The Wonderful Activities for English Week in SJKC Keh Seng, Melaka!

Wow!!! I really love this year's English Week in SJKC Keh Seng! We did different activities this year which is really meaningful; not for the sake of doing it!

But, first of all, we have to thank all the teachers in the English Panitia who are supportive of this year's English Week activities. Without their support, diligence and dedication in preparing the pupils, this will not work out.

My Year 5U pupils and me posing for a shot after the sketch~ 

I did the short sketch as my pupils wanted to give it a try. Whoaa!! I love their enthusiasm! They got the motivation after I did the role play for language art in class for lesson. Believe it, THEY LOVE ACTING!

Here's what I did:

Steps:
1. Selecting story (discuss with pupils to go with their preferences)
2. Previewing of the story (cartoon)
3. Pupils split into 2 groups according to their chosen story.
4. Teacher prepares script (at the same time with no.5)
5. Pupils prepares props (simple ones for first timer. Do not be greedy)
6. Practice
7. Presenting the sketch on stage.


Here's the video of the preparations and sketch presentation~

Sketch for English Week 2016! 

p/s: sorry for the incomplete sketch for Group 2 as my handphone ran out of battery!  >.<

Apart from the sketch, we have the "Show and Tell" session too! This activity is the idea of our Guru Cemerlang Bahasa Inggeris, Madam Ng Wee Guek. The objective of having this as a session rather than story telling competition is to encourage pupils to speak English.

The old way of story telling competition where pupils have to memorise story before hand and presenting it doesn't interest the pupils. Rather, they felt stressed up because the other 2 languages is also done by memorizing. 

We didn't want to do it just for the sake of doing. She didn't want the pupils to feel stressed up and not enjoying the activity as they should. Memorizing stories to be contested is somehow meaningless if they do not enjoy it. 

We aren't competiting on brain memory power, are we? Haaaa~

How to conduct it? Pupils can: 

1. Prepare slides or....

2. Prepare video or....

3. Bringing an item to show...; and tell.  =D

There are other benefits of this "Show and Tell" session too. Pupils will have the chance to use ICT as some prepared Power Point slides or video story track to be displayed as they speak. Parents will be involved indirectly when they help their child to prepare the slides or videos.This gives exposure to the pupils on the corporate way of delivering speech too. 

Let's watch the short video now~ Reallllly short one~

Show and Tell session

Korea-Malaysia Pen Pal Programme

Yeehaa! This programme that we planned worked out well! I'm very happy with the progress of this pen pal programme.

The many happy faces upon receiving the letters from their Korean friend~

We (SJKC Keh Seng, Melaka) did this programme with Jangdo Elementary School in Incheon. 

30 pupils were selected to participate in this programme. 

The teacher, Miss Kim Seo Kyung and me discussed on the planning of the programme (time frame, topics, processes, etc)

Pupils from both sides are very motivated to join in this programme. From the video, we can see that they really enjoyed the process of this programme.

Enough scribbling. Let's watch the video footage instead! ^^

Writing their first ever letter to their pen pal

Letters arrived from Korea!~~

After 2 weeks, they received their letters! Soooooo happy!~~~

Ahhhh~  귀엽다 ~~

Kids Don't Like Yam!

Watch the reactions of the Year 1 pupils when asked for their opinion on yam.

So cute!!!

It is good to encourage pupils to speak out and give opinions using short and simple questions. Start when they are still young. Their fresh mind will absorb many words and things like sponge.

Therefore, teachers, the proper pronunciation and language use must be applied daily as what they see and listen is what they will learn. Surely, we do not want to drill the wrong info into them.

Topic:
Vegetables

Duration:
30 minutes

Steps:
1. Guided reading (teacher guides the pupils to read).
2. Teacher prompts questions on different types of vegetables (colour, shape, size, taste)
3. Teacher asks them what do they think about yam (which is something unfamiliar to some pupils)
4. Pupils do the exercises in the activity book.

These few pupils were once very quiet pupils. By encouraging them to answer simple questions from time to time, they are better now.

Enjoy the video!
(I really love their cute reactions!!!)  XD

Engaging Parents in Their Child's Education

It is very important for parents to be active in their child's education. Their participation is actually the moral support for their child. We teachers can teach, inspire and be the role model for our students. But the biggest influence actually comes from home.

Unfortunately, many parents now are working and have very little to no time to accompany their child and follow up on their education. 

I have tried giving my pupils a task to do with their mum or dad. They are required to hand in pictured evidence to me for this activity. I gave them as much time as they wanted (but did remind them every day for the picture, not in a forceful or pushy way)

These are actually my Year 1 pupils doing salad with their family members. Some teachers did the salad with the pupils in the classroom which they enjoyed it. But, I was thinking of doing something different this time round: - getting the parents involved in their child's task.

From the store to the bowl

Happy time making salad with mummy!

Steps:

1. Teaching the topic (about vegetables).

2. Teaching process and procedure of making a salad (according to the textbook).

3. Teacher explains the task to pupils:

     i) Make a bowl of salad with mummy or daddy for dinner.

     ii) Take pictures of the process or selfie with mummy or daddy~ ^^

     iii) Print out the picture on a A4 paper. If mummy or daddy can bring it to the shop to develop the photo, then it will be good too!~

4. When pupils bring the photo to school, have a show-and-tell session where they will use their photos as stimuli as they share back their experiences on making the salad.

At first, I thought that it wouldn't work out as pupils gave me the 'sad' and 'worried' look; saying that their parents are busy and have no time to cook. But, after 2 weeks, I was surprised to receive the pictures! And I can see through their eyes glitters of joy because they were able to do things together with their family members - something which they seldom get the chance to do so.

Let's give it a try~ Who knows what wonders will work out of it~

Aren't they beautiful? ^_^

Qualities of a Good Leader

In anywhere of any constitution, to have a good leader is important to ensure productivity and satisfaction in the working world.

So, what does it takes to be a good leader?

1. Able to build relationships with co-workers

2. Clear communication with everyone

3. Inspiring others

4. Trusting co-worker's ability

5. Giving recognition 

6. Integrity

7. Giving support and encouragement

8. Focus on team - not self-glorifying

9. A good listener

10. Visionary - having a plan and a goal to achieve; and daring to make the change.

There are so many a good leader should be. I was lucky to be able to work with one of the good leader. She was my ex-principal in the previous school. She has now retired and enjoying her quality life with her beloved family.

Madam Khoo Ai Hiang on her retirement day

She builds good relationship with all teachers in the school. Everyone respects her as the leader of the school. She's also a practical person who doesn't waste much time on unnecessary things. High in integrity and a good listener, she doesn't go against the right principles and always make sure to listen to all parties before making a decision. 

     As a young teacher that time, she guided me slowly and did not look down on my weakness. She gave me the encouragement to do what is best for the students. 

    One of the best thing that she did for me was to encourage me to change my workplace. At first, I felt like....oh....am I not good enough? But she told me the reason to not stay stagnant. She believed in my capabilities and thus told me to venture out there and expose myself more to other environment with promising opportunities

    As of this moment, I have achieved quite a lot in areas she meant. I am truly grateful to have a great leader like her. Even after her retirement, she still gives her support in a very simple way, which is through the social media like Facebook. Small gestures, but big impact. Thank you, Madam Khoo!

Once Upon a Time : Of Birthday and Essay

Years had passed but I can still remember the times where I spent my time in the kampung with the students. We don't have many things, unlike in towns, but we have one thing maybe the town lacks; relationship. Sometimes, I really reminiscence the fun times I had with my students there.
     One of the thing which I really remembered was throwing a surprise birthday party for my student (2012). I was preparing them for SPM. Giving them the chance to feel and experience was one of the thing in my bucket list for lessons.
     Coincidentally, one of my student's birthday fell on that week itself. So, I decided to throw a surprise birthday for him. I bought the cake, planned it with the parent whose house they opened for me to teach that group of students weekly, and of course planned with some of the students (except the birthday boy).

Of birthday boy and essay~ Haha~

   
Objective:
 To write an essay entitled "An Unforgettable Experience ".

Logic:
To 'see' the flow of the essay. Students tend to write plots as they like - not chronological which will throw the whole story off.
I intend to let them write their experience on this.

Steps:
1. Planning of execution (1 week ahead)
2. Starts the lesson normally (on the day itself)
3. 30 minutes before class ends, tell them lesson's done and they can  rest. This is the time to carry out the plan.
4. Birthday Surprise!!! - Switch off lights, bringing in the cake, sing songs, etc.
5. Party!~~~
6. Calm them down - ask how do they feel? etc...
7. Now, tell them the objective >> ESSAY! HAHA!
8. Guide them by recalling the process of that surprise party.
9. Students bring the essay home to do.

It was a great night to end the day, that time~

Eating cherries after songs and wishes

His way of saying thanks~ 

P/s: Please ignore the paper plate that was blown to me ^^'''

   

Awaken from Death | True story by Tony Low

Shalom!

It was a great oppurtunity for us to meet and listen to testimonial by Tony Low, a man labeled as "Wireless Man".

His testimonial was so powerful and inspiring. Giving all praises to God, he now lives as a new person born again in Christ.


This is his testimonial:
Born as a non-believer, he lived a normal life with his wife till one day, he was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer. All the top Oncologist in Singapore told him that treating the cancer is futile because they have never seen a man with so much cancer in his body. He was basically a walking tumour. They told him to take 3 months of holiday to visit all the places he wants and when he's back from holiday 3 months later, he will be gone. Time to prepare his own coffin by then. It was devastating to hear that not only from 1 doctor, but many! Each doctor said the same thing.

But, there was one doctor who asked him if he wanted to try chemo, a new type of drug under testing phase (20 years back, chemo was not as modern as now) even though the risk was that he might be killed by the chemo drug instead of the cancer . At wits end, he said yes. After 4 months, the doctor was surprised to see his body reacting positively towards his drug and said "Someone up there really loves you!". Tony, at that time, a non-believer did not understand that. The doctor, a Christian, smiled because the tumours decreased by a huge amount. Tony went deeper into Buddhism, travelling to India, Sri Lanka, meditating in the forest and even under the Bodhi Tree. He did everything to understand life.

Unfortunately, the cancer relapsed and this time it was in his brain, as big as an orange. The pressure was so great that Tony couldn't control his body and went into fits. The doctor arranged for immediate brain surgery or he will be gone by night. Doctors cut his skull and part of his brain. Covered it up again but he was still shaking terribly. So, they have to open up his skull again and throw away more of his brain. 1/4 of his brain was cut away. They have to leave open the skull as they didn't want pressure on that part. He was in coma when he was wheeled out of the OT. They had all the tubes stuck into his body to monitor his vital organs, even one into his open-wound brain as there was no skull to cover it to monitor brain activity.

After 4 days, the specialists declared him dead as there was no brain activity and vital organs shut down. His wife, Ashley Low,  has to sign the paper to declare her husband dead. But she refused to do so. She was certain her God will heal her husband. The doctors thought she went cuckoo but they couldn't do anything without her signature. Surprisingly, Ashley accepted Christ 3 months before he was diagnosed with brain tumour! And so, they transfered him to the ICU to wait for her signature before transfering him into the mortuary.

Praise be to the Almighty God, after a full 7 days ordeal, Tony was awaken from death! A miracle just happened! The specialists used a few machines to convince themselves that he is alive! And yes, he is alive!


Now, let's hear what Tony Low experienced during that 3 days of death:
     "I stood up. I saw my own body on the sick bed. I was thinking "What is happening???". I got   terrified. Looking down on your own body is not a good sign. Am I dead? Oh.....what do I do now?As I was getting puzzled and frightened, I heard a voice saying "LOOK UP". Well, better to look up than to look down on your dead body, right? So , I looked up and saw a bright light, the sides opening up like curtains and bright light shining down, .... the picture here is what I can let you see how it roughly feels like that time. I definitely can't show you the exact thing I saw ,but this is some how like that. Just to let you have a feel of it....

Bright light coming from the sides that pulled up like curtains

      I thought to myself, "Is that Heaven?" And the next thing I saw was something like a man with white robes, with both arms wide open....

A man so bright with both arms wide open. Our God is light ( 1 John 1: 5)

  ....and said in a loud, thunderous voice (Job 37:4-5)
                     "TONY,
                       DO NOT BE AFRAID. (written in the bible for 365 times)
                       I WILL WALK IN FRONT OF YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE". (Isaiah 45:2, Deuteronomy 31:8)

Each word was loud and echoed like thunder. He was too bright for me too see, I'm scared I will go blind. He was always on my right hand side.


When Tony woke up, it was past 3 days since he was dead. But now, resurrected and born a new person. The doctors could not explain this miracle. But, the doctors said, without his brain, he will be a complete "vegetable" because there are no veins or "connectors"to control the limbs. And yes, he went back not being able to move from chin down.

He went to ask the pastors about this wonderful and almighty God that he met when he was dead. The pastors told him that all the answer can be found in the Bible. He needs to read the bible to know about Him. The Bible is God's mind, His words.

In 30 days, Tony finished reading the Bible. How did he do that? Who turned the pages for him? God is full of humour. He allowed Tony's little pinky to MOVE and that was how he used it to flip the pages! If Tony can walk and move freely after death, maybe he will just be enjoying himself and have no time for the Bible. So, you see, God is stern yet merciful!

And after flipping the last page and the back cover of the bible (30 days) , as the cover drops, Tony felt as if his legs were on fire. He panicked and jumped away from his wheelchair. Then, he got another shock. He's standing! Wow!! Praise the Lord! After a few hours of baby-like walking, he was walking, and after a few more hours he was running and the next day, he was ballroom dancing with his wife!

6 months passed and it's time to get another check-up. The doctor got another shock of his life and told him to walk while he observed till his jaw dropped to the ground. There was no need for check up that day anymore and was told to go home. That doctor became a believer of Christ after that incident! Hallelujah!

God is using each and everyone of us to spread His love, to be a good testimonial and to raise His Kingdom just like how He used Tony to do His will on earth.

O Father in Heaven, continue to use us to do your will on Earth. Let everyone, of all races, of all skin colour, of all languages, come to you, talk to you for the only language You listen to is PRAYER. Let us pray fervently, continue praising You for the wonder of your works, your grace, your mercy and unfailing love. Thank you, Lord for the every moment in our life. Guide us the way to lead a fulfilling life as You desire of us and to be more like You till we meet again in Heaven. In Jesus precious name, Amen!