This year, we had our annual cross country at the MacRichite Reservoir. We were told to reach there at around 7.30am. When we reached there, we were told to assemble at the area that we were told to. After all those briefing, the two secondary 2 express class and the two secondary 2 normal academic class went to look at the grave of Lim Bo Seng and learnt something after the visit.
We went to the starting point to have start our cross country. The teacher-in-charge told us that the path was very slippery so we had to be very careful when we run. We saw a lot of monkeys as we were running. We were told to run but nearly all the lower sec girls that did not took part in the race decided to walk all the way till the end of the finishing line. All of us were perspiring profusely.
After running for a long distance, we were to rest and were allowed to buy the drinks that were sold by the band members. After resting for a few minutes, the prize presentation were about to start. When the prize were given out to those who took part in the race and won some credits. As the prize were given to those who won some credits while the rest of us who did not took part in the race were to watch the presentation and appulause to the winners. When the prize presentation ended, we were told to collect our valuables that were kept in the black plastic bags.
We were dismissed after we had done collecting our valluables. We were to go home after the activity, as we were extremely tired after the run and our shirts were full of sweat. Without caring about the tiredness and sweatiness, a group of us decided to go to Ang Mo Kio hub to have our lunch and had some fun before returning home. After that we went back home as it is even tiring then before. I enjoyed this year Cross Country.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Summary of all reflections
From all three reflections, i have learnt that all the animals that are endangered or had extinct are caused by us, the human beings.
For the Tasmanian Devil research, i have learnt that they can get agitated very easily. They are the largest living marsupial carnivore, they are very shy and wary nocturnal animal and a very efficient scavenger. They spent most of their time sniffing the ground in the search of food to eat. They live in hollow logs filled with leaves and grass or other hidden shelters such as wombat burrows. They reach maturity at the age of 3. Their strong jaws allow them to crush bones and chew up tough skin. Their mating season is usually in March and can last to July. Their litters are between 1 and 4. Their lifespan is between the range of 5 to 8.
For the Giant Panda research, i have learnt that they are about 1.2 - 1.5 meters in length and weighs 75 - 160 kg. Panda cubs are tiny at birth, weighing only at around 100g and are totally dependant on their mother for the first few months of life. About 40-60 days after their birth, their eyes open and they begin to walk at about 3-4 months. They begin to eat bamboo at about 5-6 months and are weaned around 8-9 months. At about 18 months of age they leave their mother. Pandas are mature at about 6 years of age. They can live up to 30 years. They are found only in the bamboo forests in the mountains of central Peoples Republic of China, including the provinces of Gansu, Shaanxi, and Sichuan. They are found 3000 metres above the sea level. They do not have a permanent den to live in. They face a lot of problems in their life. People in China have been saving the Giant Panda.
For the sloth bear research, they are found the forests, scrub jungles and grasslands and mainly in the lower elevations of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. They like drier forest and ones with rocky outcrops. Their gall bladder, bile, claws and genital organs were hunted and are used for traditional in chinese medicines. The males are larger than the females weighing between 176 and 310 pounds. Females weigh between 120 and 209 pounds. They eat ants and termites. They will also eat eggs, birds, flowers, tubers, fruits, grains and meat. Above all, they love honey.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Reflection 3- Sloth Bear ( Dancing Bear)
Article title: Sloth Bears - Learn About These Wonderful Bears
Article from: http://www.squidoo.com/slothbears
Summary:
The article is about the habitat, features, diet and etc.Sloth Bears are found the forests, scrub jungles and grasslands and mainly in the lower elevations of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. They like drier forest and ones with rocky outcrops.
Features
Where these bears used to be found in forests all over India, they are now found in only a few habitats.
The biggest threats to Sloth Bears are: the poaching of adults for body parts -- gall bladder, bile, claws and genital organs -- used in traditional Chinese medicine; poaching of cubs to train as Dancing Bears while killing the mother when she tries to defend her cub; habitat destruction and encroachment of habitat by humans.
Sloth bears have long shaggy fur. There is less fur on it's belly and the back of the legs. The fur color ranges from auburn to black and it has a light colored, elongated snout and a black nose. Their lip is bare (no hair) and like other black bears have a V-shaped creamy colored mark on its chest.
Their sickle-shaped claws are good for climbing and digging. They are 4 inches long, non-retractable and curl under. They also have the longest tail in the bear family, running 6 to 7 inches long, which is hidden in it's fur.
Size
The males are larger than the females weighing between 176 and 310 pounds. Females weigh between 120 and 209 pounds.
Diet
Sloth Bears eat ants and termites. They use their long, hard claws to dig in the mounds and their longs snouts to blow the dirt away and suck up their food.
They will also eat eggs, birds, flowers, tubers, fruits, grains and meat. Above all, they love honey and, like their cousin, the Sun Bear, they have been animal's fondness for honey has caused it to be nicknamed the Honey bear.
Range
Sloth Bears are not territorial being their only competitor for termites and ants (their favorite foods) are ant eaters.
Reflection:
Before reading the article,i did not know that Sloth Bear are extincting and humans treated them cruelly. I did not know that they like drier place. They are 4 inches long, non-retractable and curl under. They also have the longest tail in the bear family, running 6 to 7 inches long. The males are larger than the females ones. The males weight between the range of 176 and 310 pounds. The females weight between the range of 120 and 209 pounds. They eat ants and termites,eggs,birds,flowers,tubers,fruits,grains and meat. They love eating honey the most.
Article from: http://www.squidoo.com/slothbears
Summary:
The article is about the habitat, features, diet and etc.Sloth Bears are found the forests, scrub jungles and grasslands and mainly in the lower elevations of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. They like drier forest and ones with rocky outcrops.
Features
Where these bears used to be found in forests all over India, they are now found in only a few habitats.
The biggest threats to Sloth Bears are: the poaching of adults for body parts -- gall bladder, bile, claws and genital organs -- used in traditional Chinese medicine; poaching of cubs to train as Dancing Bears while killing the mother when she tries to defend her cub; habitat destruction and encroachment of habitat by humans.
Sloth bears have long shaggy fur. There is less fur on it's belly and the back of the legs. The fur color ranges from auburn to black and it has a light colored, elongated snout and a black nose. Their lip is bare (no hair) and like other black bears have a V-shaped creamy colored mark on its chest.
Their sickle-shaped claws are good for climbing and digging. They are 4 inches long, non-retractable and curl under. They also have the longest tail in the bear family, running 6 to 7 inches long, which is hidden in it's fur.
Size
The males are larger than the females weighing between 176 and 310 pounds. Females weigh between 120 and 209 pounds.
Diet
Sloth Bears eat ants and termites. They use their long, hard claws to dig in the mounds and their longs snouts to blow the dirt away and suck up their food.
They will also eat eggs, birds, flowers, tubers, fruits, grains and meat. Above all, they love honey and, like their cousin, the Sun Bear, they have been animal's fondness for honey has caused it to be nicknamed the Honey bear.
Range
Sloth Bears are not territorial being their only competitor for termites and ants (their favorite foods) are ant eaters.
Reflection:
Before reading the article,i did not know that Sloth Bear are extincting and humans treated them cruelly. I did not know that they like drier place. They are 4 inches long, non-retractable and curl under. They also have the longest tail in the bear family, running 6 to 7 inches long. The males are larger than the females ones. The males weight between the range of 176 and 310 pounds. The females weight between the range of 120 and 209 pounds. They eat ants and termites,eggs,birds,flowers,tubers,fruits,grains and meat. They love eating honey the most.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Reflection 2- Giant Panda
Article title: Giant Panda
Article from: http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/panda.html
Summary:
The article is about the life of a giant panda, habitat, etc.The giant panda has been the topic of a lot of debate among scientists in recent decades over how exactly to classify the animal. It shares some characteristics with bears, and some characteristics with raccoons. In the last 20 years, scientists have been able to link the panda to both bears and raccoons, but now believe them to be most closely related to bears. They are considered a "subfamily" of the bear family (Ursidae).
The giant panda is about 1.2 - 1.5 meters in length and weighs 75 - 160 kg. They have a thick coat of black and white hair and are probably one of the most recognizable animals with a white body and head, black legs, ears, and eye patches. They are found only in the bamboo forests in the mountains of central Peoples Republic of China, including the provinces of Gansu, Shaanxi, and Sichuan.
Pandas are usually found in the mountains at about 3000 meters above sea level. In the winter they sometimes make their way down to about 800 meters. They do not make a permanent den, but take shelter in any suitable cavity in trees or rock crevices. They do not hibernate, but instead come down to lower elevations where it is warmer and more food is available. Pandas live mainly on the ground, but are able to climb. They feed mainly on bamboo, but also eat other plants and small animals.
Communication is through scent and vocalizations that range from chirps to growls.
Pandas are solitary animals, but during the breeding season males may come in contact with each other and compete for access to females. Breeding season is March to May with births in August or September. Litters can be twins or triplets, but usually only single cubs are raised. Panda cubs are tiny at birth, weighing only around 100 grams and are totally dependant upon their mother for the first several months of life. About 40-60 days after birth their eyes open and they begin to walk at about 3-4 months. They begin to eat bamboo at about 5-6 months and are weaned around 8-9 months. At about 18 months of age they leave their mother. Pandas are mature at about 6 years of age. In captivity pandas have lived to be over 30 years old.
The future for the giant panda is uncertain.
The wild population of giant panda is about 1000 individuals, with around 100 individuals in zoos in China and around the world. Some of the problems they face are natural, but some are caused by humans. Pandas do not have many offspring during their lifetime. Although the adults have few predators besides man, the cubs are very small and may be attacked by leopards. Another problem is their diet! Bamboo grows in large patches, and different types of bamboo flower in different years. After it flowers, the bamboo dies back, leaving nothing behind to be eaten. Pandas must travel from one good patch to another to find food. Pandas have to travel to find new patches, and sometimes human-built villages are in the way as they mover from patch to patch.
What is being done to protect giant pandas?
To save panda habitat, the Chinese government has set aside 12 nature preserves where bamboo flourishes and giant pandas are known to live. Fragile panda habitat will be protected from development by people and also from damage caused by cattle, sheep and goats as they graze on any emerging seedlings and trample the thin mountain soil. Efforts are being made to introduce pandas to new areas not currently occupied by it in order to expand its habitat. Strips of land, called bamboo corridors, have been created to help pandas migrate or move from one area to another. This technique opens more habitat to pandas. When pandas move greater distances to find mates, they can spread their genes further in the population.
Saving nature together:
Wildlife Trust scientists and educators are working on similar solutions for many endangered and threatened species, including jaguars in Brazil, river dolphins in Argentina, elephants in India and Sri Lanka, zebras and asses in Ethiopia, and storks in Indonesia! A combination of science, innovation, and community support helps them find ways to save animals and their habitats all over the world.
Reflection:
Before reading this article I did not know that the Giant Panda is endangered. They are 1.2 - 1.5 meters in length and weighs 75 - 160 kg. Panda cubs are tiny at birth, weighing only at around 100g and are totally dependant on their mother for the first few months of life. About 40-60 days after their birth, their eyes open and they begin to walk at about 3-4 months. They begin to eat bamboo at about 5-6 months and are weaned around 8-9 months. At about 18 months of age they leave their mother. Pandas are mature at about 6 years of age. They can live up to 30 years. We are trying to save the Giant Panda so they won't be extinct.
Article from: http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/panda.html
Summary:
The article is about the life of a giant panda, habitat, etc.The giant panda has been the topic of a lot of debate among scientists in recent decades over how exactly to classify the animal. It shares some characteristics with bears, and some characteristics with raccoons. In the last 20 years, scientists have been able to link the panda to both bears and raccoons, but now believe them to be most closely related to bears. They are considered a "subfamily" of the bear family (Ursidae).
The giant panda is about 1.2 - 1.5 meters in length and weighs 75 - 160 kg. They have a thick coat of black and white hair and are probably one of the most recognizable animals with a white body and head, black legs, ears, and eye patches. They are found only in the bamboo forests in the mountains of central Peoples Republic of China, including the provinces of Gansu, Shaanxi, and Sichuan.
Pandas are usually found in the mountains at about 3000 meters above sea level. In the winter they sometimes make their way down to about 800 meters. They do not make a permanent den, but take shelter in any suitable cavity in trees or rock crevices. They do not hibernate, but instead come down to lower elevations where it is warmer and more food is available. Pandas live mainly on the ground, but are able to climb. They feed mainly on bamboo, but also eat other plants and small animals.
Communication is through scent and vocalizations that range from chirps to growls.
Pandas are solitary animals, but during the breeding season males may come in contact with each other and compete for access to females. Breeding season is March to May with births in August or September. Litters can be twins or triplets, but usually only single cubs are raised. Panda cubs are tiny at birth, weighing only around 100 grams and are totally dependant upon their mother for the first several months of life. About 40-60 days after birth their eyes open and they begin to walk at about 3-4 months. They begin to eat bamboo at about 5-6 months and are weaned around 8-9 months. At about 18 months of age they leave their mother. Pandas are mature at about 6 years of age. In captivity pandas have lived to be over 30 years old.
The future for the giant panda is uncertain.
The wild population of giant panda is about 1000 individuals, with around 100 individuals in zoos in China and around the world. Some of the problems they face are natural, but some are caused by humans. Pandas do not have many offspring during their lifetime. Although the adults have few predators besides man, the cubs are very small and may be attacked by leopards. Another problem is their diet! Bamboo grows in large patches, and different types of bamboo flower in different years. After it flowers, the bamboo dies back, leaving nothing behind to be eaten. Pandas must travel from one good patch to another to find food. Pandas have to travel to find new patches, and sometimes human-built villages are in the way as they mover from patch to patch.
What is being done to protect giant pandas?
To save panda habitat, the Chinese government has set aside 12 nature preserves where bamboo flourishes and giant pandas are known to live. Fragile panda habitat will be protected from development by people and also from damage caused by cattle, sheep and goats as they graze on any emerging seedlings and trample the thin mountain soil. Efforts are being made to introduce pandas to new areas not currently occupied by it in order to expand its habitat. Strips of land, called bamboo corridors, have been created to help pandas migrate or move from one area to another. This technique opens more habitat to pandas. When pandas move greater distances to find mates, they can spread their genes further in the population.
Saving nature together:
Wildlife Trust scientists and educators are working on similar solutions for many endangered and threatened species, including jaguars in Brazil, river dolphins in Argentina, elephants in India and Sri Lanka, zebras and asses in Ethiopia, and storks in Indonesia! A combination of science, innovation, and community support helps them find ways to save animals and their habitats all over the world.
Reflection:
Before reading this article I did not know that the Giant Panda is endangered. They are 1.2 - 1.5 meters in length and weighs 75 - 160 kg. Panda cubs are tiny at birth, weighing only at around 100g and are totally dependant on their mother for the first few months of life. About 40-60 days after their birth, their eyes open and they begin to walk at about 3-4 months. They begin to eat bamboo at about 5-6 months and are weaned around 8-9 months. At about 18 months of age they leave their mother. Pandas are mature at about 6 years of age. They can live up to 30 years. We are trying to save the Giant Panda so they won't be extinct.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Total Defense Day
After morning assembly, we went back to class to have lesson about the history of Singapore. Then, we were interrupted by the fire drill. We quickly line up, and then we walked to the field from the classroom. Mrs Menon then told us how long everyone takes to settle down. I was actually quite happy that the whole school managed to settle down in about 4minutes plus. After the fire drill, we went back to class to continue to have our lesson about the history of Singapore and we watch some clips done by students from other school. At about 9plus, we were brought to the stations put up for us. We paste our post-it that we have written during the lesson, at the stations. After pasting some post-it, we were brought to the canteen to have our recess. We were given a bun and a bottle of mineral water. We went to the others stations that we haven gone to paste our post-it there. We went to the hall to have our Chinese New Year/Hari Raya/Deepavali Celebration after pasting all our post-it.
Chinese New Year/Hari Raya/Deepavali Celebration
After Total Defence trial, we went to the hall for the celebration. After a while, the concert starts. The first performance was put up by the chinese dancers. Second performance was put up by the malay dancers. Third performance is the Indian, follow by the lion dance. The lion dance was so well perform that I love this performance the best. After the lion dance performance, some of the teachers put up a dance together. After the concert had ended, we were dismissed slightly earlier as we were told by the teacher that we had to help our parents to do spring cleaning.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Growth Day @ Sentosa Beach
This year Growth Day is more fun than last year as we went to Sentosa this year. I've been looking forward to this day. Just came back from Sentosa.
When we reached the school,we were told to assemble in the parade square. After singing the national anthem, Mr Tan give us briefing, examples how to behave when we reached Sentosa. Mrs Menon also reminds us of our behaviour, etc. After the briefing, we went to the foyer to wait for the bus to take us to Sentosa. When we on the bus, a lot of us listen to music, some of them talked, etc. After a long journey sitting on the bus, we finally reached Sentosa, but we had to walk a long distance before reaching Silso Beach. When we reached Silso Beach, we were told to play the games at the games stall set up by the ITE. A couple of us didn't play the games at the games stall, so we went to have some fun on the beach. We sat on the sand listening to the music, admiring the beautiful scene, take some beautiful photo, play some games or having some fun among the group of us. We went to the lunch point to have our lunch. After our lunch, we had to sit on the bus for a long journey before reaching the school. We were dismissed after we reached the school. Although we didn't play the game there,but I overall I still think if fun but tiring.
When we reached the school,we were told to assemble in the parade square. After singing the national anthem, Mr Tan give us briefing, examples how to behave when we reached Sentosa. Mrs Menon also reminds us of our behaviour, etc. After the briefing, we went to the foyer to wait for the bus to take us to Sentosa. When we on the bus, a lot of us listen to music, some of them talked, etc. After a long journey sitting on the bus, we finally reached Sentosa, but we had to walk a long distance before reaching Silso Beach. When we reached Silso Beach, we were told to play the games at the games stall set up by the ITE. A couple of us didn't play the games at the games stall, so we went to have some fun on the beach. We sat on the sand listening to the music, admiring the beautiful scene, take some beautiful photo, play some games or having some fun among the group of us. We went to the lunch point to have our lunch. After our lunch, we had to sit on the bus for a long journey before reaching the school. We were dismissed after we reached the school. Although we didn't play the game there,but I overall I still think if fun but tiring.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Personal Recount
My heart beat hastily as I entered the examination hall. I was about to sit for my final paper, Science, a subject which I dreaded.
As the invigilator, Miss Lim, strode in, she ordered us to be seated. She promptly handed out the question paper and answer sheets. The exam began in no time. Everyone was engrossed in scribbling their answers.
I stared at the paper dumbfounded, as the questions are far more difficult than I imagined. Beads of sweat rolled down my forehead and my mind was in a whirl. I realised that I am going to fail the exam. This is the first and last time I cheated.
Once Miss Lim disappeared, I decided to steal a look at my best friend, Elaine, who was sitting right beside me. She was furiously jotting down her answers. I craned my neck to have a better view of Elaine's answers. I managed to catch a glimpse and rapidly wrote down the answers.
Meanwhile, Miss Lim was standing at the back of the examination hall, noticed that my suspicious behaviour. She immediately strode up to me seething in anger. "What do you think you are doing?"
I shifted my eyes away from meeting Miss Lim's eyes, quaking with terror, hoping against hope. My hand began to shake uncontrollably and tears streaked down my cheeks. Miss Lim commanded me to leave the examination hall and follow her to the principal's office after the exam ended. My nose and eyes were drenched and I wiped them with the back of my sleeve and I pleaded the principal for a second chance. An eerie silence now permeated the office. The stern principal reprimanded me for my deceitful behaviour. I was given the second chance by the principal but I gotten zero for all the exam papers.
I hung my head in remorse. I wished I had not cheated during the exam and study hard for it. I had learnt a lesson.
As the invigilator, Miss Lim, strode in, she ordered us to be seated. She promptly handed out the question paper and answer sheets. The exam began in no time. Everyone was engrossed in scribbling their answers.
I stared at the paper dumbfounded, as the questions are far more difficult than I imagined. Beads of sweat rolled down my forehead and my mind was in a whirl. I realised that I am going to fail the exam. This is the first and last time I cheated.
Once Miss Lim disappeared, I decided to steal a look at my best friend, Elaine, who was sitting right beside me. She was furiously jotting down her answers. I craned my neck to have a better view of Elaine's answers. I managed to catch a glimpse and rapidly wrote down the answers.
Meanwhile, Miss Lim was standing at the back of the examination hall, noticed that my suspicious behaviour. She immediately strode up to me seething in anger. "What do you think you are doing?"
I shifted my eyes away from meeting Miss Lim's eyes, quaking with terror, hoping against hope. My hand began to shake uncontrollably and tears streaked down my cheeks. Miss Lim commanded me to leave the examination hall and follow her to the principal's office after the exam ended. My nose and eyes were drenched and I wiped them with the back of my sleeve and I pleaded the principal for a second chance. An eerie silence now permeated the office. The stern principal reprimanded me for my deceitful behaviour. I was given the second chance by the principal but I gotten zero for all the exam papers.
I hung my head in remorse. I wished I had not cheated during the exam and study hard for it. I had learnt a lesson.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Personal Aspirations & Target Setting for 2010
My personal aspirations are to score well in every tests and examinations especially English and Literature, because I fail my English end of year examination paper and nearly fail my Literature. My end of year report got 50 plus for English and Literature. I hope to remain in express stream for my life in secondary.
My target setting for 2010 are:
English: B4
Mathematics: A1
Chinese: A1
Science: B3
History: A2
Geography: B4
Literature: B4
Home Economics: A1
Art: B4
Total: more than 630
Percentage: 69%
Although all this might be hard for me to achieve, but I will try my very best to do well and achieve want I want to achieve.
My target setting for 2010 are:
English: B4
Mathematics: A1
Chinese: A1
Science: B3
History: A2
Geography: B4
Literature: B4
Home Economics: A1
Art: B4
Total: more than 630
Percentage: 69%
Although all this might be hard for me to achieve, but I will try my very best to do well and achieve want I want to achieve.
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