Know your rights!

This year, the world celebrates the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"Rights" are things every child should have or be able to do. All children have the same rights. Below are some rights listed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

1. You have the right to grow up healthy, happy and safe. Adults have the responsibility to make sure that your rights are protected.

2. You have the right to live with a family who loves you and takes care of you.

3. You have the right to choose your own friends and to do things together, as long as it is not harmful to you or others.

4. You have the right to food and water, clothing, a safe place to live in as well as proper medical care so that you can stay healthy,

5. You have the right to go to school and get a good education so that you can develop your talents. It should also help you learn to live peacefully, protect the environment and respect other people.

Which of the rights you feel is / are most important to you? Why? Share your views!

Refer to page 12 to 13 of What's Up September issue for the list of the UN Convention Rights of the Child.

*Remember to indicate your name and class when you share your view :)

Foreigners in Singapore

                   Singapore is not the only country that received many Chinese immigrants in the 19th century.
Chinese immigrants are found on every continent in the world except in Antarctica. Besides, the United States, South Africa and Australia, South-East Asia has been a favourite destination. Singapore, however, is the only country where Chinese immigrants rule themselves.
                   In every country today, you will find a Chinatown. This was initially where the new immigrants would flock to until they found a place to settle somewhere in their host country. Chinatown provided a safe haven for the newcomers. There they could speak in their own language, eat their own food, celebrate their own festivals and make new friends. It helped them feel at home.
                   Thousands of young men were leaving China in the 19th century to make a better life for themselves. Many places around the world needed labourers to work in ports, factories, mines and plantations. A lot of the work was tough and even dangerous but these young men were willing to work hard to send money home.
                  Today in Singapore, immigrants continue to come not only from China but also from the Philippines, India, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and the other SE Asian countries  Many of them work in the banks, hospitals, construction sites or as domestic helpers and even food courts. There are also professionals who come to Singapore to improve their lifestyle.
                  Are there too many foreigners to Singapore ? Should the government continue to accept them or put a stop to the influx of foreigners ? How are they contributing to our society.? What are your views ?
                 

Tagging animals is a great way for biologists to learn more about the natural world. It can tell them how far certain animals travel, where they go and why, and how they get to their destination. Over time, researchers can make out patterns in these animal movements. When patterns suddenly change, it alerts experts that something might be wrong and they can try to find out what is wrong and tackle the problem before it worsens.

Watch video clip (1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eye27apFp4

Watch video clip (2): http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/wild-kingdom/videos/tagging-a-whale-shark.htm

Countries can use this information to set aside protected areas where animals can be free from human interference. There are critics who believe that tagging may interfere with the animal’s way of functioning. Heavy electronic tags can slow an animal down or may cause permanent damage. Do you agree with the critics?

A Secret Message for Abused Kids (March 2014) - page 14 [6 Humility]

Have you heard or read stories about children who were abused? Have you wondered what is being done to help this group of children? Take a look at the following video


 


In "A Secret Message for Abused Kids" (page 14, What's Up March 2014), we learnt that an organisation in Spain, ANAR Foundation, is now using lenticular pictures to help children who are abused.

Lenticular pictures contain images with simple animation effect which have been a source of fun for children around the world. This is to help children who may not have access to information they need in order to seek help. These poster with lenticular pictures contain a secret message that only children can read as the special message can only be seen from the lower level.

Let's Discuss!

1. Do you think that the lenticular pictures will be effective in helping children who have been abused to get help? Why? 
2. In what other ways can society help these children? 

Let's take it a step further and put on our thinking hats!

1. What constitutes child abuse to you? Does a parent scolding a child for not doing his/her homework constitute child abuse? How about a parent who beats his/her child’s hand whenever he/she takes something that does not belong to him/her? 
2. In your opinion, what is the most effective way of disciplining children?

Giving Aid That People Need

Debate Time!

Read the article, "Giving Aid That People Need" on page 11. 

Here is P6 Faith's dilemma.... to donate in kind OR to donate in cash.... 

Please respond to this motion.

It is always better to give cash than to give donation in kind to the survivors of disasters.

                                         What do you think everyone? 

To respond, please complete one of these sentence starters:

1) We should donate in kind because ......

OR 

2) We should donate in cash because ....

Take note of the following...

1. Write in full sentences so that others can understand your comments.
2. Be persuasive by giving good reasons.
3. Proof-read and check before you submit. 
4. Please remember to leave your name and class!

Getting Ideas from Kids

In "Getting Ideas from Kids" (page 8, What's Up January 2014), we read that students at Riverside School in Ahmedabad, a city in northwest India, have a unique way of learning. For example, they do not have a fixed timetable during a school day. Instead, it is up to each child to decide what and how much he or she wants to learn daily.

In one case, students in a primary two class decided to create an audio tour for visitors of the zoo when they realised that the information found next to the animal enclosures was often too difficult for kids their age to understand. In this way, visitors to the zoo could simply put on a pair of headphones to learn more about the animals. The project taught the children the most important lesson of all, which was the realisation that they had the power to achieve almost anything they wanted.

The founder of the school, Ms Kiran Bir Sethi, believes that children should be encouraged to make their own decisions without fear. In 2009, she started a contest called the 'Design for Change Challenge'. It simply asked children to think up solutions for problems that worry them. To her delight, hundreds of children wrote in with their plans. It proved so successful that the movement has now spread all over the world, from Australia to Uruguay.

Post your comments on or more of the following questions:

1.  Do you agree with the way of learning in Riverside School? Why?

2.  What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of having such a learning in 

     Singapore?

Taking it a step further:

1. What is one thing that worries you the most?

2. Can you think of a solution to this problem that worries you?

January 2014 - What's Up!

Hi Everyone!

In "Avatar sequels will be made in New Zealand" (page 17, What's Up January 2014), we read about how the locations are an important part of movie-making. The right scenery makes the story more believable. Before they build a full-fledged movie set, they often make miniature versions to test out their ideas.

Why don't you try building one at home too?

Materials Needed

- shoe box
- glue
- scissors
- paper, clay or any other material of your choice

Instructions
1) Imagine that you are making a movie of your favourite book. Choose one scene from that story. Read it carefully so that you will have an idea of how the set should look.
2) Plan your mini movie set. Make rough sketches before your decide what you are going to build.
3) Gather the materials you want to use. You can use any material of your choice. Be as creative as possible.
4) Turn over the lid of a shoe box. Stand the box up on its sides and place it upright on the lid. Glue the box onto its lid. This will be the background of your set.
5) Paint the box with your chosen colours.
6) Add details. Work from the back of the shoe box to the front.

You have your own Mini Movie Set!

Picture from http://newgrowthstartswithgod.blogspot.sg/2011/05/mekenzeis-egypt-tomb-shoebox-project.html