Category Archives: World of Teaching

Beginning of the end.

Posted on by under World of Teaching

Hi.

The well deserved break is coming to an end. I will be back in school next week. Back to the hectic days, full of lesson planning and reflections that to one extend I simply don’t know what to reflect about anymore. Sometimes, there are two reflections to write in a day, and to top it of, a weekly reflection at the end of the week. So that makes it eight reflections that I have to write in a single week.  As a result, the lack of blog updates since I poured all my thinking into those reflections.

Anyway, I have something to ask and I hope that you are willing to share your opinion on this. Every Monday, I will have three Year 6 pupils under my care for some remedial class. The purpose of this remedial class is to give them the support that they need in preparing them for the coming UPSR in September. For your information, these pupils are from the weak class, some maybe dyslexic and at times, they can’t even spell. They are creative, they know how to make sentences but what stopping them is that they do not know the word in English as a result of lack of vocabulary. In order to help them, I usually gave the meaning of the words in BM and asked them to write it down next to the word, or label the picture. My purpose for doing so is to enable them to refer back, look at the words and know the meaning of the words, at least, in BM. I would not want them to look at the words and then not sure of the meaning. However, my supervisor questioned whether is this the best method to teach them, using their first language and this is the second time that she questioned about this. Well, during the class, I did used English, but they gave me a blank look, I know they find it difficult to understand. So I guess that I have to use BM to guide them through the task. The same thing is happening in my class of Year 5. Some of them are dyslexic and some can’t even read. At times, they can’t even understand simple instructions which were given in English. There was once when they did not understand what fold means even though I have demonstrated it a few times. Well, in my mind, why waste time explaining things in English, knowing that it will be hard for the pupils when you can explain something in just seconds, right? I know my supervisor have valid theoretical reasons for questioning my actions and I do not want to be that defensive either, thinking that my action is the best thing to do, practically. So, I really need your opinion on this. Throw in your thoughts, please do. I would really appreciate that.

Although I wished that this week will never end, I kinda miss my pupils. They are always on my mind. I was just wondering what were they doing during English lessons since I am not around for the whole week. Hurm.

Alright then, see you later. Bye.

Here’s to the Kiddos: Debut

Posted on by under World of Teaching

Have you ever reminisced about your past when were you a primary school kid? Yes, you have.

Do you remember the cheerful songs in Music lessons? Yes, you do.

Very good.

Have you ever wanted to sing all the songs that you have learnt back in Year One but can’t seem to remember the lyrics? Yes, it happened all the time.

Now, here’s your chance to go back to your young and naive era. Miss Fazlin, the English teacher who happens to also teach Music to a group of Year Ones, will now have a new category in her blog entitled ‘Here’s to the Kiddos’. Each entry in this category will consist of the song Miss Fazlin is teaching in that particular week, including the lyrics. Cool, eh. What’s more, this category will be updated every fortnight, so stay tuned.

Here’s the song for this week, entitled Satu Dua Tiga. Enjoy.

[audio:http://alinyussuff.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/25-track-25.mp3]

Satu dua tiga empat lima

Boleh kita jalan sama-sama

Enam tujuh lapan dan sembilan

Siapa lambat ketinggalan

Satu dua tiga empat lima

Cuba lihat itu rama-rama

Enam tujuh lapan dan sembilan

Ia sedang berterbangan

Two weeks in an entry.

Posted on by under Food Galore, Out and About, World of Teaching

Hype! Sorry for the long hiatus. Been busy and just have no idea what to write about. Hehe.

*****

I’ve been in school for three weeks now and so far, I have enjoyed myself. Well, there’s always Monday blues but not to the extent of dragging myself to school. I love my Year 4 students. They are cool and smart but naughty at times, well, which kid doesn’t la kan? I have this one girl who really knows her stuff, which sometimes I don’t know myself. I have this one boy who has ‘puss in boots’ kind of eyes, especially when he’s requesting for something. Then, another boy whose wishes caught my attention. When everyone else wish to have something (usually a material), he wishes for the ozone layers to be thicker. Alah lah. And then this one boy, who sometimes bashed me in front of the classroom, like what he did during this one literature session.

Me: Do you know what I wish to have?

Boy: A husband.

Me: ……

Okay, that is true. But you can’t show your excitement in front of ten-year olds kan. Gedik pulak ticer ni karang. Haha.

*****

There was one day which the four of us had to attend to all students while the teachers were having their photograph taken. I was standing by the side when this one boy came to me and said,

‘Cikgu… dia geletek saya…’

I didn’t know what to respond. I simply said ok and asked him to sit down. I turned my head to the back to smile, told Wani about it and laughed hard. Hahahaha.

*****

On the same day, I realised that Tan Hong Ming is a student in the very same school. Yes, the famous boy in the Petronas advertisement. Can’t remember which one?

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAKPwjBd4uM]

Then, there’s another Petronas advertisement which also featured classmates of Tan Hong Ming.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2icFax4ncI&feature=related]

Cool, eh, when you have famous kids running around in your school. Not to forget, daughters and sons of some famous people which I shall not mention who for the sake of their safety.

*****

Just yesterday and the day before (Friday and Saturday) held perkemahan asas for uniform bodies. I was sitting in front of all the students who participated when I noticed something right in front of my eyes. Immediately, I asked the few boys in front of me.

‘Sapa punya ni? Baik ngaku cepat!’

Obviously, no one will admit. Mind you, it was Mark and Spencer. They already wear Mark and Spencer at the age of 10 and 11. I have to wait for 22 years before I can afford Mark and Spencer, and that’s because they are cheap in UK. Huks. Oh, ya, that was a boy’s brief I found on the floor. Mark and Spencer. Huks.

*****

I woke up in a panic at 5 am this morning. Damn, I have not done my weekly reflection let alone any lesson plans for the whole week or at least Monday. Then only I realised it’s not Monday yet. It’s only Sunday. Phew. Look at what teaching has done to me. Tsk tsk tsk.

*****

Ok enough of school. Now back to my life.

I had a food galore last weekend. A good feast to pay back those I-had-no-appetite-to-eat or I-was-too- tired-to-eat or i’m-just-eating-so-that-I-won’t-feel-hungry days.

The first five pictures are Island Breeze, complementary bread, stuffed mushrooms, salmon fettuccine and roasted chicken from Italiannies. Then, it’s Chocolate Indulgence from Secret Recipe and finally, waffle with Mint Chocolate Chip and World of Chocolate ice cream from Baskin Robbins. And there’s Nasi Kerabu from Laksa Shack which I didn’t took any picture. Heaven, kan.

*****

I have just managed to watch Sepi last Sunday. Not bad, but not too good either. I prefer Cinta to Sepi. Cinematography is definitely beautiful, no doubt. But, there’s something lacking. Not enough kick or umphh, shall I say. There were not many beautiful words like what you had in Cinta. I don’t know. Maybe I expected too much. Anyhow, I love, love Vee’s pink and yellow kebaya. Chantek amat. Azwan said it’s purple and not pink. It’s pink lah, not purple.

*****

So, that’s me and my life in the past two weeks. Now, let’s get back to reflections and lesson plannings. Huks. Or maybe a shower first. Lalala. Zas.

Bye.

Grammar Game, rules! Blackie, died.

Posted on by under Daily Scribbles, World of Teaching

Co-curricular activity was on so I stayed in for some extra hours in school today. During English Language Society, we did this grammar game which requires the students to answer all 20 questions, and really, I found some of the questions are really hard especially when you need to think on your feet. That’s me saying that. Just imagine those questions need to be answered by 9-11 year-olds.

Here goes.

Name two fruits that begin with p – papaya and pineapple (easy peasy!)

Name two vegetables that begin with c – cabbage and chillies (Ok, I only managed to think of chillies but they managed to think of capsicum.)

The opposite of rich – poor, deep – shallow, heavy – light (easyyyyy..)

How many are there in a dozen – twelve ( I had to explain what a dozen is to a pair of 11 year-olds. ‘If you have twelve apples, it means that you have a dozen of apples. So how many apples are there in a dozen?’ *stare right back at you* And only after repeating the same things about five times, that they get the point. My fault? No? Yes?)

What you would buy at a florist’s – flowers (easy……), an ironmonger’s – ……………………………. (OK, to tell you the truth, I waited for the teachers to give the answer, and I tried to avoid students who ask about ironmonger. Logically, it is something like fishmonger, fishmonger sells fish so ironmonger sells things made of iron. But, you know that English is a funny language that one goose, two geese but not one choose, two cheese. And yes, ironmonger is a person who sells things made of iron.)

How many eyes you close when you wink – one. (I needed to wink like 8 times before they get the point that when you wink, only one eye is closed.)

Who would use a briefcase – lawyer, businessman, a whistle – referee, police traffic.

What animal lives in a nest – birds (obviously) a kennel – dog (OK , I did asked Wani what a kennel is. Lupa lah, bukan tak tau.)

Three words that rhyme with buy – my, die, cry

Two things found in the kitchen – fork and spoon (that’s considered one actually, they are cutleries) and plates, bathroom – soap and sponge (but you get sponge in the kitchen as well, don’t you?), bedroom – pillow and, errr, bed.

What would you keep in a wardrobe – clothes, accesorries.

Five things you can drink – water, fruit juice, hot drinks, soda, smoothies ( I took a longer time to think of smoothies. During the session, a pair managed to group mango juice into fruit juice, when all five drinks that I’ve listed were orange, mango, apple, watermelon juices. Haha.)

Five things you can eat – rice, fruits, chicken, meat, vegetables.

Synonym for unhappy – sad, start – begin, depart – leave.

Name four wild animals – tiger, lion, elephant, hippopotomus

Name four insects – butterfly, dragon fly, fly, beetles. (I managed to think of those end with -fly, but they came up with grasshopper and praying mantis and what not.)

Name three things worn by men – pants, tie, shirt, women – dress, skirt, blouse (A boy answered ‘bra’ and I forced him to rub that off and to think of another one. Luckily he came up with ‘scarf’. Naughty!)

Which sport uses a racket – tennis, badminton.

Five verbs that begin with t – think, tear, talk, take, tie (I was stuck at the third one, and I took two of the answers from the discussion)

Five adjectives that begin with s – smelly, short, *thinking* slow, smooth *thinking* stout (maybe ‘single’ should be put on to my list. You know, as in ‘single lady’. Bahaha.)

Not bad, huh? Feel free if you wanna use the same activity in your class. Or maybe for an activity during ELS session.

And today, I punished a boy for punching another boy’s eye. Lucky it wasn’t that bad and timed out was given as well as a total ignorance of his existence at the back of the classroom.

Huks.

Plus, Blackie, the goldfish at home, died. Out of thirst. Or maybe he felt out of place, because he’s black and the others are gold. Depressed and killed himself by holding his breath until he drowned.

Huks.

And now, I’m feeling a slight headache, been sneezing non stop and mucus is filling up my nose.

Huks.

It’s been a long day. Later ya.

Miss or Teacher?

Posted on by under World of Teaching

Practicum starts next week. I’m not really sure of my feelings right now. Nervous? Yes, pretty much. Excited? Yeah. It’s a mixture of feelings, you see. One minute I am confident and the other I’ll be nervous and not knowing what to expect. I have not done the necessary shopping. I’m too lazy to get it done. Maybe it’s because I am shopping for stationeries instead and not new clothes, shoes or bags. Haha. I’ll get it done tomorrow right after the briefings.

Starting from next week onwards, I will have an extra accessory to be worn with my baju kurung and tudung. No, it’s not a bracelet and definitely not a ring (I am not entitled to a Pn. right in front of my name yet, haha). It’s a name tag, everyone. Yes, the one which is black with your name written in white. I have two of my name done. One that says ‘Fazlin’ and the other which says ‘Fazlin Farieza’. I am not sure which one should I wear on the first day. Fazlin? Or Fazlin Farieza? Small thing you see. But when you don’t know what to expect, small things can make you contemplate even more. Haha.

Maybe I should get another one done. The one that says ‘Farieza’. :-p

There’s one more thing that still left us wondering. Which group of students will we be teaching. On Monday, the teacher who came to IPBA said that it maybe Year 4 or Year 5. However, a friend of mine has texted the teacher in charge and she said that maybe we will either teach Year 1 or Year 3 or Year 5. Wow. Year 1? I have been wanting to teach Year 1 for ages. They can be naughty and smelly from all the sweating and have drools and mucus and what not all over their face but they are too cute most of the times. I also prefer young learners than older ones. I think I don’t have the patience to teach 11 year-olds. Well, maybe I can volunteer to teach Year 1. Why not? We’ll see next week.

How can anyone resist if the 7 year-olds are cute like this?

So, should I asked them to call me Miss Fazlin? Or Teacher Fazlin? Miss? Teacher? Miss lah.