Teacher's Reflection for Day 3 (by Ms Lee Ting Ruh)

check out the distillation process in the making of wine!!! Wow... remember that Chapter in your Science textbook which explains the process of distillation??? HMMM.... i better go confirm with Ms Agnes Mok...

Ms Agnes Mok said the very thing i wanted to say throughout these few days....

"I am very heartened as I felt that this is learning at its best. An authentic learning experience, which is a very important aspect of the PETALS framework "

These words keep welling in my mind.... during the planning stages for this CPCLL overseas educational exchange program, this is what i wanted to achieve

• provide a chance for students to venture out and widen their personal experience



• create more opportunities for the students to "be in contact" with the Chinese Language & culture



• nurture a sense of belonging in them for Singapore while being more global-savvy in terms of understanding & appreciating differences

I really wish to educate and enrich the students in the "global awareness" department & cultivate in them certain cognitive abilities which are vital for the well-rounded development for the individual. I thought of combining the "modern" & "ancient" version of China's history & technology advancement to help us achieve this aim.

The 3 Gorges Dam would be the vehicle to drive this across. Before 1994, The 3 Gorges is the historical & cultural relic of China, after that(the start of the construction of the world largest dam - the 3 Gorges Dam) , it is the epitome of technology advancement at its peak. I would like to thank Ms Agnes Mok of the wonderful work, and for being so ready to coordinate with me & complete the assigned duties. Thank you again Agnes. From the bottom of my heart. You are truly one outstanding teacher :D

To enrich the students in the department of the cultural department, a walk down the ancient cultural village of the Tu Jia Zu was arranged. Our students had the opportunity to know more about the following:

• The Art of Paper making （造纸）

The students read about the art of paper making in one of the chapters in their chinese textbook 《蔡伦造纸》. I hope that by seeing the process ( for a few of our students... even trying out), students can get a better idea about how paper is made.

I even secretly wished that one day, it will be second nature to them to reconsider how they use paper because they understand the resources & procedures needed to make paper .

• The Art of Ceramics making （陶艺）

Ceramics has its irreplaceable place and value in China's hisory...in fact, many astounding archeological finds began with finding hidden ceramics underground... it tells stories about how people lived years ago. Am glad that the students managed to have a go at moulding ad shaping the clay to get the shape and design they want.

On another level... when i saw Dolbie(2E3) and Yi Lin(2E4) carefully and gleefully shaping their masterpiece, I was reminded of the uncanny resemblance between shaping the clay in the ceramics class and the nature of "education" -- shaping the mind and character of the students.

• The making of Chinese Wine （酿酒）

I always felt that this is one topic which science and chinese language can work hand in hand to enhance the effects of teaching and learning for the students.

Best Chinese Lang concept to teach "酝酿" for Chinese Language class... through explaining to students of fermentation & wine making .. they will definitely understand better the idea of "酝酿" compared to chalk and talk :)

• The art of Iron-casting （打铁）

Good setting to explain the 成语 （proverb） 打铁趁热！hahahaha.... "Strike the iron while it's hot "