Language for Fun
What do they say about some creative topics?
1st Term 2024-25
How about you? What do you think about these topics?
2AB ENA Isabel Chung and Peony Poon (2023-24) have their say related to what they hate, the worst excuse that they have heard and the word or the phrase that they dislike hearing from adults. Their opinions were posted in the top ten section, Young Post.
How fun can language be?
1st Term 2024-25
I am truly amazed and equally amused by how my student Erin Ho (2A 2023-24) used the exam area vocabulary (i.e. all the bold words) to finish a creative task given in the lesson. She wrote a poem. Let's enjoy the word power.
The Crazy Class…
This is my English Class, we neither A nor B.
It is very chaotic as you can see.
There are aggressive and harsh words,
You better be accustomed to things that are absurd!
Alex treats everyone like he befriends them all,
but where’s the food? Oh he ate them all!
Vincent’s the culprit behind Alphen being frozen overtime
during almost all games of Gimkit all the time!
Miss Au is kept in captivity,
inside our classroom, oh how can this be?
Well probably since the bell is dastardly,
not letting her leave til the lesson ends, finally!
Making use of my dexterity, I’m writing this while in my seat stationed,
to tell you how my brain cells are like trees during deforestation.
All of us know a bunch of ourselves
probably have undiagnosed craziness.
The sane ones sure want escape from here,
but we have the school rules to worry and fear!
Miss Au is heartwarming and ingenious,
unlike Alex who makes this tiring.
My destruction of my brain cells are irreversible.
The inhabitants here aren’t responsible.
Well some are fine and happy,
but insane ones intrude their sanity.
Most of the boys are illicit and ‘funny’
joking about the word juggling, they are so happy.
Quite a nuisance? Yeah they are,
Alphen has an obsession with Gimkit. Lock him up behind bars!
As a subject leader, I want to snatch their nonsense and keep it at bay
before squirting more words out their mouth and slithering away.
How about a public exam writing topic? How to be creative yet sophisticated and poignant at the same time?
Motion Sickness
6D06 Leung Ka Wai (2023-24)
With nothing holding you back, would you still tread into the vast unknown?
I looked at the gate as if it were posing an absurd question. Yet, I hesitated. "It was unlike the old man to leave the cage unlocked," I wondered. "He has always kept an eye on it..."
The old man in question was John, once an aspiring lad whose aviator dreams were put to a halt due to a chronic illness. We first met when he bought me from a market, and I had been in his presence ever since. He used to tell me how his life was cut short, how he felt so lonely, how the doctors advised him to stay at home - oh, woe is me!
In a similar manner, we were both trapped. He, confined in this house surrendering to sickness, and I, inside this cage looking pretty.
Maybe he had had enough, when several moments earlier, he fumbled with the key, and 'snap!' went to the bars. I didn't dare to move a feather, anticipating the routine of cleaning the cage, which was not entirely out of the ordinary. However, none of that usual activity took place. The flickering bedroom lights and a door slam marked the end of the day– though it was unusually early.
He never came to greet me in the morning, either. Maybe he simply slept in. Maybe the medication took a toll on him. Perhaps he was too bedridden to hear the thundering calls or answer the banging door.
The cage remained open, beckoning me to embark on an adventure in the outside world. Beyond the balcony, the fences seemed like an oasis, a paradise my pea-sized brain could have never fathomed. It was easy to indulge in fantasies until I attempted to unfurl my pristine, untouched wings that had never experienced flight. Trying to wiggle my legs yielded no results, as I struggled to summon the courage required for that daring leap of faith.
So I glanced around. A solitary pill jar stared back at me. Not far away, a million shards of glass lay scattered on the ground, with fragments bearing distinctive stains of crimson, all left to evaporate under the unforgiving sunlight.
I connected the dots, and it became as clear as day - John was allowing me an opportunity to escape. All those times he shared his lifelong aspiration to become a pilot, how close he had come to piloting his own plane... they were now shattered dreams. Until that moment, I couldn't determine whether this act was one of mercy or cruelty, granting me the chance to live out his dreams while carrying the weight of it all.
As soon as the front door was wrenched open, I took off in a spontaneous burst of energy. There was nothing holding me back, and anywhere my wings would carry me would be enough.
Soaring above the concrete jungle, I struggled to comprehend why John had yearned for this world so intensely. What was so alluring about these cold and artificial structures? Wouldn't it be more fulfilling to stick with what was familiar? As absurd as it may sound, I could sense John nudging me towards a different path, back to the very home I knew so well, yet now felt unfamiliar. I had no desire to revisit the sight of my lifeless owner or the sheltered life we had once shared.
In the grand scheme of things, there was neither mercy nor cruelty in John's decision. He simply bestowed upon me the freedom to choose what was best for myself. And now, I have discovered my solace in a resting spot atop a polished granite headstone, which calls out to me after my long day of travels.
Wouldn't it be too quixotic? Whatever.
This story is a heart-stinging and thought-provoking one. A chain of questions surge up: Did the bird miss the old man? Why did it sound so apathetic towards the death of its master? What would happen to the bird? Would anyone find the old man's body? Would the bird return to the old man? If there wasn't just a bird left, would the old man have a different choice? Is the death of the old man solely caused by his chronic illness?
Loneliness is the number one killer in this day and age. Its twin brother is hopelessness. A motion for all of you: Look around you. Take action! Move! Be aware of those hidden in the isolated corners. Hand out your tissues! Share your umbrella with them! Poke a hole in their shade and let the light in! You then may have changed a story.
How can we play with words?
Being Alice : "Curiouser , Curisouer"
1st Term 2024-25
To celebrate the 40th anniversary, our school is going to put the classic children literature, Alice in Wonderland (AiW) on stage. Let us get into the role of Alice and explore the fun ways to use the language.
Last year, we introduced some types of poetry to you: haiku and erasure poems. This year, we try the sequence poem, a math poem. Fibonacci poem (Fib poem) to match with the logic, golden ratio and math issues in AiW.
A Fib:
The number of syllables in each line of the poem is the sum of the previous two lines: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8. Source: Poetry foundation
More references:
https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/fibonacci-poetry-a-new-poetic-form
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/68971/1-1-2-3-5-8-fun
https://marianchristiepoetry.net/mathematical-forms-in-poetry-the-fibonacci-poem/
https://www.poetrysocietyofindiana.org/blog/fibonacci-poem
F.1 -F.5 Fib Challenge
Write a Fib with the elements of Alice in Wonderland
grinning cat images created by AI in Wix
An example:
Chesire Cat
Your
grin
afloat
in mad air,
how real is a dream?
To grab your grin and grow a tail.
I made this fib within minutes. It's definitely not good enough. I believe you can write better than me. You try now. Splash your creative juice and have crazily fun in it.
1st Term 2024-25
Have fun with the Chinese cultural elements in Fib poems !
Challenge for Your!!
A few days ago, my neighbor, Ms Ng, talked about Fib poem with me and she said that should find fib poem in different shapes. Yes, Fib poems can be very interesting too. The ratio between the numbers is related to Golden ratio. The one I introduced above is the basic form. There are some advanced forms to play with. Do you want to try?
Since the moon fest is approaching, I would also like to blend some of the traditional Chinese cultural elements into the poem about AiW. This is a challenge for you. See if you would like to accept it. But surely you can write the basic form. Below is my demonstration (the number of syllables stated at the beginning of each line for your reference) though it is definitely not good enough due to the short period of time it took me.
Fly Me to the Moon
1Lift
1Leap
2Land with
3Yu Tu. Lead
5To Guanghan Palace
8 Stay. Stay. Drink me. Eat me. The cake
13 round in shape and the wine fills my sky. Alice. A dreamy voice
21 cries. Spill. Splash. Size doesn’t change and life goes on and on, flowing into a pool of tears
13Dance Chang e Dance, weaving stories in love and grief. Sing
8Alice Sing. Will you? Comfort the lone
5with a lantern in
3hand waiting
2for her
1loved
1one
Erasure Art Pieces
2nd Term Feb. 2023-24
Guided by Mr. Alex Garcia, the VA and English teacher, F.3 students created erasure literary work based on Orson Scott Card's sci-fi, Ender's Game p. 72 and 73. The best five pieces are created by 3C Lam Zelene, 3A Au Shun Yan, 3A Fan Hoi Ching, 3A Lung Hoi Yi and 3D Wong Ling Tsz (2023-24).
Erasure Poems
Symphony
2A Erin Ho (2023-24)
Orchestral soundtrack,
the universe,
sing a unique song.
Our day and nights
through the tiny pitch
in space
travel away.
Erasure poem created using the article Symphony of Stars by Ben Maycock p.16 from Brain Space Magazine.
Societies
4D Ravi (2023-24)
Facing an extremely
tough competitor,
change and manipulate
combined.
Change human decisions.
Story filled with toxic,
poison-
the sick, elderly and poor restricted
rights.
Erasure poem created using the page Conversation (p.2) from Time Magazine May 20, 2019.
Happiness
Ms. Sammi Wong (Vice Principal)
Unique and proud,
solitude and joy,
firelight glowing on a hearth.
Red and green and yellow, lighted candles,
golden and soft and gleaming,
smiling together on a couch.
Hugged one another.
Erasure poem created using Lois Lowry's The Giver (p. 153-154).
O For Ocean
3A Jacab Fung (2023-24)
Morning,
near the sea waters,
gathered with musicians,
preparing to change their musical instruments that they shaped.
They danced and
performance had become
the global stage.
It was
the ocean.
Erasure poem created using the article O from National Geographic p. 34.
Responses to the story Floating
poster created using canva
The illustrations were done by an alumnus, Matthew Chan, a master graduate in Visual Arts in Education University, when he studied here.
“All he knew it was his time. It came so natural like a born floater. He was floating in the air, letting the wind sustain his body.”
The boy floated. Once deemed impossible, but through the empathy and care, the ability is bestowed upon him. He gained the confidence and then developed his ability to soar across the sky. He could finally see himself, Sirius, the brightest star.
The boy was plagued by despondency at the start. He saw everyone took flight but could not join. Only left himself the sensations of envy and vexation. Worthless is his word. As the story described, he was a snail. A snail yearning to fly.
I think everyone is different, but there is something that we are all the same--none of us is perfect. Even the famous Albert Einstein couldn’t properly take care of himself. Each of us possesses flaws and special needs.
4B Cedric Sy (2023-24)
有言:「面對成長中的起跌是人生的必修課」,孩子,你今天過得好嗎?在學業上要解決功課難題、追趕別人的分數;人際上要學習與人溝通、滿足他人的需要⋯⋯但,我們「自己」呢?很多時的跌倒,是源自於不自知的糊塗與迷失,如果能在我們匱乏的心靈中,感受此刻所需,不作無謂的攀比,先「安內」,活出自己所愛的那個你,或許會感受到討好自己比討好別人更快樂、更自在,願我們在「起跌」這面鏡子中看到成長的自己。
Ms. Chan Ching Wa
Chinese Language Teacher
Head of Counselling Committee
Labeling is discouraged on the whole. Firstly, long-term labels can easily become a stereotype. In the meantime, people will ignore other characteristics of the individual as the label is too conspicuous, thus viewing others with a labeled and flat eyesight. In addition, labelling affects not only people’s views of others but also people’s understanding of themselves. Psychology regards labelling as bringing about a labelling effect. Labels have a certain guiding role, which affects people's self-identity. Sometimes labels will even encourage people to develop in the direction of labels, hindering people's holistic development in the future. The natural development of a growing character deviates from its original course.
Humans are complex individuals. Each person has his or her own unique character. We should not and cannot be defined in a single way. At the same time, we should not use rigid and imprisoned thoughts to understand ourselves and others, but we should look at everyone with an open and tolerant perspective, while also focusing on the qualities we possess. Let things take their natural course.
5C Tracy Tsoi (2023-24)
Since every one of us is a unique being (including you and me), the things you have experienced may be different from others, which may help you to develop your very own personality. Our uniqueness may often make people confused because we know we will soon be meeting many people and we often find it difficult to identify them by their uniqueness. To identify all of the people we’ve met, we tend to make use of “labels”.
However, every coin has two sides. Labels may also act as pressure because you may doubt yourself. Once you cannot overcome it, you may get destroyed by the great pressure. Therefore, you need to have a strong and positive mind to face the labels. Although the process may be hard and frustrating, the sweet taste of overcoming the pressure from labels is irreplaceable. I hope all of us can overcome the adverse effect of labeling just as Sirius overcame the label of “a kid that can’t float” and enjoy the happiness of being a better person.
4D Issac Fung (2023-24)
In the pursuit of personal growth and development, positive psychology can be our guiding light. By exploring your passions and interests, we can foster a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Embracing a growth mindset allows us to view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth, empowering you to overcome obstacles and reach your full potential. Set our own goals, work hard, and unleash our inner abilities. Remember, each one of us is unique, with our own set of talents and strengths. Embrace our uniqueness and believe in our abilities, we can develop our potential, nurture our talents, and create a life that aligns with our true self.
Ms Wong Miu Han
Vice Principal (Specializing in counselling)
"Then he saw it. He saw his name, the word he had been avoiding. Sirius, the brightest star. His name was Sirius. He yelled it out loud."
The Most Hilarious Haiku
Penguins
Flightless birds and egg-layers they be.
With wings evolved to flippers for swimming in the sea.
Dark and white feathers are their symbols of Aves.
In the sky? Don't be silly!
They are only in the southern hemisphere!
Mr. Tsang Wing Kei Vice Principal (Specializing in Science)
A Bird? 4B Jacob Wai (2023-24)
Penguin in the sky
When you see it, don’t be shy.
Join fast! Don’t ask why.
"Let me see if I can fly up to the sky."
"When you see us, do you feel shy?"
"Are we birds or mammals?"
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 master graduate 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