On WORD PLAY and Happiness

As part of the general goal of recognizing, appreciating and effectively utilizing the nuances of language – Raffy was given several activities dealing with subtleties on the word-level. One such activity deals with the transforming “magic” that affixes have on word-meanings. The following are just some examples of Raffy’s word definitions:

v    The Universe is a place that consists of galaxies and stars.

v    Semifinal is a term in games that signals halfway to become the champion.

v    A Superhighway is a long road that can support many vehicles.

v    Prepaid is a term that means that you pay before you get it.

Another task for nuanced language deals with words with multiple meanings. For this part, we would simulate a guessing game that Raffy – THE GAME MASTER – played with several reading clinicians (and even his mom) one afternoon. To prepare for this fun activity, Raffy had to independently choose word(s) that may be used in different contexts, note down the word’s dictionary meanings, and produce original sentences as clues leading to the word in question.

To make it slightly easier for the readers, the number of items has been reduced, and the choices for the correct answers have been provided:

RAFFY’S WORD LIST and their dictionary meanings, as noted. Table : a piece of furniture consisting of a flat part resting on legs : a compact arrangement of information in parallel columns. Type : a kind or class : to write on a typewriter, computer keyboard, etc. Abuse : to use wrongly : mistreatment

RAFFY’S GAME:

Fill in the blanks of each pair of sentences with ONE word that would satisfy the context of BOTH sentences:

o       The king has been _______ his power ever since.

o       There are a lot of _______ children.

o       We brought a new ______ from the warehouse.

o       This _______ has information about our resources.

o       There are so many different _______ of animals.

o       Too much ______ can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

In this last work featured, Raffy was given the chance to express how he equates summer to family togetherness.

Since there was an acknowledged difficulty in recalling events and details, he was first asked to enumerate as many occasions and/or activities he could remember, and then to plot them on a timeline to establish time order.

He was then tasked to list supporting details for the events given, all based on self-generated “wh” questions. Raffy’s final pre-writing activity was the production of a bulleted guide for his main idea – together with its supporting details – for each paragraph.

My Favorite Parts of Summer

I went to Davao at the start of summer. I went there by plane for one hour. I went with my mom first, while my dad came later. I left Davao fifteen days before the end of summer. My three favorite parts of summer are when I was playing videogames, and then when I went to Maxima, and when I celebrated my birthday.

I played video games when I did not have plans. I played them in my house with my cousins. Second, I went to Maxima, a popular place that is home to a big water slide. I went there by boat. I went there to have fun with my relatives. Last, I celebrated my 13^th birthday in May 12 with my cousins and relatives in Davao.

I like my favorite parts of summer because they make me happy but the most favorite part of my summer is my 13^th birthday. In the future, I will spend more time with my relatives.

Raffy is currently a 7^th grader in a progressive school in Alabang. As can probably be gleaned from his set of works – Raffy enjoys games, and develops best when allowed to infuse learning with creativity and fun. His interests extend from science to chess to boxing and to (a more recent addition) drum playing. His favorite activity, however, is still spending time with family. 

Would You Want to Have ESP?

By Raffy

Based on the second survey I did, most people answered YES, they would want to have ESP. Some of the reasons were first, it will help them in many ways and second, they would be able to do many things for themselves and others.

Two out of five people answered NO, they would not want to have ESP. The reasons are first, they don’t want to see if something bad happens to others and second, they think that ESP is a curse.

To the teachers who participated in this survey, thank you!

Survey Results: If You WereTo Read Minds, Whose Minds WOuld You Like to Read?

By Raffy

Based from a survey that I did, most people answered "Friends." The reasons why they would like to read friends' minds are first, to always make them happy. Second, so they will know how they feel. Lastly, so they will know their secrets and if they have something bad to say.

The least choices/options that were picked were teachers and parents.

Note:
To all the teachers who participated in the survey, thank you and have a nice day/evening!

Raffy's Survey Pie Chart:

Maroon 5 in Manila

By Raffy

A concert of Maroon 5 was held in the Araneta Coliseum last March 5, 2008 at 9:00 pm.

The band, Maroon5, has sold over a million albums around the world. They have five male members: Adam Levine (vocals, guitar), James Valentine (guitar, vocals), Jesse Carmichael (keyboards, vocals), Mickey Madden (bass guitar) and Matt Flynn (drums, percussion). Their genre is rock and roll.

They sang around more than six songs and my favorite song is “She will be loved” because I used it for Valentines Day. Araneta was full of people and they were singing and clapping for the band. The best member was the lead guitarist because he kept on saying Filipino words like “Mahal kita” and “Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat!"

For me, I give the concert the rating of 10 out of 10 that means that it is the best forever.

My Vacation in Japan

By Raffy

I have gone to Japan for six days. I left the Philippines the day after Christmas. I was with my parents, cousins, Tito and Tita. Japan had a cold weather so I always wore a jacket when we went out. I ate so many foods like tempura, sushi, meat and tonkatsu.

I also went to so many cities and attractions like the following: Shijuku, Tokyo, Harajuku, Disney Resort and Akihabara. I enjoyed Disney Resort the most because it has rides and restaurants. I liked my trip to Japan because it was fun. I would like to go back to Japan next year.

Raffy enjoys playing chess and reading books of Captain Underpants.

Looking for Miss Nelson

By Raffy

Miss Nelson is Missing

The story takes place in school. Miss Nelson is the main character in the story who is a teacher in room 207. A problem occurs when Miss Nelson is missing. Miss Swamp is the new teacher of the day. She forced them to study, to work, and to do their home work. The kids hated her so they went to the police and go to Miss Nelson’s house to find her. The problem is resolved when Miss Nelson came back. The story ends when Miss Nelson taught them a lesson because the kids are behaved when Miss. Nelson came back.

I liked the story because it is a little funny. The best part is when the kids made up comments like she was going to the Mars planet and she was being attacked by enraged butterflies. The least liked part is when the kids thought that Miss Nelson was being eaten by sharks. I would recommend this book to others because I like it.

Miss Nelson is Back

The title of the story is Miss Nelson is Back. The story took place in the school. The main characters in the story are Miss Nelson , the kids and Mr. BlandsWorth. The first problem in the story is when Miss Nelson was gone for a week. So Mr. BlandsWorth came in. The second problem in the story was when the kids hated Mr. BlandsWorth. So the kids hatched a plan. They dressed up like Miss Nelson. The third problem in the story was the kids skipped school. So Miss Nelson dressed up as Miss Swamp to teach the kids a lesson. In the end, Miss Nelson came back and the kids felt happy.

Raffy is a 4th grader in The Learning Child School. He enjoys playing chess and reading books of Captain Underpants.