Thank you all students of 2008!

After my last post, I never thought I'll ever visit this website to do an update. But I been feeling a wee bit strange and I felt that I need to do one final post. Perhaps there would be more, but for now this is the latest update.



First of all, I'll like to say a big thank you to everyone in the 2008 batch (yes... inclusive of non-chem students or sub science students) cos these past 3 years have been great and I loved every moment of it no matter how fun or tough life had been for all of us...



The lovable 2B 06, the playful 2D 06, the noisy 2E 06 and the crazy 2G 06. It just seems like yesterday that I entered all these classes with mixed feeling - fear, anger, happiness... every possible emotions... Time really flies...



A special group would be the NA-Express students who had shocking Maths help from me... :)



Not against 2A, 2C, 2F of 2006... But they also let me mingle with them when everyone was reshuffled in Sec 3s... Due to the strange SPA and changing of teachers, I floated left right up down to 3B 07, 3C 07 and of course occasionally mingled with 3D and 3e 07. You guys are great... never shutting me out cos you have a different Chemistry teacher.

Sometimes, I did a few simple replacement lessons, and entered some of Mr Lim YT's classes when he wasn't around, tried to help whoever needed help outside of the staff room no matter what class they are in, helped in SPA for most classes that I feel that I know almost everyone from this batch(inclusive of some sec 5s)...of course 4B 08 would be the most special cos I spent more time with them than other classes...

Special thanks to the 10+ students from 4D 08 who tried to cheer me up when you din know why I was upset - The truth was there was a sudden reshuffle in classes and it is kinda hard to take.



4B 08 grades is good (though some students felt they did below expectations) and I feel that it was a great decision from the school to change teachers. Cos knowing myself, I would have never pushed so hard and most prob gave them more time to study other subjects instead of Chem...



To the Chem students, please don't feel that you let anyone down... even if you got B3 or A2... strange things happen in exams... you all did your best... some things just can't be helped... You are all fantastic... you all worked hard together to achieve the impossible....the best Chem results ever in KSS's history.



100% passes, almost 50% distinction...need I say more? Your fears during sec 4s were not without reason... 3 A1s for past 2 years, 20% distinction all the time... never below MSG of 3 ever... If I was a student... why would I have any faith in the teachers?



But you did as you were told, ignoring all trends of the past to create history... I sense genuine happiness when I heard the applause when you all saw 100% passes and 50% distinction for Chem being flashed on power point yesterday.. cos you all were so shocked...You guys are fantastic... you left a legacy behind...



You may not feel great with your individual results... but did you know that your combine efforts inspired the current Sec 4s? You gave them hope and they are determined to do not only as well as you did, but even better. I've been hearing a lot of positive feedback around... :)

Even my dear, but weak 4NA promised that if they somehow come back to Sec 5s after their N level, they would ensure that their sub Chem/Physics would be 100% pass and DISTINCTION. Sure hard work is needed for it to really happen, but to give them the confidence to even say that is just surprising. They would never say that in the past.. so thank you all for the hope and dreams you've given to the later batches...

It is always easy to criticise like why only A2 or B4 ... but as a former O level candidate, the hard work put in just to earn such grades could never be understood unless you have done it yourself. So please don't be too hard on yourself no matter what your L1 R5 or R4 may be.

These 3 years have really been great and I'll seriously miss all of you. Things may happen, some of you might go overseas, some of you go to poly or JCs...etc... But memories of whatever happened the past 3 years stay... and no matter how fuzzy the exact details is, would leave pleasant memories... or at least to me.. I'm proud to have known all of you.

It was never just about me teaching you all, but you guys taught me a lot also with all the simple interactions and hopefully, I'll try to become a better person..

I'll end off with a favourite phrase that my grandma left with me.

"Results are not everything, just do the best you can and as long as you know it, that is all that matters. There are successful businessmen who don't even have a proper certificate, so anything is possible as long as you work hard. Not every path have to be the same. Don't take every failure so hard."

I share this cos I was never an outstanding student like my sister (3 top student awards in a row Sec 3-5) or my 2 talented cousins (RI, RJC - need I say more?). But I was comforted whenever I think of this statement. And I hope this helps too.

Take Care! And lets all start 2009 afresh! You and I all have a long road with many possibilities ahead of us. Let's move on and make 2009, 2010, 2011...etc great!

For ending, let me be dellusional for once. I refuse to say bye.

So... HI! :D

As usual... I'm not making much sense....hehehe... :p

4B Chemistry students 2008!!!

This is a simple write-up for the class I taught for between 1 to 1 and half years (some were previously in Mr P. Lim's class so not fully all 1 and half years) (nope, it is not a typo. I'm sure the students know what does P stand for... hints... flap flap... hehe).

Although some students look distressed at the idea of changing teachers, I think today's lunch was supposed to be happy and not really a farewell... it is more like a treat for the MYE. Yes, some of you performed below expectations. But on the whole, you guys moved up and I'm pleased at the progress (though a bit slow for some) and you need a reward! :)

The next big thing is the SPA for both Chemistry and Physics. After that, you guys may take a short 1 weeks break, but hopefully come back and tackle the entire syllabus for one last blast at the prelims.

Don't forget the course of action I proposed before the MYE.

1. MYE (over)
2. SPA #2 (upcoming)
3. Topical Revision (to increase your content knowledge and brush on the basics)
4. SPA #3
5. Prelims (your content knowledge should be at least 80% there)
6. Other school papers (to increase your level of difficulty)
7. Do yearly O level Papers (to work on answering techniques to obtain maximum marks from your answers!)

Remember, the aim is NOT 75, it is also not 80 and so on. It is the maximum that you can get, the best you can do!

Okay, here's a final personal write up about the class. No offence if you guys happen to read it and find it offensive, but I must be frank or what is the purpose of putting a fake comment?

1. Esther - Good chemistry student, but of course is performing slightly lower than expected. But this MYE is a good thing for you cos you know you need to get back to work and pull that result up to where you belong.... Don't be too stress also! :)

2. XinYing - Sheer persistance and determination is the result of her result. Occasionally has lapse and makes strange mistakes, but on the whole, solid and good. Must have more confidence on her skills cos I have so much confidence on her that I almost forgot that she came from NA, if not for the fact that she keep reminding me I taught her Maths.. -_-". Stop having negative thought about Physics! Just conquer it! :)

3. Simin - This is an amazing run for her. I hope she takes her result as a morale booster to spur her on and do better. Think it is time for you to aim higher than B3 ;) Loves electrolysis (but last year only 2 marks came out. To play safe, do revise other topics!) Good well rounded student who can balance CCA with studies! Keep it up! :)

4. Elaine - Yes, you improved, but still weak in many areas. Use the weeks after band concert to revise. Can do better, but must be more clear and not get things mixed up. Work hard! :)

5. Jiaying - I'm impressed with that saturday studying day. You showed more determination on trying to improve Chemistry than I expected. Your content is still messy in some topics and still need to memorise and revise more before you can try more questions. Don't be discouraged by the marginal pass. Instead, think of the positivity that you finally passed a Chem exam to spur you on! :)

6. Liying - Very quiet(in chem, not in band! hahaha), but good student. Chemistry a bit inconsistent, but I know her Maths is superb! Perhaps you need to ask questions on certain topics to clear doubts. Will do quite well if she keeps trying and working hard! :)

7. Raine - Has high expectations of herself in Chemistry. Don't be discourage if you result is not up to your aim yet. You need to work on some topics and more on answering techniques to gain the maximum marks. Good chemistry student and will do well too! :)

8. Syahirah - I think you have talent for Chemistry. Your answers shows me quite some understanding and not just because you memorised the answers by doing TYS. Such talent should not be wasted and I suggest you try to aim even higher. You need more revision as those topics you revise are well answered while those you don't know are... well, let's not go into that... hehe... All the best! :)

9. Yanying - I think you must have heard me say a thousand times... "do faster". I'm very proud to see a true Chemistry score at last (since you finally finished a whole paper :p ) and you need to move into the next step and get higher grades. Your basics are okay and I know you do your TYS quite consistently. Next step is up another level... time to try other school papers!! Muhahhahah!!!... :)

10. Calvin - Your basics is good. But your answers need more refinement. You should also try to up a level by trying other school's papers. Also, you must aim for more than 90 :p You want A1, get that to secure it!! I know you can do it, but you must cut down on errors! :)

11. KarLeong - Did a lot better this time. Must ask more questions so I know what you don't know.. and let the new teacher know what you don't know. Need to work on some weaker topics. And please try to balance your studies evenly. This time if I'm not wrong your Physics is weaker right? O level is L1 R5, not Chem1R5 (how I wish though..hehe..)! You can do it! :)

12. Esmond - Rollercoaster is the best way I can describe you! Sometimes quite good, sometimes I'm shocked by your answers. I don't think it is not because you don't understand the chemistry part... more like lack in content. Do more revision and practise your TYS more! Hopefully from prelims onwards is only good , better and BEST! :)

13. Danny - Improving, but can work on your answers better. You really need to revise more. It has never been about you not undertanding, but only a matter of your willingness to put in some effort to memorise the contents. While it is true that understanding is very important, you need to have some basic content (e.g. naming of the conditions of some reactions) before you can answer a question. Start now! :)

14. Shou Yee - I think I stress you out when I talk to you about Chemistry. But you gotta work more on your weaker areas. You are also improving, but you can do more. Try to set up a time table and follow it so that you know when to finish your revision before the Prelims! :) Keep moving up, you are getting there! :)

15. Nelson - Yes, you may have failed again. BUT from your recent MYE and your latest SPA practise shows that you are trying, but perhaps did not have time to finish revision. June holidays is the time for you to catch up! Don't be discourage and keep working. You have improved a lot, seriously, thought it was not enough for a pass this time. Keep trying! :)

16. Terrell - After Nelson, must be you lah... hahhaha association what... 2D 06 pals... :p It is no secret that you have the talent in Chemistry (and other subjects also). It was always more a matter of if you want to and don't want to or not. You mentioned you studied for it this time and the results shows. But for you, I would like a little more movement upwards. Think you also can try to push a level up and try more challenging questions! I'm sure you are up to it! :)

17. Timothy - You actually asked very good questions in class and also seems to know your work well, yet somehow in exams you falter. Perhaps you din manage to finish revising everything. So take the holidays to work on your content as well as practise questions. When you are ready, try to do papers (with timing) without referring to textbook and see where you stand. :)

18. Yonglong - Like what I mentioned to you earlier, some of your questions are weird and you do study a lot in details. You need to see the overall picture of a topic first before you can work on your details. Get the rough idea of what each topic is saying first, then revise on the content and memorise important reactions, before trying out questions. Hope you improve more! :)

19. Chienyi - Professor? Is that what they call you? You should be flattered! :D Nobody calls me that in secondary school! hahhaha... You are good, hardworking and the basics are there. But three things to be wary of. Cut down on errors, work on your answering skills to get maximum marks and cut down on your stress!! Don't be bother about other people's marks. In the real O level you won't get to know it anyway. Just do you best and don't think so much about expectations and all. Don't burnout! Good luck! ... Oh yah, you also can work on your other school papers, but i know you bought some chemistry books already, so finish those first. No rush... :)

20. Ruiyang - You are doing below expectations and it is not because you don't have the ability. I know the MYE of all your results are discouraging, but you are better than that. I seriously think you ran out of time to revise all your subjects and you sat for most of your papers not fully prepared. So now is the time to do catching up and see where you really stand by the time you reach Prelims. I know you understand the subject (some topics may be a bit weaker.). And you must try your best to concentrate in the day, though you may be tired from perhaps studying till very late at night. You can do it! :)

21. Gabriel - Happy to see your efforts during that saturday. Of course you still have weak topics to work on. Manage your time properly! Now you can't see your real results as you did not complete the paper. Try doing more papers (with timing) when you are ready. :)

22. Chin Seng - Last, but not the least. Hope you sorted out all doubts about taking this subject! Work on your basics please and finish it by end of June. You said you have gotten the idea, but just that you did not finish revising. I believe that statement. But I also believe this is not the only subject you are not prepared for. Plan your schedule carefully and start soon. You are better in this subject than you think you are. Don't you ever FORGET your diagnostic test result. That shows what you are capable off. Get started! :)

In conclusion, it has been great teaching you guys, though sometimes quite discouraging as you guys look bored when I do revision. I'll miss your cheeky comments and jokes. You guys are night owls I think, hehe.. cos you are more attentive during night study! heheheh... I'll be around still, so if you want to can still ask me questions.

I wasn't joking when I said no one will get D7 and below for this batch (inclusive of 4C, D and E) of pure Chem students. Mr Lim and I have faith in all of you guys, but you guys must put in the effort. It is not really effective when we keep revising the same things and you guys din read at home and try to memorise the reactions, colours...etc and we repeat again. All the best for semester 2 and work well with any teacher you guys have! It's all the same. Unltimately, the effort is from you! :)

(Can have a wishful hope that everyone will at least get a B3 and no lower?) The dream is there, but you gotta make it come true! :D

Apologies for current situation.

Well, the latest thing about Chemistry is definitely not those topics that will be taught soon, but rather about the decision to convert to sub science or not to convert.

Anyway, I've noticed a rise in the number of people who tagged. Although I do believe that the poor results shown are partly the students' fault, but there are many factors that do make up for the poor results, so dear Sec 3s don't be too hard on yourselves!!

Firstly, apologies from me as perhaps I did not put enough effort to "save everyone" Try as I may to be impartial, I admit I did dedicate a lot of time on Sec 4s. And perhaps the way I teach just ain't effective. I'll try to do better, but for some of you, so sorry to have made you change to another combination.

Secondly, please do note the level of difficulty of the paper. This paper is tough. Although parents like to discuss about the final results only, but I'm a firm believer of the level of paper that may have caused the demise of many students.

Do take note where your mistakes came from. Is it the lack of understanding from the questions? Or was it your lack of preparation?

For your information, although I said the paper was tough, if you have gotten the 10 marks question on bonding wrong, please do reflect on yourselves... cos I believe we drilled bonding like mad. There must have been like 40++ questions (including class tests) on bonding and I even heard students saying,"Why are we doing so many questions on this topic? What if it doesn't come out?"

So if we revise one topic so much and you still can't score for that question... a lot of self reflection needs to be done.

These are some factors I can attribute to the poor results, so please don't be too hard on ourselves and whatever you choose, don't keep thinking of the "what ifs" and move on. Stick with your decision. The grass is always greener on the other side. Was it this blog that I mentioned that my friends in NUS always claimed they should have gone to NTU and vice versa? Likewise, I also thought for a while that I should have gone to ARTS in Uni rather than Science. But who knows what "miserable life" I would have gotten have I gotten my wish.

Move on and work hard! All the best! :)

Oxidizing and Reducing agent

Okay guys, this section is a VERY ENGLISH section, more than Chemistry, I feel. So you got to take it slow.

An oxidizing agent is one that oxidises the other species.

e.g. Fe + CuSO4 --> Cu + FeSO4

Thus, the oxidizing agent is CuSO4 as it oxidises Fe. The oxidation state of Fe inceases from 0 to +2.

Likewise, a reducing agent is one that reduces the other species.

And for the equation above, the reducing agent is Fe which reduces Cu in CuSO4. The oxidation state of Cu decreases from +2 to 0.

As you can see, in a redox reaction there will be reduction and oxidation, but this would mean that there would be one reducing agent and one oxidizing agent too!

To confuse you further, an oxidizing agent will be the one that is reduced, while a reducing agent is the one that is oxidised. It all makes sense, just think about it.

PS: Don't you just love English? :p

Famous Oxidizing agents:

Potassium Dichromate (VI) - turns from orange to green (when it is reduced)
Potassium Manganate (VII) - turns from purple to colourless (when it is reduced)

Famous Reducing agents:

Sulphur dioxide
Potassium Iodide - turns from colourless to brown (when it is oxidised)

Oxidizing agents are good for testing reducing agent, cos when reducing agents reduce them, they change colour. Likewise, reducing agents (except sulphur dioxide) are used to test for oxidizing agents cos they change colour when the oxidised by oxidizing agents.

Hahahahahahha... Go figure... you have 2 and half months to do so... :p

Let's move on!

The Chemistry results have been finalised ... perhaps an addition of one or two later on for wrongly marked scripted... After the shock (Which I'm positive the whole school experienced) of such a level of Chemistry paper, I hope everyone have the will to go on.

Sure enjoy your holidays... but as a former student I often realized that when you need holidays, they don't come, when there is holidays, it is too long and I get bored also...

I'm kinda okay with the results, but quite upset also with some students.. I can daresay Mr Lim and I went through what must be at least 30 Bonding questions inclusive of tests and addition worksheet and still we have people scoring poorly in that area...

True many failed, but if at least those questions were well answered it proves that you guys have learnt... but... anyway those are the rare few... most answered these questions well..

The next topic would most likely be a cleaning up process of redox. Oxidizing agent and Reducing agent would wrap up that chapter. Of course, there is colours to memorise. I'll just post it as a separate thread for easier reference. Enjoy your holidays though! I can't wait for mine too!

Misconception...

I think everyone has high expectations of teachers, but I guess there are times where the line must be drawn. An incident just happened and I'm very angry now.

It seems to me that teachers are taken for granted and we are always expected to do many things... sometimes way too much... and the worse part... total unappreciativeness...

I was staying back to rush marking papers so that I can give back to sec 4s within a day their June 2007 paper and give feedback, so I told one student who wanted me to go over some topics that I'm not staying for night study but for marking.

Don't know why... this student heard it as not staying at all... After marking a series of disgraceful scripts, and feeling low, I needed to go to toilet at 8:30pm and I did. The instant I stepped out, I heard, "WAAAAAAAHH !!! Lie to me!!! Say not staying back for night study and still around!!!" in front of all her friends..

Firstly, I did not even go to the HALL, so did I stay back for night study?

Secondly, I ALREADY SAID I'M NOT FREE COS I NEED TO MARK AND I DID NOT SAY I'M NOT STAYING AT ALL.

Thirdly, it is the normal attitude of this student that irritates me.. always say I'm biased, always expect me to go through every single topic with her... EXCUSE ME, I have more than one student.. I'm a school teacher and NOT A TUITION TEACHER!!! If I stay back to help, it is of my goodwill to do so, and not because it is expected of me... especially since it is not my duty to stay back...

Anyone who knows me already know that I stay back almost every day till night and even coming back on SATURDAYS and TILL 7PM...

I can dare say I have already tried, but this student is WAY TOO MUCH and I can't take it!!! She has no respect no conscience, no self reflection... everything is the teacher's fault... While almost everyone is rushing to revise on their own and leaving doubts to consult teachers, she expects everything to be summarised for her.

She can start to depend on herself. Cos if tomolo her attitude refuses to change, I REFUSE to teach her and I don't care... I rather help all those that NEED IT AND is at least knowing what I have done for them.

She can go ahead and get C5/C6 for all I care (With all my help so far, I doubt she will get f9 now).

I hope I don't ever get more of such demanding, unappreciative students anymore...

(By the way, I'm still in school... I know I should be continuing my marking, but I really need a place to say everything out.... Back to work... hopefully I'm at home before 1am...)

Keep on Trying!!

I feel very sad these days as I heard a lot about students trying very hard, but not getting the results. Seeing them so discouraged is making me feel like perhaps I have not done enough and everyone ends up despairing.

True, it would be rewarding to get good grades and all. But Life's cold and harsh sometimes. The amount of hard work might not equate to the final result. There could be a series of reasons.

Perhaps a particular subject was not really properly covered. When one claims they studied, what portion of studied does he/she means? Just read the notes/textbook? Try all the ten year series? Just doing every possible questions given on worksheets? Are the basic concept well understood?

I have always also not been an impressive student in school (except maybe in sec 1 and 2 only), in fact I FAILED my SEC 3 EOY CHEM, but who would have thought I would end up as a Chem Major in Uni..and now a Chemistry teacher.

It is not where we start but how we end. That is what I hope to bring the message across to everyone who is like dying over poor results. Ultimately, you guys are training for the O Levels. Of course along the way, you need to be pushed into thinking, trying more challenging questions and then you will see your results. You might need time to absorb, so just go at your own pace (but not too ridiculously slow also lah!) and stop comparing with others.

I never said the whole process is easy, but I really don't want people to give up and think of dropping this subject. Also think about this... WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE GOTTEN IF YOU DID NOT STUDY AT ALL? I shudder to think of the answer...

The important thing is to constantly revise, and learn from your mistakes. Chemistry is not one of those subjects that you can do last minute revision cos you migh remember some, but not all and that could prove to be quite dangerous.

Sometimes, we can cope with daily class tests and even common tests, which lead to complacency. I shall share a good example of me topping the class in JC on a particular Physics topic caled analog and guess what? I studied everything except that thinking that I needed a short while to revise that and in the end, I could not do those questions in the A level exams. But it was my own fault to think I was ready and too good for that topic... maybe sometimes, it is good to start everything back to basics...

To the dear sec 3s. One thing I've always admire about you guys is the determination and good attitude. Keep it up... you will go far. Just hang in there!