#rekomemories 3: Armpit Hairs

I was teaching my 1SP3 today on a new chapter called ‘Basic Measurement’ and focused on length and mass. So, like usual I connect my lesson with real world connection. This time, I choose the Olympic theme as my opening.

Me: So class, in what games will you we use length
Student A: Running.
Student B: Swimming.

Me: Emm… ok.
Student C: Teacher, cycling!

Me: Alright. So, what are the unit used for track and field?
Students: Meter! Kilometer too!

Me: Good. How about mass? In what games will we use mass?
Student D: Weightlifting!

Me: *feeling proud*
Wow. You guys are really good. Did you all watch weightlifting? What have you learnt from it? (what I actually mean was the type of mass unit normally used in the games).

Students E: I KNOW! Those female weightlifters have armpit hairs *raised his right hand while pointing at his armpit*

 

And the class burst into laughter.

 

 

They know because this was widely shared in the Facebook.
Kids this day… =.=!!

1SP3 and Me

Yesterday, it was quite a stressful day because I had 3 classes in a row with 2 of my challenging classes with 20 minutes of rest. Besides, my Penolong Kanan Petang wanted to observe one of my classes to evaluate and give mark on my performance.

I was teaching 1SP3 when the evaluation was carried out. Initially, I was worried because this class was pretty challenging and occasionally, I had a hard time in teaching and managing them. The experience was like riding on a roller coaster. Sometimes I triumphed like a gold medal boxer, sometimes I fell down like a humpty dumpty - worthless.

But, parts of me believe that they are talented and have promising future if they're being understood and taught purposefully. So, I give my day another fight with better preparation for the 1 hour of class.

So like usual, in the beginning of the class I asked all my students to get into groups. This time, they had to move their tables and formed 8 groups. To my surprise, they are as good as other tested class. They moved and settled within 2 minutes. I am so proud!! In the mean time, I asked them to write their group name on a recycled paper with my magic color and then stick on their group table to appear visible.

I didn't have much time to learn their group names, except the numbers because my mind was channeled to rush the lesson so that the daily objective can be achieved.
The session was a success where I managed to receive full engagement from 30/33 students with my teaching aids and see them working actively together in their group after that.

 

They even tried their best to finish up their PBS (form 1 exam) even though the time was up. Comparing to the beginning of the years, almost half of them would had given up after attempting a few questions.


As I was leaving the class with an army of students who volunteered to help me carried my bags and books to the staff room, all the group leaders handed their group names with a smile.

I didn't aware the meaning behind the smiles until I read their papers at my home (now). Probably some of them were happy that my Maths time was over but to some... they might be happy to have me as their teacher *beam*

 

I admit that, sometimes I will unintentionally look over small little detail. Sometimes, I will exaggerate small failure into disaster. Sometimes I will too focus in the big goal and forget to appreciate the relationship I have with my students.

Teaching is not just a job but something beyond the job. If you really care for the children, there is no fine line in describing your job scope as a teacher.

 

Thank you guys for the wonderful experience.
Let’s work hard together in achieving our dreams. Promise

<3

First Comic Strip On Algebra

I was feeling heart-broken today when some students, again misbehaved in my class no matter how many private conversations I have had with them. It took a heavy heart to write out their names in the discipline book after a good number of warnings given. If you still remember my 3 creative-but-not-so-smart students’ jokes on #rekomemories 2, they are the exact same students who broke the rules again.

 

Through the months, I have been working extremely hard especially when teaching is something new to me. I need to learn from the basic till something I call advance so that I could pick up and teach my students with proper lesson. However, things don’t always happen to the way you expect or want instantly. I know it can happen, but it will take times.. *hopeful*

 

*****

Ok.. enough for the emotional writing. I should come back to my main objective of this blog post (this is part of my uniqueness – always stray away from main objective/purpose. aiya..).

 

So, here is my latest investment for my students on Form 1 Algebra. I have used this in my pilot-test-class (the strong Maths basic class) yesterday and I received positive respond from them.

 

This comic was done in a rush, about 20-25 minutes. Could be better if I have more time.

 

Surprisingly, it only took them 1-2 minutes to read and understand the story and immediately, they know x equal to 16 candies and 16 candies are represented by x. They even could wrote interesting letter to Ahmad in the end of the class as a 3 minutes assignment. I had a good laugh at their funny jokes. Maybe I should share them here but those exercise books I left in the staff room. Well, never mind.. ;)

 

Students from the class already asked for Part 2. The funny thing is, before I could even reply, another invested student said, “Wait teacher draw part 2 lah.. Please be patient (in Bahasa Melayu)”.

 

Lol.. that cheer my day ;)

Lesson learnt: Whenever there is something pulls you down, remember that there is always something that will pull you up too. Just find that strengthe and you will be happy again.

 

P/s: Maybe I should turn up and me a cartoonist?

 P/s/s: I know I will not give up easily because this is what I want and my passion is here. I guess, I just need perseverance, determination and consistency – just like a marathone runner.

#rekomemories 1

Apabila saya sedang mengajar 1KM1 petang semalam, terdapat 3 murid perempuan (Form 4/5) yang turun dari tangga dan salah seorangnya menjerit, "Eeeeiiih... Cikgu baru lah.. comelnya".

Dia memberitahu kawan sebelahnya lalu bertanya saya yang sedang gigih mengajar, "Cikgu comel-lah. Cikgu, cikgu kan?". Dan saya balas, "Oohh.. bukan".

Tidak berputus asa, dia terus bertanya, "Oohh.. cikgu pratikal ke?". Pelajar lelaki 1KM1 mula ketawa apabila saya menjawab dengan senyuman manis, "Bukanlah.. saya seorang pelajar".

Tanpa disangka, mereka percaya dan akhirnya membalas, "Emmm... patutlah comel sebab masih pelajar. Kamu memang comel lah.. Ok.. bye~"

Akhirnya, saya bersama pelajar lelaki 1KM1 ketawa terbahak-bahak.

#rekomemories

Super Nervous First Maths Formative Exam!

I couldn’t sleep well since the last two days, before 7.3.2012.

I was very nervous because the first school formative exam fall on the 7th of March and my Maths paper was on the day. The feeling was like allowing your child to ride on the bicycle for the very first time. You will worry whether will they fall? And if they fall, what should you do? Should you pull them up? Or let them to stand up on their feet by themselves? What if they hate riding a bike after the fall and never wanting to try again? And what should you do if they are too good in it and requested to ride a motorbike instead?

 

There were so many ‘what-if’ questions the night before 7.3.2012 and I ended up not knowing what to do, except praying to God for whatever He think is the best for all these children and me.

 

The very next morning, I was inspired to make posters for my 3 Maths class students (I still have this spontaneous ability which have pros and cons.. =.=). Initially, I didn’t know what to write to my students. Should I write as a message from the teacher (me) or should I write on behalf of them? After taking nearly half an hour sitting in front of my teacher’s table, I saw my hand with a black marker pen in it started writing animatedly. Teachers who passed by my table which was located at the back of the staff room were curiously and came near me.



One of the teacher surprisingly asked, “Tan, are you going to teach later?”

I smiled, looked at her and replied, “No lar. Just writing a few words for the students”.

“Wow… You know, you don’t have to do such things to them. I’m afraid they wouldn’t appreciate your effort”, she replied and left after I returned her with a smile.



She could be right and wrong but that is not my main concern.
So, these are my posters for each class. 1Sp2 is the best class, 1SP3 is the better class and 1SP4 is the good class – in term of Maths performances.

I don’t know how much my students appreciate and understood the message from my motivational posters. I don’t know even if these posters work. What I actually want most is to show my moral support and motivate all of them who have been working hard throughout the 3 months to give their best in the 1 hour with 38 questions paper. To those who didn’t even do and turn in my homework, these posters will remind them to work harder after this because there is a Maths teacher who care for them all the time *fingers crossed*

 

Did you spot my infamous dinning room clock? >.<

I pasted 1 poster in each classes on the whiteboard and made them read aloud together with me before the exam begin. I even placed my emm… house’s clock in front of the classroom with the hope that they can keep track on their time because to answer Maths questions, one  really needs good time management.

Hahaha… I STOLE CLOCKS from MY HOUSE, could you believe it? =P

So, the exam begun at the dot of 5.40pm and the corridor were full of bags, books and surrounded with the sound of the winds. I had never seen the school in such a quite state when more than 600+ students were in the buildings.

  

I adore seeing my students in such a serious mode. I could see they were trying their best and attempted each questions quite well.

 

While waiting nervously for the time passes, I walked along the corridor and snapped a few photos:

The school has the best sunset scenery

 

In the end of the exam, I have students who came and told me how easy-peasy the paper was. Next, I have students who told me they knew the answers and I even have students who frankly told me, “Susah lah cikgu! I sure failed one. Matilah ku”.

The student in brown and yellow shirt (on the most right) was smiling because he told me that he could answer the paper.. I hope he is right =)

That is how my first experience as teacher, seeing my students fought in the battlefield. Also, it is my first time being scolded by my mum for stealing all the clocks from home. Lolx…

 

P/s: Ranjeetha (one of the 50 Teach For Malaysia Fellows) found the idea of  pasting a poster to each class is a good idea to motivate students and she might do it tomorrow. Let’s pray for a good effect for these children =)

P/s/s: Now, it is time to mark theirs papers.. aja aja fighting!

Never Know It Can Be Done Like This

 

I was a student for roughly 21 years, studying Maths for many many years and now, teaching Maths. I never know that.. that.. the multiplication table for 9 can be done like this.

Wahhhhhh….~~

Genius! I shall teach my students and my kids too!