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Beware of Allergies

Yesterday I woke up with swollen eyes and a face like a balloon. The skin was itchy and irritated. I knew it was allergies. I'd experienced minor allergic reactions in the past month and had seen doctors already but the allergies didn't go away.

Do you know what allergies are?

Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to things that are harmless to most people. When you're allergic to something, your immune system mistakenly believes that this substance is harmful to your body. Substances that cause allergic reactions may be certain foods, dust, plant pollen, medicine or animals' hair and fur.

To protect the body, the immune system produces antibodies to fight the substance. Those antibodies then cause certain cells in the body to release chemicals into the bloodstream, one of which is histamine (pronounced: his-tuh-meen).

The histamine then acts on the eyes, nose, throat, lungs or skin and causes the symptoms of the allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can be mild, like a runny nose, or they can be severe, like difficulty in breathing.

My doctor has given me some medicine called antihistamine (pronounced: an-ti-his-tuh-meen) which will help fight the allergies. He believes my allergies are caused by external environmental factors. For example, the humid weather, dust or mould. I will have to be careful with what I eat, just incase there is a particular food that I've become allergic to.

It is now hot and wet in Hong Kong, the best weather for mould and bacteria to breed. We need to take extra care with our hygiene. Wash your hands, keep your rooms clean and tidy and eat more healthy food!

Flow Charts

In the second term, P.3 students learnt to make simple flow charts. The flow chart consisted of 6 boxes. They can draw/stick photos and write descriptions on a topic of their own choice. They were asked leave the last box blank. In class I randomly distributed the students' flow charts so that each student received a flow chart that was not his own. Their task was to read their classmate's flow chart then think of a funny or interesting ending for the last box. Once completed, students were given their own flow charts back to read the "surprise" ending.

Some students wrote about their holiday.

Some wrote about their birthday party.

Some wrote about their travel adventures.

Many wrote about their pets.

Some wrote about their daily activities.

Some wrote about the history of their life.

One student wrote about his best friend and made his flow chart 3D!!

WOW!

Cinderella the Model

One of the skills of a good actor is the ability to commit to the character. You must try to become the character as much as you possibly can. If you know the character's thoughts, feelings and background, then memorizing the words becomes simple.

 

I always tell my kids to do research on whatever role they're playing and try and get into that "character's shoes". Get in their head! Take risks! Be brave on stage! Don't be afraid to over exaggerate gestures, words, or feelings.

As a final challenge for the Drama Academy kids this year, I introduced a script on the story of Cinderella. The boys opened their mouths in horror when I first gave them the script. "I don't want to be a girl!" they all shouted.

 

After the 1st reading, students began to accept and even like the script because they realized there was a funny twist to the ending.

The prince, thinking that Cinderella was a rich princess, only wanted to marry her for her money. Once the ugly step-sisters revealed to him that Cinderella was poor, he no longer wanted to marry her. Cinderella was of course not impressed. She didn't want to marry a prince who only cared about money anyway! After throwing her glass slippers in his face, the Fairy God Mother appeared and granted her a much better wish. Cinderella became "America's Next Top Model!"

And what about the prince and ugly step-sisters? Perhaps you can ask one of the Drama Academy kids to tell you : )

Well done boys! You are all shining stars!

Aliens Invasion

This year's P.3 students wrote some interesting and funny drama scripts for their Aliens role plays. They rehearsed and performed their masterpieces enthusiastically. I'm so proud of their dilligence and courage. Students learn best when they are enjoying themselves. It's wonderful to see so many smiling faces in class.

Here are some photos of aliens invading our classrooms! Enjoy!

Class 3A

 

 

Class 3B

 

 

Class 3C

 

Class 3D

 

 

Class 3E

 

 

Class 3F

  

 

Class 3G

 

 

Class 3H