*

'Get more out of Google' posted by Hackcollege

2012-01-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

Infographic: work smarter not harder

Learn 'how to google' from this great blogpost recommended by Peter Woodhead.

Goodnight ipad

2011-11-09T21:52:00.000-08:00

HKLA Tour of SCAD, Savannah College of Art and Design on16 April 2011

2011-04-17T18:28:00.000-07:00

The Hong Kong International Literary Festival 15 - 16 March 2011

2011-03-15T23:28:00.000-07:00

Poet and songwriter Benjamin Zephaniah dazzled us with his wit, humour and outgoing personality. His poetry seems simple yet invites you to reflect and look deeper.
What tension and excitement in the audience. Mesmerized, none of us wanted the sessions to finish. I especially loved his story about the library as a dating place for intellectual boys and his poem dedicated to his mom.
We all came out from the Central Library totally exhilerated and changed. What a man man. Young and old laughing and singing with him. Don't worry, be happy!

Edith Yeung, Y8 says "Benjamin is inspiring". Robert Liao, Y8 states that "I have learnt not to trust people blindly, no matter what they say".

Chloe Cheung, Y9C, comments that "Benjamin's words can change your perspective of things".

A response to Tiger Mom, article published on The Toronto Star: Feb. 7, 2011 written by Craig and Marc Kielburger

2011-02-08T18:32:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the add but due to copyright issues.... and thanks to Myrna for passing on the link :)

JULIAN SMITH - I'm Reading a Book

2011-02-07T16:38:00.000-08:00

Biblioburro- The donkey library

2010-09-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Senior Library Facility 20.9.2010

2010-09-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

Reading Area decorated by Frau Gerstenmaier

The Forum

Independent
Learning and Research decorated by Ms. Nicole

Library Classroom

Teachers' Library

Timelines: Sources from History has been announced winner of the Innovation Award at the 2010 Museums & Heritage Awards

2010-07-07T20:26:00.000-07:00

For historians and book lovers, explore this wonderful and innovative timeline created by the British Library.

Another tip: browse the Online Gallery for virtual books!

Glogster posting

2010-06-01T17:23:00.001-07:00

In response to yesterday's Cyberbullying presentation at the IB Hall.....

2010-04-06T23:06:00.000-07:00

The Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival 2010 - The Three J's

2010-04-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

Junot Diaz, author of the novel ‘The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao’ and the short story about the fat Dominican ass (actually called "Alma").

Both classes K12 and K13, together with our English teachers, Mrs Steen and Mrs Butchart, and Ida, our librarian, went to the Wei Hing Theater in Tsim Tsa Shui to see Junot Diaz speak.

As we were the first people to arrive at the venue, some of us seized the chance to speak to Junot personally, shake hands, get autographs. Junot struck us as an incredibly warm and polite person with a broad smile and a great sense of humor. Here was a Pulitzer Prize winner asking us about our lives and our plans after graduation. He even gave Ida two kisses on the cheeks.

Before Junot read out his stories "Alma" and "Nilda", he shared with the audience of mostly students his advice about life. He told us to follow our dreams and not to live out somebody else’s dream. That's probably what I remember the most.

We are very grateful to Mrs Steen, Mrs Butchart and Ida, for organizing this excursion and giving us the chance to meet such an amazing writer.

Jessica Mattes, K12A
March 24, 2010

Students comment on Author Adrian Tilley's Visit 3.11.09, Old Gym

2009-11-02T22:57:00.000-08:00

Presentation by Prof. David Loertscher on New School Library Commons

2009-10-28T19:38:00.001-07:00

Dear GSIS community, here is your chance to leave your ideas and comments... Thank you.

Books highly recommended and donated to the Senior Library by Simon Griffin

2009-06-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

The Man Who Loved Only Numbers: The Story of Paul Erdos & the Search for Mathematical Truth
by Paul Hoffman

This is a strangely moving portrait of a singular individual who did so much to inspire others. Whilst the records will show he was the most prolific mathematician of modern times, he was also the greatest collaborative mind - routinely spurring others to make journeys of thought that might otherwise never have been.

Reading this at a time when our smartest brains are drawn to commerce rather than academia, it was refreshing to discover such a brilliant counterexample. Paul Erdos deliberately divested himself of property and used any funds he possessed to help students and to provide prize-money for solutions.

He was not a saint, but there is a purity and simplicity in his life that can only be described as enlightening – on many planes.

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! : Adventures of a Curious Character
by Ralph Leighton and Richard P. Feynman

There is something magical about Feynman’s approach to life that is infectious. Curiously, the fact that he won the Nobel Prize for his work in physics seems almost insignificant next to his ability to have such a great deal of fun while doing so.

His major scientific work was on quantum electrodynamics (which describes the relationship between charged particles and light). However, it was his quest to understand the deepest theoretical concepts in everyday terms that made him truly extraordinary.

He explains that it is only possible to communicate ideas effectively to others when you have the clearest understanding of them yourself. And it was this search for clarity that made him brilliant in research and legendary as a teacher.

This book, which is written in a vivid, autobiographical style, carries the reader through some of his exploits and his way of thinking. It is hard not to feel energised by his joie de vivre and after reading this I have found myself keen to know more about Feynman at every opportunity.

Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities
By Ian Stewart

This is large collection of mathematical puzzles and anecdotes, together with introductions to some great mathematical mysteries (some of which carry million dollar prizes!) – and it is probably the best book of mathematical intrigue and interest I’ve come across. It’s very accessible and nicely put together. Great for casual interest and as a prelude to things far more profound.

Simon Griffin
June 2009

Brain Pop

2009-04-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

Dear GSIS community

Enjoy this educational resource (movie) from Brainpop about Baseball or other topics and post us your comments (e.g. would you like to see more of Brainpop?).

Thank you.

Your Senior Library Team

The Man Hong Literary Festival 2009

2009-03-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Stevens and the Laird sisters

---------------------------------------
On 16 March Mrs. Stevens, Mr. Barker, Mr. Moore and I accompanied the Y8 (78 students)to hear Elizabeth Laird speak of her adventurous life as a writer and teacher.

You can find her biography and bibliographyhere.

She gave us three tips for living:

1. Read everything you can, even if it is the back of a cereal packet.

2. Keep a notebook with you at all times and jot down ideas and your thoughts about the issues

3. Live your life as fully as possible.

----------------------------------------

Mrs. Brandl-Dierschke

On 13 March we (Mrs. Butchart, Mrs. Brandle-Dierschke, Mrs. Steen, Mrs. Green and I) attended The Margaret Atwood & Poetry Live double session with the K12 and K13 (28) students at the Central Library.

It was refreshing to hear Daniel Bühr and Raymond Schleiter Hizon of K11A recall and compare Margaret Atwood’s presentation to the previous Amy Tan presentation we attended two years ago.

Margaret Atwood spoke to both students and adults, in an approachable and witty manner, with humour and relevance.

The shining star did not disappoint two self-assigned ‘groupies’ amongst our group who came with great adoration and anticipation, Mrs. Steen and Mrs. Brandl-Dierschke.

FNO.org Hong Kong Conference 3-6 December 2008

2008-12-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

We welcomed for the third time Jamie McKenzie at GSIS and congratulate him on a successful conference.

On the first day 50 participants including teachers, librarians, teacher-librarians, Heads of Department, the School Principal and Curriculum Developers from other international schools as far away as Beijing took part in hands-on workshops.

Thank you Jamie

Jamie McKenzie

Conference Speaker

http://www.fno.org/

Ida Griffiths Zee

GSIS, Senior Library

David Best

CAIS, Director of Curriculum & Instruction

Bomb, book and compass : Joseph Needham and the great secrets of China

2008-09-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

Winchester, Simon
Call No: 509.2 WIN
London : Penguin, 2008
316 p. : ill., maps ; 24 cm.

Updated: September 23, 2008

Last night Simon Winchester (invited by The Royal Geographic Society ) flew to town to introduce his new book, a biography on Joseph Needham to a mesmerized audience of over 500 people at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.

Joseph Needham was a charismatic biochemist who published a twenty-four volume masterpiece on the history of invention and technology of China: "Science and Civilization in China".

Highly recommended by our very own history teacher, Trevor Taylor, the biography is now available in the senior library.

Summary
The extraordinary story of Joseph Needham, the brilliant Cambridge scientist who unlocked the most closely held secrets of China--long the world's most technologically advanced country. This married Englishman, a freethinking intellectual, while working at Cambridge University in 1937, fell in love with a visiting Chinese student, with whom he began a lifelong affair. He became fascinated with China, and embarked on a series of extraordinary expeditions to the farthest frontiers of this ancient empire. He searched everywhere for evidence to bolster his conviction that the Chinese were responsible for hundreds of mankind's most familiar innovations--including printing, the compass, explosives, suspension bridges, even toilet paper--often centuries before the rest of the world. His dangerous journeys took him across war-torn China to far-flung outposts, consolidating his deep admiration for the Chinese people. After the war, Needham began writing what became a seventeen-volume encyclopedia, Science and Civilisation in China.--From publisher description.

Sinusoidal by Vivian Tong Y13C

2008-05-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

so preciously fleeting; these clumsy words just won't do.oh, to immortalise a moment.
a journey through sinusoidal emotions, schizophrenia, and gut-wrenching beauty. a sound unheard, slicing through your consciousness like a sharp knife.
because with every promiseand every goodbyeand every person you loveand everywhere you go you grow just a little bit wiser.
I usually write during extremes of emotion, when I’m manic or depressed or schizophrenic or serene to the point of tears. To me, poetry is more than a collection of pretty words and imagery. They are confessions, expressions of gratitude, self-realisations.
It’s sort of like a moonrise. Sunsets are striking and eye-catching – brilliant hues preluding the onset of darkness. But the moonrise can be beautiful too, in a quiet, contemplative, melancholy sort of way.In this collection, I'm trying to capture the magic in scribbled notebooks and dusty old drawers. Late nights, heavy heads and heavier hearts. The lonely heart-wrenching beauty in pain. The enchanting irrational eternity of perfection. After all, the music of memories is the only thing that lasts for eternity.

Vivian Tong, Y13c

HKBOB semi final 30.4.2008

2008-05-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

Recently our Y8 students competed against Chinese International School, French International School, West Island, South Island and Canadian International School students in the Battle of the Books competition. Our students won two out of five rounds.

List of students:

Chan, Callista
Chan, Kallista
Chau, Ka Yu
Chuck, Jonathan
Hackett, Liem
Kiu, Evelyn
Lee, Janice
Lee, Shin-Jae
Tang, Jocelyn
Tang, O.T.
Tsui, Jennifer
Yip, Antony
Yuen, Charmaine

Congratulations and well done for your commitment and participation!

6. A little tiger in the Chinese night: an autobiography in art

2008-04-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

Zhang, Song Nan Call No. 759.951 ZHA
A little tiger in the Chinese night : an autobiography in art / Song Nan Zhang.-- Montreal, Quebec ; Plattsburgh, N.Y : Tundra Books, c1993.
48 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 25 cm.
Map on lining papers.
ISBN 0887763200

Book recommendation by Ida Griffiths Zee

Overview

This amazing book was published shortly after the Tiananmen Square Incidence and reveals important aspects of recent history in China, through the eyes of a painter. Aimed for children aged 9-12, this is highly educational. It truthfully depicts the hardship and hopes of the ordinary people in a memorable and touching manner. Song Nan Zhang tells of his early face to face encounter with a wild tiger that left him unharmed. In Chinese culture this is a good omen (foreshadowing and symbolizing good luck for the boy’s future) and in the final episode he is fortunate to be reunited with his family in Canada.

Design and Organization

The square format of the book with a red border framing the green bamboo jungle on the cover is attractive and well lay-out. The pale little boy, the author’s self portrait on the front cover, is somewhat stylized but intriguing and arouses the reader’s curiosity. The organization of the 12 mini-chapters is chronological. This is logical and easy for the reader to follow.
The historical timeline and maps of China included expands the understanding of the reader and provides a good overview. Each chapter is accompanied by a pencil, oil or water colour painting in various sizes.

Accuracy and Style

The style chosen is simple and often explanatory. The enthusiasm and feelings of the author are more visible in his vivid paintings. A few photographs were added to enrich and give authenticity to this autobiography. This is both a valuable art and history book for children and adults alike.

Journey to China

2008-03-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

To research for our book project titled Fishball and Mantou (steamed bun) I visited Gaoming in Jiujiang District during Easter break. The ferry from Shun Tak to Sunde or Daliang took two hours. Another one hour of bus ride to arrive to Gaoming and off on a motorbike to the pig and fishfarm (Gold Star) village.

Please click for map location.

This is Ming Ming, the protagonist of our story

5. Fragrant Harbour

2008-02-25T16:22:00.000-08:00

Lanchester, John Call No: S-LAN

Fragrant Harbour/ John Lanchester. London : Faber and Faber, 2002

xii, 299 p. : maps ; 23 cm.

ISBN 0-571-21468-1

1. Hong Kong - Social life and customs. 2. Hotels, motels - Fiction.

Book recommendation by Hanna Green

This book reminds me of my braids when I was a girl. Several strands of quite separate stories are told, then there is clasp and like the ends of the various strands of hair come together and form one bunch of hair so you learn towards the end what holds the book together.
All parts follow different main characters´ ways to Hong Kong. They all hope to find better conditions than at home.
In the first part a young journalist has her ups and downs in the British newspaper word until she goes to Hong Kong. Here her features become so popular that she writes an article on the big triads and how their heirs have succeeded in making even bigger deals and money by becoming “respectable”. This plunges her into a situation in which she can either loose her livelihood in Hong Kong or that can catapult her into the centre of power in the media world of South Asia.
The second part unfolds the years of Hong Kong History as experienced by a British lad who in the 1930ies follows his drive to see foreign lands.
A Chinese nun he meets on the ship out to Hong Kong teaches him Cantonese and becomes his link to the non Expat world.
In the last part the young present day businessman is an “astronaut”, someone spending his time on planes between Europe, Asia and Australia. But his enterprise is threatened by the traditional practice of bribery in Asia. He has to choose between ruin for him and his extended family or being saved by (former?) underworld magnates.
After a bit tedious beginning the book develops a speed and fascination one cannot resist. And when you come to the end you feel you know more how Hong Kong ticks.

Our First 'Friendly' HKBOB competition with FIS, Bryant McEntire as our experienced moderator and Y7 and Y8s participating, demonstrating Team Spirit

2008-01-23T18:21:00.001-08:00

4. A Many-Splendoured Thing

2007-12-09T17:25:00.000-08:00

Han, Suyin, 1914. Call No : S- HAN
A many-splendoured thing / Han Suyin.-- London : Jonathan Cape, 1954.
351 p. ; 21 cm.
1. Biographical Fiction relating to Hong Kong 1950-1951.

Recommended by Hanna Green

Der Titel des Buches : A Many-Spendoured Thing von Han Suyin mag manchem bekannt vorkommen wegen des gleichnamigen Films Love is a Many-Splendored Thing
(lohnt nicht, erschöpft sich in einer banalen Liebesgeschichte) und seiner berühmt gewordenen Filmmusik.

Das Buch ist für Hongkong Kenner und solche, die es werden wollen, von größtem Interesse: Einerseits vermittelt es autobiographisch hautnah die historischen Ereignisse in China und Hong Kong um 1950 herum auf ihrem weltpolitischen Hintergrund.
Andererseits fesselt die Darstelllung der Kontraste, die in Hongkong lebendig waren und sind, und die das Buch brand-aktuell machen..

Die Liebesgeschichte zwischen dem britischen Korrespondenten und der eurasischen Ärztin gewinnt tragische Züge, weil sie den inneren Konflikt zwischen dem drängenden Gewissen, China in seiner Aufbauphase helfen zu wollen und zu müssen, und dem Bedürfnis nach Normalität in einer Liebesbeziehung, die die beiden im damaligen kommunistisch werdenden China nicht leben können, eindringlich vor Augen führt.

So bleibt nur Hongkong mit all seinen Kontrasten als Insel zwischen Kommunismus und Imperialismus,wo auch diese beiden überleben könnten?

An zwei Beispielen möchte ich darstellen, worin sich HK völlig verändert hat. Und andererseits, wie die heutige Welt der von vor 50 Jahren in HK ,und außerhalb, so ähnlich ist, dass man denkt, Han Suyin (Pseudonym) schreibt 2006/7:.

Im damaligen Hong Kong war die Beziehung einer Eurasierin mit einem Westler ein Unding und wurde mit gesellschaftlicher Ächtung bestraft. Das galt ebenso für die Chinesen wie für die Nicht Chinesen. Heute wundert man sich, dass diese Vorurteile so fest verwurzelt zu sein schienen, während diese Beziehungen gerade in HK jetzt zur Normalität geworden sind.

Vieles in dem Buch allerdings mutet ganz aktuell an, z.B. wenn der Korrespondent aus dem Korea Krieg schreibt:Day after day with their aircraft the Americans are laying waste towns and villages, killing fifty civilians for every one soldier.

“..people with very real grievances, who will stand up and declaim against these saviours, these allies who have caused more damage and destruction and suffering than the ostensible enemies”. (p.336)

Somit ist das Buch ein zeitgeschichtliches Zeugnis, und stellt gleichzeitig auch uns im täglichen Umgang Vertrautes dar.

3. Der Junge im gestreiften Pyjama von John Boyne

2007-11-20T22:12:00.000-08:00

Signatur : S-BOY

Der Junge im gestreiften Pyjama : eine Fabel / John Boyne. Aus dem Engl. von Brigitte Jakobeit.-- Frankfurt, M. : Fischer-Taschenbuch-Verl, 2007.
266 S. (Fischer Schatzinsel)
ISBN 978-3-596-85228-4

Schlagwort: Holocaust

Judentum (1939-1945)

2. Weltkrieg - Polen

Frau Susan Braun : Ein bewegendes Buch, unbedingt lesen!

2. Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

2007-11-20T22:04:00.000-08:00

Kadohata, Cynthia. Call No : S-KAD
Kira-Kira / Cynthia Kadohata.-- New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, c2004.
244 p. ; 20 cm.
Summary: Chronicles the close friendship between two Japanese-American sisters growing up in rural Georgia during the late 1950s, and the despair felt when one sister becomes terminally ill.
ISBN 0689856393 : US$16.95
1. Sisters--Fiction. 2. Friendship--Fiction. 3. Japanese in the United States--Fiction. 4. Death--Fiction. 5. Georgia--History--20th century--Fiction.

Kira-Kira is the winner of the 2005 Newbery Medal. Although this book has been classified as middle grade, I recommend this heart-warming story of a close-knit family with all the remarkable values of love, respect and honour, to people of any age.

1. Into a Dark Realm written by Raymond E Feist

2007-11-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

Feist, Raymond E. Call No : S-FEI
Into a dark realm / Raymond E. Feist.-- 1st ed.-- London : Harper Voyager, 2006.
386 p. : map ; 19 cm. (The Darkwar saga, bk.2)
Map on lining papers.
ISBN 9780007133796
1. Pug (Fictitious character)--Fiction. 2. Midkemia (Imaginary place)--Fiction. 3. Wizards--Fiction. 4. Fantasy fiction. I. Title. II. Series: The Darkwar saga ; III. Series: Feist, Raymond E. Darkwar saga. bk. 2.

Recommended by Chris Hoskins

As a fan of fantasy literature, I have enjoyed Feist's Midkemia stories for many years.

Beginning with Magician, his books span generations of the powers of order and chaos. These are action-packed tales of high magic and adventure - just perfect for a fun read on holiday!

Into a Dark Realm is the second book of his latest series, and perhaps the best compliment I can give him is that it is always frustrating to wait a while for the next volume to be published; it is expected some time next year, so I am trying to read this one slowly. Without much success.