20th March came and gone in a wink. Five years of secondary education summarised in a piece of paper. The muggings of a whole year and the waiting of more than three months....all in the past now.
This year I had the privilege to be the mother of a student instead of just being a teacher. I had the joy to be on stage with one of the top students in the school. It was a day of great joy for the two of us. But I was hit by many what ifs....
The names of the straight A+ were first announced followed by all As (combination of A+, A and A-). A total of 33 students. The sadness and tears when students who expected to be in the straight A+ category found themselves to be in the all As category. Even more tears for students who expected to be in either of the category and found themselves in neither.
I was busy giving out results that morning. All around me was chaos, noise and tears. When I looked at my students crying....I wondered how Lyn and I would have reacted if she was in their shoes. Tears...definitely tears too.
As I ponder on this for the past few days and every year when results is announced...I have only this to say...I hate this system. I hate to see what it does to the students' esteem. It's not that they are not good....but what we are doing is we are telling them that they are not good enough. Therefore they do not deserve such recognition. This whole system is making us drill As out of the students and if they do not achieve the As....they are just not good or smart.
Many students have all A+ but an A or all As but a B. They are no less better than those who were called on stage. This method is definitely not healthy to the child's psychology. Can we stop it??
I repeat it very often and I repeat it again. Life is not about making As. The As a student gets will not determine her success in future. Success and self worth is not equavalent to the As a student get. How I wish I can hold all of them in my arms and tell them....you've done good. You've done well. I am so proud of you.
Many students have shown their strength not in their academics but in their character, attitude, relationship with their elders. Are they praised for such fine characteristics? Do we shout to the world that here we have groomed students who are respectful, uphold integrity, kind and helpful?? No wonder the moral values of society has gone down the drain because it is of no importance.
So to all my students who are reading this...I apologise for the pressure I put on you to get As. I want all of you to know that you have done well, very well indeed for excellence is not measured by academic results alone. Think again....if I have taught you... what I said about success. If you have shown any kindness, courtesy and goodness to another fellow human today...you are a success and I am so proud of you.
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Nasi Lemak
Today is sports day. Held at Stadium Paroi as usual. This year I was given the task of herding the students up the busses to and for the stadium.
At the end of the sports event we had to herd the students up the bus again. A different experience this time. As the weather was hot the girls stopped to buy drinks. As the bus drivers were rushing back to ferry their own regular passengers back from school,some didn't even wait for the bus to be totally full. Despite all our shoutings, we were ignored. The girls dallied along and finally the last two busses were jam packed. Serves them right for expecting the bus to be there for them till they are ready to leave.
Herding....yes. I felt like a cowherd. Busses were waiting outside the gate. I told the girls to cross the road and get on the bus. I turned back and found I was the only one crossing the road. I walked back and shouted at them to get moving. Most girls were taller than me as I wasn't wearing heels. They just look at me poker faced.
They were too busy selecting busses and waiting for friends to arrive so that they can get on the same bus.
Anyway after that awful task, Zu, Has and I went off to the stadium and stopped for breakfast at Gerai Pak Ali at the stadium. It serves all kinds of noodles, roti canai and Nasi Lemak. The Nasi Lemak comes with dishes of your choice like chicken rendang, clam sambal, clam rendang, squid sambal etc etc. Zu says the Nasi is great. My knees went jelly when I saw the clams and squids. But can't be greedy. So I had clam rendang Nasi Lemak. Fantastic. One of the best Nasi Lemak I've ever tasted for the price of RM4.50. Even the teh O kurang manis is nice....doesn't taste like drain water.
At the end of the sports event we had to herd the students up the bus again. A different experience this time. As the weather was hot the girls stopped to buy drinks. As the bus drivers were rushing back to ferry their own regular passengers back from school,some didn't even wait for the bus to be totally full. Despite all our shoutings, we were ignored. The girls dallied along and finally the last two busses were jam packed. Serves them right for expecting the bus to be there for them till they are ready to leave. Anyway....thank God for the Nasi Lemak. Gave me the strength to do my work today as a cowherd.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Exam and marking fever
Met BS in church and she asked why I've not written for quite a while. I've been so mega BUSY. April was a bad month. Nelda went back for a month. Brother and sister came to relieve her.
May....life is more normal but it's also exam month. English and history are bad combinations. I've completed two classes of English paper 2; essays and some structural questions. Earlier completed 3 classes of history paper 3. Marked like a zombie. Was disappointed that S didn't turn up for the paper. She did the same thing last year too. If she does it for SPM she's going to fail and that is bad for the statistics. Wanted to ask her not to come to school today too so she doesn't have to sit for her papers 1&2. I know I'm nasty but paper 3 is a breeze. I almost gave them the answer scripts ... What else does she want?
Anyway....the students are in a frenzy themselves preparing for exam. Managed to catch a picture of the stationary used by one of the girls. It was arranged like this. I only pushed them closer.
The English paper which I marked. A sample of an essay from the weakest class. No wonder the writer was tired...had to carry the bicycle. Marking English essays can be fun. Lots to laugh about. One writer had to pull her bicycle home....like pulling a cow!!
Here's a sample of history paper. I dislike this type of handwriting. Too close...no paragraphing. 8 pages of this and my eyes can't focus anymore. In fact I don't even understand what I read as the words refuse to form in my brains.
Here's a sample of history paper. I dislike this type of handwriting. Too close...no paragraphing. 8 pages of this and my eyes can't focus anymore. In fact I don't even understand what I read as the words refuse to form in my brains. My next goal is to finish 2 classes of form 4 history and 3 classes of form 5 history papers before the holiday next week. It is a marathon. I have to do it or else suffer during the holiday which will be a busy time too cos lots of activities lined up already!!!!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Gold course??
I'm having a course run by the state education department in this place located in Klang for three days and two nights. My first time staying in a hotel that is in this condition. When I first stepped out of the elevator, I was attacked by a strong musty smell. When I opened the door to my room, the smell does not get better.
Friday, March 1, 2013
nilam
There is this program in school called Nilam....been around for past ten years or more maybe. It's to encourage students to read. Two activities that is done is my school....Laluan 'Iqra (five minutes reading at the assembly ground) and filling in the Nilam summary book.
Many years ago when students were asked to observe Laluan 'Iqra....they just whipped out any books from their bag and read. I used to make my students read their History text...told them when I walk into the assembly ground; I want to see them holding their History text.
Last year, the students were told not to read the texts during this time but non-academic books like fictions, novels etc. Recently there was some hue and cry over students reading x-rated books which was later confiscated by a teacher and some misunderstanding came about which involved parents. So now they want to do away with novels....students can only read newspaper cuttings....laminated and copies made according to number of students in each class.
What crap????? What is the purpose of Nilam? To encourage students to read......so what if the book has a few lines of hugging and kissing? Some of the students know more than the narrow-minded teachers. This will really kill the interest in reading especially in students who are already not interested in reading at all. Then again I see many students who hold really good books and now we are going to tell them they can't bring such books to school anymore.
The second activity....filling in the Nilam summary book. When I was a student in a Convent School, this was already part of our English exercise. Every week we need to write a summary in our book and hand in to the teacher. I love writing summaries as I love to read. There is so much to share and tell the teacher about what I have read and what I think of the book.
Guess what the students do nowadays....they copy the synopsis at the back of the books in the library and passed it of as books which they have read. Then they passed their Nilam books around and other friends will copy the synopsis from them. I have checked Nilam books that are copies of each other. Once I saw a student with a synopsis of Pride and Prejudice. When I questioned her about the book, she could not answer me.
Then the smarter students create their own stories. They come out with fantastic titles....write a short story line and put random names (maybe a combination of their friends' names) as the author of their imaginary books.
Wonderful wonderful generation we are creating. And at the end of each month the language teachers like me will diligently collect the Nilam exercise books....run through the summaries and count the number of books each students have read and key them into the system in the computer; all the time being fully aware that we are crapping away. (There are many students who really read many books but can't be bothered to write synopsis....)
Do teachers in other countries do such things as this I wonder?
Many years ago when students were asked to observe Laluan 'Iqra....they just whipped out any books from their bag and read. I used to make my students read their History text...told them when I walk into the assembly ground; I want to see them holding their History text.
Last year, the students were told not to read the texts during this time but non-academic books like fictions, novels etc. Recently there was some hue and cry over students reading x-rated books which was later confiscated by a teacher and some misunderstanding came about which involved parents. So now they want to do away with novels....students can only read newspaper cuttings....laminated and copies made according to number of students in each class.
What crap????? What is the purpose of Nilam? To encourage students to read......so what if the book has a few lines of hugging and kissing? Some of the students know more than the narrow-minded teachers. This will really kill the interest in reading especially in students who are already not interested in reading at all. Then again I see many students who hold really good books and now we are going to tell them they can't bring such books to school anymore.
The second activity....filling in the Nilam summary book. When I was a student in a Convent School, this was already part of our English exercise. Every week we need to write a summary in our book and hand in to the teacher. I love writing summaries as I love to read. There is so much to share and tell the teacher about what I have read and what I think of the book.
Guess what the students do nowadays....they copy the synopsis at the back of the books in the library and passed it of as books which they have read. Then they passed their Nilam books around and other friends will copy the synopsis from them. I have checked Nilam books that are copies of each other. Once I saw a student with a synopsis of Pride and Prejudice. When I questioned her about the book, she could not answer me.
Then the smarter students create their own stories. They come out with fantastic titles....write a short story line and put random names (maybe a combination of their friends' names) as the author of their imaginary books.
Wonderful wonderful generation we are creating. And at the end of each month the language teachers like me will diligently collect the Nilam exercise books....run through the summaries and count the number of books each students have read and key them into the system in the computer; all the time being fully aware that we are crapping away. (There are many students who really read many books but can't be bothered to write synopsis....)
Do teachers in other countries do such things as this I wonder?
Friday, February 8, 2013
little thief
I was 'robbed' twice in school this week and I didn't even realise it till a student alerted me.
On Monday I was giving out workbooks to students who have paid. The balance of the books were left on the table as I walked around the class teaching.
Today, I gave out plastic files to students who have paid. I kept away the files that were not given out on the table and walked around again to teach.
At the end of the class, a student asked if I gave A her file. I said no as A has not paid for it yet. It seems A had a file. When I checked, the file was in her bag and she said it wasn't hers. Apparently she took the file from the teacher's table (she is seated in front of the teacher's table) and put it into her bag. On Monday, she took a workbook from my table and put it into her bag too.
Had the student not alerted me, I wouldn't even know that these items were missing.
It was after much pressure that A confessed her deed. What makes me sad is the fact that she doesn't see it as theft. It's like her right to take it. She said it was on her table, so she took it!!! She made it sound like there is nothing wrong to taking what she did not pay for but as it is within her reach, and she needs it; she might as well take it!
Even after threats to call her parents and expel her from school, she still had a poker face. This girl (she is small in size) is only twelve years old. She has a real sweet face and can talk. I would not have thought she could do such a thing. I was totally deceived.
Here is another example of our young generation going downhill in their values. What is happening to our society today and how can we help them?
On Monday I was giving out workbooks to students who have paid. The balance of the books were left on the table as I walked around the class teaching.
Today, I gave out plastic files to students who have paid. I kept away the files that were not given out on the table and walked around again to teach.
At the end of the class, a student asked if I gave A her file. I said no as A has not paid for it yet. It seems A had a file. When I checked, the file was in her bag and she said it wasn't hers. Apparently she took the file from the teacher's table (she is seated in front of the teacher's table) and put it into her bag. On Monday, she took a workbook from my table and put it into her bag too.
Had the student not alerted me, I wouldn't even know that these items were missing.
It was after much pressure that A confessed her deed. What makes me sad is the fact that she doesn't see it as theft. It's like her right to take it. She said it was on her table, so she took it!!! She made it sound like there is nothing wrong to taking what she did not pay for but as it is within her reach, and she needs it; she might as well take it!
Even after threats to call her parents and expel her from school, she still had a poker face. This girl (she is small in size) is only twelve years old. She has a real sweet face and can talk. I would not have thought she could do such a thing. I was totally deceived.
Here is another example of our young generation going downhill in their values. What is happening to our society today and how can we help them?
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Open Book Exam
SPM History for year 2013 will include a new paper...Paper 3. It's 3 hours and open book ie students are allowed to bring in books, references, printed materials etc. 8 questions with a total of 100 marks and rounds up to 20% of the overall History paper.
Paper 1 is objective questions, Paper 2 is structural and essay questions. These have been the type of papers the students had been sitting for.
My students just sat for the Paper 3 recently. I am in extreme busy mode marking. An average of 4 sheets of paper; 8 pages of writing from each student. There is just so much marking to do....pages after pages of words and they don't seem to get any lesser.
The set of question we used for this exam is based on the questions which the district History teachers did together in one of the workshops earlier this year. It was agreed in the workshop that during the year end exam, schools are to use the questions prepared in the workshop.
What I found out after the exam:A whole series of questions and answer schemes (which was emailed to me by the workshop coordinators) can be found over the internet. Somebody had posted the questions and answers!!!
Students who found the questions and printed the answer scheme were euphoric. Students who saw the question and didn't print the answer scheme were frustrated. Students who did the right thing....studied, searched, googled etc etc....were angry and frustrated. My own girl cried and said she will not bother to do research but zoom in straight to the questions and answers next time.
As I marked, I felt upset and stupid. It's like seeing the same answers over and over....same sequence, same words. Students with the scheme just copied straight. No variety except for those who did extra thinking and sorting out of answers.
The first three questions are text book based. So with the text open, students can safely copy all the correct answers down. The rest of the questions are KBKK (creative and critical thinking) styled questions. Requires analysis, critical thinking, linking of knowledge to situation etc. So far, most of the answers I checked are monotonous, non-creative or critical...nothing original but obviously copied.
What are we teaching the students:
Open book test means looking for answer schemes and bringing in to exam hall to copy. I saw many students bringing in answer schemes from various reference books.
What will happen and is happening to the students:
They turn into cut and paste people of the world. I see it happening over and over. Give them a project to do....they just go online, cut and paste on the topic given and claim the work as theirs. (I had a student who handed me an essay on Commonwealth Games....obviously a cut and paste work...at the end of it she put her name. I was horrified and blasted her for plagiarism.)
What is the purpose of this paper?
History is a compulsory pass subject beginning 2013. It is one subject which most students hate and many can't be bothered if they pass it or not. This open book paper is geared to help students pass this exam which I think is quite possible at this rate as we are teaching students to bring in whatever printed materials and just copy like crazy.
At the end of the day, we will have 100% passes in History. We will pat ourselves on the back for an excellent job done but how many of the passes is actually valid?
This is the condition of our education system now. I still have tales to tell in regard to other changes and the doubts I have regarding them....well, no need to talk anymore. Getting bit long-winded.
Paper 1 is objective questions, Paper 2 is structural and essay questions. These have been the type of papers the students had been sitting for.
My students just sat for the Paper 3 recently. I am in extreme busy mode marking. An average of 4 sheets of paper; 8 pages of writing from each student. There is just so much marking to do....pages after pages of words and they don't seem to get any lesser.
The set of question we used for this exam is based on the questions which the district History teachers did together in one of the workshops earlier this year. It was agreed in the workshop that during the year end exam, schools are to use the questions prepared in the workshop.
What I found out after the exam:A whole series of questions and answer schemes (which was emailed to me by the workshop coordinators) can be found over the internet. Somebody had posted the questions and answers!!!
Students who found the questions and printed the answer scheme were euphoric. Students who saw the question and didn't print the answer scheme were frustrated. Students who did the right thing....studied, searched, googled etc etc....were angry and frustrated. My own girl cried and said she will not bother to do research but zoom in straight to the questions and answers next time.
As I marked, I felt upset and stupid. It's like seeing the same answers over and over....same sequence, same words. Students with the scheme just copied straight. No variety except for those who did extra thinking and sorting out of answers.
The first three questions are text book based. So with the text open, students can safely copy all the correct answers down. The rest of the questions are KBKK (creative and critical thinking) styled questions. Requires analysis, critical thinking, linking of knowledge to situation etc. So far, most of the answers I checked are monotonous, non-creative or critical...nothing original but obviously copied.
What are we teaching the students:
Open book test means looking for answer schemes and bringing in to exam hall to copy. I saw many students bringing in answer schemes from various reference books.
What will happen and is happening to the students:
They turn into cut and paste people of the world. I see it happening over and over. Give them a project to do....they just go online, cut and paste on the topic given and claim the work as theirs. (I had a student who handed me an essay on Commonwealth Games....obviously a cut and paste work...at the end of it she put her name. I was horrified and blasted her for plagiarism.)
What is the purpose of this paper?
History is a compulsory pass subject beginning 2013. It is one subject which most students hate and many can't be bothered if they pass it or not. This open book paper is geared to help students pass this exam which I think is quite possible at this rate as we are teaching students to bring in whatever printed materials and just copy like crazy.
At the end of the day, we will have 100% passes in History. We will pat ourselves on the back for an excellent job done but how many of the passes is actually valid?
This is the condition of our education system now. I still have tales to tell in regard to other changes and the doubts I have regarding them....well, no need to talk anymore. Getting bit long-winded.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
wastage
I am coordinating the patriotic month 'keceriaan' competition this year. We planned to have it extended to all panels instead of just keeping it between the History and Sivics panel. So different locations of the school are assigned to different panels to decorate.
As the coordinator, I also have to coordinate the purchases of flags, buntings etc etc so the clerk will not have invoices flying in from every corner. Decorating the different locations seems pretty simple to the various panels as all they need to do is buy a variety of flags etc and hang them up. That's when the orders come in and I get real busy calling the supplier, handling the purchases and distributing them. An the orders are not small!!!!
The school is now over-decorated with big small large medium flags, buntings .... hanging from the wall, the trees, the fences etc. Just last night, I did my paperwork to claim for the purchases and how much have it total up to??? RM4901!!!
That's not the end yet. Next week, some of us will be working on making bunga raya from cloth/plastic and 20x8 flag from coconut shells and 250ml boxes. I've not included the expenses incurred here yet.
How much closer are we to instilling the patriotic spirit in the students? What is the objective of this whole idea?? What am I doing and why am I doing this? Under orders to win the competition!!!! So as an obedient worker, saya mengikut perintah and I am all out to do my best to win win win!!!!
As the coordinator, I also have to coordinate the purchases of flags, buntings etc etc so the clerk will not have invoices flying in from every corner. Decorating the different locations seems pretty simple to the various panels as all they need to do is buy a variety of flags etc and hang them up. That's when the orders come in and I get real busy calling the supplier, handling the purchases and distributing them. An the orders are not small!!!!
The school is now over-decorated with big small large medium flags, buntings .... hanging from the wall, the trees, the fences etc. Just last night, I did my paperwork to claim for the purchases and how much have it total up to??? RM4901!!!
That's not the end yet. Next week, some of us will be working on making bunga raya from cloth/plastic and 20x8 flag from coconut shells and 250ml boxes. I've not included the expenses incurred here yet.
How much closer are we to instilling the patriotic spirit in the students? What is the objective of this whole idea?? What am I doing and why am I doing this? Under orders to win the competition!!!! So as an obedient worker, saya mengikut perintah and I am all out to do my best to win win win!!!!
Friday, June 29, 2012
venom themed name tags
Lyn had been spending many late nights preparing for the Guides camp. She is in charge of doing the name tags. Using cds, she sprayed one side black. Her team is called Venom. So she cut out a template and use white marker or acrylic paint (not sure which) to paint onto the black side of the cd. Finish it with the members' names in gold paint.
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Thursday, June 28, 2012
dirty malaysians
Yesterday was canteen day...the state of the school at the end of it was appalling. Students gathered around the English Zone to enjoy their food and listen to loud noise they call music. Plastics, styrofoam containers and cups etc littered all over. The tables were piled with rubbish from the food the students ate. When the bell rang at the end of the day for the students to gather at the assembly ground...I was shocked to see the students just got up and left.
Oh my....who is to clean up after them? The teachers????
I got my students together to clean up their stall and the nearby area. Wherever I walked and I saw rubbish, I pointed to students nearby and made them pick up the rubbish whether they littered it or not.
The same thing happen during Sports Day last week at the stadium. Students ate and throw the rubbish under, behind and at the side of the seats. As I was in charge of cleanliness with my KRS students and a few other teachers, I decided to be proactive. Instead of waiting for the sports to be over and start cleaning, I moved among the students every now and then with a black garbage bag and call out, 'Sampah...sampah'. Many students felt shy seeing me walking around and collecting rubbish from them. I didn't give them face as I pointed out the rubbish to them and said to their face that they were dirty and irresponsible.
It's sad to see how this generation do not see that it is communal responsibility to keep clean and not the job of cleaners. Then we adults are also not showing good examples as teachers shy away from jobs that are not delegated to them. There is no reason to lift a finger if it is not your job. If you are not the leader of the group, no need to lift a finger too because the leader will do all the job. That was what I was doing on Sports Day.....I was the leader of my team so I was responsible of the cleanliness. Infact the KRS who were appointed to help didn't help me when I was moving about. They just disappeared and appeared again at the end of the game.
How do you educate the society on cleanliness? We have much to learn from our little neighbour down south.
When I visited a school in Singapore last year, it was really impressive to see how the students worked to keep clean. As the delegates from various countries had their lunch, students from the host school were walking around with garbage bags and collecting the garbage from us as they walked along. That should be the way.
I get very heartsick when I talk on this topic. I am all out to keep Malaysia clean and I teach my kids and students this value. But many a times I feel that I am talking to a wall....after a lecture on cleanliness, you turn around and see litter on the floor. Somehow, the message just doesn't get home.
Something is wrong with the education system if we fail to instill values which students hold and practise in their daily lives.
Oh my....who is to clean up after them? The teachers????
I got my students together to clean up their stall and the nearby area. Wherever I walked and I saw rubbish, I pointed to students nearby and made them pick up the rubbish whether they littered it or not.
The same thing happen during Sports Day last week at the stadium. Students ate and throw the rubbish under, behind and at the side of the seats. As I was in charge of cleanliness with my KRS students and a few other teachers, I decided to be proactive. Instead of waiting for the sports to be over and start cleaning, I moved among the students every now and then with a black garbage bag and call out, 'Sampah...sampah'. Many students felt shy seeing me walking around and collecting rubbish from them. I didn't give them face as I pointed out the rubbish to them and said to their face that they were dirty and irresponsible.
It's sad to see how this generation do not see that it is communal responsibility to keep clean and not the job of cleaners. Then we adults are also not showing good examples as teachers shy away from jobs that are not delegated to them. There is no reason to lift a finger if it is not your job. If you are not the leader of the group, no need to lift a finger too because the leader will do all the job. That was what I was doing on Sports Day.....I was the leader of my team so I was responsible of the cleanliness. Infact the KRS who were appointed to help didn't help me when I was moving about. They just disappeared and appeared again at the end of the game.
How do you educate the society on cleanliness? We have much to learn from our little neighbour down south.
When I visited a school in Singapore last year, it was really impressive to see how the students worked to keep clean. As the delegates from various countries had their lunch, students from the host school were walking around with garbage bags and collecting the garbage from us as they walked along. That should be the way.
I get very heartsick when I talk on this topic. I am all out to keep Malaysia clean and I teach my kids and students this value. But many a times I feel that I am talking to a wall....after a lecture on cleanliness, you turn around and see litter on the floor. Somehow, the message just doesn't get home.
Something is wrong with the education system if we fail to instill values which students hold and practise in their daily lives.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
canteen day 2012
Today was the annual Hari Kooperasi/Canteen Day. A few girls from 4 Sigma dropped by my house after school to make mashed potatoes. Asha bought 5kg of russets, a box of cheese and butter. Sent them straight to work after they had a little tea. First they had to peel the potatoes. Hehe....Ing had to show them how to peel them.
Then after the potatoes were boiled, showed them how to mash them up. I'm so glad they came or else I would have to mash the potatoes the whole night. Asha tried making the gravy but it didn't out. Gave her corn flour instead of wheat flour. So I thought we will just have to do without it.
Today was quite a mess in a way....had to help the girls organised. They seemed quite lost and not focussed at first. We had nasi briyani (from Afreen), magi goreng (Amirah), cookies and little cakes from Shamiha and Diyana, Elaine brought a deep fryer while Rachel brought a portable stove. So we had fried stuff, sausages and fishballs.
The mashed potatoes were not selling at first. Another class had gravy over their potatoes. So I rushed home and tried to cook some gravy from a recipe I googled. Failed!!! I had no patience to brown it, and the bottom kind of burnt. So I took a can of chicken soup and boiled it. Returned to school and passed to the girls and told them that's gravy. The potatoes finished in no time!
Overall, the sale was a big sluggish at first. Shouldn't have invited the professionals to join the sale. All the teachers bought from the adults who set up the stall instead of from the students. I bought from my stall because it's my class. I spent the rest of my coupon at the adults' stall.
We made a sale of RM546. After deducting the cost and rental of space, there is only RM102 left!!! Wow....definitely not easy making money. The experience was really good. I had great fun with the girls and it's so nice to see them cooperative. I just need to say do this/that and they would be rushing to help me.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
party in 4 Sigma
There was a little surprise for me today in 4 Sigma. It all started with Eunice telling me to go with the flow and not be stressed and enjoy ...whatever....
Then I look over the class and saw the gang of Malay girls not around. When questioned, the class said don't know....Diyana went to toilet.....
I was preparing the girls for exam next week...tips for what is coming out. Not sure how much went into their brains. While I was putting the exercises on the board, suddenly like there was a hush...turned and they burst into song and the whole jing gang of Malay appeared with two cakes all lighted up with candles!!!!!!!!
Two tiramisu cakes and a huge birthday card with cute messages inside.
We managed to stop a girl to take a picture of us. Everybody is vain and wants to look cute.
But class goes on as usual, can't just stop lesson altogether. See how serious they are.
One perasan girl managed to look cute for the camera.
Shamiha went around giving out cookies. She baked them and Nazira baked the cute little cupcake. Wow...they really prepared for my day and I was like totally blur. Diyana even cut out small plastic so that we could place the cakes on them for each girl.
4 Sigma....thank you thank you thank you....really had a blast with you today. So good to see all of you united in the Malaysian spirit to prepare this day for me. I know every one of you put effort into it...Thanks.
Then I look over the class and saw the gang of Malay girls not around. When questioned, the class said don't know....Diyana went to toilet.....
I was preparing the girls for exam next week...tips for what is coming out. Not sure how much went into their brains. While I was putting the exercises on the board, suddenly like there was a hush...turned and they burst into song and the whole jing gang of Malay appeared with two cakes all lighted up with candles!!!!!!!!
4 Sigma....thank you thank you thank you....really had a blast with you today. So good to see all of you united in the Malaysian spirit to prepare this day for me. I know every one of you put effort into it...Thanks.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
larian puteri
This is my second time joining the school Larian Puteri. The first time was maybe 6 years ago where I came out the fourth place. I wasn't sure if I wanted to run or not that time and at the end I decided to run with my soft leather shoes...not even sports shoes.
For this time, I was prepared. The past week, I had been running up and down the slight slope near the house. I know I have the stamina and endurance (thanks to all the hikes up Kepayang Hill) but not the speed. Pushed myself hard during my practices because there is a 1km hill that I have to conquer today.
Starting off was easy. It's mostly downhill (1km). I jogged steadily down, passing a throng of students who were walking and gossiping and looked like they were going for a stroll rather than running a jogathon.
The uphill was the toughest part....it was quite steep and long....the last stretch of maybe 100m was the worst...my legs were like logs but I refused to stop running. I huffed and puffed past lots of people; most of them gave up running and were walking up. Colleagues who took care of the different stations called out encouragements.
Finally I reached the cheering crowd. Nurul was ahead of me and I came out second. We were placed in the same category as the alumni students who are in the late teens and early twenties. Well...Nurul and I beat them all.
It was more for fun than for the competition and I really enjoyed it. Another achievement after 40!!! (When I was younger, I hated all these).
The cert and medal....
For this time, I was prepared. The past week, I had been running up and down the slight slope near the house. I know I have the stamina and endurance (thanks to all the hikes up Kepayang Hill) but not the speed. Pushed myself hard during my practices because there is a 1km hill that I have to conquer today.
Starting off was easy. It's mostly downhill (1km). I jogged steadily down, passing a throng of students who were walking and gossiping and looked like they were going for a stroll rather than running a jogathon.
The uphill was the toughest part....it was quite steep and long....the last stretch of maybe 100m was the worst...my legs were like logs but I refused to stop running. I huffed and puffed past lots of people; most of them gave up running and were walking up. Colleagues who took care of the different stations called out encouragements.
Finally I reached the cheering crowd. Nurul was ahead of me and I came out second. We were placed in the same category as the alumni students who are in the late teens and early twenties. Well...Nurul and I beat them all.
It was more for fun than for the competition and I really enjoyed it. Another achievement after 40!!! (When I was younger, I hated all these).
Tupperware for the second place winner.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
blur or getting old??
Me : Loga....answer this question.
Loga looked at me and I stared at her real hard. She got up reluctantly.
Me : Loga....why are you wearing Nisha's uniform? (I saw Nisha's name tag on her uniform).
Loga : Teacher...I am NISHA!!!!
Loga looked at me and I stared at her real hard. She got up reluctantly.
Me : Loga....why are you wearing Nisha's uniform? (I saw Nisha's name tag on her uniform).
Loga : Teacher...I am NISHA!!!!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
election results???
It's the day after the SPM results was announced. Of course I am still over the moon about the excellent Sejarah results. Two classes that I taught last year had all As in that particular subject.
There are 559 straight A+ students nationwide this year compared to 300+ last year. A great jump. Just like the Sejarah results in my school....44+% A in 2010 compared to 66+% A in 2011.
A few questions came to my mind:
1. Did the students suddenly become smarter or all along this batch of students are that excellent?
2. Does it mean that whatever the MOE thinks has been implemented in school is really showing its fruits now...therefore whatever it is....is a great success?
3. Last year's Sejarah question was easier compared to other years. Factual application in Paper Two was lesser and more room was given to critical thinking style questions where any answer as long as it is rational is acceptable. Was this done on purpose?
4. By churning out so many As each year, does it mean our society is getting smarter? That means the coming work-force will be filled with think-tanks?
5. What does As mean to students now? Without As they are no good? Is this producing a healthy society? (I apologize that I am one of the people in charge of churning out As and I confess to putting great pressure on the students).
My view:
1. Comparing my school with many other schools, my students definitely have great thinking and learning skills; thanks to the drilling from the teachers from day 1 in school. So many of the excellent results are genuinely excellent.
2. Being with the students for at least a year...most of the time two years, I know a goat from a sheep. I know a mediocre from an excellent student. As much as I am pleased for the students, I do worry also about the quality of their academic ability.
3. I think the mediocre students may suffer in college especially if they are enrolled in professional courses that require brain work. They will graduate eventually in the field they study but will they be excellent workers or mediocre?
My wish:
I wish I am not pressured to produce A students. I wish I can spend more time with the students to explore History as it should be instead of just touching the tip of the iceberg. I wish we focus more on fun in learning instead of learning for excellence. I wish all of us are less kiasu...SIGH ...dream on...
My worry:
What if this is election results? It means that putting the same amount of effort and the same amount of drilling .... I may not get the same type of result because next year is not election year!!!!!
This means I will be questioned and grilled as to why the students couldn't perform as well as the previous year. A decrease in percentage would mean that I have not put enough effort in; therefore I will be made to stay back to give extra classes, more exercises etc etc...in other words I will be punished to ensure that the percentage goes up again. PANIC!!!!!
Hahaha...I'm being over-dramatic but it can happen. So please wipe that grin off your face.
As KC advises, CELEBRATE the victory now! YES!!!! I will not think ahead but celebrate the good results now.
Monday, February 13, 2012
kerja bodoh
I think I'm really a fool most of the time....work stupid and not smart. Today we just received the SMM forms where we are to update the students data online. The dateline to complete it is 23.2.12. Being a super fast and effficent self (no need to pat my back....in other words I'm plain stupid), I think I could be the first in the school to reach the website and trying to update the data for my class.
Lo and behold....when the namelist appeared....not my students!!!!! What whoever in charge of the data did was ... just put the namelist of the students from 3Sigma last year to 4Sigma this year. But students go through a major shuffle in Form 4....there are only like 5 girls from 3Sigma last year who are in my 4Sigma now. So what am I to do???
I have to move the girls out from my class to their respective classes. But how on earth am I suppose to know which class or even school they have moved to??? Tell me whose job is this? Mine or the data teacher's job???? I was informed to update the data of my students which I know who they are and I have their data with me. But what am I to do with students who don't belong to me?
Now that I have sent some students out of the class, I have to wait for the other teachers to send my students who are residing in their class to my class. I can wait forever till 23.2 for this to happen or not happen and the whole system get jammed up because suddenly everybody is trying to complete their work.
Even right now....the silly website is slow and acting up. Every time I click, I need to wait for a minute before I see the next page. Then I have to click again....then the page goes blank and says 'tidak dapat hubungi pangkalan data' etc and I need to refresh. That's why I have so much free time in between to blog and spill out my frustration.
Woe to teachers today who not only teach but have to do stuff like this....at home (not even in school).
Are teachers elsewhere facing this or is this happening only in my school?
Lo and behold....when the namelist appeared....not my students!!!!! What whoever in charge of the data did was ... just put the namelist of the students from 3Sigma last year to 4Sigma this year. But students go through a major shuffle in Form 4....there are only like 5 girls from 3Sigma last year who are in my 4Sigma now. So what am I to do???
I have to move the girls out from my class to their respective classes. But how on earth am I suppose to know which class or even school they have moved to??? Tell me whose job is this? Mine or the data teacher's job???? I was informed to update the data of my students which I know who they are and I have their data with me. But what am I to do with students who don't belong to me?
Now that I have sent some students out of the class, I have to wait for the other teachers to send my students who are residing in their class to my class. I can wait forever till 23.2 for this to happen or not happen and the whole system get jammed up because suddenly everybody is trying to complete their work.
Even right now....the silly website is slow and acting up. Every time I click, I need to wait for a minute before I see the next page. Then I have to click again....then the page goes blank and says 'tidak dapat hubungi pangkalan data' etc and I need to refresh. That's why I have so much free time in between to blog and spill out my frustration.
Woe to teachers today who not only teach but have to do stuff like this....at home (not even in school).
Are teachers elsewhere facing this or is this happening only in my school?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
monday blues
I know it's Wednesday today, not Monday but I want to blog about what happened on Monday.
I am in the discipline committee again this year (they just won't let me off, why? why? why?) So I can't sit with the other teachers and yack away. As I had injured my foot, I sat in the canteen and watched the girls from the canteen. HEM came my way and informed me that the fan in 4 Sigma was left on over the weekend....I am the class teacher. I noted it and told myself to call up the monitor and question her.
All of a sudden, I saw a row of girls standing up and the Principal was scolding them for not turning off their fan. My heart did a flip....then I heard her voice....'who is the class teacher of 4 Sigma?' I waved from the canteen. Sigh...I thought I could escape this and reprimand the class quietly.
Upon investigation, we found that the switch for that particular fan is not functioning properly. To make sure that it goes totally off, need to turn the speed control to zero. I lodged a report about the faulty switch to the office; I wonder how long it will take them to bring about the repairs.
As punishment, the girls are not allowed to use the fans from Wednesday to Friday. Is it fair? Well, I think it's ok....one has to bear the consequences of one's carelessness. It's good that the girls learn early to be responsible and accountable for their class.
An interesting start to being the class teacher of 4 Sigma!!!
I am in the discipline committee again this year (they just won't let me off, why? why? why?) So I can't sit with the other teachers and yack away. As I had injured my foot, I sat in the canteen and watched the girls from the canteen. HEM came my way and informed me that the fan in 4 Sigma was left on over the weekend....I am the class teacher. I noted it and told myself to call up the monitor and question her.
All of a sudden, I saw a row of girls standing up and the Principal was scolding them for not turning off their fan. My heart did a flip....then I heard her voice....'who is the class teacher of 4 Sigma?' I waved from the canteen. Sigh...I thought I could escape this and reprimand the class quietly.
Upon investigation, we found that the switch for that particular fan is not functioning properly. To make sure that it goes totally off, need to turn the speed control to zero. I lodged a report about the faulty switch to the office; I wonder how long it will take them to bring about the repairs.
As punishment, the girls are not allowed to use the fans from Wednesday to Friday. Is it fair? Well, I think it's ok....one has to bear the consequences of one's carelessness. It's good that the girls learn early to be responsible and accountable for their class.
An interesting start to being the class teacher of 4 Sigma!!!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Malam Sejambak Kasih 2011
The prom night came and went. It was an extremely busy time for me; helping Vim with the prizes etc. Last year did the same job too. Hope this will not become tetap dan berpencen post. Ok...won't complain this is about the NIGHT.
The whole excitement started in the morning though it wasn't that exciting in the morning. The girls were dressed like Hollywood stars. I couldn't even recognise some of them. Amazing what kids nowadays do to look good.....hair, face, clothes......
I started dressing at 635pm and jumped into the car at 710pm. Got caught in a mega jam and reached at 750pm. A journey that takes 10min or slightly more took me....I reached the venue all jittery and nervous because the VVIP bouquet was with me.
When I walked into the ballroom, oh my.....dazzling sight. They must have started dressing themselves very very early. Good to see them enjoying themselves despite some hiccups.
The 5 Alpha girls and I. Look at how they dazzle beside plain me. Michelle Leong won the best dressed category, Sonia, Fathi and Faniza. I scold this class the most and get pretty upset with them many times but at the end of the day....it's for them that I get emo over and they are very gracious to me too...
Hehe....the older generation... Pn Yee joined us this year. Chan will be leaving us soon. Changes...
The whole excitement started in the morning though it wasn't that exciting in the morning. The girls were dressed like Hollywood stars. I couldn't even recognise some of them. Amazing what kids nowadays do to look good.....hair, face, clothes......
I started dressing at 635pm and jumped into the car at 710pm. Got caught in a mega jam and reached at 750pm. A journey that takes 10min or slightly more took me....I reached the venue all jittery and nervous because the VVIP bouquet was with me.
When I walked into the ballroom, oh my.....dazzling sight. They must have started dressing themselves very very early. Good to see them enjoying themselves despite some hiccups.
The 5 Alpha girls and I. Look at how they dazzle beside plain me. Michelle Leong won the best dressed category, Sonia, Fathi and Faniza. I scold this class the most and get pretty upset with them many times but at the end of the day....it's for them that I get emo over and they are very gracious to me too...
Hehe....the older generation... Pn Yee joined us this year. Chan will be leaving us soon. Changes...Thursday, October 13, 2011
graduation / prom night
Prom night...a very American culture. We see it on tv when the American kids finish high school, this is when they will have a final celebration with their friends in the basketball court or community hall which are transformed into a ballroom or dance floor.
For the past two years (I think) the school has been organizing this kind of do for the fifth formers. A lot of time and effort have been thrown into the preparation; including a whole week of rehearsal after school. Someone mentioned that it's almost like preparing the girls to meet the queen. Their clothes were checked to make sure they look decent. Shoes were checked too.
I try to put myself in the shoes of the fifth former. How would I want my graduation night to be? (Never had one as it wasn't the thing during my days).
a. First of all, my close friends and I must be in agreement that all of us would attend.
b. I would like to be given the freedom to choose my clothes; of course in accordance to the dress code. If my clothes are too plain or simple, would appreciate if no comments are made about them (look like the maid's clothes etc). Being a simple person and lacking in dressing sense; I would most probably dress very simply. But of course, constructive suggestions which will not incur more expenses would be most helpful.
c. Shoes....I may not even wear high-heeled court shoes. Probably a pretty sandal with slight heel which can be worn for all occasions.
d. Makeup and hairdo...well if there are friends who are willing to help me with it and let me use their makeup; I'll have my face coloured and what have you. (Remembered Irene doing my face when I was in Form 5....think a bit overdone; now that I look at the pictures. Didn't quite like looking at myself like that). Otherwise, lipstick would do.
e. Well, if this were to take place back home in Sitiawan; I would probably arrive at the destination on my motorbike! With the helmet on my head, whatever hairdo that I had prepared would have probably gone flat.
f. Most importantly the program. I would like to sit with my own friends. Enjoy a wonderful time of chatting, laughing and giggling. If there is entertainment; good and well. Shaking hands with dignatries would be great as it adds glamour and prestige to the night. But most important of all, I want a night where I can have good, clean enjoyment without the stress of making mistakes.
Tomorrow is the night the girls will shine and glitter. I hope they have a real good, enjoyable and memorable time.
For the past two years (I think) the school has been organizing this kind of do for the fifth formers. A lot of time and effort have been thrown into the preparation; including a whole week of rehearsal after school. Someone mentioned that it's almost like preparing the girls to meet the queen. Their clothes were checked to make sure they look decent. Shoes were checked too.
I try to put myself in the shoes of the fifth former. How would I want my graduation night to be? (Never had one as it wasn't the thing during my days).
a. First of all, my close friends and I must be in agreement that all of us would attend.
b. I would like to be given the freedom to choose my clothes; of course in accordance to the dress code. If my clothes are too plain or simple, would appreciate if no comments are made about them (look like the maid's clothes etc). Being a simple person and lacking in dressing sense; I would most probably dress very simply. But of course, constructive suggestions which will not incur more expenses would be most helpful.
c. Shoes....I may not even wear high-heeled court shoes. Probably a pretty sandal with slight heel which can be worn for all occasions.
d. Makeup and hairdo...well if there are friends who are willing to help me with it and let me use their makeup; I'll have my face coloured and what have you. (Remembered Irene doing my face when I was in Form 5....think a bit overdone; now that I look at the pictures. Didn't quite like looking at myself like that). Otherwise, lipstick would do.
e. Well, if this were to take place back home in Sitiawan; I would probably arrive at the destination on my motorbike! With the helmet on my head, whatever hairdo that I had prepared would have probably gone flat.
f. Most importantly the program. I would like to sit with my own friends. Enjoy a wonderful time of chatting, laughing and giggling. If there is entertainment; good and well. Shaking hands with dignatries would be great as it adds glamour and prestige to the night. But most important of all, I want a night where I can have good, clean enjoyment without the stress of making mistakes.
Tomorrow is the night the girls will shine and glitter. I hope they have a real good, enjoyable and memorable time.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
making memories with 5 Theta
There are 27 students in 5 Theta 2011. A rather small class compared to the other Form Fives but the amount of noise, fun, craziness and mischief that come from this class is triple or more than the others.
Today is Stephanie's birthday. Stephanie is the class monitor; rather small girl who can be very stern and organized. Sai had been her hyper excited self since I entered for relief at 10.10am. With such excitement oozing from her; I'm not surprised that her planned surprise for Stephanie is no surprise at all. She was practically bouncing up and down her seat and moving about restlessly the whole time I was in class. On her face were written the words :STEPHANIE, WE HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU!
Anyway, when I entered the class at 1.10pm, I was reminded again it was Steph's birthday. Since the PMR exam was over for the moment; I allowed them to sing Happy Birthday to her softly. But they went off loudly, clapping their hands and singing in four languages!!! Then at 2pm this funny group of girls decided that they need to go out to get THE cake. So I said aloud, 'Go get the cake quickly la...' How was I to know I was to be quiet about it? I thought everybody knew a cake was coming up soon.....so I leaked the surprise (which I think was no surprise at all to Steph).
The cake came in from the next class with another round of singing. They invited Pn Nallina (their ex-English teacher who has moved to another school but doing PMR invigilation here) to join them and she turned up suddenly to add more excitement. I went down to get tissue paper and ran up lintang pukang to take pics etc. It was indeed such a flurry as the girls couldn't focus on the Kedah Trial Paper 1 which I made them to do. Oh well.....it's Stephanie's 17th birthday and doesn't happen everyday...let them have fun.
The birthday girl with her cake which Sai got from the shop last night.
Some of the girls....
Stephanie, Pn Nallina, Sai and myself....there was so much comments from Elya who was sitting behind. What a bunch of noisy, talkative girls...gave me a headache!
Today is Stephanie's birthday. Stephanie is the class monitor; rather small girl who can be very stern and organized. Sai had been her hyper excited self since I entered for relief at 10.10am. With such excitement oozing from her; I'm not surprised that her planned surprise for Stephanie is no surprise at all. She was practically bouncing up and down her seat and moving about restlessly the whole time I was in class. On her face were written the words :STEPHANIE, WE HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU!
Anyway, when I entered the class at 1.10pm, I was reminded again it was Steph's birthday. Since the PMR exam was over for the moment; I allowed them to sing Happy Birthday to her softly. But they went off loudly, clapping their hands and singing in four languages!!! Then at 2pm this funny group of girls decided that they need to go out to get THE cake. So I said aloud, 'Go get the cake quickly la...' How was I to know I was to be quiet about it? I thought everybody knew a cake was coming up soon.....so I leaked the surprise (which I think was no surprise at all to Steph).
The cake came in from the next class with another round of singing. They invited Pn Nallina (their ex-English teacher who has moved to another school but doing PMR invigilation here) to join them and she turned up suddenly to add more excitement. I went down to get tissue paper and ran up lintang pukang to take pics etc. It was indeed such a flurry as the girls couldn't focus on the Kedah Trial Paper 1 which I made them to do. Oh well.....it's Stephanie's 17th birthday and doesn't happen everyday...let them have fun.
The birthday girl with her cake which Sai got from the shop last night.Some of the girls....
Stephanie, Pn Nallina, Sai and myself....there was so much comments from Elya who was sitting behind. What a bunch of noisy, talkative girls...gave me a headache!To Stephanie, Blessed birthday again. To the rest of 5Theta, it was fun just now and it is enjoyable teaching all of you. All the best in your SPM!
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