Big Bee writes every school composition with relish and gusto, focusing a lot on using apt, descriptive vocabulary to bring forth her points. I am thankful that she has a strong foundation in her English grammar as well, therefore, every once in a while, her compositions would be selected by the teacher to be displayed on the class' notice board. I thought this is a good practice to instill pride and accountability in the children with regards to their school work.
I guess her love for writing stems from her voracious appetite for reading. I could hardly buy or borrow enough books for her. After chomping through entire fantasy and boarding school collections of Enid Blyton (from Faraway Tree and the Wishing Chair to Malory Towers and St Clare), this bookworm is now bulldozing her way through the Famous Five series, which consists of more than 20 books and, at $11+ a book which she can read in less than half a day, I thought they are rather expensive to buy! So, she ended up reading each of her books umpteenth times in between our book-buying sprees.
She had also read Roald Dahl (not a big fan), CS Lewis (she loved "The Lion, The Witch..." book, but claimed that "Prince Caspian" was boring, so she stopped reading him!) and the abridged, made-for-children Shakespeare stories (which, strangely, intrigued her a lot!)...and many more.
Last night, she came back and informed me that she was one of 3 kids whose compositions were selected to be displayed again. I thought of sharing this composition, written entirely in class, which garnered these comments from her teacher: "Good attempt! Interesting story with lots of details. Good job!"
Hope you will enjoy this as much as I do...
My challenge now is to ensure she has similar writing skills for Chinese, and a love for reading Chinese books. But sadly, that is still an uphill challenge for me!
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A Shopping Trip
“Could you help me buy some sugar and butter from the grocery store?” Mother asked me.
I took a brisk walk to the grocery store which was a stone’s throw away. While I was walking past the beautiful dress shop, I tripped over a small stone but did not fall. I did not realise that my precious ten-dollar note had dropped out of my purse.
I trudged to the grocery store to buy the sugar and butter for Mother. When I went to the cashier to pay, to my horror, I could not find my ten-dollar note anywhere in my purse! I stood rooted to the ground, shocked and not knowing what to do.
A kind shopkeeper asked me what I was looking for. I told her that my ten-dollar note was nowhere to be found. I stood there, wracking my brains to think how I could have dropped it. I was extremely worried. The kind-hearted shopkeeper helped me by telling me to retrace my steps.
I immediately did what I was told and when I walked to the dress shop, I found my ten-dollar note, swaying in the gentle breeze. I heaved a sigh of relief and picked it up. As quick as light, I ran back to the grocery store.
I paid for the sugar and butter and thanked the shopkeeper whole-heartedly. I was immensely grateful to the shopkeeper for her help.
6 comments:
I really enjoyed it. :) For some reason, it reminds me of Enid Blyton. Hehe
she uses big words for her age! shows that her vocabulary is very strong. soon enough, i'll see her articles in temasek review. ;)
i hope thaddeus loves to read in future too!
Well done, Big Bee! Her writing is improving by leaps and bounds in the last year, judging from the few compositions which you have shared! :>
A child who is a passionate about reading and reading good materials certainly has a better potential to write well. Well done Mummy too, for cultivating the precious love for books!
Fantastic writing Nicole!
hmm... I wonder who she picks up reading and writing from!?! ;o)
K: Thanks! She was beaming when I told her it reminded you of her favourite author, Enid Blyton!
Candice: Yes, she has this interest in vocabulary, not just for English but also for Chinese. Heh, don't think she is good enough for Temasek Review just yet ;) Am sure Thaddeus will love to read in future!
Shirley: Thanks :) She was delighted to read your comment. Thanks for the encouragement! Am glad she is a bookworm, just like Hubby and me. However, am hoping she will display similar enthusiasm in Chinese books though, which is not apparent now.
Fon: Thanks, my friend! Heh, yes, like Mummy like daughter! Although hubby and I were saying she will be better than us soon!
this can be use as a model compo! wow! she is GOOD!!
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