Wow! I accidentally stumbled upon this!
You might want to give it a try.
Really good work! (started by 2 teachers in Canada)
I'd probably check my blog entries a bit at a time later...
Do read their Terms & Conditions prior to using the free service.
Virtual Writing Tutor
I am not affiliated to this web site and will not receive any benefits from them if you visit or use their application!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Selected Reading Material 4: Drowning / Rescued from Drowning
What is 'Selected Reading Material'?
'Selected Reading Material' are carefully selected resources to help struggling readers widen their knowledge in areas often useful in composition writing. i.e. what happens during a robbery, accidents, kidnap etc.
After reading and using the resources, students will have more relevant ideas to use in their composition assignments & examination!
Read the following passage and take note of the underlined content.
DO NOT skip reading as it is important to see how the underlined content is used in this article. (How they are used in context)
The report "Father drowns while trying to save son from strong current" (The Straits Times, Dec 11) shows the dangers of the sea and of attempting to rescue a person in the water. The Singapore Life Saving Society would like to highlight the dangers of trying to rescue someone in water.
Both trained rescuers and lay persons have been known to become victims in the course of attempting to rescue others. This may be due to a lack of the necessary skills, fitness or equipment. It may also be due to a misjudgment of the conditions present. Therefore, it is always better to prevent the occurrence of a drowning situation than to attempt a rescue.
However, in the unfortunate case where there is a need to rescue someone, the paramount consideration should always be the lifesaver's own safety and rescues that can be performed without entering the water are safer. For example, a reach (with a pole) or throw (with a rope) rescue should always be considered first. Only when such techniques are not likely to work should the rescuer consider entering the water. Even then, he should enter the water as far as possible with rescue aids like life buoys or swim floats. These may then be passed to the victim to keep him buoyant and reduce the need to make contact. The reason for avoiding contact is that a person in difficulties in the water is likely to grab at anything that floats and that includes the rescuer.
We encourage people to take up a lifesaving course to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary for safer rescue attempts so that they are prepared should the need arise.
Modified from Letter from Honorary Secretary-General, Richard Tan Ming Kirk, 14 December 2006, http://www.slss.org.sg/Local%20Press%20Media.htm
Part One
Are you familiar with the meaning of the words in red? Look up the meaning of the words in the dictionary. Then, try out this Online Activity. (Direct link to an online quiz, with no ad links, as usual!) The activity will open in a new window. After completing it, you just need to close it. You do not need to 'Return to Main Menu'. The scores will not be recorded.
Enjoy and Learn!
Part Two
After studying the above article and viewing the 2 related videos (see links at the end of the post), we can summarise what we have learnt the following content useful for writing compositions related to drowning and water rescue:
1)The people around the struggling swimmers did not know that someone was drowning. They were oblivious to what was going on.
2) Both of the children's heads were bobbing up and down the water. They were trying desperately to gasp for air.
3) Although both the boy and the girl were splashing about the water frantically, to the other swimmers, they looked like they were 'playing' or fooling around.
4) Both the boy and the girl could not scream or wave their hands for help.
5) Swimmers can drown too.
6) Experienced swimmers and trained rescuers can also be victims of drowning because they do not have adequate skills are misjudged the condition around them (e.g. sharp rocks).
7) A rescuer should try to perform the rescue without entering the water first e.g. throw a buoy or reach out a stick.
8) If a rescuer must get into the water, he should bring a floating device with him e.g. a life buoy (remember the video of the pool rescue?)
9) A drowning person is likely to grab anything or anyone near him. Sometimes this can endanger the live of the rescuer.
Looks like the above 9 key points can already form a very interesting composition about drowning and rescue! Let's apply what we have learnt in an sample question in Part Three.
Part Three
Let's use the video of the pool rescue from "Video Resources (3): Drowning / Rescued from Drowning 1". The still at 0:29 can be used as a question for a picture composition.
Write a composition of at least 150 words based on the above situation.
You must use the following points in your story:
Here is a possible composition based on the picture using content from the video resources and selected reading resources.
Examples:
Suggestion (1): Typical Presentation
The sun was like a fire ball in the clear blue sky. Lisa and Leo begged their mother to bring them swimming. Mrs Jones decided to bring the children to the swimming pool near their home.
When they arrived at the pool, it was very crowded. Mrs Jones reminded the children to be extra careful in the water. As Lisa was not a good swimmer, she even made Lisa promise that she would always stay on the float. While the children splashed about in the pool, Mrs Jones laid down on a beach chair and soon fell asleep.
Leo and Lisa had a great time splashing water at each other. Just when they were deciding what to do next, they heard a shout, "Leo! We are here! Come and join us!" Leo's friends were also at the pool. He wanted to join them so he began swimming towards them. Lisa did not want to be left behind. She tried to paddle along but Leo had already disappeared into the crowd. Suddenly, Lisa lost her balance and slipped into the water!
Lisa splashed her arms frantically about the water as she desperately tried to gasp for air. Unfortunately, everyone in the pool did not notice that Lisa was in trouble. They continued playing among themselves. Lisa began to feel exhausted. Her arms were aching and she could not breathe. Just when her eyes began to blur, she felt a strong tug and then, she felt herself lying on something cool and soft.
"Girl! Breathe through your mouth! Don't worry! You are safe now! Don't struggle! Just rest your body on the float. We're near the edge of the pool!" shouted a man. The lifeguard on duty had reached Lisa just in time. When he saw her slip off her float, he had immediately grabbed his float and jumped in after her.
When Lisa got out of the water, Mrs Jones and Leo quickly rushed to Lisa's side and apologised for not keeping their eyes on her. Luckily, besides swallowing a few gulps of water and feeling exhausted, Lisa was unhurt. The family thanked the lifeguard again for saving Lisa's life. They could not imagine how the day would have ended if he had not been observant.
It was an unforgettable day!
Suggestion (2): Flashback
(As this a more advanced approach, the content will be continued at 'http://icanwritetoo-sg.blogspot.sg/2013/08/kicking-up-notch-part-3-resources-for.html')
With the above example, I conclude 'Selected Reading Material 4: Drowning / Rescued from Drowning'. I hope this segment will prove useful to some of you!
If you'd like a more advanced approach to writing a composition on this topic, you can visit click here (or the link above).
'Selected Reading Material' are carefully selected resources to help struggling readers widen their knowledge in areas often useful in composition writing. i.e. what happens during a robbery, accidents, kidnap etc.
After reading and using the resources, students will have more relevant ideas to use in their composition assignments & examination!
Read the following passage and take note of the underlined content.
DO NOT skip reading as it is important to see how the underlined content is used in this article. (How they are used in context)
The report "Father drowns while trying to save son from strong current" (The Straits Times, Dec 11) shows the dangers of the sea and of attempting to rescue a person in the water. The Singapore Life Saving Society would like to highlight the dangers of trying to rescue someone in water.
Both trained rescuers and lay persons have been known to become victims in the course of attempting to rescue others. This may be due to a lack of the necessary skills, fitness or equipment. It may also be due to a misjudgment of the conditions present. Therefore, it is always better to prevent the occurrence of a drowning situation than to attempt a rescue.
However, in the unfortunate case where there is a need to rescue someone, the paramount consideration should always be the lifesaver's own safety and rescues that can be performed without entering the water are safer. For example, a reach (with a pole) or throw (with a rope) rescue should always be considered first. Only when such techniques are not likely to work should the rescuer consider entering the water. Even then, he should enter the water as far as possible with rescue aids like life buoys or swim floats. These may then be passed to the victim to keep him buoyant and reduce the need to make contact. The reason for avoiding contact is that a person in difficulties in the water is likely to grab at anything that floats and that includes the rescuer.
We encourage people to take up a lifesaving course to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary for safer rescue attempts so that they are prepared should the need arise.
Modified from Letter from Honorary Secretary-General, Richard Tan Ming Kirk, 14 December 2006, http://www.slss.org.sg/Local%20Press%20Media.htm
Part One
Are you familiar with the meaning of the words in red? Look up the meaning of the words in the dictionary. Then, try out this Online Activity. (Direct link to an online quiz, with no ad links, as usual!) The activity will open in a new window. After completing it, you just need to close it. You do not need to 'Return to Main Menu'. The scores will not be recorded.
Enjoy and Learn!
Part Two
After studying the above article and viewing the 2 related videos (see links at the end of the post), we can summarise what we have learnt the following content useful for writing compositions related to drowning and water rescue:
1)The people around the struggling swimmers did not know that someone was drowning. They were oblivious to what was going on.
2) Both of the children's heads were bobbing up and down the water. They were trying desperately to gasp for air.
3) Although both the boy and the girl were splashing about the water frantically, to the other swimmers, they looked like they were 'playing' or fooling around.
4) Both the boy and the girl could not scream or wave their hands for help.
5) Swimmers can drown too.
6) Experienced swimmers and trained rescuers can also be victims of drowning because they do not have adequate skills are misjudged the condition around them (e.g. sharp rocks).
7) A rescuer should try to perform the rescue without entering the water first e.g. throw a buoy or reach out a stick.
8) If a rescuer must get into the water, he should bring a floating device with him e.g. a life buoy (remember the video of the pool rescue?)
9) A drowning person is likely to grab anything or anyone near him. Sometimes this can endanger the live of the rescuer.
Part Three
Let's use the video of the pool rescue from "Video Resources (3): Drowning / Rescued from Drowning 1". The still at 0:29 can be used as a question for a picture composition.
Write a composition of at least 150 words based on the above situation.
You must use the following points in your story:
- where are the children
- why did the girl fall into the water
- what happened to the girl in the end
#######################
Here is a possible composition based on the picture using content from the video resources and selected reading resources.
Examples:
Suggestion (1): Typical Presentation
The sun was like a fire ball in the clear blue sky. Lisa and Leo begged their mother to bring them swimming. Mrs Jones decided to bring the children to the swimming pool near their home.
When they arrived at the pool, it was very crowded. Mrs Jones reminded the children to be extra careful in the water. As Lisa was not a good swimmer, she even made Lisa promise that she would always stay on the float. While the children splashed about in the pool, Mrs Jones laid down on a beach chair and soon fell asleep.
Leo and Lisa had a great time splashing water at each other. Just when they were deciding what to do next, they heard a shout, "Leo! We are here! Come and join us!" Leo's friends were also at the pool. He wanted to join them so he began swimming towards them. Lisa did not want to be left behind. She tried to paddle along but Leo had already disappeared into the crowd. Suddenly, Lisa lost her balance and slipped into the water!
Lisa splashed her arms frantically about the water as she desperately tried to gasp for air. Unfortunately, everyone in the pool did not notice that Lisa was in trouble. They continued playing among themselves. Lisa began to feel exhausted. Her arms were aching and she could not breathe. Just when her eyes began to blur, she felt a strong tug and then, she felt herself lying on something cool and soft.
"Girl! Breathe through your mouth! Don't worry! You are safe now! Don't struggle! Just rest your body on the float. We're near the edge of the pool!" shouted a man. The lifeguard on duty had reached Lisa just in time. When he saw her slip off her float, he had immediately grabbed his float and jumped in after her.
When Lisa got out of the water, Mrs Jones and Leo quickly rushed to Lisa's side and apologised for not keeping their eyes on her. Luckily, besides swallowing a few gulps of water and feeling exhausted, Lisa was unhurt. The family thanked the lifeguard again for saving Lisa's life. They could not imagine how the day would have ended if he had not been observant.
It was an unforgettable day!
Suggestion (2): Flashback
(As this a more advanced approach, the content will be continued at 'http://icanwritetoo-sg.blogspot.sg/2013/08/kicking-up-notch-part-3-resources-for.html')
With the above example, I conclude 'Selected Reading Material 4: Drowning / Rescued from Drowning'. I hope this segment will prove useful to some of you!
If you'd like a more advanced approach to writing a composition on this topic, you can visit click here (or the link above).
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Video Resources (4): Drowning / Rescued from Drowning 2
In 'Video Resources (3): Drowning / Rescued from Drowning 1', we've seen the actual footage of the rescue of a girl who had fallen off her float in a swimming pool.
The following video is a clip from a television programme.
The programme featured a footage of a boy who was rescued by a lifeguard when he appeared to be drowning in the sea. The interview in the video clip provides great advice on the signs of drowning and also introduces us to a range of useful words and content for our writing.
'Drowning Signs Aren't Like the Movies', 27 Jul 2011, WIBTV, YouTube
After viewing both videos, did you notice some similarities?
1) The people around the struggling swimmers did not know that they were drowning. They were oblivious to what was going on.
2) Both of the children's heads were bobbing up and down the water. They were trying desperately to gasp for air.
3) Although both the boy and the girl were splashing about the water frantically, to the other swimmers, they looked like they were 'playing' or fooling around.
4) Both the boy and the girl could not scream or wave their hands for help.
This post supplements
- 'Video Resources (3): Drowning / Rescued from Drowning 1'
- 'Selected Reading Material 4:Drowning / Rescued from Drowning'
- 'Video Resources (3): Drowning / Rescued from Drowning 1'
- 'Selected Reading Material 4:Drowning / Rescued from Drowning'
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Video Resources (3): Drowning / Rescued from Drowning 1
My pupils often had problems developing their stories about drowning or near-drowning accidents. The lack of information and (thank goodness!) personal experience makes it difficult for pupils to elaborate and develop the content of their compositions realistically.
After scouring the internet for suitable videos (no bikini-clad images...) and resources, the following video shows an actual lifeguard rescue of a little girl, who had fallen from her huge ring float, after the wave pool function was activated.
The girl (right-hand side of video) falls from her ring at 0:29.
On a Personal Note:
Before we go into the dynamics of writing a composition related to drowning or near-drowning, I would like to emphasise the importance of observing water safety procedures and rules.
Singapore being a tropical island, we often succumb to the inviting waters at our beaches and pools for a temporary respite from the suffocating heat. I love to swim too. But do bear in mind that if we are not strong swimmers, we stay near the edge or at the shallow ends. If we are good swimmers, we stay alert (and away from any form of sedation or alcoholic drinks) when entering the water. If we have children with us, they are our priority and everything else can and must wait.
Too many tragedies have occurred because of negligence and such tragedies can (most often) be avoided.
I also feel the need to applaud the hard work of vigilant lifeguards who keep watch tirelessly under the scorching sun. Thank you!
Now, back to work.
1) Can you think of of words related to the events occurring in the video?
You might want to brainstorm according to the nouns, then verbs, then adjectives / adverbs you think might be applicable.
For example:
Nouns - swimming pool, children, ring floats...
Verbs - screaming, playing, splashing...
Adjectives - large blue, clear, inviting, cool, scorching, slippery
Adverbs - happily, mischievously, frantically..
2) If you are given a picture composition and the picture is a still of this video at 0:29 (the moment the girl falls into the water), what are some of the sentences or phrases or ideas you can think of after watching the events unfold in the video?
For this activity, try to organize your thoughts and brainstorm for relevant ideas chronologically. Remember that you can always imagine how the story may unfold. The above video clip can provide you loads of ideas for the main part your writing. You'll still need to firm up ideas for the beginning and concluding part of the composition.
This post supplements
- 'Video Resources (4): Drowning / Rescued from Drowning 2'
- 'Selected Reading Material 4:Drowning / Rescued from Drowning'
After scouring the internet for suitable videos (no bikini-clad images...) and resources, the following video shows an actual lifeguard rescue of a little girl, who had fallen from her huge ring float, after the wave pool function was activated.
The girl (right-hand side of video) falls from her ring at 0:29.
'Wavepool Lifeguard Rescue', 29 Apr 2013, by Lifeguard Rescue, YouTube
On a Personal Note:
Before we go into the dynamics of writing a composition related to drowning or near-drowning, I would like to emphasise the importance of observing water safety procedures and rules.
Singapore being a tropical island, we often succumb to the inviting waters at our beaches and pools for a temporary respite from the suffocating heat. I love to swim too. But do bear in mind that if we are not strong swimmers, we stay near the edge or at the shallow ends. If we are good swimmers, we stay alert (and away from any form of sedation or alcoholic drinks) when entering the water. If we have children with us, they are our priority and everything else can and must wait.
Too many tragedies have occurred because of negligence and such tragedies can (most often) be avoided.
I also feel the need to applaud the hard work of vigilant lifeguards who keep watch tirelessly under the scorching sun. Thank you!
Now, back to work.
1) Can you think of of words related to the events occurring in the video?
You might want to brainstorm according to the nouns, then verbs, then adjectives / adverbs you think might be applicable.
For example:
Nouns - swimming pool, children, ring floats...
Verbs - screaming, playing, splashing...
Adjectives - large blue, clear, inviting, cool, scorching, slippery
Adverbs - happily, mischievously, frantically..
2) If you are given a picture composition and the picture is a still of this video at 0:29 (the moment the girl falls into the water), what are some of the sentences or phrases or ideas you can think of after watching the events unfold in the video?
For this activity, try to organize your thoughts and brainstorm for relevant ideas chronologically. Remember that you can always imagine how the story may unfold. The above video clip can provide you loads of ideas for the main part your writing. You'll still need to firm up ideas for the beginning and concluding part of the composition.
This post supplements
- 'Video Resources (4): Drowning / Rescued from Drowning 2'
- 'Selected Reading Material 4:Drowning / Rescued from Drowning'
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