NiE Lit 2017 (Vol 484)

WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017

Elementary Unusual suspects Advanced The power of positive thinking Earn Your Band 6 Traditional versus online learning

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

Surviving a toxic world >9

Supported by the Ministry of Education

Vol 484

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-NiE ,

11 OCTOBER 2017

Elementary Mystery and imagination Note to the teacher

Unusual suspects NiE Activity 1

century 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.

DO you enjoy reading stories where mysterious events take place and every page you turn fills you with more suspense?

Perhaps it is a story about a criminal investigation with a very smart detective hot on the trail of a murderer. A really good mystery can keep you guessing until the very end.

Some mystery writers leave clues throughout the story to make the reader play a part in solving the mystery. At times, misleading clues are used to keep the reader guessing.

These misleading clues are called red herrings.

Critical thinking ● Identify

● Reason

Communicating ● Oral

● Written

Creative thinking ● Imagine

● Invent

Problem solving ● Question ● Recreate

Collaborating ● Contribute ● Attain goal respectfully

In groups of four, choose a cartoon strip from the Comics pages of The Star. Cut it out and paste it on a sheet of A4 paper. Imagine that there is some mystery connected with the storyline. Create a question on the same page based on the “mystery”. Cut out a picture or phrase from The Star to be used as a “clue” and paste it next to the question.

Exchange papers with another group. The group will have to write down an answer or response to the question. (Your group will have to do the same, as well.) When the assignment is completed, hand the sheet back to the original group. Remember that there are no right or wrong answers. Just have fun with this activity.

EXAM PLE

NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking ● Identify

Question

Clue

Response (from another group)

Critical thinking

● Reason

Creative thinking ● Imagine

Problem solving ● Question ● Recreate

● Connect

Communicating ● Non-verbal ● Written

● Identify

Collaborating

● Reason

● Contribute ● Compromise respectfully

● Measure ● Organise

Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Brainstorm ● Connect ● Invent

Problem solving

Some of you may prefer scary stories that involve spooky, supernatural beings like ghosts, zombies and werewolves. Scary stories can centre on normal everyday objects that somehow have acquired creepy, supernatural properties. For example, it could be a computer that is haunted by the ghost of its former owner and writes nasty and

threatening e-mails to people!

In groups of four, look for three objects from The Star that you think could be used in a scary story.

Cut them out and paste them on a sheet of A4 paper. Write a description of each object as it appears in the scary story.

Then, exchange worksheets with another group.

Each group must complete the third column with pictures of people featured in The Star. They will represent the owners of, or people related to, these objects. Create creepy names for these characters and write down something they may have said or done in the story. Finally, hand the worksheet back to the original group.

EXAMPLE Object from The Star

Description

Related person/Owner

● Question ● Research ● Recreate ● Present

Communicating ● Oral ● Non-verbal ● Written ● Aural

Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully ● Compromise

Writers often use imagery to create mental images in the reader and set the mood of the story. Words and phrases used in scary stories are very important because they can help the reader see and feel the author’s story more realistically. Examples of phrases found in scary stories are: the howling wind, the creaking of a door, drawers that shut and open, and cats’ eyes gleaming in the dark.

● Attain goal nie editorial manager: SHARON OVINIS senior nie executive: ROWENA CHUA writer: DR MALLIKA VASUGI 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 ,

11 OCTOBER 2017

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Let me tell you about…

Elementary Biographies

THE story of someone’s life that is written by another person is known as a biography. Sometimes, biographies are written of well-known people like historical figures, famous inventors and movie stars or sports heroes.

A biography should describe facts about the person’s life history, his personality, anecdotes from his life and other interesting details. The biography should also talk about the way

the person has impacted the world. Knowing more about a person makes historical events clear to us.

At times, however, a biography can be written about someone or something that is totally made up. This is called a fictional biography. Writing a fictional biography can be really fun because you get to craft a lot of make-believe things about this person.

NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Identify

● Reason

Problem solving

Creative thinking ● Imagine

● Brainstorm

● Question

Communicating

● Recreate

● Oral

● Written

In groups of four, choose one cartoon character from the Comics pages of The Star. Create the following details for this character: ● ● ● ● ●

Collaborating ● Contribute ● Attain goal respectfully

E EXAMPL

Full / Real name Date and place of birth His favourite activity What he dislikes One significant incident in his life.

On a sheet of A4 paper, create a biography based on the results of your discussion. Take turns to carry out your presentation in class. The other groups have to ask at least two questions based on your presentation. You have to be prepared to answer them satisfactorily.

NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking ● Identify

● Reason

Creative thinking ● Imagine

● Invent

Problem solving ● Present ●

Communicating

Recreate

● Non-verbal ● Written

Collaborating ● Listen

● Compromise

A fictional biography can also be about a non-human object.

In fact, when you create a biography for an inanimate object, you make it come “alive”.

In groups of four, look for an object from The Star. Cut it out and paste it on a sheet of A4 paper. Discuss the following aspects of the object: ● Its name ● Where it came from (its origin)

EXAMPLE

Create a short biography of the object on the same page. Use ● Significant event / events in its life pictures and at least 10 words from The Star. When you have ● Two other related characters (cut and paste them from finished, display your work on the classroom walls.

The Star).

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-NiE ,

11 OCTOBER 2017

INTERMEDIATE Poem

Grave deceptions

NEWS BREAK Now why so loving, darling, And why the sudden kiss?

You’d help me with some little jobs?

For goodness sake, what’s this?

IN the poem News Break, a parent seems very surprised at the sudden change in her child’s behaviour. The child is unusually affectionate and goes out of his way to help with chores.

He is neat and tidy and exceptionally well-behaved. The parent wonders aloud at this sudden change until she notices the school report the child has brought.

Your face is clean for once, dear.

Your clothes without a crease.

You saved your luncheon money?

Will wonders never cease?

NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Identify

● Organise

Creative thinking ● Connect

● Invent

Problem solving ● Present ●

Communicating ● Oral

Recreate

● Written

Collaborating ● Contribute ● Compromise respectfully

But surely you’re some stranger, No rage or hullaballoo.

Come closer, let me look, dear, Can this be REALLY you?

The word “newsbreak” refers to a short news announcement concerning a newsworthy event or incident that is usually ongoing.

In groups of four, rewrite the poem on a sheet of A4 paper as a short news report for The Star.

Cut out a picture from The Star to go with your report. Write a caption beneath the picture. When you have finished, take turns to read your report out to the rest of the class using your “newsreader” voice.

Now were you struck by lightning Or were you stunned at sport?

Ah … now I see the reason.

You’ve brought your school report!

NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking ● Reason

● Organise

No dropping of your school books, No shrieking, childish treble.

Today you are a lamb, love, Where yesterday a rebel.

Max Fatchen Creative thinking

● Imagine

● Connect

Problem solving ● Question

Communicating

● Recreate

● Oral

● Written

Collaborating ● Contribute ● Attain goals respectfully

EXAMPLE

Imagine that someone has witnessed the entire scene in News Break. What do you think he would say? How would he react? In groups of four, look for four different people from The Star to represent: a younger sibling, an older sibling, a grandparent and a neighbour.

Cut out the pictures and paste them on a sheet of A4 paper. In speech bubbles, write a comment that each of them would have made. Display your work on the classroom walls when you have finished. Take turns viewing them.

NiE Activity 3 Critical thinking ● Identify

● Organise

A grandparent Creative thinking

● Brainstorm

● Connect

Problem solving ● Present

● Recreate

Study the table below. Part A has some phrases from the poem.

These phrases are related to the child’s behaviour. In groups of four, create a similar table on a sheet of A4 paper.

Then, scan The Star for three more words, phrases or pictures that complement the choice of words and phrases from Part A of each column.

Communicating ● Non-verbal ● Written

A younger sibling

Collaborating ● Contribute ● Compromise respectfully

Cut them out and paste them in the appropriate sections.

When you are done, exchange sheets with another group. They will have to add one different word of their own to each column before they hand it back to you.

Finally, display your work on the classroom walls and take turns to view them.

Usual behaviour

Part A: Part B:

Shrieking, Rebel, Rage

EXAMPLE “News Break” behaviour

Part A: Part B:

Loving, Sudden kiss, Face is clean

-NiE ,

INTERMEDIATE Poem

NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Identify

● Reason

A toxic environment

Poisoned Talk

THE different voices heard in this poem bring the message of the slow but sure destruction of the environment. Each party admits their role in this destruction but they are ultimately agents of pollution caused by industrialisation pointing towards man’s greed. Some of these agents themselves like the “worm” and the “fish” are also, in fact, victims of the effects of industrial pollutants like acid soil and mercury.

Who killed cock robin?

I, said the worm, I did him great harm.

He died on the branch of a withered tree From the acid soil that poisoned me.

In groups of four, rewrite two stanzas of the poem on a sheet of A4 paper. Do so by replacing the word “killed” with “saved” and the other missing words with words of your own. Use at least five words from The Star to complete the stanzas and illustrate your poem with pictures from The Star. When you have finished, read them out to the rest of the class.

Who killed the heron?

I, mouthed the fish, With my tainted flesh I killed tern, duck and drake, All the birds of the lake.

Creative thinking ● Imagine

Who saved the lake?

I, boasted ……………………………………………..

I ………………………… with ……………………....., ………………………… and ……………..……………

To ……………………...………………........................

● Invent

Problem solving ● Present

● Recreate

Who saved the flowers?

I ………………………… the …………………………, I ………………………………....................................., ……………………………...........................................

Over …………….., ……….…….. and ………….....

Communicating ● Oral

11 OCTOBER 2017

EXAMPLE

● Written

Collaborating

Who killed the lake?

I, boasted Industry, I poisoned with mercury Fish, plant and weed To pamper men’s greed.

Who killed the flowers?

I, moaned the wind, I prowl unconfined, Blowing acid rain Over field, flood and fen.

Who killed the forest?

I ensured that it died, Said sulphur dioxide.

And all life within it, From earthworm to linnet.

● Contribute ● Compromise respectfully

Raymond Wilson

NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking ● Identify

● Organise

Problem solving

Creative thinking ● Brainstorm ● Connect

● Question

● Recreate

Communicating ● Written

● Aural

Collaborating ● Listen

● Contribute respectfully

Alliteration is a literary device used by writers where words begin with letters belonging to the same sound group. A repetition of similar sounds in the sentence is thus created.

In this poem, we find alliteration in the line “field, flood and fen”. In groups of four, create three more examples of alliteration with three words that can be used in any line of the poem. At least one word in each example must be from The Star. Use a sheet of A4 paper for this activity.

NiE Activity 3 Critical thinking ● Identify

● Reason

Problem solving

Creative thinking ● Imagine

● Invent

● Question

● Recreate

Communicating ● Written

● Aural

Collaborating ● Listen

Among those elements of nature that were “killed” in the poem include the lake, forest, flowers, heron and cock robin. What do you think each of them would have said before they “died”?

In groups of four, choose three of the elements from nature that were “killed”. Create “famous last words” for each of them. Your sentences should be between seven and 20 words in length. Each sentence must include at least three words from The Star. When you have completed the task, take turns to role-play your “famous last words” in class.

EXAMPLE Famous last words!

● Contribute respectfully

EXAMPLE

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-NiE ,

11 OCTOBER 2017

ADVANCED

A

Novel

to the end

NiE Activity 1 Creative thinking

Critical thinking ● Identify

● Reason

● Imagine

● Connect

Problem solving ● Present

Communicating

● Recreate

One of Newt’s oldest friends is Cecil Butterworth. He is the only one in Newt’s class who is shorter and skinnier than Newt is. Cecil is very witty and is always full of ideas. He has, however, a tendency to be outspoken at times. He is also known to be impulsive.

Another good friend and classmate of Newt’s is Juanita Josephina Gonzalez (JJ). She is known as the walking dictionary because of her

● Non-verbal

● Written

Collaborating ● Listen

● Contribute respectfully

THIS is a story by Dean Pitchford about Newton Newman who takes on the persona of Captain Nobody, which is incidentally the title of the novel. Unlike his popular football star brother Chris, 10-year-old Newton (or Newt) has never been regarded as particularly special, let alone a hero.

An unfortunate family event turns things around for Newt. By the end of the story, and to his own surprise, Newt finds himself becoming a real hero through his alter ego, Captain Nobody.

amazing vocabulary. Although she is creative, intelligent and the tallest girl in the fourth grade, like Newt and Cecil, she is also not often noticed by the other children in school. Both JJ and Cecil show great thoughtfulness and genuine concern for Newt and try hard to help him through the trying period when Chris lies in a coma in hospital.

Read the following extract from the novel.

In groups of four, scan The Star. Look for three people (in the form of pictures or names) who you think would make suitable “sidekicks” for Captain Nobody. Cut them out and paste them on a sheet of A4 paper.

Write three reasons for your choices next to each selection. When you have finished, take turns to present your “potential sidekicks” to the rest of the class. You can then have a class vote to select the top three sidekicks for Captain Nobody.

“So, here’s what we gotta do,” Cecil announced. “From now on, you’re gonna be Captain Nobody, and we’re gonna be your… your…” He whipped around to JJ. “What’d you say they call those guys?”

JJ quickly answered, “Sidekicks.”

“Sidekicks. Exactly!” Cecil whooped. “So, you’re gonna be the one who has adventures, and we’re gonna be the ones by your side. Kickin’. Like Batman has Robin, y’know? Or Superman has Jimmy Aspirin.”

NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking ● Identify

● Reason

Creative thinking

Communicating ● Oral

● Written

JJ defines Captain Nobody’s role as The Champion of the Downtrodden.

Do you know any other person or group who can be in some way regarded as “The Downtrodden”?

In groups of four, scan The Star for any picture, article, phrase or report related to an individual or group of people who have, in some way, acted as “Champions of the Downtrodden.” Cut it out and paste it on a sheet of A4 paper. Write a brief description about what they have done to deserve the title. Finally, take turns reading your findings out to the rest of the class.

Problem solving

● Brainstorm ● Connect

● Question

● Present

Collaborating ● Contribute respectfully

● Listen

EXAMPLE

NiE Activity 3 Critical thinking ● Identify

● Reason

Creative thinking ● Imagine

● Invent

Problem solving ● Question

● Recreate

Communicating ● Oral

Newt shares a close bond with his elder brother, Chris. Newt admires and loves Chris and doesn’t really mind the fact that the attention always seems to be on his football star brother. Although Newt is a creative and talented artist, he is often ignored.

At the beginning of the story, readers are made aware that few people seem to know that Chris has a younger brother. By the end of the story, however, Newt makes a name for himself. Read this conversation between Chris and Newt from the end of the novel.

● Aural

Collaborating ● Contribute ● Compromise respectfully

“I met this sweet old couple who had read all about your amazing feats. They had driven in from out of state just to be there. I was introduced to them as Chris Newman, and this little, grey-haired lady looks up at me and says, ‘Who?’” “She did not!” I exclaimed.

“She did,” Chris insisted, “And so I said, ‘Chris Newman? I am Newt Newman’s older brother.’ And this lady looks at me in the face and says, ‘Hmm. I didn’t know Newt Newman had an older brother.’”

EXAMPLE In groups of four, scan The Star for someone (in the form of a picture, name or reference) who is not the main character of any report, news article or story. Cut it out and paste it on a sheet of A4 paper.

Think of ways this person can become an important character in the story. Write your suggestions down on the same page. You may also do a “makeover” sketch for this person. When you have finished take turns to role-play this transformation to the rest of the class.

-NiE ,

ADVANCED Novel

The power of positive thinking

11 OCTOBER 2017

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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.

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Star-NiE

WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017