Teacher Parents Session

It seems like a long time since I last posted an entry (so long that I forgot what email and password to type in) but after checking the date, it doesn't seem that long after all.(ok so my memory is bad)

Will do a quick post before I go overseas.

It seems pretty common for ladies nowadays to continue working after the birth of their child. Some will leave the care of their child to either their parents or to a child care centre. Some points to ponder on:

1. The parents are basically doing double duty. After the arduous duty of raising their own child, they are faced with another round of raising their own grandchildren.

2. This is something which I find quite interesting , it was raised by another teacher. If the child is raised by the grandparents, what happens when the child starts a new generation? Will the mother of the child (who was raised by the grandparents) be equipped and prepared to raise her grandchild like what her parents have done for her?

For me, I like to take a peek at the profiles of the parents of my students. Students who have stay at home mothers tend to be better behaved which then translate to better academic results.


During the recent Teacher Parents meeting session (which I kind of enjoyed, both parents and me will learn something new about the child), one of the mothers told me that her son has become better behaved and less rebellious after she became a stay at home mum. Of course, life is not easy with a minus-one income but its definitely worth all the sacrifices.

Story of Toys

Last week (at the place where I do volunteer teaching) , I was doing a lesson on the relationship between excessive consumerism and global warming. This week, I was asking the students on what they had done for our earth for the past week. One student (4 years old) replied that she didn't buy any toys this week. Cute and sweet. =)

±2℃ part II

I showed parts of the show to the class of students where I am doing volunteering teaching. Considering the young age of the students, I was surprised that they seemed to be engaged in it. One of the parents came forward to ask where the video can be obtained. Next week, I will be doing follow-up to the video.

When I did an environmental lesson with my students about 2 years ago, their reaction was positive and encouraging. Right after the lesson, many of them wanted to continue the lessons without the fans.

However, the lesson itself is only a catalyst, igniting awareness and hopefully further action .
Effort is needed by both the teacher and most importantly, the parents to ensure that the initial enthusiasm can be sustained.

Little ones with a big heart

A milipede at the Butterfly Park in Sentosa. Frankly speaking, being a faint hearted girl, I did not dare hold the milipede.

However, after seeing my little girl hold it, it doesn't seem that bad after all. I decided to pluck up the courage to hold it.

Actually, I have a phobia of butterflies since young. But...after seeing the little ones hold those fragile creatures in their hands, they don't seem so scary after all.

When we were inside the enclosure, the little ones saw a piece of broken wing and were clearly sadden by what they saw. The end of a fragile life.

I am lucky and grateful to have this class.

It seems like a nice way to end my bond.

After all, the graduating batch that I am teaching now were my first batch of students. I am now getting to teach them a bit of what I didn't teach them when I first took them.

弟子规

Caught this performance on the recent charity show.

I tried to upload my copy from the dvd but I still haven't found a way to do it. This copy is extracted from Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khl4Y7UFRO0


My "moral education" lessons in class are actually based on 弟子规, one can imagine my excitement when I caught this on television. I wonder if 弟子规 is now taught in Shuqun Primary School?

Some miscellaneous information:

1.The students performing are from Shuqun Primary School, the alma mater of a Nus Wushu Alumni.

2. I mentioned 弟子规 briefly to her when we were attending another wushu girl's wedding (the school which she is teaching at is teaching 弟子规though) although I wonder if she still remembers the conversation or if she had caught the show.

A letter

Most of my students from last year are now in the care of another teacher. She did a lesson on the recent Haiti earthquake and showed me the letter that "orange"

wrote.

By the way, I really need to clarify the misconception that I'm a good teacher. I wish it was true but sad to say , even though my 3 year bond in teaching is almost up, I am still sadly lacking in many areas.

I have finally done the deed

I am taking the other extreme end in my school

P6.

True, I am only taking them for health education but it can be quite nerve racking.

For one, they seemed to tower over me when they stand up.

Second, the first topic is on puberty.

I could have skim through the topic and go through what was in the activity book.

But

• Last year, there were 12,222 cases of abortion.
• Most of it were done on umarried adult women.
• Teenage abortion accounted for 1,289 of last year's total 12,222.
• Children reaching puberty at an earlier age (not normal, not good, it simply means aging is hasten)
• More children engaging in sex at an earlier age and getting pregnant (not normal, not good)

It was definitely awkward for me. I could feel my heart beating faster when its time for the P6 lessons. But as a teacher, I definitely feel that they must be exposed to the right information and values, rather than stumbling upon wrong information online that could potentially ruined their life in time to come.

I got many valuable information through this physician's talk and book.
http://www.pengposhi.blog.hexun.com/

No wonder my friend used to say having too much sex is damaging to one's health, turns out he was right after all -_-

Happy New Year

Haha ok I know its a bit late, but better late than never.

I have opted to take P2 this year(Actually my first choice was P1 but they gave me my second choice ). Some people might think it sounds like downgrading but I seriously think it can be very meaningful teaching the little ones. They are young and impressionable, the best time to build a good and solid foundation. It's hard to kick the bad habits once they are formed and it can be tiring not to mention potentially frustrating for the teachers doing the fire fighting for the older children.

Admittedly, it was a culture shock for me in the beginning. Questions were met with blank faces and doubts on how to interact with them linger constantly on my mind. But I realise that they can be quite cute.

An extract on what happened yesterday.

Me: Those who have finished your work can go to the reading corner.
Some students then grudgingly stopped talking and went to the reading corner.

Me: You can take out the stools and mats.

Student: Really??

Me: Yes

The students then started to lay out the mats and a stool. One of them became the "principal" , sat on the stool and held a big book in her hands. The rest of them took off their shoes and sat on the mats in front of the "principal". Other students seemed to take an interest in the reading corner and started asking for permission to go to the corner. The "principal" even commanded approaching students to take off their shoes before entering the corner.

Cute.

I am thinking of how to dress up the reading corner to make it even more fun for the little ones.

Lessons learnt

Wanted to post this entry for a long time but was taken off my feet from the hustle and rustle of meeting deadline, going overseas and coming back to meet deadline again.

Discovered this card while packing my stuff at home.

2008 marked the year where I discovered the importance and not to mention the joy of imparting and building a strong foundation of moral values in children. Those kids have a special place in my heart and the affection that they still shower on me when they see me this year puts a smile in my heart.



2009 marks the year where I look forward to seeing my students progress everyday (at least for the 2nd half of the year). One of my students once asked why do I not take leave and have a break. I replied that I look foward to seeing them improve. It sounds unbelivable but it's hard to describe the anticipation and joy in seeing them improve. (Although those around me are constantly inflicted with my complaints about them haha)



2009 also marks the year where I discover the magnitude of childhood education.

Many vices and habits once formed during childhood proves difficult to eradicate in adulthood and experienced teachers warned that once a person reaches adolescence, preaching and controlling no longer works. It is then vital to impart all important moral values and habits to a child.


Once you got the right moral values ticking, you don't have to invest much time, energy or money trying to enforce discipline and motivating them to learn.


I'm not sure what are the impact created on my students but through teaching them, I have learnt so many things. It is difficult to preach what I don't do and because I have to teach I have to do what I preach (its difficult but still have to try lah)


There are many other things that I have learnt this year including the temptations I have yet to resist, but the post's getting lengthy.


Hope 2009 has been a meaning and fulfilling year for all of you!

Confession

Happy Childrens' Day

After all, childrens' day is about appreciating who and what made us who we are.

I love my parents

I want to make my family happy

I lied

Some examples of my students' journal, and no I don't specify any topics for them. They are free to write whatever they want.

Morale boost

A bit backdated..yes yes I am slow.

A morale boost from a parent who brings her child to the teaching class where I volunteer at. Nothing spectacular just an expression that she shares the same goal for her child and the affirmation that the class is beneficial . Its good enough for me.

In the class, other than another teaching partner, we also have parents volunteers to help out in the class. Recently, a few of the teachers started utilising IT resources to conduct lessons. I started making powerpoint slides and showed videos to aid my teaching. I was a bit apprehensive. Yes, it is common within the school to enhance teaching using IT resources, but here at the place where I volunteer, its probably something new. I was wondering how the parents sitting in would react. So far, responses have been positive and I'm more confident in using it in the class .

Jaded teacher

Sometimes, when I am frustrated with my students' work, I will remind myself the enthusiasm that they show when they want to answer a question which they are confident in getting right. I will remind myself the delight that they showed when they read encouraging remarks. I will remind myself that no students want to do badly. They just don't know the way to do well yet.

Earth Hour Part 2

Was doing a lesson on Earth Hour with my students.

They are so tickled by the hong kong version of Earth Hour...Kids....=) I was trying to illustrate that other countries are active in their part in conserving the earth's resources.

Went to do an informal poll on how many of them actually voted for Earth on 28th March 2009. Not all voted but more than what I have expected already. Thank you students. Thank you to the parents who were willing to let them vote. =)

曲/詞/編/監/主唱: 林一峰

藏於天空每點星光仍有待浮現褪掉白晝每分喧嘩來　齊看夜還完漁村星火撒於淺灘鱗光水裡閃腳步慢了萬里漆黑銀河　

終於可見Lai lai lai laiLai lai lai laiLight up your dreams閉起雙眼用心看一看你面前留於心中半點燭光陪我抱你入眠Lai lai lai laiLai lai lai laiLight up your dreams閉起雙眼用心看一看你面前Lai lai lai laiLai lai lai laiLight up your dreams閉起雙眼認真看一看這樂園留於心中半點燭光陪我抱你入眠甦醒於恬靜呼吸一線曙光吻你的臉

Translated version

Was looking through the book which I mentioned in the earlier post . At the back of the book is a self assessment for students.

I translated the assessment for the first verse into English. My standard of English seems to be off these days...so the translation might be quite bad. Feel free to amend and use it for your students

When my parents/elders /elders call me, I answer them straight away.
When they ask me to do something, I do it quickly.
When my parents/elders instruct or teach me, I listen respectfully
When my parents/elders /elders reproach me, I do not talk back. I explain to them respectfully. If I am wrong, I admit my mistake. I try hard to change and improve myself.

New News

Something happened yesterday and I'm very excited about it.


But first , let me introduce a book (DZG) that I have been using to teach my students.



There are many versions to this book, the one that I'm handing out to my students has been kindly translated and printed into an English version by some very kind souls. I don't have a picture of it now and I have stocked the books in school.

Frankly, I'm learning it myself. I used to think I'm someone with Ok moral values when in reality I'm far from it.

But what's the thing that has got me so excited?

Yesterday, there was a sharing by principals and teachers on DZG which unfortunately I did not attend. But from what I heard from those who did attend, many schools are already making it part of their curriculum! They now have it in English and Malay versions. Tamil version coming up soon? A Malay parent expressed that her child has really changed for the better ever since she was exposed to DZG. Of the schools that is making it part of the curriculum include christian affiliated school. St Nicholas Girls is involved in printing one of the textbooks sold in Popular!

St Nicholas is involved in printing this text book!



Malaysia has already started this in their country with Malay version of DZG

I really hope my school will join on the wagon soon! I''m really bad at pushing this in my school. In fact, I think I'm not doing anything to push this to my school. Shall work harder in teaching it in my class!

Peace

和平=和睦共处，平等对待

Am looking forward to the coming March Holidays!

Am so lost in the avalanch of work that somethings I forget my priorities and goals. Will aim for some quiet time even when school reopens. =)

My colleague was so tickled by what my kid wrote in her composition....Boy saves a cat from a big dog. Robber comes up to the boy and demands money from the poor boy. Grateful and herioc cat sprang onto the robber and scratched his face. Robber ran screaming away while the dog chased him till he reached home where the robber told his exciting story to his mother.

Sometimes I forget to take delight in the kids' work.