NiE Life 2017 (Vol 474)

Vol 474

WEDNESDAY 26 JULY 2017

Elementary Treating the vulnerable Advanced Staying connected BRATs Forging lasting friendships

Tel: 03 7967 1388 Fax: 03 7955 4039 thestar.com.my/education

Supported by the Ministry of Education

2

-NiE ,

26 JULY 2017

Elementary Caring

Note to the teacher

Treating the vulnerable MANY of us have pets in our homes. Tell your friends the type of pet you have and its name. Tell them what you like most about your pet, too. Draw a picture of your pet in the left column and fill in the blanks.

● Imagine ● Brainstorm

● Connect ● Invent

● I have a pet ………………………………….. at home.

● I belong to ………………………………….. (write your name here).

● Its name is …………………………………………………………...

● I like my master / mistress because ………………………………...

● What I like most about my pet is …………………………..

……………………………….........................................................................

……………………………………….................................................

NiE Activity Critical thinking

Well let’s say you don’t own a pet and you would like to get one. Can you name three important factors that go with pet-care responsibilities? List them below. Then, discuss them in class:

Critical thinking ● Identify

1. …………………………………………………………………………………

● Reason

…………………………………………………………………………………

● Measure

2. …………………………………………………………………………………

● Organise

…………………………………………………………………………………

3. …………………………………………………………………………………

Creative thinking

…………………………………………………………………………………

Now that you know what goes into pet care, let’s “buy” a pet!

● Imagine ● Brainstorm ● Connect ● Invent

Here are some tips ad apted from The Star to help you write a go advertisement for a od pet.

● Question ● Research

● Written ● Aural

Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully

● Imagine ● Connect ● Brainstorm ● Invent

● Question ● Research

Communicating ● Oral ● Written ● Non-verbal ● Aural

● Recreate ● Present

Collaborating ● Listen

● Compromise

● Contribute ● Attain goal respectfully

In pairs, create a simple classified advertisement for a pet you would like to give up for adoption. Look for samples on how to write the advertisement from The Star newspaper. If those are not possible to locate, refer to the sample provided below. Then, look for a suitable picture to go with your post.

Pin up the post on the classroom noticeboard. You can use a sheet of A4 paper for this.

Next, everyone does a gallery walk. Each student chooses one post of a pet he is interested in. Take down the names of the contact persons (who are your classmates).

In the final step, write down three more questions you would like to ask the retailers (meaning the sellers). It can be anything based on the advertisement.

You will now role-play a telephone conversation between yourself and the two retailers.

from The Star

the description, you must state the pet’s 1 apIn pro gender, age (or ximate age), and ho

w big the pet is. Size is important so that people can gauge the ir prospective pet’s ex ercise and space requirements.

Communicating ● Non-verbal

● Measure ● Organise

Problem solving

Writing effective po sts

● Recreate

● Oral

● Identify ● Reason

Creative thinking

e Exampl

Problem solving

● Present

My master / mistress

Creative thinking

learning skills

OUR children are riding the great wave of technology today. They now have facts and procedures at their fingertips.

Teachers have to equip their students with new skills that allow them to thrive in today’s global economy.

The activities in The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education pullout combine literacy skills with current content to build this set of skills.

The key below indicates the skills integrated into the activities in this pullout.

My pet

Activity

century

Have you ever wondered what your pet would say about you?

Carry out the activity in the right column. Then, have a sharing session in class.

pet has an allergy or 2 abIf the a health issue, you ha ve to be upfront out it. This includes

3

stating whether the pet is

neutered or not.

Do put in some notes about personality. If they’re cuddly, love or adore long walks kids , say so. Also, if they’r e couch potatoes wh love to eat, put that o in! Ideally, you should describe your pet as you were placing a lon if ely hearts ad.

4 nuMamblayersiaso’s apebigoplecocauntry, so put in your location and a phone n reach you easily.

● Compromise ● Attain goal nie editorial manager: SHARON OVINIS senior nie executive: ROWENA CHUA writer: S. SIVAM layout designer: SHOBA illustrator: HASSAN BAHRI To order The Star for NiE lessons, call: Sundarrajan 03-7967 1388 ext 1437 or 016-288 3682 We welcome feedback; write to: Star-NiE, Star Media Group, 15 Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya or e-mail us at: starnie@thestar.com.my

-NiE ,

Intermediate Caring

Activity Critical thinking

The greatness of a nation

OWNING a pet is a richly rewarding experience. Not only do you have playtime with your pets but with most pets, you can have some cuddle time, too!

NiE Activity

There are some values you can learn when you own a pet. Here are three. Can you think of another two values you can learn from owning a pet? Give an example for each of these values.

● Identify ● Reason ● Measure ● Organise

Value

Creative thinking

Critical thinking

How do you learn this value?

● Identify

Responsibility

● Reason

● Imagine ● Connect ● Brainstorm

Compassion

Communicating

● Written

le Examp

● Oral

Like people, animals have feelings and need to be shown kindness, too. What types of problems do you think pets or animals may face?

Brainstorm and write answers on the board.

Next, work in pairs for the following activity. Look at the chart,

Pet / Animal problem

How you can show kindness to it

If a bird is injured

I could…

● Question ● Recreate

● Present

If an animal is homeless

I could…

● Written

Collaborating ● Listen

The Star, July 24, 2016 If an animal is saved from smugglers

I could…

Pet / Animal problem

How you can show kindness to it

3.

If an animal is thirsty

I could…

4.

If an animal is in physical danger

I could…

Share your answers as a class. Congratulations if you’ve given suitable solutions to the plight of these animals. You have learnt to empathise and care for others.

As Mahatma Gandhi, the great leader of the Indian independence movement against the British empire, once said: “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” As a class, discuss what you think this means.

The Star, May 20, 2017

● Contribute respectfully

which shows the types of problems animals may face. Describe how you can show kindness to them. Look for at least three words, phrases or pictures (from The Star) of items you can use to help these animals.

The Star, April 19, 2017

2.

Problem solving

Caring

Communicating

1.

3

26 JULY 2017

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-NiE ,

26 JULY 2017

Embracing self-care

INTERMEDIATE Caring

AS you begin to go through adolescence, you will find yourself faced with more responsibilities. There are (and will be) many decisions you must make in terms of friendships, habits and health, to name a few.

How would you cope?

While getting the support from good role

models can help you adopt healthy behaviours, how do you give the best of yourself to others if you are not in the best frame of mind? It starts with you, and by that we mean self-care.

There are many ways we can show respect, make responsible choices and show we care for ourselves.

Activity Problem solving

● Identify

● Recreate

5

w

a

Can you think of some synonyms for the word “care”? Here’s a crossword puzzle that builds from the word “selflessness”. Vowels and some consonants have been provided to help you along.

Complete the puzzle to expand your vocabulary.

t

2

3

h e

o 4

n

l

…………………………………………… k

s

i

d

d

9

a

6

u

o 7

n

s

e

l

f

e

l

s

s

n

e

s

s

e

……………………………………………

……………………………………………

……………………………………………

……………………………………………

……………………………………………

……………………………………………

……………………………………………

…………………………………………… ……………………………………………

c

g

e

n

t

e

a

e

t

e

s

s

t

s

i 10

o

s

i o

u

g

h

u

l

n

e

s

Answers:

1

c

6. concern 7. selflessness 8. care 9. affection 10. thoughtfulness

8

e

n

NiE Activity Critical thinking

Creative thinking

● Identify ● Reason

● Imagine ● Brainstorm ● Connect ● Invent

Communicating

Collaborating

● Oral ● Non-verbal ● Written ● Aural

It’s important to recognise elements in our environment or factors that cause stress. Once you have identified such stress factors, you can either work around them or find ways to cope with them.

Work in groups of four. In a sharing session, give an example of something that stresses you out. Then, tell your friends what you do to relax.

● Listen ● Contribute respectfully ● Compromise ● Attain goal

1. gentleness 2. helpfulness 3. consideration 4. kindness 5. warmth

Critical thinking

When you have completed this session, remain in your group. Next, scan The Star for suitable pictures or words to create a montage titled: 20 ways to take a break. (Use at least 10 words or pictures from The Star; the others can be written and drawn.) Finally, have a show-and-tell session before each group pins up the montage on the classroom noticeboard for everyone to read.

le Examp

So how do you make sure that you are taking good care of yourself? Here are some examples.

When I am stressed…

I can take care of myself by…

I forget to eat.

Eating balanced meals regularly and drinking lots of water.

I drink coffee (or energy drinks).

Drinking an additional cup of water with every cup of coffee I drink.

I can’t sleep well.

Exercising (such as jogging and dancing) to burn my excess energy.

flowers Buy some

Meditate

t xing scen la e r a d Fin

ok Read a bo

nd Call a frie

-NiE ,

INTERMEDIATE Caring

26 JULY 2017

9

For a healthy

NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Identify ● Reason

● Measure ● Organise

Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Connect ● Brainstorm ● Invent

Problem solving ● Question ● Research

● Recreate ● Present

Communicating ● Written

1 5

GOOD self-care involves more than good hygiene.

Getting the rest and relaxation you need to function effectively and maintain good self-control should be given priority.

There are many examples of how we can selfimprove. Consider taking a course or learning a new skill. This builds self-confidence. Here’s another one: being responsible for your health does not only mean eating right; it also means going for medical or dental appointments and taking your medication.

We are going to conduct a class discussion on your thoughts about good self-care. First, study these eight self-care categories:

SELFCONTROL

2

EXERCISE

6

HYGIENE AND APPEARANCE

SLEEP AND RELAXATION

4

HEALTHY LEISURE

3

SELFIMPROVEMENT

8

HEALTHY EATING HABITS

SPIRITUALITY

7

Now, everyone systematically takes turns to call out a number from 1 to 8.

(When that round is done, start at 1 again and so on.) Each of you should have a number ranging from 1 to 8. Based on your topic, jot down your response to these questions:

1. Give one example of a good practice in this category that you are already doing.

2. Give one example of something – in this category – that you could do to

improve yourself. Use The Star for ideas (refer to the classifieds section or stories on events being organised to develop your ideas).

3. How would you begin to work on this?

Discuss your ideas in class. Your teacher will moderate the discussion and list ideas on the eight categories as students share their answers.

As a wrap-up to this activity, write a three-paragraph essay titled: My selfcare goal. Use your points from the guidelines numbered 1 to 3 to expand on your points. Substantiate your points with relevant examples.

When we are feeling down, we need a shoulder to cry on (an idiom that means someone to talk to or confide in). Some people may find it difficult to speak to another person and may prefer to pen their feelings in a journal or blog.

Whichever way you decide to express your feelings, it’s a therapeutic form to alleviate stress.

For this activity, you are going to write a script between you and a person you look up to. This person you admire must be featured in The Star. Imagine this person’s response after you have told him about a difficult situation you are facing.

NiE Activity 2 Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Connect ● Brainstorm ● Invent

Problem solving ● Question ● Recreate

● Present

Communicating ● Written

10

-NiE ,

26 JULY 2017

ADVANCED Caring

Who are we?

WHAT is the world around you like? Are you surrounded by groups of people and a community that are kind and caring? Or do you feel we live in a world that is cruel, chaotic and splintered? Before we judge others, let us ask ourselves these questions: ● Are you conscious of not being mean, cruel or insensitive? ● Are you generous in nature? ● Are you charitable? ● Are you responsive to the needs of others?

NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Identify ● Reason

● Organise

Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Brainstorm

● Connect

Problem solving ● Question ● Recreate

● Present

Communicating ● Written

What are some things that you have done to fill another person’s life with caring gestures? Name three such activities in the past week:

1.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Perhaps you have experienced kindness from others, too. What were their gestures? Volunteer to share your answers in class:

4.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

NiE Activity 2 ● Measure ● Organise

Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Brainstorm

Problem solving ● Question ● Recreate

● Present

Your next activity is to work in pairs. Look for three pictures or stories from The Star that depict either caring or uncaring acts. Which types of acts were more easily found? Pool your answers as a class to see what your results are. ● In what ways is this a caring world? ● In what ways is it uncaring? ● Do you feel this is an accurate depiction of where we are as a society today? Discuss.

Part A

Critical thinking ● Identify ● Reason

Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain - File photo

● Connect ● Invent

Communicating ● Oral

● Written

Tortured to death over a laptop

Recently, a terrible tragedy rocked the nation when 21-year-old Malaysian National Defence University student Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain was tortured to death over a laptop dispute.

Read the news clipping that appeared in The Star on June 3, 2017.

PETALING JAYA: He was bound, beaten and burned with an iron for days, leading to his death – all bec ause of a dispute over a laptop.

When 21-year-old Malaysian Nat ional Defence University student Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain was rushed to Hospital Serdang on Thursday, his body was found 80% covered in bruises and burn marks.

The final-year navy cadet officer ’s two supposed friends who had rushed him to hospital were arre sted, along with 34 other studen ts – 30 from the university and fou r from Universiti Tenaga Nasional.

Over the laptop dispute, he was beaten and tortured for two day s with a belt, rubber hose, iron and hanger by his varsity mates on May 20 and 21, a source said.

“A week later on May 27, two of his batch mates drove the victim to a clinic in Bangi for treatment.

They brought him to the clinic aga in on May 31,” the source said.

This time, they did not return to the university as they had snuck out without permission, and are believed to have holed up at an apartment in Serdang. However, the duo realised that Zulfarhan’s condition had worsened at around 8pm on Thursday and they had no choice but to rush him to Hospita l Serdang. Zulfarhan succumbed to his injuries about two hours late r.

Refer to the words in red in the article. It is believed that two of the victim’s friends were involved in the ragging. Whatever happened to empathy or in this case, the lack thereof?

Empathy can be defined as an ability to put oneself in another person’s shoes and see things from the other person’s perspective. How is it that the victim’s “friends” were not able to regulate their own emotional responses? To what extent would you go the extra mile for another person? Discuss.

Part B This is an example of how people who are uncaring affect their friends, school and community. In groups of four, use the news article provided to discuss how this attitude is apparent. List at least two examples for each level of society:

Friends

School

(the institution in this case)

Community

Part C Bearing in mind that there was no proof that the victim had actually been found guilty of any crime, write an essay that includes your discussion points from Parts A and B. Refer specifically to the article to support your opinion. The title of your 350-word essay is: Does today’s modern world encourage indifference? State your opinion.

-NiE ,

ADVANCED

THE STAR recently highlighted the plight of some 50 senior citizens who had been abandoned by their kin at hospitals and are now residing at an old folks home in Kampung Pulau Meranti, Puchong, Selangor.

Many of them live with medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, dementia and

NiE Activity Critical thinking ● Measure ● Organise

11

Staying connected

Caring

● Identify ● Reason

26 JULY 2017

Problem solving

Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Brainstorm

● Connect ● Invent

● Question ● Recreate ● Research ● Present

Communicating ● Oral ● Written

Collaborating ● Listen

● Aural

Alzheimer’s. They have children and relatives, but they rarely, if ever, visit these old folks.

These cases are indicative of a very real and growing problem of elder neglect and abandonment which needs the urgent attention of the authorities.

● Contribute respectfully

Empowering our elders

Malaysia needs laws to empower, protect and safeguard the rights of the elderly to prepare for its rapidly ageing population.

Researchers from Universiti Malaya’s Peace initiative are pushing for a specific law for the elderly to protect their rights and guarantee them services in their golden years.

Malaysia has no law making it illegal to abandon or neglect the elderly. The assumption has been that the elderly will be well-cared for by their family in their golden years because filial piety is a value we hold dear.

Family caregivers – dubbed the sandwich generation as they have to look after the elderly as well as their children – are often overwhelmed as they also need to earn a living.

The strain manifests in many ways, resulting even in abuse.

The increasing cases of elder mistreatment and neglect are a clear indication that the country needs to change its policies and laws to address current realities. This need is especially dire given that Malaysia will have an ageing population in just 13 years.

The Star, June 2, 2017

Many of us live in extended families. Have you faced some of the challenges highlighted in the article? Let us share our stories and discover different ways others have dealt with challenges in their families.

Gather in groups of four for this activity.

This is a shared activity so you will only need one person to jot down notes as another person speaks (you can take turns doing this). Jot down the notes on the template on the right.

Student

Situation

Support

Family member

Impact

1 2 3 4

You can talk about any types of situations, from health and school issues, to difficult decisions and unemployment dilemmas. As you speak, another member of your group will jot down notes in the appropriate columns. Your story must show: ● How support was offered to the family member in question, ● Who provided that support, ● How the situation played out.

Remember to include examples for each category.

Bear in mind that family members hold a lot of responsibility when it comes to taking care of someone in the family who has a particular need. Summarise, in about 80 words, a personal family insight based on your class discussion.

As a group, summarise some insights you have discovered through your conversations. As each group presents, discuss some similarities you have found. Pay close attention to the impact the stressful situations had on family members. ● How did the family members respond? ● How did they feel? ● How did they interact with the person in need? ● How did they cope?

A personal family insight: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

12

-NiE ,

26 JULY 2017

Unscramble the words to find the idioms: l Picture: a trowel with on it lay overly compliment someone

©

l Across:

l Down:

Fill in the correct one from the list below: 1) It’s a large project. You’ll find it’s best to work with the right equipment. It is ______________.

something for trowel conduct a search with better a spade than a trowel with if it’s a big job, use a big tool

2) If you don’t know the answer, go back to your books and _____________.

3) June overdoes it. When complimenting someone, she tends to _____________. a) trowel for it b) better with a spade than with a trowel c) lay it on with a trowel

CLEAR UP (2) The weather these past few days has been truly awful. Lots of rain, strong winds, and no sun at all. “Not to worry, things will clear up,” Jaime was heard saying. No sooner had he uttered those words than the weather did indeed clear up. Look, there’s the sun! In this instance, clear up refers to the skies.

The wind and rain stops, the weather improves.

Fill in: 1) b 2) a 3) c Down: better with a spade than with a trowel Across: trowel for something Picture: lay it on with a trowel Answers:

Episode 20

By: Dean Pitchford I was walking home after school when out of my backpack, I heard JJ’s voice.

It’s JJ. This is an emergency. Meet me immediately in front of Sullivan’s store. Over.

Actually, JJ, I am supposed to go right home today. Sorry.

Over.

The most horrible thing has happened…

Noooooo!

A serious unexpected and sometimes dangerous situation. A crisis, or disaster.

JJ! JJ! Do you read me? Come in, JJ! Over.

I zig-zagged through backyards and alleys to get to Duncan Street as fast as my silver sneakers would carry me.

JJ! What’s wrong?

Emergency

The signs! Those horrible handwritten signs! Will you talk to them?

Zig-zagged

Moved with frequent sharp turns from side to side; criss-crossed.

A door-chime announced my entrance into the store.

Every customer is important to us. What is it that you’ll be needing?

And how can I be helping you, little… person?

I… I… I can wait.

Or I’ll come back when you’re not so busy.

* ASK ABOUT OUR 2.4 CARROT GOLD!

Me? Why me?

Alley

A narrow lane or passage between or behind buildings. A backstreet or side street.

QUESTION

* EVERY

NECKLESS ON SALE

Me signs?

You’re Captain Nobody! People notice you.

It’s kind of stupid, but it’s about your signs.

Correct the following signs in Sullivan’s Jewelry Store: · ASK ABOUT OUR 2.4 CARROT GOLD! · EVERY NECKLESS ON SALE · ALL EARRING’S HALF OFF!!