Back in September we started on the long road to the Battle of the Books (BoB).
Kids in year 7 and 8 first read 20 books then learnt all the fine details. They sat through memory workshops and practice quizzes. The idea is they answer questions on the 20 books. The answer is always the book title and author and questions go from easy to obscure.
This year we had treasures such as: "In which book does the hero have a dress made in the same sea green as her eyes?" "In which book does a character have Arthuritis?" and so on...
The children have to identifiy which of the 20 books they have read fits the bill in just 20 seconds.
We took the best with us to the semi final which we won easily (6/6 rounds) and then onto the final which was closer but we still won with flying colours (5/6 rounds).
The trophy is now back with KGV where it belongs, as well as $1500 dollars worth of books which the children got to choose.
You can read more about this and other school happenings here...
http://www.kgv.edu.hk/news_&_events/docs/School%20Newsletter
/2009/KGV%20Newsletter%20-%20Jun%2009.pdf
On the way I read a lot of teenage books myself and got to appreciate the quality of writing. Teenagers are more cynical - you can't get away with clichés and platitudes. I loved some and heartily recommend Skellig, Skullduggery Pleasant and anything by Marcus Sedgwick.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Battle of the Books
Mea Culpa
I haven't posted for 2 months. I miss a week at a time and it soon adds up.
Well I have a lot of catching up to do then. So I'd better get a move on...
Well I have a lot of catching up to do then. So I'd better get a move on...
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Porcupines
I just saw my first real life porcupine, actually two porcupines!
The dogs were woofing away outside so we went out to see what was causing the fuss.
There just over the wall were two porcupines snuffling around. They were quite big, almost pig sized, but lower to the ground.
No pics as it is too dark, but exciting!
The dogs were woofing away outside so we went out to see what was causing the fuss.
There just over the wall were two porcupines snuffling around. They were quite big, almost pig sized, but lower to the ground.
No pics as it is too dark, but exciting!
Friday, May 1, 2009
H1N1 and Hong Kong
Living in the city at the centre of the more recent deadly outbreaks (1968 flu and SARs 2003) makes for calm reassurance.
Contingency planning has been in place for the longest time with a tendency to learn from the errors and to be over cautious.
As soon as the problems surfaced in Mexico, the shopping centres were disinfected. Yesterday Heather's school was done in 99% bleach solution top to bottom.
About 5 km from us is the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village. It is out of the way in the Sai Kung Country Park, up back lanes.
Yesterday it was shut so it could be prepared, as it forms the quarantine centre!!
If you remember SARS you may bring back the images of housing blocks and hospitals with people imprisoned inside.
HK has no qualms about pushing the sick in with poles and locking them in. This can only be a good thing when the time comes!
In HK Park a memorial stands to the health workers who braved the wards and died for others.
The Health Minister announced today that on the first confirmed case all schools will be closed. We will be teaching online if this happens.
The kids in school are obviously anxious as they remember SARS. They were only 6 or 7 at the time.
Masks are common here, all families have them as it is usual to wear one if you have a cold.
Contingency planning has been in place for the longest time with a tendency to learn from the errors and to be over cautious.
As soon as the problems surfaced in Mexico, the shopping centres were disinfected. Yesterday Heather's school was done in 99% bleach solution top to bottom.
About 5 km from us is the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village. It is out of the way in the Sai Kung Country Park, up back lanes.
Yesterday it was shut so it could be prepared, as it forms the quarantine centre!!
If you remember SARS you may bring back the images of housing blocks and hospitals with people imprisoned inside.
HK has no qualms about pushing the sick in with poles and locking them in. This can only be a good thing when the time comes!
In HK Park a memorial stands to the health workers who braved the wards and died for others.
The Health Minister announced today that on the first confirmed case all schools will be closed. We will be teaching online if this happens.
The kids in school are obviously anxious as they remember SARS. They were only 6 or 7 at the time.
Masks are common here, all families have them as it is usual to wear one if you have a cold.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
It's just over that hill now. Part 2. Where are the sherpas.
We made it to the beach.
The adults found a cafe to set up a base.
There were 18 of us by now as some had cut out part of the journey on the ferry.
(I've filed that away for future reference).
We ordered Chinese food and 100 pounds fed 18 people (including beers).
Alexandra and Heather played in the water, with their new friends.
And then, after we had eaten and drunk beer...
"A better beach can be found 2 mins over this headland".
"Ok" says we,, "Let's go." Even though the beach we were on was lovely you never know what you might be missing.
There are ropes set up to help you climb up and (more worrying) down again.
This is a first view of the lesser known "Big Wave Bay".
It is beautiful and with very few people.
Though I could have done with resting up for the return journey (something my body reminded every step back) I had come this far and was going to swim in the sea.
The big waves were very strong as was the outgoing tide, but it was warm enough to be confortable.
And well worth the climb...
The adults found a cafe to set up a base.
There were 18 of us by now as some had cut out part of the journey on the ferry.
(I've filed that away for future reference).
We ordered Chinese food and 100 pounds fed 18 people (including beers).
Alexandra and Heather played in the water, with their new friends.
And then, after we had eaten and drunk beer...
"A better beach can be found 2 mins over this headland".
"Ok" says we,, "Let's go." Even though the beach we were on was lovely you never know what you might be missing.
There are ropes set up to help you climb up and (more worrying) down again.
This is a first view of the lesser known "Big Wave Bay".
It is beautiful and with very few people.
Though I could have done with resting up for the return journey (something my body reminded every step back) I had come this far and was going to swim in the sea.
The big waves were very strong as was the outgoing tide, but it was warm enough to be confortable.
And well worth the climb...
It's just over the hill - part 1 - the journey
We had heard about the best beach in Hong Kong since arriving. We knew it was a walk of about 5km and when invited decided that sounded like a great idea all round.
We were meeting other families at Pak Tam Au - which is at the top of our hill.
I decided we would all take the bus to the top of the hill as I was worried about the walk up being tiring. You will see why this is hilarious as you read on...
5 minutes on the bus and we arrive at Pak Tam Au and meet a group of families (probably 15 adults and children in all). Also 3 doggies.
Now 5km taking an hour for a stroll seemed about right. One family has 3 little boys and have been assured that the path is OK for a buggy.
I am feeling pretty confident just now.
The paths all look like this. Concreted - therefore easy on the feet.
So far, so good, as we meander uphill.
OK - so we are still going uphill and some of these bits are STEEP.
Good grief - it keeps going up.
Water doesn't come up hill, so where is the beach??
Can you see by the face that my sense of humour has failed?
Ah - view from the top.
Now that is stunning.
Light is hazy, which is fortunate, else we'd have died in the heat of the walk.
Nearly there eh? We've done 5 km. See the timing suggestion ?
2 hours
That is cos it is 3km straight up and 2km straight down.
See the huge lie on the other sign? 1/4 hour to go. We shall see...
We were meeting other families at Pak Tam Au - which is at the top of our hill.
I decided we would all take the bus to the top of the hill as I was worried about the walk up being tiring. You will see why this is hilarious as you read on...
5 minutes on the bus and we arrive at Pak Tam Au and meet a group of families (probably 15 adults and children in all). Also 3 doggies.
Now 5km taking an hour for a stroll seemed about right. One family has 3 little boys and have been assured that the path is OK for a buggy.
I am feeling pretty confident just now.
The paths all look like this. Concreted - therefore easy on the feet.
So far, so good, as we meander uphill.
OK - so we are still going uphill and some of these bits are STEEP.
Good grief - it keeps going up.
Water doesn't come up hill, so where is the beach??
Can you see by the face that my sense of humour has failed?
Ah - view from the top.
Now that is stunning.
Light is hazy, which is fortunate, else we'd have died in the heat of the walk.
Nearly there eh? We've done 5 km. See the timing suggestion ?
2 hours
That is cos it is 3km straight up and 2km straight down.
See the huge lie on the other sign? 1/4 hour to go. We shall see...
Footie pics
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