"Priceless" labels - An English Lesson

Her weekly homework time, on top of the ones she receives from school is from a very fun workbook I found in WH Smith called "Enchanted English" series from Letts (publisher). In this chapter, they are teaching the grapheme "a-e"/"o-e" ( as in "take", "make", "rope", etc.) and referred to it as the "Magical e" which changes the sound of the original word.

(The Grapheme o-e or a-e)

Then later in another section, they asked to "try writing labels for these objects". And she happily put on her own "labels" -as in the ones you see in the supermarket shelves. I had a good laugh when I saw it because you can't actually fault her because these are proper labels, isn't it? Anyway, I had to ask her to correct these by adding the "magical e" words next to her very special "price labels". I still love the Price Label ideas  more, but a girl's gotta learn what a girl's gotta learn, isn't it?

(Shean Wenn's intepretation of "labels" - aka "price labels")

On another unrelated story : One morning I thought hub's choice of work clothes matched Shean Wenn's uniform. So I made them take a photo together. You can see hub is really not in the mood to entertain my request, but have kindly obliged anyway! 

(Daddy and daughter with matching attires)

Piano Journey

Shean Wenn started learning piano almost a year ago with Kasia. She actually started in Mar last year with another teacher but due to clash in schedule, I decided to stop it and when Kasia had a space, we decided to try her out with Kasia, and never looked back.

I am glad to say she has lots of enthusiasm and most importantly, passion and tenacity to play piano. It has been a journey of discovery for me too, as I had a brief period of learning music when I was much younger, but did not continue because I just did not find that I have the talent for it. But now, because I sit in her piano class at every lesson, I have found that I am learning some musical knowledge too. And I am so thankful that SW has more talent and tenacity in piano music than I do.

For example, we are starting to practice for her Grade 1 ABRSM exams and she has chosen one of her 3 songs to be played - Chattanooga Choo Choo which is an upbeat and happy song. Kasia guided her 2 times (ie 2 classes) before the Easter break. And during the Easter Break (no piano lessons for 2 weeks), Shean Wenn practices on the piano EVERY DAY, so from only knowing how to play the first line, she has now mastered the whole song - all on her own reading and practice! I would consider this a mean feat. Obviously, it is not perfect yet and that is what Kasia is there for, to fine tune her "performance" - getting the rhythm, dynamics and "feel" right.

(Shean Wenn playing Chattanooga Choo Choo ABRSM Grade 1)

This is another video of her playing during her first ever Piano Concert for her Piano School. She was just learning for 3 months during that concert but I was so proud of her performance. The exposure performing really thrills her and I hope it will last her a lifetime.

Adventures in a New School

After being in the waiting list for almost 2 years, the state school called up 2 weeks ago to inform us that there was a space available for Shean Wenn. When I got the call, I had mixed feeling about it - she is doing so well in her current school and not only adjusting well but also coming in leaps & bounds in her reading, maths & comprehension. On the other hand, this state school is only 5mins drive from our place and we would "save" a lot in school fees (state school is of course FOC), and she already has a few friends in the school (but all of them in different classes/years).

So, after putting a lot of thought into it, we have decided to accept the offer. She started her new school this week.


Day 1 in her new school :

"Mummy, my teacher says she is very impressed with me"
"Is that so? Why is she so impressed?"
"Because she says my handwriting is very neat . And I am also very quiet in class, I don't talk over her like some other kids, especially some boys. You know I can't even hear the teacher when the boys talk over her!"



Day 2 in her new school :

She told me during dinner "Mummy, Fred says he likes me a lot!"
My eyes went wide, "WHO IS FRED? Is he a boy???" (My mind was whirling about all the possibilities!)

But, Fred is of course the frog in Ruth Miskin's Phonics Teaching. Fred makes an appearance in class very often to help with phonics for kids this age. Boy, am I glad Fred is a frog!


It has been an exciting week so far for her and she has been made so welcomed in her class too. So grateful for this!

I dance because it's not groovy!

I was listening to one of my current favourite songs from Faye Wong (duet with Eason). Shean Wenn was dancing and shuffling her feet to the song.

Me : You like this song, don't you?
SW : No, I don't. 
Me : Oh? Then why are you dancing to it then??
SW : If I am dancing like this, it means I don't like the song. See? See how I am dancing?

@.@

Then another Faye Wong's song comes up. She stood still.

SW: Oh, this is my FAVOURITE SONG! See, I am not dancing. If I am not dancing, it means I love the song!

@.@ @.@ -____-"