kelas English di kelas 4B
Wednesday, August 24, 2011 9:08 am
teacher shima: "class, how r u today?"
4B pupils: "yeeesss!!!"
teacher shima: "class, i'm asking u, how r u today?"
4B pupils: "todaaayyy is wednesdaaayyy!!!"
- nasib makcik laaa... padahal sebelum² ni tanye gitu, rasanya ok je jawab... hu3!
di kelas Sains 5B
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 1:00 pm
me: ok kelas, nampak tak beza pbaris kayu & pbaris plastik tu?
kelas: nampaaakkk, cikgu!
me: apa bezanya?
kelas: pbaris plastik tu belok, cikgu!...
me: belok?
kelas: bengkok, cikgu!
me: ooo... kalu 'bengkok' tu aok sebut 'belok', kalu nak belok kanan, belok kiri kat simpang tu aok sebut gapo?
kelas: kona, cikgu!
me: ooowwwhhh... ok.
My Practical Training Journal: Week 4
8:10 am
Week 4
31 July 2011 – 4 August 2011
This week I had three observation sessions with my English mentor, Puan Parah Zahani bin Abd. Wahab, my Science mentor, Puan Rohaida binti Abdullah, and my Science supervisor, Tuan Haji Haron bin Awang.
On Monday, my English mentor, Puan Parah Zahani observed me for the first time in Year 4B which I have class control problem with. Surprisingly, the pupils behaved very well, unlike the usual. At this point, I feel like shouting to the world and let them know that I hope my English mentor or supervisor will observe me in my every English class, so that I can teach the pupils in a conducive and controlled environment. But then, until when do I have to depend on others?
After I asked them to read the passage on the flip paper pasted on the blackboard, I asked them what was the text all about? They only answered “dok pehe”. I believe it was my mistake. Perhaps I need to explain the whole text, word by word. I used picture cards to explain the keywords, which were a few occupations to the pupils.
According to my mentor, the pictures were not very clear if seen from the back of the classroom as they were in black and white. They were not attractive and interesting as well. In future, I will prepare my pictures in colour. When I wanted to perform the spelling activity, I took a lot of time. I was supposed to provide blank papers for them, but unfortunately I forgot. My bad. The class went chaotic when I asked them to use the exercise books. I should be more sensitive with this matter in the future.
I had a one-period observation with Puan Rohaida. I explained an overall mind map of “Stability and Strength” topic to the pupils. According to Puan Rohaida, she was informed by the pupils that my voice is not so loud. I was surprised as I thought that I have big and loud voice. At least that is what my friends say about my voice. Even Puan Rohaida said that I have loud voice. But, for the sake of meeting the clients’ needs, the pupils I mean, I will increase the volume of my voice for my next Science classes with them.
My observation session with Tuan Haji Haron was on Thursday. It was a two-period Science class. I had prepared everything I needed for the experiments on “Stability” topic such as tissue boxes, potato chips cans, two Kamus Dewan, two bottles of mineral water, a tray, a plate, a plastic glass, a sponge ball (a tennis ball for beginners), and models of hemisphere, cone, pyramid, cylinder, and cube.
According to Tuan Haji Haron, my planning was pretty good. The contents were stated clearly. The learning strategy was constructive. The learning and teaching sources were sufficient. The thinking skills elements were stated clearly. The values inculcation was suitable with the learning outcomes. Nevertheless, the learning outcomes were not stated clearly.
The implementation was fine in certain areas. The teaching expand was in sequence. The classroom control was fine until the “Idea Application” stage where I lost control when I gave them the worksheet to be completed. They were discussing in loud voice. I asked them to be silent for a few times. My voice was clear, but not so strict. He advised me to be stricter when communicating with the pupils. The pupils showed high interest upon my teaching and learning activities. My learning outcomes were achieved.
The reflection practice was fine. He commented on me as possessing reflective thinking when I realized and admitted all of my weaknesses in my teaching and learning activities. My timing for each stage in the lesson plan was bad. As for the “Idea Structuring” stage, I was supposed to spend 20 minutes, but I took only about 10 minutes to finish it. My “Idea Application” stage timing was 20 minutes, but I took almost half an hour to complete it. He told me that the stage must not exceed 15 minutes.
In future, I will prepare better and more challenging activities for the “Idea Structuring” stage. I will also shorten the “Idea Application” stage to 15 minutes maximum. I also have to be professional in my class where I need to prepare more opportunities for all pupils to try or perform the experiments. What I did was calling upon only four pupils to perform the experiments. The experiments were not really successful either. I will perform more tests before I implement it in the Science lab. I must also reduce questions that could encourage the pupils to answer altogether and increase questions to be answered individually instead.
31 July 2011 – 4 August 2011
This week I had three observation sessions with my English mentor, Puan Parah Zahani bin Abd. Wahab, my Science mentor, Puan Rohaida binti Abdullah, and my Science supervisor, Tuan Haji Haron bin Awang.
On Monday, my English mentor, Puan Parah Zahani observed me for the first time in Year 4B which I have class control problem with. Surprisingly, the pupils behaved very well, unlike the usual. At this point, I feel like shouting to the world and let them know that I hope my English mentor or supervisor will observe me in my every English class, so that I can teach the pupils in a conducive and controlled environment. But then, until when do I have to depend on others?
After I asked them to read the passage on the flip paper pasted on the blackboard, I asked them what was the text all about? They only answered “dok pehe”. I believe it was my mistake. Perhaps I need to explain the whole text, word by word. I used picture cards to explain the keywords, which were a few occupations to the pupils.
According to my mentor, the pictures were not very clear if seen from the back of the classroom as they were in black and white. They were not attractive and interesting as well. In future, I will prepare my pictures in colour. When I wanted to perform the spelling activity, I took a lot of time. I was supposed to provide blank papers for them, but unfortunately I forgot. My bad. The class went chaotic when I asked them to use the exercise books. I should be more sensitive with this matter in the future.
I had a one-period observation with Puan Rohaida. I explained an overall mind map of “Stability and Strength” topic to the pupils. According to Puan Rohaida, she was informed by the pupils that my voice is not so loud. I was surprised as I thought that I have big and loud voice. At least that is what my friends say about my voice. Even Puan Rohaida said that I have loud voice. But, for the sake of meeting the clients’ needs, the pupils I mean, I will increase the volume of my voice for my next Science classes with them.
My observation session with Tuan Haji Haron was on Thursday. It was a two-period Science class. I had prepared everything I needed for the experiments on “Stability” topic such as tissue boxes, potato chips cans, two Kamus Dewan, two bottles of mineral water, a tray, a plate, a plastic glass, a sponge ball (a tennis ball for beginners), and models of hemisphere, cone, pyramid, cylinder, and cube.
According to Tuan Haji Haron, my planning was pretty good. The contents were stated clearly. The learning strategy was constructive. The learning and teaching sources were sufficient. The thinking skills elements were stated clearly. The values inculcation was suitable with the learning outcomes. Nevertheless, the learning outcomes were not stated clearly.
The implementation was fine in certain areas. The teaching expand was in sequence. The classroom control was fine until the “Idea Application” stage where I lost control when I gave them the worksheet to be completed. They were discussing in loud voice. I asked them to be silent for a few times. My voice was clear, but not so strict. He advised me to be stricter when communicating with the pupils. The pupils showed high interest upon my teaching and learning activities. My learning outcomes were achieved.
The reflection practice was fine. He commented on me as possessing reflective thinking when I realized and admitted all of my weaknesses in my teaching and learning activities. My timing for each stage in the lesson plan was bad. As for the “Idea Structuring” stage, I was supposed to spend 20 minutes, but I took only about 10 minutes to finish it. My “Idea Application” stage timing was 20 minutes, but I took almost half an hour to complete it. He told me that the stage must not exceed 15 minutes.
In future, I will prepare better and more challenging activities for the “Idea Structuring” stage. I will also shorten the “Idea Application” stage to 15 minutes maximum. I also have to be professional in my class where I need to prepare more opportunities for all pupils to try or perform the experiments. What I did was calling upon only four pupils to perform the experiments. The experiments were not really successful either. I will perform more tests before I implement it in the Science lab. I must also reduce questions that could encourage the pupils to answer altogether and increase questions to be answered individually instead.
My Practical Training Journal: Week 3
Sunday, August 21, 2011 9:55 am
Week 3
24 July 2011 – 28 July 2011
I had quite a bad week this week. I was implementing my first trial of teaching and learning activities to my classes. I had no problem with Year 5B for Science subject. They have been behaving very well in the classroom. I do not have to yell or shout to control the class. So far, they behaved well. In fact, I can give challenging activities and questions to them. Most of them are capable of performing challenging tasks. Only a very few of them are having problems in performing those tasks as fast as others. I do not see that as a major problem. Perhaps I need to focus on them in person more than the others. I might need to approach them and guide them to perform the tasks that seem difficult for them.
On Monday, I asked the pupils of Year 4B to enter the computer lab for English teaching and learning activities. I have prepared some slides from Microsoft Power Point for shared reading, vocabulary, and picture labelling. The topic was “Living In Harmony” which was about family, friendship, and neighbourhood. My class control failed.
The pupils were touching, playing, and pushing the computer and the other hardware and gadgets. Some of them were also playing with the spinning chairs. Some of them walked and even ran around the lab. Most of them did not pay their attention to my lesson. Most of them were talking with each other. Some of the boys were standing on the chairs.
At first, I cursed them from deep in my heart. I blamed them for not giving cooperation to me during my lesson. But then, after discussing the matter with Ms. Lim when she observed Shahera and me on Wednesday, I have to admit that it was all my fault, ignorance, and weaknesses. I was advised by her to create a teaching and learning activity that is more attractive and involving all of the pupils.
According to Ms. Lim, my teaching and learning activities are all teacher-based activities. I was still considered as a classic and conventional teacher who used the chalk and talk method. Ms. Lim has given me some tips and recommendation on how to improve my lesson to more interesting and attractive ways.
For instance, one of my thousand weaknesses was using a lot of Malay words in my English class. As a very novice teacher, I thought that that was the only way for me to explain new vocabularies to my pupils. Sometimes, they do not even understand simple instructions given by me and I ended up explaining it to them in Malay version. I did that during Ms. Lim’s observation and she was very concern about that matter.
Ms. Lim has given me a very useful suggestion regarding that matter. If I was going to teach my pupils with new vocabularies and I could not explain them in English, I could use pictures as my teaching aids. Pupils are very attracted with pictures and colours. It could be very helpful in gaining their attention and to make them clear with the new vocabularies as well. Other than that, I can use realia or using the pupils to explain the new vocabularies.
For instance, during Ms. Lim’s observation, I was trying to explain the difference of shirt and T-shirt to the students. I was just using explanation with words. Ms. Lim said, I could call upon pupils who actually wore those clothes during the class. I could call a boy who was wearing a school uniform to explain them the meaning of shirt and a boy who was wearing a white T-shirt to explain the meaning of T-shirt, and at the same time I could easily show them the differences of those clothes.
During Ms. Lim’s observation as well, an unexpected incident happened. An announcement was made for Year 4 pupils to go to the assembly site to collect 1Malaysia chocolate milk. The announcement was not even finished, and all of my pupils sprinted out of the class to the assembly site. I was surprised with their dash and could not do anything to stop them. Ms. Lim and Shahera also were in shock with the incident. Ms. Lim told me to have them advised, warned, punished and reprimanded for their behaviour. I did. I was grateful that the pupils admitted their mishaps and apologized to me.
After the observation session, Shahera and I discussed quite a lot of things with Ms. Lim regarding our progress and performance in our classes. She has given us a lot of tips, ideas and suggestions on how to manage our class better. I believe I can improve myself by being more analytical and creative in the future.
24 July 2011 – 28 July 2011
I had quite a bad week this week. I was implementing my first trial of teaching and learning activities to my classes. I had no problem with Year 5B for Science subject. They have been behaving very well in the classroom. I do not have to yell or shout to control the class. So far, they behaved well. In fact, I can give challenging activities and questions to them. Most of them are capable of performing challenging tasks. Only a very few of them are having problems in performing those tasks as fast as others. I do not see that as a major problem. Perhaps I need to focus on them in person more than the others. I might need to approach them and guide them to perform the tasks that seem difficult for them.
On Monday, I asked the pupils of Year 4B to enter the computer lab for English teaching and learning activities. I have prepared some slides from Microsoft Power Point for shared reading, vocabulary, and picture labelling. The topic was “Living In Harmony” which was about family, friendship, and neighbourhood. My class control failed.
The pupils were touching, playing, and pushing the computer and the other hardware and gadgets. Some of them were also playing with the spinning chairs. Some of them walked and even ran around the lab. Most of them did not pay their attention to my lesson. Most of them were talking with each other. Some of the boys were standing on the chairs.
At first, I cursed them from deep in my heart. I blamed them for not giving cooperation to me during my lesson. But then, after discussing the matter with Ms. Lim when she observed Shahera and me on Wednesday, I have to admit that it was all my fault, ignorance, and weaknesses. I was advised by her to create a teaching and learning activity that is more attractive and involving all of the pupils.
According to Ms. Lim, my teaching and learning activities are all teacher-based activities. I was still considered as a classic and conventional teacher who used the chalk and talk method. Ms. Lim has given me some tips and recommendation on how to improve my lesson to more interesting and attractive ways.
For instance, one of my thousand weaknesses was using a lot of Malay words in my English class. As a very novice teacher, I thought that that was the only way for me to explain new vocabularies to my pupils. Sometimes, they do not even understand simple instructions given by me and I ended up explaining it to them in Malay version. I did that during Ms. Lim’s observation and she was very concern about that matter.
Ms. Lim has given me a very useful suggestion regarding that matter. If I was going to teach my pupils with new vocabularies and I could not explain them in English, I could use pictures as my teaching aids. Pupils are very attracted with pictures and colours. It could be very helpful in gaining their attention and to make them clear with the new vocabularies as well. Other than that, I can use realia or using the pupils to explain the new vocabularies.
For instance, during Ms. Lim’s observation, I was trying to explain the difference of shirt and T-shirt to the students. I was just using explanation with words. Ms. Lim said, I could call upon pupils who actually wore those clothes during the class. I could call a boy who was wearing a school uniform to explain them the meaning of shirt and a boy who was wearing a white T-shirt to explain the meaning of T-shirt, and at the same time I could easily show them the differences of those clothes.
During Ms. Lim’s observation as well, an unexpected incident happened. An announcement was made for Year 4 pupils to go to the assembly site to collect 1Malaysia chocolate milk. The announcement was not even finished, and all of my pupils sprinted out of the class to the assembly site. I was surprised with their dash and could not do anything to stop them. Ms. Lim and Shahera also were in shock with the incident. Ms. Lim told me to have them advised, warned, punished and reprimanded for their behaviour. I did. I was grateful that the pupils admitted their mishaps and apologized to me.
After the observation session, Shahera and I discussed quite a lot of things with Ms. Lim regarding our progress and performance in our classes. She has given us a lot of tips, ideas and suggestions on how to manage our class better. I believe I can improve myself by being more analytical and creative in the future.
My Practical Training Journal: Week 2
Thursday, August 18, 2011 10:45 am
Week 2
17 July 2011 – 21 July 2011
Week 2 started with wet weather. It was raining from dawn to sunrise. We started our day with the Sunday assembly. The teacher in charge of the library held a prize giving to the pupils who read the highest number of books. Other announcement included the reminder of sports training for Sunday and Monday. Pupils were also reminded of the Sukantara that would be held on Tuesday and the Sports Carnival that would be held on Wednesday. The Sukantara involved all pupils which is parallel with the government’s ambition of 1 pupil 1 sport. The events involved were 80-metre sprint, shot put, and high jump. Those who succeeded would contribute points to their sports’ team. Only one try was permitted to each pupil for each event.
As for this week, I was supposed to be given a new timetable which is permanent for my 3-month practical. Nevertheless, it would only be effective on Monday. My peer, Raba’atul Shahera and I reminded the PK 1 about our new timetables. We used our first week’s timetable for Sunday. Everything went well for my teaching and learning activities. After the final bell ring at 1.00 p.m., we looked for our timetables in the office. A teacher, Mr. Nasir gave us our new timetables. The PK 1 was attending a meeting. Then, we rushed down to Shahera’s car as we need to head to the IPG to give a copy of our timetables to our English and Science supervisors.
Both of our supervisors, Ms. Lim and Tuan Haji Haron were not around. We left our timetables on their desks and texted them to inform them about it.
As scheduled, we thought that we were going to be using our new timetables starting from Monday. But then, a minor havoc took place in the staff room when the PK 1 made an announcement for all teachers to pick up their new timetables in the office. It would be effective starting from Tuesday. When she was asked about the reasons of the new timetables, she said that it was all because of the English and Science periods that we requested for our 3-month practical training. PK 1 then told us that we could ask the teachers in the class that we were supposed to teach to hand over their class to us. Everything went well for my teaching and learning activities.
At 12.30 p.m., Shahera and I were invited to join the briefing of the Sukantara and the Sports Carnival. All teachers including the afternoon session’s teachers were invited. We were given a handout or a brochure. Shahera and I were appointed to be judges for the high jump event on Wednesday for the Sports Carnival. As for the Sukantara, we were invited to help out other teachers. The teacher involved with the high jump event asked us to help her out and we agreed.
As scheduled, Sukantara was held on Tuesday. I helped out with the high jump event while Shahera was asked to help out with the 80-metre sprint event. It was awesome. I enjoyed myself watching the kids showing their talents. The event used two metal poles and rubber bands tied together replacing the bar. The pupils must jump over the rubber bands without touching them. I could see that most of the boys succeeded and not so many girls could perform successful jumps. The Sukantara ended successfully at about 10.00 a.m. Teachers were enquired to perform classes as usual after recess.
I entered my first English class at Year 4B classroom. The surrounding was pretty havoc at that time. I believe the pupils were pretty tired with the Sukantara. I greeted the class and most of them told me that they did not bring their books. I said that it was alright as I was just planning to perform an ice-breaking session with them. I asked them to stand up, say out their names and tell me what I should call them or their short names. Most of them told me to speak in Malay because they said that they do not understand English well. I was surprised as my instruction was very simple. From that point of time, I started worrying about my class during my observation. God, help me!
The Sports Carnival was held as planned on Wednesday. Shahera and I were supposed to be judges for high jump event. Nevertheless, Shahera was asked to be the judge for the 80-metre sprint event. As for me, I continued my duty at the high jump spot. At about 9.40 a.m., I received a call from my supervisor, Ms. Lim. She reached the school and needed to see me and Shahera. I ran over to Shahera to inform her about Ms. Lim’s presence and we informed the other teachers about it.
Ms. Lim met us together with the GB, PK 1 and our mentor, Mrs. Parah Zahani. After a brief talk in the office, we moved to the Pusat Sumber as Ms. Lim needed to check our record books and portfolios. Ms. Lim and Mrs. Parah Zahani talked for a while about matters regarding the practical sessions. Then, Mrs. Parah Zahani left us as she has to continue her duty in the field. After checking everything, Ms. Lim advised us with lots of important things, corrected all our mistakes and errors found in our record books.
Then, we invited Ms. Lim to have a drink before she left. At the canteen, we met the GB and PK 1 again. I could see that all food for the teachers for lunch were ready. The GB asked us to invite Ms. Lim to have some food before she left. We took some food and invited Ms. Lim to have it. We talked about lots of things while she had her lunch. At about 12.30 p.m., she left us as she needed to rush back to the IPG for her 2.00 p.m. class.
We returned to the field. All major events were completed. We could only watch the event for the teachers and tug of war for the pupils. Then, we all headed to the ground floor of the new building for the prize giving session. The overall winner was the Yellow sports team. Congratulations!
On Thursday, all Year 6 pupils went for Rehat Minda session together with all Year 6 teachers. I could see lots of empty seats in the staff room. I was given a relief class for Year 1A after recess at 10.10 a.m. I handled a fun English learning session with the pupils. They were all very excited with it. I satisfied with their participation and enthusiasm. No intention of being biased, but I could see a big difference of Year 1A and Year 1D. Sometimes I thought that if the girls dominated the class, classroom control would be much easier. Year 1D has majority boys and Year 1A has majority girls. Or perhaps I need more time to learn about classroom control.
17 July 2011 – 21 July 2011
Week 2 started with wet weather. It was raining from dawn to sunrise. We started our day with the Sunday assembly. The teacher in charge of the library held a prize giving to the pupils who read the highest number of books. Other announcement included the reminder of sports training for Sunday and Monday. Pupils were also reminded of the Sukantara that would be held on Tuesday and the Sports Carnival that would be held on Wednesday. The Sukantara involved all pupils which is parallel with the government’s ambition of 1 pupil 1 sport. The events involved were 80-metre sprint, shot put, and high jump. Those who succeeded would contribute points to their sports’ team. Only one try was permitted to each pupil for each event.
As for this week, I was supposed to be given a new timetable which is permanent for my 3-month practical. Nevertheless, it would only be effective on Monday. My peer, Raba’atul Shahera and I reminded the PK 1 about our new timetables. We used our first week’s timetable for Sunday. Everything went well for my teaching and learning activities. After the final bell ring at 1.00 p.m., we looked for our timetables in the office. A teacher, Mr. Nasir gave us our new timetables. The PK 1 was attending a meeting. Then, we rushed down to Shahera’s car as we need to head to the IPG to give a copy of our timetables to our English and Science supervisors.
Both of our supervisors, Ms. Lim and Tuan Haji Haron were not around. We left our timetables on their desks and texted them to inform them about it.
As scheduled, we thought that we were going to be using our new timetables starting from Monday. But then, a minor havoc took place in the staff room when the PK 1 made an announcement for all teachers to pick up their new timetables in the office. It would be effective starting from Tuesday. When she was asked about the reasons of the new timetables, she said that it was all because of the English and Science periods that we requested for our 3-month practical training. PK 1 then told us that we could ask the teachers in the class that we were supposed to teach to hand over their class to us. Everything went well for my teaching and learning activities.
At 12.30 p.m., Shahera and I were invited to join the briefing of the Sukantara and the Sports Carnival. All teachers including the afternoon session’s teachers were invited. We were given a handout or a brochure. Shahera and I were appointed to be judges for the high jump event on Wednesday for the Sports Carnival. As for the Sukantara, we were invited to help out other teachers. The teacher involved with the high jump event asked us to help her out and we agreed.
As scheduled, Sukantara was held on Tuesday. I helped out with the high jump event while Shahera was asked to help out with the 80-metre sprint event. It was awesome. I enjoyed myself watching the kids showing their talents. The event used two metal poles and rubber bands tied together replacing the bar. The pupils must jump over the rubber bands without touching them. I could see that most of the boys succeeded and not so many girls could perform successful jumps. The Sukantara ended successfully at about 10.00 a.m. Teachers were enquired to perform classes as usual after recess.
I entered my first English class at Year 4B classroom. The surrounding was pretty havoc at that time. I believe the pupils were pretty tired with the Sukantara. I greeted the class and most of them told me that they did not bring their books. I said that it was alright as I was just planning to perform an ice-breaking session with them. I asked them to stand up, say out their names and tell me what I should call them or their short names. Most of them told me to speak in Malay because they said that they do not understand English well. I was surprised as my instruction was very simple. From that point of time, I started worrying about my class during my observation. God, help me!
The Sports Carnival was held as planned on Wednesday. Shahera and I were supposed to be judges for high jump event. Nevertheless, Shahera was asked to be the judge for the 80-metre sprint event. As for me, I continued my duty at the high jump spot. At about 9.40 a.m., I received a call from my supervisor, Ms. Lim. She reached the school and needed to see me and Shahera. I ran over to Shahera to inform her about Ms. Lim’s presence and we informed the other teachers about it.
Ms. Lim met us together with the GB, PK 1 and our mentor, Mrs. Parah Zahani. After a brief talk in the office, we moved to the Pusat Sumber as Ms. Lim needed to check our record books and portfolios. Ms. Lim and Mrs. Parah Zahani talked for a while about matters regarding the practical sessions. Then, Mrs. Parah Zahani left us as she has to continue her duty in the field. After checking everything, Ms. Lim advised us with lots of important things, corrected all our mistakes and errors found in our record books.
Then, we invited Ms. Lim to have a drink before she left. At the canteen, we met the GB and PK 1 again. I could see that all food for the teachers for lunch were ready. The GB asked us to invite Ms. Lim to have some food before she left. We took some food and invited Ms. Lim to have it. We talked about lots of things while she had her lunch. At about 12.30 p.m., she left us as she needed to rush back to the IPG for her 2.00 p.m. class.
We returned to the field. All major events were completed. We could only watch the event for the teachers and tug of war for the pupils. Then, we all headed to the ground floor of the new building for the prize giving session. The overall winner was the Yellow sports team. Congratulations!
On Thursday, all Year 6 pupils went for Rehat Minda session together with all Year 6 teachers. I could see lots of empty seats in the staff room. I was given a relief class for Year 1A after recess at 10.10 a.m. I handled a fun English learning session with the pupils. They were all very excited with it. I satisfied with their participation and enthusiasm. No intention of being biased, but I could see a big difference of Year 1A and Year 1D. Sometimes I thought that if the girls dominated the class, classroom control would be much easier. Year 1D has majority boys and Year 1A has majority girls. Or perhaps I need more time to learn about classroom control.
My Practical Training Journal: Week 1
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 10:30 am
Week 1
10 July 2011 – 14 July 2011
It was a start of our practical training in SK Chabang Empat, Tumpat with my peer, Raba’atul Shahera. We reached the school at about 7.20 a.m. and met the Penolong Kanan 1, Ms. Pauziah Abd. Rahman at about 7.30 a.m. As we expected, a little misunderstanding happened due to our situation of practical venue exchange with our other two colleagues. It seemed that the Unit Praktikum did not inform them about the exchange as she seemed a little surprise with our presence as two ladies while she expected two gentlemen. We explained the situation to her and she understood.
After a few minutes of briefing, Ms. Pauziah invited us to join the assembly. We sat on the front row of the teachers’ seating. It was a long assembly. It ended at about 9 a.m. The teacher on duty reminded the pupils about the class cleaning. She also reminded them about the Program Bulan Membaca Julai 2011. All pupils should have a book in their hand to be read when they are in the school area. The pupils are also reminded about the suitability of their Physical Education (PE) attire. She reminded them that they can only wear black or blue-black track bottom with school t-shirt or white plain t-shirt and sport shoes or school shoes for the PE attire.
Then, Sir Maloni Wesley Matupang announced to the audience of the sports that are going to be held next week. Sukantara for Year 4, 5, and 6 will be held on 19 July 2011 on Tuesday. Pesta Sukan for Year 1, 2, and 3 and Field Tournament for Year 4, 5, and 6 will be held on 20 July 2011 on Wednesday. Sports trainings will be held this week at 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. He then read the schedule for the trainings according to the sports’ teams.
After the assembly, the PK 1 asked us to wait for a moment while she looked for an empty space for us in the staff room. After she found one, she invited us to our table. Me and my peer shares a table as other tables are engaged with other teachers. We met other teachers and introduced ourselves to them. We mingled with some of them.
After a few moments, the PK1 asked us to follow her to meet the headmaster of the school, Encik Che Awang bin Che Mat. Along with us was our mentor, Ms. Parah Zahani bin Ab. Wahab. We discussed about our timetables in the headmaster’s room. Ms. Pauziah handed over our temporary timetables. She said that they were not really clear with the timetable allotment to us. Therefore, Ms. Parah will need to attend the mentoring course first before they could give us our fixed timetables. For a time being in our first week, we will be replacing Ms. Parah’s English classes, which are Year 5A and Year 1D. We informed them that we should probably not to accept any Year 1 and Year 6 classes. They agreed as it would only be temporary. Ms. Pauziah and Encik Che Awang also agreed if we need to perform pair teaching for this week.
We also told them about our minor class – Science. They seemed surprised as they told us that they have no idea about that. We explained to them about the minimum and maximum periods we can accept for a week, which includes English and Science classes. Ms. Pauziah then said that for our first week, we will only be teaching English classes. I have been assigned with Year 5A, while my peer will be with Year 1D.
On Monday, 11 July 2011, we have started our class sessions. As for me, I do not have any classes with Year 5A. Raba’atul Shahera had to attend her Year 1D class. I joined her for our pair teaching. We have been informed by Ms. Parah that those students are hyper kids.
The class was at 11.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. Before that, we have prepared our teaching materials where we planned to teach them names of fruits. Ms. Parah was right indeed. The kids are very hyperactive. They ran around the classroom, disturbing their classmates, jumping on the chairs and tables. We tried our best to control the class. But two of us can only control only half of the class. We tried the strict manner, they did not listen. We made our fierce voices; they played tags with their friends. We instructed them smoothly, they played plastic bottle soccer at the back of the class. I guess we need to read more on pedagogy for hyperactive kids.
One more thing. The kids complained to us that one of them had pooped in pants. I walked around and found out that it happened on a girl. I asked her if she had another clothes. She said no. Since the day was about to end up, I asked her to hold on. I can see tears in her eyes. I believe that her other classmates teased her badly.
I observed that they were streamed into three groups; the bright group, the moderate group, and the slow group. I am not trying to be biased here, but I can see that the slow group appreciate our lesson much better than the others. They did not make much noise. They approached us every time they have any questions or need anything. I feel grateful that such kids exist in that class.
On Tuesday, it was time for my first class. But first, I joined my peer, Shahera for a pair teaching in Year 1D class at 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. As expected, it was chaotic as usual. We did our best to control the class and perform our teaching and learning activities as planned. We taught them some names of fruits.
Then, at 12.30 p.m. to 1.00 p.m., I entered my first class in Year 5A. I supposed to enter the class at 12.30 p.m. But the previous teacher of the class only got out from the class at 12.45 p.m. Therefore, I only have very limited time to proceed with my lesson. Since it was my first class, I did an ice-breaking session with the pupils along with my peer. The time left was only sufficient for me to conduct the lesson up to Step 2. I have decided to redo the whole session the next day.
Nothing much happened on Wednesday. I and my peer went to my class of Year 5A at 8.10 a.m. to 8.40 a.m. I was a little surprised to see the total of the pupils that was reduced into almost half. I asked them where were the rest of the class. They said that they have gone to a visit to Terengganu as they are librarians and the visit is for them. It was a 2-day visit which include tomorrow.
As planned, I redo the whole session that was supposed to be completed on Tuesday. It was about ‘Inventions’. Everybody gave full cooperation to the lesson. The girls were a lot faster in completing their exercises compared to the boys. I urged the boys to move much faster.
At 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., I and my peer went to Year 1D class. As expected, it was chaotic as usual. We did our best to control the class and perform our teaching and learning activities as planned. We taught them about colours and performed some group activities. We prepared letter cards, jumbled them up and asked them to arrange the letter cards to form words on colours. Then, we asked them to paste the letter cards on a flip paper that we have provided.
On Thursday, I and my peer started our day with Year 1D class. As expected, it was chaotic as usual. We did our best to control the class and perform our teaching and learning activities as planned. We still taught them about colours and performed some group activities. We gave each of them a piece of paper and asked them to write the colour words on the paper.
At 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m., I entered Year 5A class. As planned, I continue yesterday’s lesson that was about ‘Inventions’. Everybody gave full cooperation to the lesson. Some of the pupils were very fast in completing the exercise given. Some of them were pretty slow. I advised them to focus on their works rather than sit around and stare at the book.
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