It is the essence of Madam Teo's character and sufferings from her past that strengthened her will and ability to move on with life and cope with urbanisation/changes. Correspondingly, the support of her children and family togetherness also helped her to adapt to new surroundings as demonstrated in moving her belongings to another flat and having her grandchild call her from overseas.
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Tanjong Rhu
The literary techniques of symbolism and images/ideas are discussed in this worksheet -
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- Sight/binoculars - it is interesting that the binoculars meant to encourage his mother to peer into the present was eventually used by Mr Lee himself to have a clearer glimpse of his past. Although the old lady's eyes were likened to the blank windows of the skyscrappers, her vision of the past was vivid; in contrast to Mr Lee who could not see the essence (ie his childhood) of the view in front of him even though he frequently peered through those skyscrapper windows and even looked into his mother's blank eyes.
- Keys to the cabinet - Towards the end of the story, Mr Lee could not locate the keys. However, the lighting up of the altar photographs seems to suggest that his parents were 'happy' that he attempted to connect with his lost self and rekindle the fading relationship with them.
- Language - the oscillitating use of the English language and Cantonese is effective as it acts as a barrier as well as a bridge between the three generations.
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Sundowner
Sundowner - a drink consisting of whisky and soda, an epitome of the British empire 'on which the sun never set'. The worksheet explores the title of the story in relation to the British empire, Mr Das' plans and the culture/tradition of the residents in the rubber plantation.
A graphic organiser is included to show the similarities between the plans of the British rulers and Mr Das. It is apparent that although there is a change of management, the old ways of the people will not change overnight (or when the sun sets), a hint that the attempts to transform the people's way of living were and are futile.
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A graphic organiser is included to show the similarities between the plans of the British rulers and Mr Das. It is apparent that although there is a change of management, the old ways of the people will not change overnight (or when the sun sets), a hint that the attempts to transform the people's way of living were and are futile.
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Release
The worksheet on Release covers the possibility of Elaine's pre and post-natal blues which might explain her sensitivity towards her neighbours and husband's remarks and behaviour. The numerous references and link between the protagonist and baby Diana, and the neighbour's dogs are significant and lastly, students are to list the varied reactions of the characters towards Eileen. Click here.
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Click here for essay.
Pastime
'Pastime' is broken up into two words - 'past' and 'time'. It is interesting that the story narrated by Tai Poh might be an experience from his past and Mr Lee suggests a possible scenario which might take place in the future. Both stories are related to time as they contrast with each other with regards to the time zone their stories are located in. Correspondingly, both characters are seated on the moving MRT travelling towards the same and yet different directions, physically and mentally.
Worksheet 1 consists of discussion questions after students attempt an activity where they play a game of conjuring 2 facts and 1 lie about themselves, and peers would have to guess which of their 3 statements was a lie. Click here.
Worksheet 2 leads a discussion on the credibility of Tai Poh and Mr Lee's stories and clues which hint that the narrators could be the characters within their own stories. Click here.
Worksheet 3 consists of a discussion on the literary technique of inserting a story-within-a-story, the contrasts between the two stories and the significance of the recurrent flashes of passing images. Click here.
Worksheet 1 consists of discussion questions after students attempt an activity where they play a game of conjuring 2 facts and 1 lie about themselves, and peers would have to guess which of their 3 statements was a lie. Click here.
Worksheet 2 leads a discussion on the credibility of Tai Poh and Mr Lee's stories and clues which hint that the narrators could be the characters within their own stories. Click here.
Worksheet 3 consists of a discussion on the literary technique of inserting a story-within-a-story, the contrasts between the two stories and the significance of the recurrent flashes of passing images. Click here.
Paper
Students are introduced to the story with a word splash activity by coming up with words/ideas/images related to paper and complete a graphic organiser based on the times paper was mentioned and suggest literal and metaphorical meanings associated with the word. Also, students can discuss the themes in the story, ripple effects of Tay Soon and Yee Lian's actions and how materialism is related to Singaporeans. Click here.
An Obituary for Fifth Aunt Come Late
It is encouraged that students read this - 'The Female Eunuch', an article from Green Left. Click here.
The worksheet focuses on the conventional image of the female gender as portrayed by Fifth Aunt in the story. Discussion questions encourage students to comprehend the article based on Germaine Greer's The Female Eunuch and link the stereotypical notion of the female to the Singapore context. Literary devices such as the writer's use of narration through a persona who has a blurred image of her Fifth Aunt, the symbolism of hands and how Fifth Aunt is objectified - as a female, and as an object - could be examined.
Click here for the worksheet.
The worksheet focuses on the conventional image of the female gender as portrayed by Fifth Aunt in the story. Discussion questions encourage students to comprehend the article based on Germaine Greer's The Female Eunuch and link the stereotypical notion of the female to the Singapore context. Literary devices such as the writer's use of narration through a persona who has a blurred image of her Fifth Aunt, the symbolism of hands and how Fifth Aunt is objectified - as a female, and as an object - could be examined.
Click here for the worksheet.
Mid-Autumn
The contrasting notions of mother and daughter about freedom and financial independence are examined in the worksheet - click here.
The images of a lantern swinging from a stick and blouses swaying on bamboo poles are similar to each other and echoing situations emphasise the difference between the generation of mother and daughter.
The images of a lantern swinging from a stick and blouses swaying on bamboo poles are similar to each other and echoing situations emphasise the difference between the generation of mother and daughter.
Hamid and the Hand of Fate
Listed in the worksheet are brief discussion questions for teachers to lead students into thinking about the power of money over mankind. It is interesting that the village is triangular-shaped which comprises of three sides to be whole. Hamid seems to stand on one side of the triangular village, which has the village on one side and the city on the other. The fact that Hamid has lost one arm seems to suggest that he belongs to neither side.
Religion provides soothing balm in Hamid's life as he faces challenges - his accident and his sister-in-law. With the encouragement of the stall-owner, Hamid reminds himself to be sabar, to be contented with what life has thrown along his way. However, one wonders if he should really be passive about his current situation - (coping with the loss of one arm, his sudden possession of wealth bringing about greedy acquaintances and family member) gained through the cruel hand of fate which dealt with him with a severe blow by removing one of his own.
Click here for worksheet.
Religion provides soothing balm in Hamid's life as he faces challenges - his accident and his sister-in-law. With the encouragement of the stall-owner, Hamid reminds himself to be sabar, to be contented with what life has thrown along his way. However, one wonders if he should really be passive about his current situation - (coping with the loss of one arm, his sudden possession of wealth bringing about greedy acquaintances and family member) gained through the cruel hand of fate which dealt with him with a severe blow by removing one of his own.
Click here for worksheet.
Martyrdom of Helena Rodrigues
Worksheet 1 comprises a dicussion on the themes and ideas of the story and provides a graphic organiser for students to fill in their conventional perceptions of the female and male gender. Following which, students will list the similar characteristics of Helena and Caroline and place them in a table beside the males in the story - Aloysius and George. Teachers can discuss about the reverted order of gender roles in the story and pick up the subtle yet manipulative characteristics of the females in the story.
Click here for Worksheet 1.
Worksheet 2 encourages a deeper character analysis of Helena and Caroline, and a graphic organiser helps students to see the apparent similarities between the females and males in the story. Click here.
Click here for Worksheet 1.
Worksheet 2 encourages a deeper character analysis of Helena and Caroline, and a graphic organiser helps students to see the apparent similarities between the females and males in the story. Click here.
Lee
A worksheet which will span over two lessons (1hr 30min) comprises of 5 activities, namely:
(1) Students discuss the slangs, things, celebrities, food and places related to Singapore
(2) Students to list evidences of how Western culture has heavily-influenced Singapore
(3) Lee's character is ripped apart and a graphic organiser to discuss about her social and personal issues is provided
(4) Students list father's contrasting notions from Lee
(5) Teachers can use this last activity for CA - students are to design and illustrate a poster based on the description of 'Blind' in the story and infer the meaning embedded within.
Click here for worksheet.
Here is a short article by Nicholas Pioch on David Hockney's art pieces - click here.
A graphic organiser lists the contrasting notions of (i) family ties (ii) society (iii) education between Lee and her father. Click here.
(1) Students discuss the slangs, things, celebrities, food and places related to Singapore
(2) Students to list evidences of how Western culture has heavily-influenced Singapore
(3) Lee's character is ripped apart and a graphic organiser to discuss about her social and personal issues is provided
(4) Students list father's contrasting notions from Lee
(5) Teachers can use this last activity for CA - students are to design and illustrate a poster based on the description of 'Blind' in the story and infer the meaning embedded within.
Click here for worksheet.
Here is a short article by Nicholas Pioch on David Hockney's art pieces - click here.
A graphic organiser lists the contrasting notions of (i) family ties (ii) society (iii) education between Lee and her father. Click here.
Evening Under Frangipani
Corridor
A History of Tea
A brief introduction on the origins of tea is given to students. Click here.
A family tree chart has been jumbled up for the students to arrange. It is noteworthy that the process of drawing a family tree for this story is confusing, which is somewhat likened to tea leaves swirling in a teacup.
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A worksheet discusses the themes, literary techniques and summary of the story. Click here.
An essay - click here.
A family tree chart has been jumbled up for the students to arrange. It is noteworthy that the process of drawing a family tree for this story is confusing, which is somewhat likened to tea leaves swirling in a teacup.
Click here.
A worksheet discusses the themes, literary techniques and summary of the story. Click here.
An essay - click here.
A Dream of China
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