Sec 3 Language Arts SIA Final Individual Reflection

Name: Meng Haoyuan (21) Date of submission: 19th August 2013 Project Name: Storytelling of Singapore Folktales in National Libraries Class: 307 Through this LA Student Initiated Assessment (SIA), I gained many invaluable experiences and lessons that will benefit me for life. My project is three storytelling sessions of Singapore folktales to children at Jurong Regional Library. First, I learnt the importance of preparedness. For the first session, my group did not had any rehearsal before and just hoped for the best the next day. As expected, it was messy. After that session, we had several more rehearsals with the librarian. The next session received positive feedback. For this, I learnt being prepared is really important. First of all, it ensures that things run smoothly, making it easier for both the participants and us. Also, it shows the effort we put into the work. In the future, I will get things ready early to ensure nothing is overlooked. Second, I learnt that I have to be flexible. As my project involved children, so there are many unforeseen circumstances we have to react to. The children could not tell that the bottle of liquid drank by the character is a potion, and they kept saying water in the question and answer session. We had let go and accepted those answers. I learnt that sometimes, I do not need to insist on every single detail, and is fine to leave some allowance for change. I felt that I have contributed to our community, however small the effect is. There were these two sisters whom we drew pictures for them. They were really happy and remembered us, coming for the second session as well. We felt really accomplished to have affected at least these two sisters. Our project is like the story of the young men throwing starfish into the sea. We did not improve the entire state of national identity in Singapore, but for the children that came, we made a difference in them. These storytelling sessions are only the start of promoting Singapore's culture. The library provided books on Singapore's culture as a follow up that improves the sustainability of our project. The craft that the children brought home can spread awareness, enabling our project to outreach further into the community. I learnt that to be an engaged citizen and an agent of change, I do not need to have some lofty ambition that envisions to improve the future of mankind. Instead, starting small in our community is the best way to make a change as a student. I learnt that to be an engaged citizen, I have to be constantly alert for issues and problems in society and actively try to play my part in solving them. When I saw the children answering questions enthusiastically and rushing forward to borrow the books on display, I felt a sudden surge of pride. Is the spark we ignited in the children not a change we made? Being an agent of change can really be just this simple, doing your part in society and being the change you want to see in the world. (499 words)