Simply Lambchops: February 2015

My prayers for the Chinese New Year

Sunday, February 22, 2015

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To greater heights! - Review and Giveaway of Climb Central

children activities Friday, February 13, 2015

Ch has always been afraid of heights. When she was a toddler, even if she was only 1m off the ground, she would freeze on the spot and asked to be carried down. She is still fairly afraid of heights, but she did herself proud recently by scaling right up this 8 metre wall at Climb Central.

Simply Lambchops reviews Climb Central at Kallang Wave Mall

It was her strong determination that pushed herself to persevere, just like what she displayed to complete the 2.5km Jurong Lake Run last year. Seeing how she started off with just 1m up the wall, she tried harder and inched further with each climb. Daddy's words of encouragement catalysed the achievement too.

L and the children's friend, St, also achieved their personal best and left Climb Central, more motivated and confident than before they started.

St at the top of the 8m rock climbing wall, held on by the auto-belay system.

Thanks to my friends, Pei Li and Kin Loong, we found rock climbing at Climb Central a very comfortable and happy experience for my family. Located at Kallang Wave Mall, Climb Central is also the tallest indoor air-conditioned sport climbing venue in Singapore, and is conveniently located within the Singapore Sports Hub - you can eat, shop and keep fit, all under one roof! Climb Central houses 3 climbing towers with more than 45 climbing lanes - two of which are for 12m and 8m top-rope climbing, and a 16m lead climbing wall (the tallest in Singapore) for veteran climbers.

There are many benefits for children who rock climb - other than the obvious, where core muscle strength and flexibility are challenged, this sport also builds confidence, nurture problem solving skills as they decide on the route to take, and gain body awareness. This I can definitely attest to. I recall that moment where I was halfway up the 12m wall and couldn't proceed any further. The kids tried to help by shouting out instructions.

"There! Mommy! Put your left leg on the green one (grip)! Just that one next to your leg!"

But I continued to stay stationary. I couldn't get my left leg to lift itself no matter how intense the shouting was. Slowly, once I got more familiar with my body, I unlocked my personal achievement too! There! A picture evidence!

Left: Top of the 8m wall; Right: Top of the 12m wall

The other factor that helped us reach our personal best was that we did this together as a family. Even when we are all beginners at rock climbing, we (the adults) didn't need to depend on certified strangers to belay us. We could do it ourselves as Climb Central uses advanced climbing safety systems like the auto-belay and top-rope anchor systems, which make the climbs very safe. By being involved in the activity together, the adults and kids were more encouraged to try harder.

A little more info about this auto-belay system which the kids adore: the auto-belay lanes are where the 8m wall is, and works by calibrating and tightening the rope as the climber climbs up. When the climber releases his grip, the auto-belay system will adjust the friction and lowers the climber down in a fairly slow descent. I think the children imagined themselves as Mr SpideyMan - L would purposely let go and "fly" down with a broad smile on his face. I was quite scared when I let go though I knew it would be safe. Maybe it's the age factor too.

Tip from the instructor: Use the tripod pose to stay on the wall when tired

We also learnt to interpret the lane info tags that are placed for all the climbing lanes. The routes at Climb Central are set by colour, and the difficulty level is indicated on the tags. For example, the yellow grips for Lane P01 are more kids-friendly, and that helps the child focus on the more suitable route when climbing. The bigger the number, the more difficult the lane.

That info is very useful as we could decide on the level of challenge we wanted for the climbs. The kids would go "Nah, this one is too difficult 'cos it is a 'C'! Let's try the 'A' one!"

St and Ch are not new to the bouldering wall as they have the wall in their school. Again, the familiar coloured grips to indicate the difficulty level of the routes. If you have never been on the bouldering wall, don't underestimate the low walls. Google some bouldering videos and you will be amazed by what climbers do on these walls!

Cool, right?

What else is unique about the location of Climb Central is that it adopts an open concept (for viewing, haha!). People can while their afternoons away just watching the climbers and admiring their climbing skills. Parents who sign their kids for the Beta Kids Club classes can also watch their kids from outside with ease.

For the price you pay, you get to rock climb at a leisure pace for a whole day! No stress about getting chased out within a specified time frame!

For more information about the classes that Climb Central offers, visit their website at <www.climbcentral.sg> or email them at <info@climbcentral.sg>.

Climb Central

#B1-01 Kallang Wave Mall

1 Stadium Place, S (397628)

Tel: +65 6702 7972

Website: http://www.climbcentral.sg

Email: info@climbcentral.sg

Opening hours:

Mon - Fri: 11am - 11pm

Sat, Sun & PH: 9am - 9pm

Special Giveaway!

Climb Central is giving away ONE Intro to Climbing for Adults and Families session (worth $120, for 2 adults and 2 children aged 5 and above) to a Simply Lambchops reader!

In the Intro to Climbing class, you will be exposed to the various climbing walls with basic introduction to Climb Central's safety systems, as well as some basic knowledge to the climbing routes and techniques.

The Intro to Climbing for Adults and Families will be on Sunday, 1 March 2015, 3pm to 5pm.

In order to qualify for the giveaway, please complete the following steps:
1. 'Like' Climb Central's Facebook page,

2. 'Like' this post on Facebook. Then email me at <simplylambchops@gmail.com> with your full name, contact number and FB Username for verification purposes.

Bonus step (for a higher chance of winning): Tag a friend in the comments section on the Facebook post in step (2) to share this giveaway!

Important: You have to complete both steps (1) and (2) in order to be eligible for the draw.

This giveaway HAS ENDED ~~will end on Monday 23 February, 2359 hrs~~ and the winner will be selected through a random draw. Results of the draw will be announced here.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congrats to Ms Shirley Yong for winning the giveaway!

Please check your email for details soon!

Thanks everyone, for participating!

**Hop over for other great giveaways that I'm hosting now:

~~:: JJ Science Adventure comic book by Harvest Edutainment!~~

~~:: Journal Singapore board game by Monsters Under The Bed~~

Terms and Conditions

This is a local giveaway. Claiming of the Intro to Climbing class will be through the sponsor Climb Central. The winner will be contacted through Facebook Messenger and/or email and has 48 hours to respond, failing which a new winner will be drawn. All incomplete entries will be disqualified. All entries will be verified before the winners are announced. To be fair to our sponsors, please note that all fake Facebook accounts (e.g. accounts set up purely to take part in contests with no or very few real friends) will also be ineligible to win.

Disclaimer: We were invited for the Intro to Climbing class by Climb Central for the purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was given and all opinions are ours.

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Science made easy! A review of JJ's Science Adventure comic book (includes giveaway!)

Reviews Wednesday, February 11, 2015

I have seen all types of learners in my 14 years of teaching Chemistry and Biology in school. Those who are motivated and love Science will naturally excel in the subject, and proceed on to do something related as their profession (like me!).

But for many, they come to me and lament, saying that Science is difficult to comprehend as a lot of the concepts are abstract, and the exams are difficult. To them, since they are certain that they will not be in a job which requires Science, why is there a need to study this subject?

To these students, I usually try and help them see the applications of Science in daily life activities. Even a simple cooking process, or when you sit at the salon to colour your hair, these are all Science processes in the working!

The key to doing better in Science is firstly, appreciate the wonders of Science and be able to see them all around us. Can you imagine how it feels to go through a subject which you have no interest in? I know I felt terrible whenever I had to do Physics as a student (sorry, my Physics colleagues!). So, help your child embrace the wonders of Science from young - because by the time they start to lose interest, it will be more difficult to reignite the love of learning Science.

But of course, I agree with you that even for our kids who do not dislike Science, they may still find it difficult to do well in Science exams as the marking of Science answers 'tends to be stricter' to many parents. I will not go into this topic as that is not my focus for this blog post.

Reading Science related books is one way to excite and enthuse a child in this subject, which explains why there are so many educational Science magazines and books out in the market. And when in the form of comics, these attract and motivate children (especially boys) to read, and make learning of Science easier than to read guidebooks in bulleted form.

Engrossed in his Science comic

And I found one - JJ's Science Adventure - that I really like. If only I had such books when I was younger!

JJ's Science Adventure is a series of educational comic books designed to help its young readers master learning objectives stated in the Ministry of Education's (MOE) Primary School Science syllabus. *Do not confuse this book with the ones that Popular bookstores are selling.

I read the second book of the series - Heat and Light. I like it enough to read it twice. Ch and L read this book in one sitting. Both enjoyed the story plot as it is about two siblings - Joyce and Jonathon - who journeyed on an adventure into sub-dimensional worlds to solve challenging puzzle traps laid by their grandfather. Professor Tan, the grandfather, used his invention, the "World Maker", to help his grandchildren learn Science in a fun way. Wow! Anyone wishes for such a grandfather?

But of course, in any story, there must be the bad guy to spoil the fun. Mr Sinister and his minions (not the Pixar ones!) are out to sabotage.

Aurelia Tan is the brain behind this comic book. She was an educator with more than a decade of teaching experience in primary schools, and her experiences with students who had difficulties in Science propelled her to develop this series of Science comics. As mentioned, the book is aligned to MOE's Primary Science syllabus (download syllabus here, and click on 2008 Science (Primary) syllabus in the pdf, if you want to know exactly what is taught and tested for your child). You can practically learn the two whole chapters of Heat and Light (taught at Primary 3&4 levels in Singapore schools) within half an hour!

There is so much goodness in this book, and as a parent and a Science educator, this is definitely a gem to keep and to gift. I'll highlight five reasons why I like this book (I started with 3 reasons, but I just couldn't stop).

:: See then learn - Science concepts are introduced through JJ, the main characters, who experience the Science phenomenon in their world, followed by a mini lesson of the concepts.

Here, Jonathan wants to climb up the ladder but his hand was 'burnt' 'cos of the heat.
On the following page, the concept that metals are good conductors of heat is highlighted.

This makes it easier for the children to appreciate how the phenomenon "looks like" in real life, and that helps them understand the relevant Science concept more easily. The graphics also help them recall the concept faster.

:: Challenge the child to think - There are other Science concepts (not the focus in primary school Science syllabus) subtly brought out through the story. The child may wonder and question why those phenomena are observed. This is an opportunity for parents to engage in a discussion with the child, or the child can do some independent learning through online resources.

Here, Mrs Molly finds the light from her surrounding too bright for her eyes.
You can ask questions like "Why does Mrs Molly find the light too bright but the children are not affected?".

:: See the "invisible" - The graphics allow the child to understand the concept of particles/molecules in water. This is one concept which many secondary school children still have difficulties understanding.

Here, something invisible like water vapour is better comprehended when the molecules are shown.
This helps children understand the concept that all matter is made up of particles.

:: Do and learn - Learning Science is not about doing worksheets. There will be a learning gap without hands-on activities like experiments and field trips. Just like if you are trying to learn a new software, reading the instruction manual probably doesn't help as much as if you were to get down on a computer and start fiddling around the software. Learning Science works the same way. The hands-on activities provide a concrete example of what the brain tries to interpret.

Here, a small paper kit is included to help the child explore the scene where the characters had to cast
their shadows onto the carvings of the door to open it. The child learns how shadows are formed, and the
factors that affect the size of the shadows formed.

:: Up-to-date applications - Aurelia really knows the children well. Applications are often neglected in the learning of Science but in this book, she challenges her readers with applications of the scientific concepts in laser and bioluminescence.

Special Giveaway!

Harvest Edutainment is giving away one JJ's Science Adventure - Heat and Light comic book (worth $18.90) to one Simply Lambchops reader!

In order to qualify for the giveaway, please complete the following steps:
1. 'Like' Harvest Edutainment Facebook page,
2. 'Like' this post on Facebook.

Important: You have to complete both steps 1 and 2 in order to be eligible for the draw.

Bonus step:
3. Tag a friend in this post on Facebook (in the comments section).

Terms and Conditions

This is a local giveaway. Claiming of the JJ Science Adventure book will be through the sponsor, Harvest Edutainment Pte Ltd. The winner will be contacted through Facebook Messenger and/or email and has 48 hours to respond, failing which a new winner will be drawn. All incomplete entries will be disqualified. All entries will be verified before the winners are announced. To be fair to our sponsors, please note that all fake Facebook accounts (e.g. accounts set up purely to take part in contests with no or very few real friends) will also be ineligible to win.

This giveaway ~~will end on Tuesday 17 February, 2359 hrs~~ HAS ENDED and the winner will be selected through a random draw. Results of the draw will be announced here.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congrats to Ms Pei Pei for winning the giveaway!

Please check your email for details soon!

Thanks everyone, for participating!

**Hop over for another great giveaway by Monsters Under The Bed!

Disclaimer: We were given a copy of the JJ Science Adventure - Heat and Light comic book by Harvest Edutainment for the purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was given and all opinions are ours.

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A spooky fun time! Review of HauntINK by Monsters Under The Bed

Reviews Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Simply Lambchops reviews Monsters Under The Bed

Were you spooked by that picture?

That was Ch, disguised as a Chinese spirit for a writing workshop organised by Monsters Under The Bed (MUTB) during the November school holidays last year. This is her third time attending the INK workshops by MUTB, and I was pleasantly surprised when she agreed to dress up for the last day of the workshop.

MUTB has definitely nailed the right approach in providing the sensorial experience that a child requires to write more interestingly. Ch has never attempted horror stories, but with good acting by the trainers, on top of suitable props and activities aimed to stimulate her senses to feel, hear, see, and smell - all these led to a more authentic story plot to engage her readers.

Through small group discussions, the children were given opportunities to voice their opinions about the story that they were writing, and learn from each other as well as from the trainer. Individual attention was also given to help the child improve her existing story or to provide assistance to a child with the writer's block.

Below is Ch's account of her experience at the HauntINK workshop. There is also info about the next INK workshop coming up in March, as well as a giveaway. Details at the bottom of this post!

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The HauntINK workshop by MUTB was super fun. I felt that Monster HuntINK was good, but InvestigateINK was better! I enjoy detective kind of stuff more, rather than writing plain fantasy stories of bad monsters and good super heroes. For me, HauntINK feels like InvestigateINK plus Monster HuntINK. But instead, the monsters are replaced by eerie ghosts! That is what I call FUN!

The trainers helped us to make our story make more sense and encouraged us to write more. My trainer was Mei Lynn and she was really imaginative and helped a lot in my story. So, thanks Mei Lynn!

The workshop started with a letter that was mailed to our homes. It read,

"To all my beloved relatives, strange things have been happening at our family manor, The Arts House. My mysteriously vanishing books ... the flickering chandeliers ... the old typewriter going click- clack -clackety- clack in the dead of night ... What could possibly be going on? Could our manor be haunted? Please come to our family reunion and help me solve the mystery!

Much love and kisses,

your Auntie X"

(Small print: It was actually an invite that said you are invited and had the letter on it together with the location and all the other information, but let's just pretend and imagine that it really was a letter, ok?)

At the workshop, the trainers introduced themselves and Auntie X explained what had been happening. There was a weird photo hanging on the wall. It looked like Auntie X in a veil, and Rizzette holding an umbrella. Then we pulled yarn through our sleeves and belt loops. This is to protect us if an angry ghost attacks. Consider yourself lucky if you have belt loops. Pulling yarn through your sleeves tickles. When it rubs against your neck, it itches. Horrible.

Luckily, we had a protective area which was in the Play Den so the yarn wasn't really important. It takes a lot of time trying to pull your sleeves and belt loops anyway. We also got to go to a secret room found in the family manor's library. We found a disc inside and when we played the video, it showed someone that looked like Auntie X wearing a veil and moaning,"Help me!".

We were then divided into our groups and brought to different locations in the Arts House to discuss and write who we thought was the moaning ghost in the veil. Many thought that the ghost was Auntie X's past life. At the end of day one, Rizzette, Auntie X's sidekick, found a diary in the secret room which was wrapped in paper with a sign on it, meaning that it was cursed. Jojo, someone also in MUTB, did not believe in curses and ghosts and went to read the diary. Then a ghost possessed him and Jojo turned into an angry ghost! Everybody panicked and ran like crazy. I realized that they were actually running to the Play Den. I just grabbed my bag and walked sloowwwwwly to the Play Den. Why? 'Cause I wanted to see what happens if I stay there. Nothing happened. When we were at the Play Den, Auntie X and our trainers said we couldn't go back because Jojo read the diary and caused the room to become cursed. Auntie X told us that Rizzette and her were trying to purify the diary and the room. We were then dismissed from the Play Den.

Day 2.
We went in the Arts House, feeling creeped but excited. There was this boy who was so scared till he had to hug Jojo most of the time, especially when consulting the ghosts. But don't blame him. The trainers make it look so real. After what happened yesterday, we knew that whatever coming was sure to be fun. When we went into the room, we found Auntie X... feeding Jojo pieces of paper. Auntie X explained that she found a spell book and tried to revert Jojo back but instead, he turned into a bookworm. Rizzette then took her magic lamp and somehow managed to revert Jojo. Then Auntie X had to explain to Jojo why he was eating paper. Auntie X remembered the diagry and read it to herself. Everybody held our breath 'cause we thought Auntie X was going to be cursed. Did I mention that the room and the diary were purified already? Jojo then read the diary to prove that it wasn't curse. Rizzette took the diary and read it out loud to us.

The owner of the diary was someone named Becka. She was jealous that her sister Anna was so popular because her storybooks always got accepted (by the publishers) and Becka felt left out. So, she burnt her sister's storybook. When Rizzette stopped reading, she said that she found the veil and umbrella in the secret room and suggested that Auntie X put on the veil. Auntie X did it and she started moaning," Help me!" as if she was remembering something from the past. Rizzette held the umbrella and started cackling "You'll never find it!" just like what we read in the story of Anna and Becka. We then read the diary and found scraps of burnt paper in the typewriter and some books. We pieced them together and realized that it was Anna's burnt story. We continued writing the story for Anna because we were going to 'offer' it to Anna. We wrote our drafts till the end of day 2.

Day 3.

We continued working on our drafts, corrected it and copied it onto paper, and made our story books. My title was The voodoo doll, My evil sister and I - The revenge story. Nice right? I used lipstick (I was dressed up as a chinese ghost) to make fingerprints smeared with blood by spreading lipstick on my fingers and smearing them on my book cover. (If you see an article titled

The voodoo doll, My evil sister and I" in a writing magazine, it is most likely mine.)

In the end, Becka (Rizzette) apologized to Anna (Auntie X) and we got our certificates and books! Everyone took a pic together and those who dressed up (like me) got to take a separate photo together!

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Upcoming MUTB events:

1. Parenting talk - How to preserve your child creative edge

Click here to go to the registration page

2. Epic QuestINK workshop (for kids 7 to 12 years old)

In this workshop, you transform into heroes straight out of the Greek myths of old, and go on a journey of epic proportions!

Participants will learn how to:

Utilize the Hero's Journey. Structure your story in a way that is truly epic.

Create fantabulous monsters. Trainers will introduce a selection of monstrous and magical beings from classical Greek myth, and teach you how to create your own!

Dream up weird settings. Learn about all the strange places the ancient Greek heroes visited on their journeys, and come up with your own!

Great news for you! MUTB has lined up 5 different themed writing workshops during the school holidays this year! Other than Epic QuestINK, the other writing workshops are: SurviveINK, Spell CraftINK, HowlINK and INK to The Void. Our children are in for a treat!

Special bundle price:

1. If you sign up for all 5 workshops, you only pay $1,150 or get 1 month Monsters Under The Bed's Signature creative writing class, Story Craft (worth $320).

2. If you are signing up together with 3 to 5 frieDnds, you get 10% discount on the workshop fee.

3. If you sign up for any of the INK workshops and quote <INK1501>, you will receive the Journal Singapore Boardgame (see game info under Special Giveaway) and a $10 mubster money that can be used in any of their workshops or courses.

*****

Special Giveaway!

Journal Singapore board game

How to learn Singapore history AND improve on your storytelling skills? Play Journal Singapore!

Journal Singapore is a board game created by MUTB in 2009, together with Singapore Heritage Board. The game, suitable for ages 10 and up, allows players to compete for influence, as famous Singaporeans, across three eras of history. This boardgame can also be used as a storytelling tool, based on the character they played in the game.

Monsters Under The Bed is giving away the Journal Singapore Boardgame (worth $59.90) to THREE Simply Lambchops readers!

In order to qualify for the giveaway, please complete the following steps using the Rafflecopter widget:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Important: You have to complete both steps in order to be eligible for the draw. This giveaway ~~will end on Monday 16 February, 2359 hrs~~ HAS ENDED and the winner will be selected through a random draw. Results of the draw will be announced on here.

Terms and Conditions

This is a local giveaway. Claiming of the Journal Singapore Boardgame will be through the sponsor Monsters Under The Bed. The winner will be contacted through Facebook Messenger and/or email and has 48 hours to respond, failing which a new winner will be drawn. All incomplete entries will be disqualified. All entries will be verified before the winners are announced. To be fair to our sponsors, please note that all fake Facebook accounts (e.g. accounts set up purely to take part in contests with no or very few real friends) will also be ineligible to win.

Disclaimer: We were invited for the HauntINK workshop by MUTB for the purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was given and all opinions are ours.

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