25/5 Home-Based Learning Task 2

1.In this poem, the point of view is by a bystander witnessing the conflict and sadness."There are children in the darkness". The writer is writing from the point of view of a bystander. He is not the child who is suffering, nor is it his friend who is suffering. "Could we simply light a candle." The writer describes the children generally, he is not related to them in anyway. Thus he is writing from the point of view of a bystander who wants to step out and help the children.
2. The poem lets us imagine what is the difference between "darkness" and "light". If there is light, they would have a chance, to be taught how to read, to be taught how to dance, to learn how to fight. There would be chalk and blackboards in their lives, they would grow up. But in darkness, there is nothing, but sufferring. Their lives would be sacrificed. In darkness, war shall consume them, pour their blood, tear their flesh, and take their lives away. There is indeed a great difference between darkness and light, it is a matter of life and death for the children.
3. Language/Diction
The poet uses literary devices to emphasize the critical and unfair situation the children were in. In the poem, the poet conveys a message to his readers, to think, if they could actually be spared from the darkness and evil. The poet constantly repeats "Could We" at certain parts of the poem, which causes the reader to think if they could actually do something for the children, to bring their lives out of darkness, and shine.
4. Personal Response
This poem has made me feel extremely fortunate, because in Singapore, it is quite peaceful, and I was not born yet during the war. I am fortunate to not go through all the torture, to live in fear everyday of losing my life anytime. If I were one of those children, I would not be here writing, but already rotted beneath the ground.

25/5 Home-Based Learning Task 1

The poem "Children in the Darkness" was written in the year 2009, during Christmas by Henry M Bechtold when he was in his hotel room during his stay at Saigon. The poet was inspired by the photo of a young boy carrying an automatic rifle going to war in the news. The poet was actually planning to write a poem about girls that are being ill- treated by men when they work in the park. But he wrote another poem, Children in the darkness. The conflict is that young boys are going to war instead of young men and sacrificing their future, and are unable to fight for theirs lives. At such a young age, they are so innocent, yet they have to be subjected to such treatment. It is said that there are over millions of children that have been used in the war or dragged into with their parents. They are usually used as nurses, spies. They are in charge if guarding resources, general camps, drumboys, and worst of all, infantries soldiers who are put at the front line to test out for enemy mines. Children are treated as nearly useless people in the war. They are given high risks task as they are of low value, and are low-skilled. Those children do not have the opportunity to study, to grow up to be inteligent and have a bright future. They have not a single chance, no one spares a thought for them, they cannot learn, but only get consumed by war, and their lives are wasted just like that.



"There are children in the darkness

Who have not seen the light

There are children in the darkness

Who someone will teach to fight



Chalk and blackboards will not be

To this door there is no key

From this life they can not flee

And these children are not free



Could we simply light a candle

Could we give them half a chance

Could we teach them how to read

Could we teach them how to dance



Or will a war consume them

Their body and their soul

Will their life and blood be poured

Down some endless thirsty hole



Back into the darkness

From which there is no flight

Back into the darkness

Into which there shines no light

"


http://www.scribd.com/doc/31962195/Children-in-the-Darkness#

The Drive to explore space and outer solar system is still an important human endeavor. Do you agree?

Yes I do, it is indeed important to explore the space and our solar system. We never know what awaits us, and that is why there is discovery. We explore to discover, to confirm our misconceptions and renew our knowledge. Perhaps we do not discover anything now, but we cannot rule out the possibility that there would be changes and appearances in outer space in the years to come. Maybe there is a little portal in outer space, which leads to the outer solar system of another planet. Or perhaps there is a hidden place in other planets like Mars and Pluto where foreign organisms live. That is why we need to constantly explore space and the outer solar system to correct our misconceptions.

Making NS mandatory develops Singaporean boys into men. Do you agree?

I agree that making NS mandatory develops Singaporean boys into men. Not every one of them would want to attend National Service. However, they must remember that "Life is not a bed of roses". They do not always get what they want and desire, and that there are certain things which they have to learn to accept. Some of the Singaporean boys have not experienced hardship, and it is time they start to learn how to go through hardship, to do physical training, to cope, and not complain. National Service can equip them with skills which can last them for a lifetime. Through various group activities, Singaporean boys would understand the importance of hardship and that every person in a team is important, and that each team member needs to have a sense of belonging to the team, to take responsibility, and be a man, to be responsible for his own actions. When they are exhausted after all the activities and they might not have enough food or the food looks disgusting, they have to accept the fact that life is not always smooth-sailing, and we should not be picky with food, and live through such times. If they do not learn how to do so, when they face downfalls in their lives, they might be unable to accept the fact that they do not enjoy the luxury of the possessions and privileges they once had, and might do foolish things which would harm themselves. National Service would therefore help Singaporean boys to be more responsible, to be physically stronger, and equip them with skills which would last them for a life time, and thus NS develops Singaporen boys into men.

Online Lesson 8(Term 2)

June 6 ,1944.

The Landing In Normandy.
The Bloodiest Battle In France

Dear Diary,
Here I am, in a hospital, with other soldiers, with our wounds being treated by nurses. Today was probably the worst day of the war. After today, I have come to learn one thing, and that is, the sea is a scary place.
We were on a boat, rowing hard for our lives. Out of a sudden, numerous bullets came flying in our direction. I was lucky to be sitting in the middle of the boat. To survive, I fell onto the ground of the boat, and acted as if I was shot. After a while, our boat capsized and my fellow soldiers jumped off the boat. I followed them, and swum to shore. Never did I realise, that I was shot in my leg as I jumped into the sea. By now, looking around, I only see half of my fellow soldiers left. I thought that the other half of them have most probably drowned, unable to swim to shore due to the pain from their wounds. We began digging into the sand, hoping to dig a tunnel and get away from all these violence. Most of our equipment were gone by now, either damaged, or lost as we struggled to swim to shore. I am left without a gun, or my helmet, just my armour. Luckily we were able to reach the hospital safely without getting spotted by our enemies. Probably because we removed our soldier clothing.
Sometimes I wonder, when would all these violence end. I have had enough of this. Today, my best friend, John, passed away because he lost too much blood. While Kenny drowned while swimming to shore. We 3 were childhood friends. I knew both of them since primary school. To think, we were seperated by the war. Now I am left without friends, or family. Dear diary, please tell me that tomorrow would be a better day, where I see some hope in my life.
It is getting late, good night diary.

Yours sincerely,
The One Who Keeps You By His Side

Blog Writing 3/5/2011

In my opinion, I think that the poster of National Solidarity Party(NSP) displays the sense of teamwork more effectively. The picture of each party member are arranged in the form of the 5 stars in the national flag and all pictures are of equal size. This could also represent their commitment and love for Singapore as a team. However, in poster of the Marine Parade GRC, Goh Chok Tong's picture is bigger. And this does not display teamwork very effectively although we all know Goh Chok Tong is a famous leader. The poster seems to be showing that Goh Chok Tong is the only important group member, and all other group members are not important.