Friday, June 26, 2009

Stickers for my pupils.

Went to attach CANON CISS at Mydin Mall. It took us more than 1 hour waiting for that fellow terhegeh2 follow instruction (manual)...if like that I can do it my own. I thought he was the expert.

The reason I want this printer to be working and able to print colour is because I want to print smileys like these for my pupils.

The purpose is to motivate them to participate in activities and answering questions. Each time they answer they will get a sticker and stick on the board I made for them.

To make things easier, I use sticker paper and print these smileys on it. It's so funnnnnn! Hopefully my pupils think it that way too....

Jolly..jolly day...

I love teaching, seriously. The most thing that I love is class discipline. It's very satisfying when the pupils are well-mannered and in control.

What did I do during the first class?

I came in and introduce myself.
I put on a very serious face.
I stared into each pupils' eyes.
I spoke loudly and clearly about the do's and donts.
I set a rule: LL (double L) means: when I talk/teach in front the pupils have to LOOK and LISTEN. No writting or speaking.
Any question raise up your right hand and put your left index finger near your mouth. (because they like "Teacher, teacher, teacher,teacher...."

I know that it sounds very cruel towards these kids. But, it works in one condition.

THE CONDITION: MOTIVATION TOWARDS RESPONSE

1. If anyone volunteer to answer and get the answer correct, the class need to do the "CLEVER CLAP": Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Soooooooo clever!(Pointing to the pupil)

2. If anyone volunteer to answer and get the answer wrong, the class need to support/motivate him by doing TRY CLAP: Clap! Clap! Try try again.(Pointing to the pupil)

I can be very strict in class and shout too, but I try my best not to forget to say "THANK YOU [PUPILS NAME]", "VERY GOOD", "IT'S OK, TRY AGAIN", and give a smiley for the person.

A smiley?

Yesss, I forgot to tell you that I divided the class into 5 groups, each groups is named after 5 famous university: UM, USM, UKM, UPM and UTM.

I put up the names on the board and each time the pupil can answer correctly, they get a smiley beside their names.

At the end of my 12 weeks practicum, I will reward the winner with a special present.

Well, they seemed to be thrilled with this system and when I asked them " Which university do you want to go?" They'd say the name of university of their group. The purpose is to instill a vision in these kids that "I want to go to university".

I'm lucky that until now, the 4A3 class is well-discipline and mannered. Alhamdulillah.....


Monday, June 22, 2009

Horror begins tomorrow

It's a very demotivating day of my teaching life!!!

I was given Year 4 class for Math and Year 3 for English. Quite easy right? So as you thought.

It's a teacher's worst nightmare if he/she's given the last class,so does teachers here. As a trainee I have this impression of if the senior teachers can't do it, how can I do it? I'm just a trainee.

Yesterday, was not so bad when I knew I'm going to teach 3rd class and 6th class (last class). It wasn't that horrified. Since today is my 2nd day here, the teachers were more friendlier and they would surely ask me "Dapat tahun berapa?". This question follows "Kelas mana?"

When I said "4A3 dan 4A6". Their face reactions really changed man!! Obviously!! I asked "Kenapa Cikgu?"

These are the responses I received:

"Beratnya. 4A3 tu bukannya senang nak ajar, slow jugak. 4A6 tu lagi la, xde cikgu2 lama yg berani ambil kelas tu"

"You're dead, girl"

"Aiyoo...why your jadual like this...kesian you."

"Wat gapo amik kelah gini, payoh ngajo budok kelah ni. Ye malah dang xmau blajo. Kadang2 cikgu lame masuk pong ye wat dek je."

"Awok masuk truh wat bekeng. Jangang bagi muka ke ye. Ye naik kepale. Wat seriuh blake"

Initially, I recieved the comments positively. But when almost all the teachers commented negatively at this class, I felt....demotivated, scared....wouldn't you?

Then I send an SMS to my dearest lecturer Pn Mas, just to tell someone that might understand my situation. Met her this evening. She gave me some tips to overcome the negative situation.

Although I am calmer now, but deep inside I still have this negative vibes. Dear God, please help me becoming a great teacher. Do pray for me ya frens....


Sunday, June 21, 2009

1st Day at School (Teacher Version)

Today's my first day at school as a teacher. Posted there with my dear friend Haida, we went to school at 6.50am. We're staying in Gong Badak, it took us 20minutes to reach our school, SK Pusat Chabang Tiga. Reaching the school, we were amazed to see beautiful man made waterfall in front of the school office. Walking around the school, we noticed that this school is very big and well taken care off.

Consists of 2 Bilik Guru, 8 buildings, 1005 students, 31 classes, 63 teachers...

Met with the Penolong Kanan 1 after that and we were briefed about the school rules etc. He gave us relief class (classes which the subject teacher on leave or MC).

Since our relief class started at 12.15pm, we ate our breakfast and met the mentor teacher. Went to the teaching aids room and library to see any resources we can use for teaching.

Then, sembang2 with Kak Sah about students discipline and class management.

So...when we went to our relief class....that's when the story began...

We stepped into the class. No salam given, the class was such in a chaos. Haida tried to get the pupils attention, but their voices much louder than us. I took a deep breath, with all the air in the lung gush out at once I ask for the class monitor " When teacher come in, what should you do?". The class was startled for a moment and the class monitor gave salam and they recite the doa.

With a stern, loud and clear I ask them to keep all the books on the table. Since it was a relief class, we did not plan to teach anything. So we did some test on past topics.

Amazingly, the pupils obey every order, listen when I gave explanation, and response very well to our teaching. Now I know, the theory about 1st day at school really works.

The theory of 1st lesson/1st day at school.
Be very stern, make a believable strict face, tell the dislikes and likes clearly, set all the rules very well.

I'm quite reliefed that the pupils really believe at my strictness. Hehehe....that's a lesson for me today....