I’m really happy about my lesson today.

The success criteria was to come up with one original Show Not Tell phrase on happiness.

To kickstart the process, I wrote the things I like on the whiteboard and encouraged my fifth graders to do likewise.

Like a seasoned magician, I then teased them, “I’m not into K pop, but I can write something that will make at least 3 girls ecstatic.”

That’s when I delivered like a pro. I scribbled “Her smile was as genuine as K pop fans attending an Enhypen concert.”

As I expected, 3 girls literally squealed in delight. The mood of my typically dreary lesson instantly shifted.

Thoughtful not to alienate the boys, I said, “I’m not so sure about this one, but let’s see who likes it.”

I crafted “His smile was as genuine as Liverpool fans celebrating their team’s victory.”

To my horror, many boys screamed - louder than the girls, in fact. Now, I know that the boys are poised for ANY opportunity to make noise. 🥵

After the commotion finally died down, they got down to crafting heir own. Here are some promising attempts:

Her smile was as genuine as a child receiving her first pet. - Yi Xi Her smile was as genuine as a cat lover spotting a cat. - Syifa His smile was as genuine as a Singaporean eating chicken rice. - Aeson His smile was as genuine as someone enjoying hot coffee while watching the sunrise. - Liam His smile was as genuine as a man receiving his first car. - Kenneth Her smile was as wide as a sideways banana. - Grace Her smile was as genuine as a child enjoying fast food. - Carinne His smile was as genuine as a student acing his examination. - Safiy Her smile was as genuine as Malay children receiving duit raya (money) on Hari Raya. - Asmara His smile was as genuine as a lion greeting its pride. - Adam His smile was as genuine as a gamer achieving the highest level of his favourite game. -Kayson Her smile was as euphoric as a fangirl watching "K-pop Demon Hunters". - Tanushri Her smile was as genuine as a child receiving the latest mobile phone. - Rizqka Her smile was as genuine as super fans attending a P1Harmony concert. - Haifa His smile was as genuine as a diehard fan watching Cristiano Ronaldo score a goal. - Hari I smiled like Primary 5 children watching the NDP Preview. - Ceng Hian

Of course, their original sentences weren’t so well crafted. They were moulded into shape by yours truly (and ChatGPT). I enjoyed how some of their sentences stimulated my creative juices to flow.

But the intention behind the sentences! It was all theirs. I particularly loved the car phrase and the chicken rice phrase. They are so relatable!!! I wish I had conjured them myself.

I hope that despite the stresses of the national exam, these budding minds will learn that words have power. And recognise the might of their own words.