Book Week Goes Online
Following the success of last year ’ s “ Gardens of Tomorrow ”, the Committee for Book Week 2020 , comprising English teachers Mr Azhar Ghazali , Mrs Mishaelle Chua and Teacher- Librarian Mrs Boey Wah Fong , began planning in January for another exciting round of activities for bibliophiles this year . The theme “ Lifting Others ” was identified for this year ’ s event , based on a quote from Robert Ingersoll – “ We rise by lifting others ”, which was particularly suited to the school ’ s mission .
The plan was to lift Josephians to yet another level of literary engagement through an interesting medley of events based on the idea of helping others . Among the activities planned include Author Talks , various competitions , a Primary School Outreach Programme and a Teacher Panel Discussion . Four teachers were to stage a forum on unpacking the meaning of ‘ Men and Women for Others ’ through their personal reading habits and share their personal experiences and philosophy . Five external speakers had been invited to speak in the Library , where book displays and other activities on the theme of “ Lifting Others ” were also planned , and a mini Amazing Amazing Race activity was planned for invited student from various primary schools children from Primary schools .
However , all these plans had to be significantly curtailed and modified , and further contingency plans hatched when the Covid-19 situation gradually escalated . The Author Talks and Teacher Panel Discussion were regretfully cancelled as it was no longer possible to hold gatherings of more than 50 people . In line with social distancing rules , inter-class Scrabble Competitions and Readathon which were to have taken place in the Library , became intra-class competitions instead . As part of the “ decentralisation measures ”, teachers were also encouraged to read out loud to their classes and share their own reading with their students .
The Book Week Committee was delighted to hear of how teachers took up the challenge of conducting extra reading activities in their own classes . Not only English teachers , but teachers from other faculties participated in this activity . Mr Chong Jun Hien , a Science teacher collaborated with his cotutor , Ms Karen Williams to engage their form class , LE103 with reading from various picture books about self-awareness and empathy . Mr Chong also read The Coyote Road : Trickster Tales to his JFJ and even his Science classes , which evolved into Inquiry-through-Dialogue sessions , in which the classes discussed themes such as self-identification and self-love . Miss Jessica Cheng , an Art teacher , read an excerpt from her favourite book Fahrenheit 451 and inspired her form class so much that nearly half the class requested to take home a copy to read over the HBL period .
Aric from FN103 shares a snippet of his favourite book during Readathon in class . The enthusiastic class went on a Readathon continuously for almost an hour .
Innomakers meet Laurence Liew of AI Singapore
72 St Joseph ’ s Institution