your initiative.

For the rest of you, take this time to reflect on this project.

1) Look back on your first post, your opinion on the topic of "graciousness". Has it changed in anyway, how and why?

2) Personal/ Group Evaluation. How well do you think you/ your group has performed?

3) Any other thoughts on the topic matter. :)


The final reflection will be due FRIDAY, 28 August, 5pm.
After which, all blog mark components will be frozen and finalised (on my scoresheets).


REMINDER:

Individual Report due WEDNESDAY, 26 August, 2pm.
Those at HCI, you should submit the report Wednesday morning before you leave the school with the bus.


Group Presentations next Wed/Thur during lessons. We will ballot the group sequence this Thursday.


Cheers,
Ms Raine

Accolade: 3/1 Graciousness in Action!

Dear 3/1,


Mrs Toh sent this email to all teachers 19 August 2009:

Re:Kevin Devlal Sec 3/1

"This morning I had the pleasure of taking the same bus as Kevin. As usual the bus was rather crowded. Kevin was the only AES student in the bus who offered his seat to a sickly looking middle-aged lady. I am very happy we have such students who cares for others. He made my day early in the morning !"

Well done, Kevin!

Remember, graciousness begins from all of us. :D :D


Cheers,
Ms Raine

Awesome contributions this week

Dear 3/1,

The Graciousists have made some really cool animated videos and a e-card this week.

You can see them on their website at http://graciousists.tumblr.com/.

For the group, great job!

For the rest of the class, I shall allow an option of normal typed blog reflection OR a uber-short video http://www.xtranormal.com/. Ask the experts how it's done. I shall create one too if possible.

Let's make graciousness in Singapore possible. It starts from everyone of us.


Cheers,
Ms Raine

Examples of Good Essay Intro

Berenice

The issue of whether we should teach Singaporeans how to be gracious has been widely debated in our community recently. Being gracious means that you behave in a polite and considerate way. It is an important issue because it concerns the way Singaporeans live and behave. A variety of different arguments have been put forward about this issue. This essay will consider arguments for teaching Singaporeans graciousness and point to some of the problems with these views. It will then put forward a number of reasons why Singaporeans need to be gracious.

Gabrielle
What is the meaning of being gracious? To me, it is an act of showing kindness and courtesy to the people around you. Graciousness also encompasses warm, friendly, generous and elegant kindness. In the rush to get ahead in the competitive economy, we may have unwittingly relegated the importance of being gracious. Singaporeans have acquired a reputation for being business-like, impatient and self-centered. There are many observations made about Singaporeans who rushed into trains without giving way, about Singaporeans who did not give up their seats to a mother caring a child, about Singaporeans rushing to take lifts, about Singaporeans rushing for table space during lunch and about the litter left on the table by Singaporeans. We need to look at ourselves and ask what positive traits must be encouraged and ingrained.

Tiffanie
Most Singaporeans know that being gracious is being pleasantly courteous and polite to the public. However, they do not act that way. Why is that so? To me, I think that it is not because they do not know how, but is that they do not want to. Singaporeans are selfish and they put often put themselves before others which is the main reason why graciousness is not shown much. A good example would be people who sit in the priority seats in the MRT, they would always pretend to be asleep once they see someone in need of that seat, example an old lady or a pregnant lady. They would not bother to offer them a seat. This is clearly ungracious and selfish behavior. I personally think that Singaporeans do not need to be taught how to be gracious, they just need to be encouraged to be more gracious as they already know how to. Thus, in my essay I will elaborate how it will be done in a proper and engaging manner.

Bertrand
To be gracious, is what Singaporeans need to be educated on. Many people know that the concept of being gracious is to show kindness, be benevolent and courteous. However, despite this knowledge, not many Singaporeans demonstrate such manners. This is why I feel that Singaporeans need to be taught how to inculcate such behaviour in their daily lives. As such, I agree with the above statement.
From the rides on public transport to the hawker centres in the heartlands, ungracious actions can be seen at almost every nook and cranny in Singapore. For example, putting on a façade and pretending to be asleep on the bus or Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), just so that you will not have to give up your seat for someone else who needs it more. In hawker centres, most patrons do not clear their tables after their meals, leaving behind an unsightly mess and making it unpleasant for the next person.


P.S. Some intro examples posted here with minor edits

P.P.S. Only selected intro from those who included them on their blogs. There may be other good intro lurking out there. Do share if I said your intro was good. Thks!

Cheers,
Ms Raine

ST Article: GRACIOUS SOCIETY IN OUR LIFETIME? Goodness gracious NO

Dear 3/1,


Steffie V. posted a very good article from Straits Times on their blog:

Monday, August 3, 2009

GRACIOUS SOCIETY IN OUR LIFETIME? Goodness gracious NO

Most S'poreans agree with MM Lee that we won't see one anytime soon

By Kor Kian Beng
January 12, 2008

A STRAW poll of 100 people by The New Paper showed that seven in 10 think they won't see a gracious society in their lifetime.

And they include the post-65ers.

They were echoing Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's sentiments, which were expressed at a dialogue to mark the 40th anniversary of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies on Monday.


He was responding to a question about Singapore's progress in terms of social graces and environmental consciousness just as the country succeeds economically.

The New Paper polled 20 people in each of the five age groups: 18 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, and above 60.

Of these, 68 believed they would not live to see a gracious society here.

The Singapore Kindness Movement defines a gracious society as one that encompasses the appreciation of culture, heritage awareness, education and the desire for learning, and civic-mindedness.

The least optimistic in the poll were those in the 31 to 40 age group.

Only about a quarter felt they would see a gracious society in their lifetime.

Those aged between 18 and 30, however, were more hopeful, with half responding yes. (See table above right.)

IMPOSSIBLE
Student Lye Urn Lee, 19, was one of the younger ones who felt that a gracious society is near-impossible.

He said: 'It's just our culture that has been around for very long. We're brought up in a manner that doesn't encourage graciousness from within.

'We can become gracious only after a long time, but that will definitely not come within my lifetime.'

Mr Kenneth Lim, 31, an assistant manager, agreed.

He said: 'People are getting more selfish. The younger generation now spend less time with their families, so who's going to teach them how to be respectful and considerate?'

His main grouse: The many ungracious drivers and selfish commuters on public transport.

This is among the top ungracious behaviour listed by those polled.

They also cited not holding doors for others as another ungracious act.

Examples of such behaviour are similar to the list compiled by the Singapore Kindness Movement in a survey of 1,000 respondents, The Straits Times reported last May. (See report on facing page.)

TWO GENERATIONS
Mr Gerard Peck, 46, an information privacy manager estimated that it would take at least two more generations to cultivate civil compassion.

Mr KH Teo, 61, who works in the oil industry, reckoned it will take at least 20 years.

His reason? Social graces will suffer as Singapore becomes more affluent.

He said: 'It's a matter of attitude. When people were poor, they were more patient and considerate as they could empathise with others.

'Now that they're richer, they think, 'Why should I give in to you?'

Another reason cited by the pessimists: The increasingly competitive lifestyle here makes people less considerate to others.

Mr Lim said: 'With more foreigners coming to work and live here, it will make Singapore a more competitive place.

'People are going to become more selfish and have less time to be gracious to others.'

Others were more hopeful.

Madam Koh Ah Lian, 56, felt five years would be enough to put an end to ungracious behaviour - such as spitting or quarrelling in public.

How? With sustained education and campaigning, she said.

Student Felicia Goh, 19, agreed.

'Singapore tends to copy Western culture and in my opinion, that is a gracious culture.

'So, hopefully, in my lifetime, we can copy their good traits and become a gracious society too.'

Mr Steven Chiu, 36, a general manager, was one of the rare few who believes that Singapore is already a gracious society, though not in the conventional sense.

He said: 'The way Singaporeans show graciousness is different from the Westerners, who believe in treating and speaking nicely to others in public.

'Singaporeans can be considered gracious by the way they have given generously to charities and to other countries in need.'

Student Wang Simin, 18, was more candid on why she is hopeful of a gracious society in her lifetime.

'I think I can see it. I'm still young with a long life ahead of me, hopefully.'

Source: http://www.sgclub.com/singapore/gracious_singapore_not_44791.html


Cheers,
Ms Raine

Week 6: Proposal Abstract + Formal Letter

Dear 3/1,

This week, we learnt how to write proposal abstracts and revised the format for formal letter writing.

Your tasks this week include:

1. Proposal Abstract
- 1 blog entry per group (in place of weekly individual reflection)
- Please scroll to end of post for format

Due: Sunday, 9 August, 5pm


2. Formal Letter- Individual Writing Task
- Refer to template handout and your group's proposal abstract.
Think about what you would like to include in the letter to principal.
- Remember to adhere to format (refer template handout)

Due: Tuesday, 11 August, 2pm


3. Video - Storyboard Ideas
- Group Brainstorming (over the weekend)
- Think of what you would like to include in your videos
- You may wish to draw a draft sketch first
- Storyboards will be given to you next week for you to draw out your ideas

Due: IN CLASS, Thursday, 13 August


It is a loooong weekend. Happy National Day everyone, DON'T FORGET TO DO MY WORK. T_T



Cheers,
Ms Raine


SAMPLE FORMAT FOR ABSTRACT:

Title/Theme: ________________

Target/Aim:To achieve ___________ in (time frame).
*Make sure it is specific and measurable
E.g. To reduce the number of uncleared plates after each recess by half before the end of Term 4.

Objectives:
1) To enhance ___________________________
2) To instill _____________________________
3) To inculcate ___________________________

Deliverables:
1) 2 Posters
- _____________
- _____________

2) Video
- Depicts ________

3) Others