Language for Fun
New school term starts...
1st Term Aug 2023-24
Let's begin with some fun challenges.
The photos and drawing contributed by Ms S. Y. Yu, who has recently developed interest in sketching the photos of birds she takes. More drawings by Ms. Yu can be found in Art for Healing.
Nature in Poetry
During summer holidays, did you have chance to explore the environment around you. Did you go traveling? Did you go hiking? What does nature mean to you? Perhaps it can be represented in photos and drawings. It can also be manifested in words.
Many Hong Kongers love travelling to Japan. Indeed Japanese literature also influences English culture. Haiku, a type of poem with only three lines, originates from Japanese poetry and brings a significant impact to English literature. A famous modernist poet, Ezra Pound, also used haiku in his writing. A lot of haiku poems are about nature and our surroundings. I enjoy writing haiku poems too. They sharpen my observation and stimulate my imagination. Now here comes the first challenge:
Last year, we used six words to write a story. This year, why not be a poet? Write a haiku poem. Your poem should include nature as one of the elements. Also we adopt the traditional convention: 5-7-5 syllables.
References for you:
Haiku poems: definition and examples
Haiku Challenge
Join the
Program
Art and Poetry
Everyone can be a poet! You can find poetry in texts of different subjects. Sounds impossible right? It's true and most importantly, fun. You can even create by erasing. Want to try it?
Now, good news for junior form students! We will hold an erasure poetry workshop. In the workshop, you can be a poet and an artist. Your poem can be an art piece as well. Enroll it by clicking the link now.
Erase & Create !
Erasure Poetry Workshop
Date: 13 September 2023 (WED)
Time: 3:15-4:45pm
Venue: School library
Participants: F.1 to F.3 students
5C Oscar Yue (2021-22) wrote a piece of short writing about compulsive hoarding in the final examination. I used it to make an erasure poem (aka blackout poem). It can be read below as well.
The Problem
Old furniture, used bottles, broken computers and outdated newspapers
Hoarders
hills of anxiety
memories invade
stories exacerbating space
the encroachment
Tragic
There are many ways to form an erasure poem. Try to make one yourself.
I have also written a haiku poem called "The Ink" to respond to the art here.
Splashes the ink. Stains (5)
walls, the city; stings hearts; sink (7)
abandoned stories. (5)
My other haiku poems will be published in the forthcoming Auroras & Blossoms haiku anthology Volume 3. The date of release is in September.
Senior Form Students: Picture Ordering Challenge
Below are the illustrations done by an alumnus, Matthew Chan, a current master student in Visual Arts in Education University, when he studied here. He would like to be an art teacher. These illustrations are based on my story, Floating, which assigns magical qualities to characters in their daily life. In the story, normal characters can fly or float in the air. Try to read the story and arrange the pictures in order. Click this link and complete the google form. Enjoy!
Digital Stories For Fun
F.2 students created digital stories based on the theme Sacrifice using the app Toontastic.
The Great Sacrifice of the Last Olympian
High above the Aegean Sea stood the tallest mountain, known as Mount Olympus. And the peak of Olympus was the headquarters of the Greek Gods. There were minor deities and of course, the twelve Olympians (main deities).
It was a typical day here on Olympus, all gods and goddesses had their usual gatherings except for Hestia, the goddess of hearth and fire, who was the eldest, Olympian, didn’t like to participate in any family dramas, since family dramas were a waste of her time. She had also given up her throne in the pantheon and preferred tending the sacred hearth. While the gods were gathering, Eris, who was the goddess of strife and discord, felt fatigued and was fed up with the peaceful scenery of the gods. “Oh Olympus! This place is too boring and peaceful, it is even worse than the Underworld.” She mumbled with hatred...
He loves reading Percy Jackson series. His digital story is inspired by his reading .
2A Anson Wong (2022-23)
What happened next? Who would sacrifice in the end?
A Toontastic Audio Story by Anson Wong
2E Wong Leong Hang showcased his creativity and drawing skills in his digital story, Reborn, where he added some fantastical elements to highlight the interlocking fate of a couple Entony and Christine.
2B Cordelia Hui (2022-23) created the digital story, The Sea World 3080, weaving the message of environmental protection into the theme of sacrifice. Enjoy her Toontastic video!
What are the criteria of a good leader?
2B Eva Cheuk (2022-23) has the answer for you. Her story, The Good King, shows that a good king sacrifices a lot for his people to save them from starvation.
2A Adrian Cheung Long Yat (2022-23) created another version of Titanic story to show what a great leader can be. Watch his Titanic 2.0--A Story of a Hero!
2B Estelis Khu has recreated the classic story, Snow White. Her Snow White and the Queen 2.0 trains the new Snow White, inspired by the kind-hearted Queen, from a disobedient girl to a feminist leader in her kingdom. Let's read parts of her story.
Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom, there was a princess who lived in a gorgeous and huge castle called Snow White. She had a lovely family and a magic mirror.
However, her mum, the Queen,was more popular and beautiful than her. The Queen was visitors by people all over the kingdom, and countless suitors sent her flowers every day. Snow White kept questioning the magic mirror, but the answer given by the magic mirror was always the same:
“The Queen is the most beautiful person in the world.”
Contrary to snow white, the Queen loves Snow White very much. She often left the best for Snow White, so that she could live the happiest life. But Snow White was blinded by jealousy, she always failed to notice the Queen's kindness, and felt that the Queen took everything away from her.
On the other side of the land,there was another kingdom.There lived a handsome yet an aggressive prince who judged people only based on their values of being used. His most trusted subordinates were the seven dwarfs who seemed harmless to humans and animals. He wanted to rule over Snow White's kingdom. So he sneaked into the kingdom holding the excuse of trading...
All the stories above can be found in the coming printed anthology!!! Meanwhile, use your imagination to fill in the gaps. Be a story writer!
2nd Term 22-23 Jan 2023
The Finalists Of Six-Word Stories are...
1C 6 Ho Yui Lam Erin
2B 24 Tison Tam
The Sun drank the whole river.
Pet dog found.
2B 17 Jacob Fung
Grandpa passed away.
Lost penguin. Travels world. Finds family.
3C 8 Zoe Hu
We are getting married,
but separately.
A promise.
Small Title
A promise.
She believed.
He lied.
4A 16 Cheung Lok Hei
Their Favorite picks
This “A promise. She believed. He lied.” triggers me to imagination. These are the pictures instantly coming into my head. Is it about a couple? A mother and a son? Spy stories? Two folks involving in trade secrets? Certainly, there could be many others which are for readers to imagine and run their stories.
It is like a sparkle able to light up your imagination and to inspire you to create your story plot shuttling between now and then, and among people in different roles.
This powerful word: Promise. What do you get from it?
Principal Cheung Chui Yee
Lost penguin. Travels world. Finds family.
I feel most for this story. I feel very touched by the urgency and determination with which the penguin searched for her lost family. I love the use of the words, ‘lost’, ‘world’, ‘finds family’, which immediately paint a picture in my mind—a lost penguin desperately searches for its family members. Due to its persistent efforts, it ultimately finds them and they are reunited.
I love to watch documentaries about animals and am always amazed by the instincts and love demonstrated among the animals’ families. Though they are not human beings, their behavior speaks volumes. There are strong bonds in their world, too.
The theme of ‘Family’ appeals to me very much. I am a person who is fortunate to have beloved ones in my family. In times of ups and downs, happiness and despair, the support and unconditional love from my family are of utmost importance. Without them, I am not sure if I could have overcome the challenges and anxieties I face from time to time.
Last but not least, I love the story because it has a perfect ending. I love happy endings. For instance, in this case, I could not bear to see the penguin travelling to many places and in the end, being unable to find her parents or family. This would be very sad. In my heart, I always hope that every person and animal can find love which fulfills their life. So, thanks to the author of this story, there is warmth and goodness displayed in it.
Mrs. CH Wong, Vice Principal
Details on public votes on the grand champion will be released soon. We want to know your choice and view too.
Fun Talk
What is your earliest childhood memory?
For Jacob Fung 2B, it was about NOISE. Let's read his what he wrote for top ten in young post. Click here.
What about you?
Eva Cheuk from 2B likes the animated film, The Incredibles a lot. She wants to possess superpower. She would like to befriend a character in the movie. Which one can you guess she likes most? Why?
Let's read more about her post in Top Ten. Do you want to be that character?
Which fictional character would you like to befriend?