Little Red Dot@BTPS

More Kids See Psychologists LRD pg 4

2012-02-21T16:04:00.004+08:00

Are primary school children facing too much stress these days?

Is stress necessary for children?

Contributed by 6 Respect

The Twin Terrors of Drug Abuse LRD pg 3

2012-01-31T13:00:00.001+08:00

Why do you think the Singapore government imposes a serious penalty on drug traffickers?

Share your views in about 120 words.

Posted by 6 Graciousness: Alexis, Anya and Izdihar

Drug traffickers are people who smuggle drugs illegally into a country. There are various types of drugs that are commonly abused. For example, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and opium.

I think the government imposes such harsh penalties as drug traffickers ruin people's lives. The government is sending a strong message against drug trafficking as it has severe harmful consequences on the person who takes drugs as well as his family and community.

Every person who takes drugs will soon get addicted to it and they will crave for more. Coming out of the addiction is not really that easy as they would need to go through torturous witdrawal symptoms. Moreover, since these drugs are expensive, they would usually use up their savings fast and when that source of money dries up, they would need to borrow money from family members or even resort to stealing, which is an offence.

Moreover, drugs have harmful side effects on health. These includes dizziness, vomitting, hallucination. Some of the drugs make us feel 'good', but it is actually killing our brain cells. Do you know that overdoses can lead to seizures and even death?

So, to me, the harsher the penalty, the better it is, for Singapore and us!

Seeing the Doctor- At Home LRD pg 4

2011-08-02T14:17:00.000+08:00

Telehealth is possible because of high speed Internet service. Webcams and microphones will be installed both in a patient's home and in the doctor's office so that the patient and doctor can communicate without having to travel to each other.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of 'seeing' a doctor via telehealth.

Loan Sharks now Hunting Schools LRD pg 4

2011-07-26T07:15:00.008+08:00

In the article, you read about the tactics loan sharks are using to recruit young people to work for them. Imagine you are the Head Prefect in the school and you decide to write a letter to your schoolmates to discourage them from working for the loansharks and to make sure everyone knows about this problem.

Dear boys and girls,

I am the head prefect of the school and I would like to share some information with you about loan sharks going to schools to recruit students to join their gangs. Loan sharks are illegal money lenders who lend money to other people. For instance, these loan sharks would usually give you a loan of five hundred dollars and demand you to pay back a thousand dollars due to the throat-cutting high interest rates. It is totally not worth it because you would have to pay back twice the amount you have borrowed. If you could not pay back the amount you had borrowed, the loan sharks would hunt for you. Very often, they resort to violence and threats, beating you to a pulp when you could not pay up. Sometimes, they would haunt you by going to your house to splash red paint on the door of your house. So, please do not join the loan sharks or borrow money from them. If you are experiencing problems with any loan sharks, it would be better for you to turn to your teachers for advice and alert the police for help before it is too late. It is illegal to join the loan sharks in their activities. Engage in healthy and meaningful activities at community centres with your friends and family members instead.

Yours sincerely,

Lie Zhou (Head Prefect)

Dear everyone,

I would like to inform all of you about loan sharks hunting in schools. The loan sharks are recruiting people to join their so-called ‘law enforcement team’, thinking of ways to lure you out of your house and make you gamble with them. Once you have lost all your money, they will lend you money and then charge you interest day by day. Some of them would even ask you to pay up immediately after a few days. If you are unable to pay up, they would spray paint outside your house. Sometimes, they would also force you to help them to smuggle drugs into other countries. You would most probably get caught by the law enforcers and given the death sentence. Hence, I would like to remind all of you not to join their association as they would offer you nothing but plenty of trouble. Your academic results would suffer and your parents would be worried sick. Spare a thought for your family and those who really care about you. Steer clear of the loan sharks.

Yours sincerely,
Nigel Tan (Head Prefect)

Legal Eagles LRD pg 5

2011-07-19T07:09:00.004+08:00

Imagine you are the owner of a law firm looking for fresh graduates to join your business.

You decide that you will have to be innovative in order to attract talented people. Some of the innovative things you intend to entice people with include giving new lawyers special mentors to teach them new skills and giving them smartphones so that they can reply to e-mail messages from anywhere.

Using these ideas, craft a short but effective letter of about 150 words to convince these law graduates to join you.

Dear law graduates,

I am looking for talented fresh graduates from law schools to join my firm. Graduates must first produce their outstanding law degrees. In my firm, the starting salary is $4500 for graduates who have completed their National Service and $3800 for those without National Service. Although there is a difference in the monthly salary, the annual package the legal service pays is pegged to the private sector through bonuses and other forms of remuneration. The lawyers in my firm will also be regularly taught new skills and knowledge. They will also be provided Smartphones so that they can check and reply their emails from anywhere.

Goh Zhen Hui
5 Graciousness

Next Stop, National Monument LRD Pg 2

2011-07-13T13:27:00.007+08:00

The railway station at Tanjong Pagar is going to be conserved as a national monument. The authorities are likely to convert it for other uses, perhaps a museum, office or even a hotel.
What would you like to see the station become? How can it become something young people like you will be interested in?

Teong Mei Wen 5 Compassion

I would like the railway station at Tanjong Pagar to become a museum because it will benefit many young people like me. The railway station has been around for more than eighty years so it surely has many interesting, historical items which the younger generation has never seen before. As such, such a conversion would allow the young people to learn more about the history and past of Singapore.

Nashita Hossain 5 Compassion

It would be fantastic if the railway station at Tanjong Pagar could become a gigantic fast food centre to satisfy the increasing number of young people in Singapore. Young people enjoy eating fast food like KFC, Burger King and MacDonalds. Alternatively, the railway station could also be converted into a posh restaurant, serving a great variety of sumptuous delicacies for both tourists and the locals.

He's in the Army but she has the backpack

2011-04-07T09:07:00.002+08:00

With reference to the article, who should carry the bag and why?

Shen Lie Zhou 5 Resilience

When the boys reach the age of 18, they have to serve their National Service. When the boys are young like those in Primary 1 and 2, it is still acceptable and understandable for their parents or caregivers to help them carry their heavy schoolbags. However, these boys should take it upon themselves to carry their own bags when they are older. Hence, I was appalled when I saw the picture of a domestic maid helping an abled-bodied young man in a striking army uniform carry his bag while he was walking and checking his mobile phone.

Personally, I think children these days are overly pampered and they have become very lazy and dependent on others. We should not let others help us carry our bags. It is really inappropriate. If the foreigners in our country see this, news will spread to other countries and they will have a bad impression of Singaporeans and our National Servicemen. It will also tarnish the country’s good image too. I hope that any man who wears the army uniform will be more conscious of his behaviour whenever he is at public places.

School System 'still best way to move up'

2011-03-22T10:49:00.000+08:00

Is being rich really such an advantage for a student?

Showflats: Is What You See What You Get? LRD pg 5

2011-02-22T11:24:00.000+08:00

Imagine you are selling your home. In 150 words, write an essay that would make someone want to buy it. Mention the nearby facilities, the view, the number and size of the rooms. Do write about anything that makes your home special, as this might also make the buyer excited about it.

Say it Right LRD pg 12

2010-10-12T08:33:00.000+08:00

Why is it important to speak good English? Give examples of the mistakes you spotted in your everyday encounters with people.

Are you feeling stress ?

2010-09-22T11:48:00.001+08:00

What causes you to feel stress ? What are you going to do about it ?

Fighting in a Concrete Jungle LRD pg 6

2010-09-21T09:16:00.001+08:00

If you could design an obstacle course in your school, what would it have? In 100 words,describe three obstacles and what good it would do pupils to face them?

Does your home look like this? LRD pg 5

2010-09-14T11:56:00.000+08:00

In about 100 words, tell us how you can be a considerate neighbour to those who live near you.

A City for You to Play In LRD pg 4

2010-08-03T12:48:00.000+08:00

In 100 words or fewer, write about three things that make Singapore a better place for children to live in.

What are your Dreams and Dreams for Singapore?

2010-07-27T13:09:00.000+08:00

What's in a Plate of Rice? LRD pg 4

2010-07-06T08:14:00.000+08:00

Should hawkers raise prices and serve better meals, or keep prices the same but give smaller portions? Choose a stand and write about 100 words explaining why you support it.

Help! It's a Flood LRD pg 3

2010-06-29T10:48:00.006+08:00

Many people and businesses were affected by the flood and it could have been even worse. How can such floods be prevented? Share your opinions in about 100 words.

Cheryl Tham 4Faith

We can prevent the flood by building more drains in Singapore. We should also build a machine that can detect whether there is flooding in certain areas, so that workers can be quickly deployed to clear the chokages in the drains and warning can also be sent to people to avoid those areas.
Workers should often check the drains in Singapore and clear any debris to prevent blockages of the drainage system. If possible, we can widen the drains and improve the whole drainage system. We should educate people not to litter in Singapore. Everybody should cooperate and make Singapore a flood-free country.

Wired to Learn LRD pg 7

2010-05-18T09:42:00.006+08:00

What does a school of the future mean to you? Illustrate and explain in about 100 words.

Ng Xuan 4 Faith

I think it is a school of the future if we get to use technology more often. Students will get to enjoy the technology that the school arranged for us.
We will learn more this way. Maybe, we can even learn how to make robotic and electronic stuff through this technology. We will learn how to create animations and video clips using the computer.
I hope that the school will be using technology everywhere in the school environment and that Information Technology will be a compulsory subject of study. I wish that every student will be given a free laptop and a free i-phone.

Long Bus Routes may be Scrapped LRD pg 4

2010-04-13T11:11:00.003+08:00

Which do you think is better: Keep the long bus journeys which are cheaper but may mean a longer wait, or cut the journeys in half which costs more but may shorten waiting time? Explain why.

Tiger Parts Sold as Jewellery LRD pg 5

2010-04-06T10:08:00.003+08:00

Should it be legal to sell fake tiger parts? Tell us what you think in about 100 words. (Illustrations may be included)

Nashita 4 Grace

No, it should be illegal to sell fake tiger parts. This is because if people start to sell fake tiger parts, buyers will also start to demand for the real stuff. Buyers will begin to ask for real tiger parts such as tiger teeth, skin and claws. These tiger parts are thought by some people to bring good luck, protection and powers to their owners so people are willing to pay large amount of money to purchase them. Due to the superstitious beliefs about tiger parts, people are killing tigers for all the wrong reasons. Tigers are decreasing in numbers rapidly and soon, they will become extinct. Animal conservationists deemed this as critical and they are organising campaigns to stop the seliing of both real and fake tiger parts.

Singapore Bans Chewing Gum LRD pg 15

2010-03-31T09:27:00.003+08:00

Should Singapore lift the ban on chewing gum? Why?

Ian Tay 4 Joy

I think Singapore should not lift the ban on chewing gum because once the ban is lifted, chewing gum wrappers will soon be lying all over the ground in public places. Worse still, chewing gum will also be left sticking on walls and seats and cleaners will have a difficult time removing the chewing gum. It is also expensive to remove chewing gum stuck on surfaces.

Some irresponsible people will start to stick chewing gum on MRT doors and this will cause a delay of train services. Based on the Little Red Dot newspapers, the Singapore government banned the sale of chewing gum in the early 1980s as people were causing trouble by sticking their chewing gum on lift doors, lift buttons, mailboxes and walls. It was a nightmare for the HDB cleaners who took ages to remove the chewing gum.

They Learn the Fun Way LRD Pg 4

2010-03-23T09:48:00.003+08:00

Which movie would you like to be tested in an examination? Explain why in about 100 words.

Daryl Kiang 4 Faith

My favourite movie so far is Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. It would be great if this movie is tested in the coming English examination!

In a gist, the movie is about a young boy named Percy who had to search for three special pearls to allow him to travel to the underworld to save his mother who was captured by Hades. It was an exciting movie made even more interesting by clever, special effects. This movie allows many good questions to be asked in both the MCQ and open-ended comprehension sections! Some possible comprehension questions that teachers could set are:

1) Why did Luke hide the lightning bolt in Percy's shield?

2) Why did Percy's physical wounds heal quickly whenever he touched water?

3) Who was Percy's real father?

Getting more interested about this movie? Go catch it soon! It is definitely worth watching!

Battle of the Machines LRD pg 4

2010-03-09T09:05:00.007+08:00

Should Singapore have casinos? Share your opinions and views in about 100 words or more.

Lee Gajung 4 Faith

Whoops of joy and groans of disappointment. There is hardly a second of total silence in a gambling den. This scene is repeated everyday in 98 other spots in Singapore which have permits for private lotteries. I strongly disapprove of gambling and would be more than satisfied if all the casinos in Singapore could be shut down.

Gambling for money is dangerous as greed could make people lose thousands of dollars overnight and many may end up with heavy debts. Some people gamble due to laziness. They do not want to work to earn decent money in decent ways. I prefer becoming rich by working hard. This way is better than wasting money on gambling. I would also rather donate my money to charity organisations to help people who are less fortunate than me.

Carissa Gozali 4 Faith

Personally, I think Singapore should have casinos because that will make her even more prominent on the world map. Many people from other countries would want to come to Singapore to gamble as it is a safe and clean country. I think many people perceive casinos as dangerous places. To a certain extent it is true but I believe Singaporeans are very responsible people.
Having casinos in Singapore would also attract more people from different places around the globe to visit Singapore. This will allow Singapore to become more multi-racial than before.

4 Charity

I think that it is fine for Singapore to have a casino. It can help to increase the income of Singaporeans as the opening of a casino would mean that more jobs are created for people and this in turn will help to boost the country's economy. However, dangers set in when people begin to gamble beyond their limits and means and end up bankrupt. Some adults lost so much fortunes that they no longer have the ability to support their families' financial needs and in some cases, they even have to sell their houses to repay their debts.
I think there are special centres set up in Singapore to help people who are addicted to gambling and such centres usually engaged well-trained counsellors to help people overcome their addictions.

Help! I'm Stuck in a Flood! LRD pg 8

2010-02-23T10:58:00.004+08:00

Suppose the river suddenly rose and overflowed its banks.
Write a poem and include illustrations to show how you would stay safe and what changes you would make to prevent the same thing from happening in the future.

Acrostic poem by Natascha Gand 4 Charity

Haiku by Tricia Toh 4 Peace

Haiku by Daryl Kiang 4 Faith

What a heavy rain.
The flood is flooding the drain.
It is such a pain.

Changes in Store for Social Studies - LRD pg 6

2010-02-09T10:45:00.049+08:00

Social studies is not a subject for the classroom- it is something young people will pick up by talking to their parents, reading the newspapers and surfing the Internet.
Write about 100 words giving reasons why you either agree OR disagree with this.

S. Arveen Singh 4 Joy

I agree to a large extent that social studies is not a subject for the classroom. However, i still feel that there are some lessons or topics which are best learnt by young people inside the classroom.

Social studies allows us to learn about other people, history, geography and cultures in other countries both in the past and present. Social studies can be very boring if it is always taught in classrooms confined by four walls. It would be much more fun if the teaching and learning of social studies can be done outside the classrooms. Pupils can then explore and learn from their own live experiences through outdoor activities. Learning will be even more rewarding, meaningful and exciting if pupils get the opportunities to travel overseas for social studies learning journeys with their teachers and parents.

I remember travelling to Malacca with my parents during one of the school holidays and i gained a lot of knowledge from the trip. We visited many places of interest and i took down short notes on these places. After the trip, i did my research on the Internet and i learned that there are many cultures and traditions in Malacca which are similar to Singapore's.

I also went to Chinatown with my classmates and teacher. I learnt and was surprised that there are Hindu temples in Chinatown. At the temple, i discovered that a 'fire-walking ceremony' will be held at the compound annually. This got me really excited and i have made up my mind to witness the ceremony next year. I gained more knowledge about different religions when my classmates and i went on to visit a Chinese temple and mosque.

Through social studies, young people like me can gain the knowledge necessary to manage our way of life. By talking to our parents or teachers, reading the newspapers, travelling overseas, engaging in outdoor activites and surfing the Internet, we can enjoy social studies to a greater extent and learn more meaningfully than being confined in a classroom. The idea is to become more positively contributing members of the community and to acquire the ability to become more independent learners in the world we live in.

Results of Little Red Dot@BTPS Poster Competition

2010-02-08T14:03:00.005+08:00

Congratulations to our 1st prize winners, Ngo Hui Leong and Kevin Zammit from 4 Joy with their form teacher, Mdm Lim Shiau Chen. Well done boys!

Our 2nd prize winners, Alexis Png and Charmaine Koh from 4 Charity! Great work!

Congratulations to our 3rd prize winners, Ling Yan, Chloe, Varsha, Gwendolyn and Zhen Hui from 4 Charity! Well done, girls!

Our consolation prize winners, Cheryl Tham and Lim Jia Xuan from 4 Faith. Cute piece of work from them!

The second consolation prize goes to our 4 Faith boys, Yeo Jing Zhe, Calvin Ng, Wildon Tan and Justin Tan! Good job, boys!

Lunchboxes to Save the Earth

2010-02-02T12:55:00.012+08:00

In 100 words or more, write what you would pledge for Total Defence Day.

S.Arveen Singh 4 Joy

This year's theme, "I will", for Total Defence Day helps to kick start the effort to go green and I pledge to recycle as much waste as possible It can be achieved by avoiding the use of disposables such as styrofoam boxes and plastic bottles.

My parents have been good role models in showing me how to recycle household stuff. They save rainwater to water the plants and wash the family car. As for me, I recycled waste paper by using the blank sides. I also cut down on the use of paper plates and plastic cups. Old newspapers, plastic containers, glass bottles and aluminium cans are also placed in the recycling bins provided at my housing estate.

It is important to spread the message to develop greater environmental awareness among fellow Singaporeans. Everyone has a part to play in going green by recycling their waste. I will do my part and I hope everyone will do the same. Saving the earth is the responsibility of every citizen!

For more ideas on what to pledge for Total Defence Day, click on Total Defence Day 2010

Alexandra Paquette   4 Charity

          I pledge to play with my friends even if they are from different countries or races. I will join them in celebrating different festivals and understand their cultures. I believe that different religions or skin colours will not make a difference to our friendship as we all citizens of Singapore. This is our strong and unifying point.
           I will also do my part in protecting my country, Singapore. If there is a call for National Service for girls, I will step forth and go for training even though I know that it is going to be tough. By doing so, I am playing my part in protecting my family, my friends and loved ones.

Aeriel Joris 4 Grace

Singapore is a great country to live in, but our nation needs to care more for our country. As a citizen of Singapore, I pledge to care for our nation, love our nation, and respect our nation. I will be eco-friendly to our country, and I appreciate that our country can give us shelter from our problems and diseases.
I will help Singapore to become a better place by starting to recycle and tell friends not to litter around the place. Little by little, Singapore can become cleaner and greener. We should all start playing our parts by recycling and not littering on the floor. If little children could help by recycling their lunch boxes, so can we by recycling our clothes, glasses, plastic bottles, carton boxes to help earth prevent global warming and natural disasters such earth quakes and storms.
IF WE START NOW, BIG CHANGES CAN HAPPEN TO US!!

More Fun on Sentosa!

2010-01-26T07:17:00.012+08:00

What new attraction would you like to see on Sentosa? In 100 words, write what you want and explain why it would be good.

Tan Yi Qing 4 Charity

I think they should make a big theme park. There will be four places to explore - Water Park, Animal Park, Air Park and Haunted Park. The Water Park will have a small boat that has four seats and will go down a long slide. There will also be many rides that will make you wet. The Animal Park will have a train going through a fake forest that has fake animals. There would be other rides that you would see other animals, some are fake and some are real. The Air Park will have sky diving and a hot air balloon. There will be other rides that will take you to the sky. The Haunted Park will have a haunted house and a rollercoaster that goes through the haunted house. It will have other rides that will make people scream and shout. There will be a gift shop at the exit. I think this will help get more visitors and tourists as it is a new attraction!

Alexandra Paquette 4 Charity

I would like to see Disneyland in Sentosa. I think that when you go to Disneyland, it gives you quality time with your friends and family. It will also attract a lot of foreign visitors and earn a lot of money to upgrade the systems. There will be many fun games that are related to Disney cartoons. It will also promote Sentosa by having more visitors at other attractions. Singaporeans do not need to travel to other countries to visit Disneyland so they are can save a lot of money on airplane tickets.

Nashita 4 Grace

I would like to see new hotels in Sentosa and I would want to see new cable cars which are bigger than the current ones. Having new, huge roller coasters in Sentosa would attract more tourists and this in turn would boost the country's economy.
It would be good to build a huge castle in Sentosa so that I could stay there with my friends when we go there for a trip. It would be like a hotel for us! Hopefully, it would not cost us too much money to stay in a castle!

A History of Kindness

2010-01-19T08:48:00.012+08:00

Singapore has launched a number of courtesy campaigns over the years. Share how you have played your part in making Singapore a more gracious society to live in. (Hint: include our school values 'compassion', 'graciousness' and 'respect' in your blog entry)

Lim Jia Xuan 4 Faith

Over the years, I have offered my seats to the elderly and pregnant women in the buses or trains. When I see that no one is giving up seats to the elderly, I would feel extremely angry and disappointed. The people on board will either pretend to sleep or look at other places.

Last year when I was in Japan for holidays, I had a very good impression of the country because the people there do not litter even though there are very few dustbins around. When we took the escalator, the people did not litter even though there were very few dustbins around. When we took the escalator, the people were very disciplined as they always keep to the left side of the escalator to allow those who were in a hurry to use the right side. When I took a train at Shinjuku, I gave up my seat to an old lady. She thanked me so profusely that I felt a bit embarrassed. Although I do not understand Japanese, I could feel her praising me. Japanese also do not talk loudly or noisily. I hope Singapore will become a more courteous and gracious society like Japan.

I often eat out at fast food outlets. However, whenever I got a table, the leftovers tend to be very messy. I hope people will be kinder and more considerate as to clear the leftovers and place them in the bins. We must treat everyone with politeness. A word of kindness goes a very long way!

For more stories on kindness, visit : Singapore Kindness Movement

Ga Jung Lee 4 Faith

Singapore has launched a number of courtesy campaigns over the years to encourage young children to show graciousness and kindness. It has really a great effect on some of our friends. I could see that some of our friends are behaving in a better manner.

When I was in Primary Three, there was a friend of mine who was very close to her best friend. She was hurt and lonely when her best friend shockingly abandoned her and snatched all her friends. I was afraid that she would be emotionally hurt so I decided to help her win back her former friends. I was happy to see her laughing again with her friends.

Humans are not always perfect. We make mistakes and cheat in the name of greediness to win. But, that does not mean we should give up being kind to others and show graciousness. We still need to do our best to be good students with sound values. If you have done something bad in the past, think and promise yourself that you will not do that again. Start by being a well-mannered pupil first. Who knows, people in different places in the world would be surprised and encouraged by your simple gesture of kindness, graciousness, respect, compassion and generosity wherever you go!

2010-01-15T21:28:00.007+08:00

Welcome BTPS pupils,

This blog is created specially for you. All views are welcome but be responsible for what you say online. NO personal attacks and NO vulgarities will be tolerated. Please leave your name and your class in your entry or comment or it will not be published.

Regards,
Ms Wu SuFang
for English Department
Bukit Timah Primary School