CHILDREN

Preparing for term tests

Dear Children,

Time seems to be flying since we are already into December.

I suppose you all must be preparing for your third term tests and some of you may have already begun your tests.

I hope you did your homework in time without rushing through your exam revision.

The examination papers will never be hard if you took sufficient time to do your revision.

Some of you may study on your own and some of you may prefer to study in a group.

Group studies can also be very helpful because you can gather extra knowledge by consulting with your friends.

As the saying goes ‘two heads are better than one’, you can share your knowledge with your friends by studying in a group.

I am sure you would have done your examination revision to a well planned time table. Young people should make it a practice to work to time and according to a plan. It will help mould your character and make you responsible citizens.

Best of luck with the term tests.

Bye for now.

Aunt Anji

Books and Internet

Hi everybody,

I guess most of you are busy with year end tests these days, and probably there’s no time to read books other than your schoolbooks. However, soon you will get your vacation and that means there’s going to be so much of time for you to read a lot. Am I right? You may have other plans for your vacation too. However, I hope you’ll enjoy some good reading as well.

Many children use the Internet now. Do you? The Internet can be a good source of books. You can read books online and find a lot of information about them and authors online. Besides, you can watch movies based on some of the most beautiful stories ever written. So, if you have access to the Internet, use that facility to enjoy some good reading, movies and so on.

However, it’s also a good idea to acquire membership of some library. Both the Internet and buying books can be expensive. Many children don’t earn for themselves, so parents might find it difficult to spend a lot of money on you. Thus, borrowing books from a library and exchanging books with your friends are good ways of gaining access to many books.

Besides, the experience of visiting a library, borrowing books and reading in the library is different from sitting in front of your computer and searching the net. Sometimes, the Internet saves time and energy. We can learn a lot within a short time by searching the net. However, it’s nice to experience the libraries as well.

People are so dependent on the Internet now, and books in the library shelves are gathering dust. Many people are of the opinion that going to a library and reading a book is a waste of time because the Internet brings you everything you need unto your doorstep. Educational institutions such as universities and schools that cherished books so much at one time and encouraged their students to use the library, read books as much as possible have now largely turned to the Internet. Well...there’s nothing wrong with this. Things change with time and unless you keep up with these changes it’s difficult for you to survive. However, it’s a pity if you give up nice things in life merely because there are new alternatives. Sometimes, the older ways could be better for you. That depends on so many things. I believe it’s good to practice different methods if possible. That way you can enjoy both the libraries and the Internet which will be more enriching to your life than just depending on one.

Furthermore, many libraries around the world are not limited to books on shelves anymore. Libraries provide you with the Internet facility too, and they make use of computers to store information, classify books and so on. Some libraries in the world have their websites and help people find out more about them through the Internet. Some of the oldest libraries in the world have upgraded themselves with the latest technology available.

Hope you will do well in your term test, and hope you’re looking forward to an adventurous vacation with lots of interesting books this Christmas.

- Gayathri

Flying kites	The sea	Fishing
Rasidi Hasara 3EA, Sujatha Vidyalaya Colombo	Ridma Gayathri 4B, Sailan International School Negombo	Lihini Maleesha Wijeratna 5EA, Sujatha Vidyalaya Colombo
Duck	Playing	Beautiful scenery
S Jeshika Grade 4, Kingston College International Wellawatte	Mathusigon Grade 5, Kingston College International Wellawatte	Milni Laknaadee 5EA, Sujatha Vidyalaya Colombo

Bharatha Natyam dancer

Farhna Grade 9, Sailan International School Negombo