Online Lesson for Sec 3 Joy

Dear Sec. 3 Joy! :)

Thank you for your patience. If you haven't noticed, Slideshare was down for the past two days. Since it is back up again today, I uploaded the slides for you! :) Sorry for taking a little longer than usual - I hope you enjoyed the slides I prepared for you. I tried my best to make it as easy-to-understand as possible and I also included my commentary for each of the slides. Hence, it would be as if I was there teaching it to you!

Consequences Of Conflict In Sri Lanka

View more presentations from guest5235102.

If you want to view them in higher resolution, please download them directly from our school's E-Learning portal. You can download the whole ppt. file from there and view them as a slideshow (bigger, clearer). I have assigned the slides to your class. Log in to retrieve them. If you forgot your password and id, ask your friend to download it for you and you can get it from them.

If you have questions about Sri Lanka, you can leave the questions under the comments for this post. Do not leave your questions in the tagboard please! This is because the tagboard has a word limit!

Love you all, Miss Foo

Free Trade Agreements

Globalisation has saw Singapore sign more Free Trade Agreements with various other countries in the world.

What are the benefits of signing an FTA for a country?

Read more about it here.

Some examples of countries that Singapore has Free Trade Agreements with:

   ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)

  ASEAN-China (ACFTA)              
  ASEAN-Japan (AJCEP)               

  ASEAN-Korea (AKFTA)               

  Australia (SAFTA)              

  China (CSFTA)

  Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (SJFTA)              

  India (CECA)               

  Japan (JSEPA)               

  Korea (KSFTA)             

  New Zealand (ANZSCEP)              

  Panama (PSFTA)               

  Peru (PeSFTA)              

  Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland (ESFTA)              

  Trans-Pacific SEP (Brunei, New Zealand, Chile, Singapore)               

  United States (USSFTA)

Sec 4E - Iraq Kuwait War

We have already covered the Historical Background of the countries of Iraq and Kuwait, as well as the reasons why Iraq has such a huge problem with Kuwait in 1990. We know that diplomacy failed because Iraq launched an attack on Kuwait even before talks between the two countries had expired/failed. So, the question is, why did diplomacy fail?

Some other questions that you might want to consider that can be answered through these videos:

1. Why did the other nations intervene?

2. How did the nations intervene?

3. Did all the different groups of nations intervene/respond in the same way?

4. What was the outcome of the invasion?

5. What happened in the end?

This is an informative documentary in 5 parts, each part just 10 minutes long. It will help you to better understand what has been going on in the region. The war-footage and interviews are amazing, and the commentary is quite clear. Don't miss out. :) Do spend some time watching the videos - it will help you get a more complete picture, with which, I know you will write a better essay for SEQ and have more contextual knowledge for SBQ.

Operation Desert Storm : The Persian Gulf War 1991 Part 1

Operation Desert Storm : The Persian Gulf War 1991 Part 2

Operation Desert Storm : The Persian Gulf War 1991 Part 3

Operation Desert Storm : The Persian Gulf War 1991 Part 4

Operation Desert Storm : The Persian Gulf War 1991 Part 5

Enjoy! :)

Soft Copy of Holiday Homework!

Dear students,

The school has recently released staff deployment for the classes we will be teaching and I would not be teaching some of you next year.. *cries & waves goodbye*

However, the holiday homework WILL BE collected by myself and the new teacher (she is fabulous & very experienced) and will be marked accordingly with the marks going to the GFA.

So no running away, regardless!

The holiday homework for 3E can be found here.
The holiday homework for 3NA(TT) can be found here.

Enjoy the rest of your holidays as I enjoy mine! :0)

Stress Reliever + Singapore's Deterrence Strategy

We all know that all male Singaporeans must go for Full-Time National Service when they turn 18. For those two years, what is life like? We studies in Chapter 5 that National Service bonds Singaporeans because of the gruelling training and the long hours that the soldiers spend together either working on an exercise, eating, sleeping, not sleeping etc etc. Truly, I know alot of male friends that form lasting friendships with thier army mates - after all, they continue to serve Reservist together for the next 10 years after they finish National Service and become "Operationally Ready". In the army, they learn why and how to protect Singapore as they become part of the 3rd Generation Armed Forces (part of our deterrence strategy as seen in Chapter 6). They will use information technology to fight war. For them, it is crucial that they are decisive, fast and efficient in war, yet flexible in times of peace.

Well, found something funny for you all to relieve the exam stress about life in the army. Guys, bet you're looking forward to it. ;)

Social Studies Exam Format for 3E and 3N

Section A: Source Based Questions (25 marks)
Question in Section A is compulsary, no choice. Please attempt all parts of Question in Section A.

Section B: Structured Essay Questions (25 marks)
There would be 3 questions, please choose 1.
Complete both parts (a) and (b) in the question of your choice.

Please, do not spend more than 45 min on each Section of the Paper. No matter what, you must have time to attempt all questions, even if it means leaving others half or 3/4 way done.

Chapters tested:
Chapter 2 - Governance
Chapter 3 - Healthcare
Chapter 4 - Conflict in Multi Ethnic Societies
Chapter 5 - Bonding Singapore
Chapter 6 - Managing Security

Missing Holiday Assigments

Has it been 1 month since I last posted?! Things have been crazy over here - with preparing exam papers, marking and preparing lessons. I'm sure it has been equally crazy for you, with exams in 1 week.

I'll be posting more over here over the next week as well as during the holidays. I've planned for exciting events taking place here, yes, at Social Studies Buddy, so stay tuned for news. ;)

Back to the mundane things:

These students owe me your Holiday Assignments. It is one week past the deadline! If I don't get it by Monday, it is a 0. If you come and pass it to me between now and then, I'll let you guys off by deducting 1 mark from your scripts. Hey, that's better than getting a 0 for this component in your GFA!

3 PC

Joey Ong

Darryl Lim

Yusof Arshad

3 JY

Jessica Chong

Kristy Yeo

Lam Shing Pheng

Li Yage

Melissa Chew

Iqa

Christabel Png

Jodi Sim

Eve Sit

Ho Min Chuen

Kenny Quah

Lim Mingfa

Isaac Lim

Noel Lim Xian

Ong Jun Kang

Poon Pei Wen

Ridzuan Sim

Mitchell Tan

3TH

Uma

Ashwiin

Fwu Lek Yuan

Hanesh

Irfan

Ng Chin Teck

Ragu

Sean Ngan

Nicholas Tan

Tan JianRong

Tan Yuxu

3FH

Zena Chow

Fiona Goh

Valerie Yip

Justin She

Daniel Lau

Nathaniel Gay

Wang Chen-yu

Don't say you don't know or don't have the question paper.

It can be downloaded here : Sec 3E Graded Worksheet #5

Please inform your friends if you see this post. I am serious. By Monday, if nothing comes in, its a zero for GFA.

Source Based Questions

Dear students,

I am sorry I am not able to tell you what types of questions will be coming out - whether there is one of each or more than 1 of each. My lips are sealed.

Just read the SBQ Skills Guide and be reminded of the topics that are tested (3E/3N). All the best! Take this common test seriously, as it is really good practice for your FULL paper (SBQ + SEQ) at the End-Of-Year Exams.

Source Based Skills Reference Guide 2

Hello all students (3JY, 3HP, 3TH, 3PC, 3FH) ,

You must download the Source-Based Questions Skills Reference Guide 2 here.
If you have not downloaded the Source-Based Questions Skills Reference Guide 1, you may do so here.

Please be reminded that :
For 3E students, you will be tested on Chapters 2-5.
For 3N students, you will be tested on Chapters 2-4.

The format for the exam is Source Based Questions only.
There will be 4 questions, totalling to 25m and you will have 45 minutes to complete the whole paper.

All the best for the exams!

Impact of the Conflict in Sri Lanka

To my 3HP students:
Because National Day celebrations ate our lessons, please go through the slides here. I try my best to explain it all through the slides. Thank you!

If the slides are too small here. Click the link below. You will be brought to another page where it shows it much bigger. You can even download it. :)

Impact Of Conflict In Northern Ireland

view presentation

If you do not understand any part of the slides or do not understand the words, please use the comment function in this post and post your questions there. I will reply to you and answer your questions.

Remember to ask questions if you do not understand! Do not suffer in silence!

Source-Based Questions SkillsReference Guide 1

Please download the Source Based Skills Reference Guide 1 that I have prepared for you.

Read through the guide, it teaches you what to look out for and do for Source-Based Questions.

For the SBQ test for all my classes this week (Week 5), 3 skills will be tested.
1. Inference
2. Similarity
3. Reliability

Any questions? Approach me anytime or post questions here.

3E students - Correction Answers

I will be going through the corrections for the 2 SBQs that I have done with you
1) Worksheet 5 - On Northern Ireland (Comparison Question)
2) WB Page 58 - On Sri Lanka (Reliability Question)

The link to the file for you to do your own corrections can be found here.

Please read through them carefully, compare your answers and learn from your mistakes.

* Sorry this took longer than expected. I was looking for a website that would allow me to share my files.*

Yet Another Baby Bonus Package Under Way?

GRAB A COPY OF SATURDAY'S (12 July) STRAITS TIMES!

On the Saturday that just passed, there was a full report on Singapore's Falling Birthrate situation. Spanning several pages, it covers Singapore's population policy journey from independence to present. How we started from "Two is Enough" in the 1970s and in the 1990s we have "Three or more if you can afford it". I wonder what is the next slogan. :) This is very useful to study in conjunction with pages 43 to 58 of your textbook. These sources may just appear in your 'O' Levels!

Background information
Earlier last week, MM Lee said that Singapore is preparing to review its incentives for couples to have children, following the example of Sweden. This is because Singapore's birthrate is about 1.2, which is way below the expected 2.1 replacement rate. MM Lee says that as we attract talents from various countries to come into Singapore to live and work, we must not 'overdo' it because having too many foreigners would change our Singapore, as a place, our people and our culture. We don't want to lose our 'Singapore' flavour, so we need to ensure that we replace ourselves in the next generation with more children.

Singapore hopes to look at the examples set by other industrialised countries who also have falling birthrates. How have they overcome this problem?

Well, we can be sure that we can be prepared for a new baby bonus package! :)

Stay tuned, people.

u2 Bloody Sunday MTV

Who says you can't learn anything when you watch MTV? ;)

Performed by u2 live, this song was composed because the band felt that people needed to know the message that VIOLENCE IS NOT THE SOLUTION in Northern Ireland.

Check out the lyrics to the song:

I can't believe the news today
Oh, I can't close my eyes and make it go away!
How long? How long must we sing this song?
How long?How long?

'Cause tonight...we can be as one
Tonight...

Broken bottles under children's feet
Bodies strewn across the dead-end streets
But I won't heed the battle call
It puts my back up, puts back up against the wall!

Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Sunday, Bloody

And the battles just begun
Theres many lost but tell me who has won?
The trenches dug within our hearts
And mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart!
Sunday, Bloody Sunday

And it's true we are immune
When fact is fiction and TV reality
And today the millions cry
Tomorrow they all die

Throughout the song, the lead also shouts these words:

"Put your hands in the air, Make this song into a prayer"

"No more petrol bombs!"
"No more IRA!"

Using your own skills of inference, what can you learn about Bloody Sunday by watching this video and listening to the lyrics of the song?

Northern Ireland : Road to the Troubles and Beyond

After studying the reasons for the conflict (historical and present), we now come to the events leading up to Bloody Sunday.

I am covering this part of the chapter very quickly, and I want you to study and read up on your own. In addition, I am placing a mindmap here.

*Click on this image to see the full-sized version*

I would like you to make one of your own, using your own colors, so that you can study this swiftly and easily during your exams.

What is life like in Northern Ireland today?

Northern Ireland is generally stable at this present moment. Occasionally there are pockets of small anti-Catholic/Protestant acts, but in generally there are not major terrorist activities that are taking place. We pray that this continues and that the peace process will eventually run its course.

To read up-to-date news about Northern Ireland, click here.

If however, you are curious about what life was like when both sides were unhappy with each other, check out the clip below.

Life in Belfast. I found this on youtube, and I don't know how reliable it is as a source of information. It seems that the footage is from TV news clips, showing angry youth commiting acts of arson and general disturbance. They do things like throwing flaming liquer bottles or tipping garbage cans to create trouble. Unfortunately, this clip also does not tell us when the footage was filmed.
(Turn down your volume)



If you are curious, go ahead and do a youtube/google search. The internet is the gateway of all knowledge. :)

Conflict and Tolerance

We've been talking so much about conflict. Whether it be conflict in Sri Lanka or Northern Ireland, we should balance our views about the world a little, right?
We all hope that in the wake of conflict, we will find tolerance. When the Sinhalese and Sri Lankans decide to set aside thier differences and move forward, they are choosing to take the first step, which is tolerance, so that they will be one more step closer to peace. The same goes for the Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. Whilst doing my research for the topic, I came across this quote by Kofi Anan, former diplomat and former United Nations Secretary General -

"None of us is born intolerant of those who differ from us. Intolerance is taught and can be untaught -- though often with great difficulty. But in this area, as in others, prevention is far preferable to cure. We must work to prevent intolerance from taking hold in the next generation. We must build on the open-mindedness of young people, and ensure that their minds remain open."

Many students have asked me: -

"Why can't these people just forgive and forget?"

It's always easier said than done, especially if somebody from the 'other side' stole your job or killed your relative. I can't agree more with Kofi Anan that hope lies in the next generation. If we can raise a generation that is forgiving instead of planting all sorts of racist or prejudiced thoughts in thier heads, they will eventually grow up and help in the healing process between both groups.

I really think its true - that "intolerance can be taught or untaught".

Trying my hand at Podcasting

If this works out, you guys can listen to my lessons online! ;)

Powered by Podbean.com

ERP Rates up on 7 July 2008 - More gantries added in Nov

When will the madness cease?!

Did you know..........
...that at present there are 65, yes, 65 ERP gantries around Singapore?
...that on 7 July 2008, 32 out of these 65 gantries will see can increase in rates of between $0.50 to $2.00?
...that some gantries will extend thier operating times?

I don't own a car, but I feel the pain for those who do. Read more about it on ChannelNewsAsia here.

2 things to think about:
1. What do you think of this statement?

"ERP rate (is increasing) because, LTA said, motorists are less
sensitive to the existing rate structure."

2. What is your opinion on this question most people have?

"Why is the government increasing the ERP rates now?" (considering that there is
a freeze on all government fees till the end of the year.)

Comments and opinions most welcome.

Fight back to school

Fight back to school - What to avoid doing

One more week till school reopens guys! I've had an awesome break, I hope you are really to roll full-steam ahead. Don't be like Calvin and create a ruckus on the way to school, and spare your dear parents the pain of having to literally kick you out of bed.

File Checks: Ms Foo's Materials Mailing List
As you all know, I called for File Checks before the holidays. I noticed that you guys don't have dividers, hence it is quite difficult to navigate between the Assignments and Assessments. I also notice that you guys for some reason or another do not have some of the hand-outs. I have uploaded most of the in-class handouts on Google Documents. I will continue to upload all worksheets and powerpoints (in the near future) to my account in Google Documents. In order for you guys to access these documents, please leave a comment with your email address. I will then add you to Ms Foo's Materials Mailing List and you will be sent an email invite that gives you the rights to view, download and print the documents. I will consolidate all email addresses on 28th June 2008 and thereafter, all the emails in the comments will be hidden to protect your privacy. *note: in order not to get spammed leave your email addresses in this format: missdeliafoo [at] gmail [dot] com*

Before class starts on Monday, I would appreciate it greatly if you all could read pages 111-113 of your TB.

See you back in school soon!