-NiE ,
ADVANCED Novel
The power of positive thinking
11 OCTOBER 2017
11
SING To The Dawn by Minfong Ho is about Dawan, a young Thai village girl who is excited when she finds out that she has won a scholarship to further her education in a city school. There are, however, obstacles that stand in the way of Dawan fulfilling her dream. The story revolves around her challenges and determination to overcome them.
NiE Activity 1 Creative thinking
Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
● Brainstorm ● Connect
Problem solving ● Present
Communicating
● Recreate
One of Dawan’s strongest supporters is her grandmother. She encourages Dawan to persevere in her goal of studying in the city school. Dawan’s mother, too, wants to support her daughter but she is a submissive person who is bound by the tradition of being obedient to her husband’s wishes. Needless to say, Dawan’s father does not think that there is a necessity for girls to be educated in the city school. On the right is an extract from the novel.
● Non-verbal ● Written
Collaborating ● Contribute ● Attain goal respectfully
“Child,” she said, touching her granddaughter’s hand lightly. “I’m proud of you.” Dawan looked up and saw a smile on the dark wrinkled face. She smiled, too. “You should not encourage her so!” Dawan’s mother called from the veranda. “You know her father won’t let her go. She’ll be even more disappointed if you praise her now. At least spare her that.” Dawan felt her heart sinking, not from fear of her mother’s anger, but at this suppressed bitterness. Why did her mother sometimes talk as if to hope was a disease, Dawan wondered. How was it that she could be so loving and full of laughter one moment, and then so biting and sour the next. And sometimes, like now, even both at once?
In groups of four, look for five different sets of words or phrases from The Star to complete the phrase ‘To hope is …’. The activity must illustrate the times when Dawan’s mother was feeling positive about Dawan’s pursuit of her goal. Cut them out and paste them on a sheet of A4 paper. Illustrate your page with more related words or pictures from The Star. When you have completed the activity, display your work on the classroom display boards.
EXAMPLE of one set
NiE Activity 2 Creative thinking
Critical thinking ● Identify ● Reason
● Measure ● Organise
● Imagine ● Connect ● Brainstorm ● Invent
Problem solving ● Question ● Present
Communicating
● Recreate
● Written ● Oral ● Non-verbal ● Aural
At the end of the novel, Dawan’s father finally relents and Dawan begins her journey to the city with mixed feelings. She is excited about what lies ahead but also saddened that her brother Kwai has not come to see her off. When the bus she is on passes the bridge, she catches sight of Kwai. He has come after all. He waves his sister goodbye while singing the familiar song to the dawn. Read the extract on the right:
This very poignant scene demonstrates the close bond between the siblings and shows how Kwai’s love for his sister has finally transcended his deep personal disappointment in not winning the scholarship himself. In groups of four, choose an article or picture from The Star in which
Collaborating ● Listen ● Compromise ● Contribute ● Attain goal respectfully
Dawan stuck her head way out of the window to catch a last glimpse of the bridge on which she had so often greeted the sun. Suddenly, carried by the breeze, she heard a very familiar voice singing a very familiar song – “Misty morning, Mist is lifting, Melody of treesSlowly sifting… ”He was there. Etched sharply against the cloudless sky, Kwai was standing on the old arched bridge, both arms thrown back in a gesture meant both to embrace her and to send her off.
you think the support of a sibling would be very helpful. Cut it out and paste it on a sheet of A4 paper. Write a brief description on the ways the support or encouragement of a sibling could help the individual(s) involved. Take turns to read out your work when you are done. Be prepared to ask and answer questions from other groups.
EXAMPLE Not done with life
Two pit bulls tore through this woman’s body in California, but couldn’t break her spirit. A WOMAN severely mauled and nearly killed in an attack by two pit bulls last year in Fresno, California, the United States, credits her strong faith for giving her the strength to survive the brutal attack and the will to go forward with daunting physical rehabilitation. Sanjuana Garibay, 67, lost her left arm and the use of her right arm and a leg in the horrifying mauling in a darkened Fresno alley in April 2016. Now recovering at a facility not far from where the attack took place, Garibay recounted the attack and talked about how she approaches life and recovery.