maybe i should learn to let go of unhappiness.
i have never felt so miserable and trapped before.
is the world demanding too much from me or am i the one demanding too much from this world?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Day 11
I headed over to observe Teacher S's class today. They continued with their usual lessons by counting in multiples of 2, 5 and 10. They also danced around to the nursery songs that they sang.
As the graduation ceremony is nearing, the K2 class had to rehearse on their dances. It gets kind of boring watching them repeating their dances over and over again. But I guess this is necessary as the children needs repetition to learn. *sigh* They can even get their dance steps wrong after 999th time of rehearsal.
After a long rehearsal, teacher S's class continued with their lesson of learning time.
Note to self: It is recommended to show children both digital watch and analog watch (with seconds hand and without) in order for them to be able to differentiate.
As the graduation ceremony is nearing, the K2 class had to rehearse on their dances. It gets kind of boring watching them repeating their dances over and over again. But I guess this is necessary as the children needs repetition to learn. *sigh* They can even get their dance steps wrong after 999th time of rehearsal.
After a long rehearsal, teacher S's class continued with their lesson of learning time.
Note to self: It is recommended to show children both digital watch and analog watch (with seconds hand and without) in order for them to be able to differentiate.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Day 10
Today is going to be an interesting day as I will get to see my favorite children from Mrs P's class. I love how sweet those children are. =)
First, I started the day by observing teacher S's K2 class. They were doing counting to prepare them for primary school, especially when they are buying food during recess. They also read a small book titled "Space Travel". Apparently, each child has a series of books that they purchased at the start of the year.
Break time came and soon, we were preparing to bring the K2 class over to the nearby community centre for rehearsal. I was surprised that Mrs P actually knew I drive to work. She approached me to see if it is possible for me to drive C's cousin's car to ferry the children over to the community centre. Eventually, it was decided that it would be better for all of us to walk over to the community centre together. Thus, I assisted Mrs P in bringing her class over to the centre for rehearsal.
On the way to the community centre, I got to learn more about the children's backgrounds. D is a brave girl who doesnt believe in ghosts as she shared stories about the tv programmes that she watched and how her dad tried to bluff her. The rest of the children also shared about which primary school they are going to and pointed out to me where they stayed. I love them all! =)
At the community centre, the children started to rehearse in the hall. It was quite stuffy as the aircon was not on. Furthermore, the doors were all locked, so there was not much ventilation. The poor children had to sweat, especially after the long walk from the kindergarten to the centre. I pointed it out to the principal and she headed over to the office to ask for the keys. The situation improved slightly later on. In addition, the principal briefed me on the layout of the community centre by showing me around, such as where the preparation rooms and toilets are located. I then proceeded to watch the children rehearse. All of the poor children were sweating alot due to the heat. I wanted so much to go to the NTUC fairmarket nearby to get some icecream or ice pops for them. Nonetheless, I decided against it as there were 5 K2 classes present. That would mean I have to get icecreams or icepops for approximately 120 children. I cant just play favoritism outright and get it for my favorite class, right?
After a few rounds of rehearsal, I helped to bring the sweaty and tired children back to the kindergarten. As it was about to rain, the sky was overcast and strong winds blew. One child commented that, "There is aircon in the sky." Adorable children! =) When Mdm C told the children "not to stand near the drains as they may drop into the drains and swim away like the fishes", the more grown-up children retorted, "not funny". Sometimes, I really don't know whether to laugh or cry at the children's comments.
Upon return back to the kindergarten, the children cooled down and drank water. Their bottles were refilled with water prepared by the aunty. The teachers then wrapped up their lessons by reading storybook to the children.
First, I started the day by observing teacher S's K2 class. They were doing counting to prepare them for primary school, especially when they are buying food during recess. They also read a small book titled "Space Travel". Apparently, each child has a series of books that they purchased at the start of the year.
Break time came and soon, we were preparing to bring the K2 class over to the nearby community centre for rehearsal. I was surprised that Mrs P actually knew I drive to work. She approached me to see if it is possible for me to drive C's cousin's car to ferry the children over to the community centre. Eventually, it was decided that it would be better for all of us to walk over to the community centre together. Thus, I assisted Mrs P in bringing her class over to the centre for rehearsal.
On the way to the community centre, I got to learn more about the children's backgrounds. D is a brave girl who doesnt believe in ghosts as she shared stories about the tv programmes that she watched and how her dad tried to bluff her. The rest of the children also shared about which primary school they are going to and pointed out to me where they stayed. I love them all! =)
At the community centre, the children started to rehearse in the hall. It was quite stuffy as the aircon was not on. Furthermore, the doors were all locked, so there was not much ventilation. The poor children had to sweat, especially after the long walk from the kindergarten to the centre. I pointed it out to the principal and she headed over to the office to ask for the keys. The situation improved slightly later on. In addition, the principal briefed me on the layout of the community centre by showing me around, such as where the preparation rooms and toilets are located. I then proceeded to watch the children rehearse. All of the poor children were sweating alot due to the heat. I wanted so much to go to the NTUC fairmarket nearby to get some icecream or ice pops for them. Nonetheless, I decided against it as there were 5 K2 classes present. That would mean I have to get icecreams or icepops for approximately 120 children. I cant just play favoritism outright and get it for my favorite class, right?
After a few rounds of rehearsal, I helped to bring the sweaty and tired children back to the kindergarten. As it was about to rain, the sky was overcast and strong winds blew. One child commented that, "There is aircon in the sky." Adorable children! =) When Mdm C told the children "not to stand near the drains as they may drop into the drains and swim away like the fishes", the more grown-up children retorted, "not funny". Sometimes, I really don't know whether to laugh or cry at the children's comments.
Upon return back to the kindergarten, the children cooled down and drank water. Their bottles were refilled with water prepared by the aunty. The teachers then wrapped up their lessons by reading storybook to the children.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Day 9
Today, I changed class and headed over Teacher S's K2 class. She was quite open with the children and allowed them to be active. It was amazing how they could memorize so many nursery rhymes. They could even dance to the songs. I guess that is because this class has the biggest classroom within the entire cramp kindergarten. The class then proceeded to have a show and tell session whereby the children took turns to share about their items. The children were pretty shy about it, unlike the U.S kids. In fact, they were so shy that their voice becomes almost inaudible.
Next, the K2 children had their graduation ceremony rehearsal. The principal then pulled me in the staff room to brief me on the logistics of the graduation ceremony. Apparently, such logistics planning down to the minor details is part and parcel of a principal's role. She has been a really supportive mentor and I am thankful for this.
I proceeded to share with her about my ideas for face mask for the concert and my preparation materials for Goldilocks and the three bears. Coincidentally, teacher N was about to teach that story to the nursery class. Thus, I sat in her class to observe. Under the nursery guided curriculum, puppets and cards were made available to engage the children in the story. If time permits, dramatic play is encouraged as well.
Later, I returned to teacher S's class where she has set up food and drinks stalls to stimulate the canteen scenario in primary school. She even provided the children with real coins to purchase food and drinks from the stalls set up by other children.
I ended the day off by helping the principal to fold the graduation ceremony itienry and pack them neatly in a box.
Next, the K2 children had their graduation ceremony rehearsal. The principal then pulled me in the staff room to brief me on the logistics of the graduation ceremony. Apparently, such logistics planning down to the minor details is part and parcel of a principal's role. She has been a really supportive mentor and I am thankful for this.
I proceeded to share with her about my ideas for face mask for the concert and my preparation materials for Goldilocks and the three bears. Coincidentally, teacher N was about to teach that story to the nursery class. Thus, I sat in her class to observe. Under the nursery guided curriculum, puppets and cards were made available to engage the children in the story. If time permits, dramatic play is encouraged as well.
Later, I returned to teacher S's class where she has set up food and drinks stalls to stimulate the canteen scenario in primary school. She even provided the children with real coins to purchase food and drinks from the stalls set up by other children.
I ended the day off by helping the principal to fold the graduation ceremony itienry and pack them neatly in a box.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Day 8
Finally I managed to observe Mrs K's K1 class for the entire day today. From her, I learnt quite a fair bit about classroom management. For instance, she has a silence exercise whereby she makes the children keep quiet for 50 seconds so as to calm all the children down before moving on to the next activity.
Besides, she is also creative in her morning exercises as she would sometimes add in new movements in her exercise routine to get the children excited, such as the fishermen casting the net action.
For the writing exercises, the children continued on the words that they have learnt yesterday. They also did a worksheet that allows them to draw out the number that is stated. For instance, if given the number 8, it means that the child has to draw out 8 cones/smiling faces/flowers. As usual, when given the standard set of instructions, children always love to deviate. They would ask the teacher whether they are allowed to draw angry or sad faces instead of smiling faces.
In addition, I had a long chat with Mrs K ,who was very willing to share about her experience. According to her, the most important thing a kindergarten teacher ought to do is to practise diplomacy towards the children's parents. It is crucial for a teacher to try to get to know parents as quickly as possible and build up a good relationship such that the parents would not try to pick on you, especially if the child tells tales to their parents. She also mentioned about a few children in her class. For instance, the parents of the child with special needs in her class seem to be in denial of their child's situation and refuse to admit. In addition, there is a boy, E, who went home and started cursing vulgarity. E's mum was shocked and upset and came over to the school to demand an explanation, pushing the blame to the children who are interacting with E and claiming that they are the ones who taught E those vulgarities. Upon further investigation, Mrs K realized that it was actually E who taught the rest of the children vulgarities and politely gotten back to E's mum that E is the one who is using the most vulgarities in the class. That statement got her quiet.
Other than learning how to deal with both classroom situation and parents, Mrs K also shared with me about some storybook telling ideas. Apparently, there is a Japanese storybook telling method, known as Kamishibai. It is pretty interesting as the set consists of large pictures with the story written at the back of the cardboard. This allows the teachers to engage the interest of the children while reading out the story to them. Perhaps I would check it out soon.
Besides, she is also creative in her morning exercises as she would sometimes add in new movements in her exercise routine to get the children excited, such as the fishermen casting the net action.
For the writing exercises, the children continued on the words that they have learnt yesterday. They also did a worksheet that allows them to draw out the number that is stated. For instance, if given the number 8, it means that the child has to draw out 8 cones/smiling faces/flowers. As usual, when given the standard set of instructions, children always love to deviate. They would ask the teacher whether they are allowed to draw angry or sad faces instead of smiling faces.
In addition, I had a long chat with Mrs K ,who was very willing to share about her experience. According to her, the most important thing a kindergarten teacher ought to do is to practise diplomacy towards the children's parents. It is crucial for a teacher to try to get to know parents as quickly as possible and build up a good relationship such that the parents would not try to pick on you, especially if the child tells tales to their parents. She also mentioned about a few children in her class. For instance, the parents of the child with special needs in her class seem to be in denial of their child's situation and refuse to admit. In addition, there is a boy, E, who went home and started cursing vulgarity. E's mum was shocked and upset and came over to the school to demand an explanation, pushing the blame to the children who are interacting with E and claiming that they are the ones who taught E those vulgarities. Upon further investigation, Mrs K realized that it was actually E who taught the rest of the children vulgarities and politely gotten back to E's mum that E is the one who is using the most vulgarities in the class. That statement got her quiet.
Other than learning how to deal with both classroom situation and parents, Mrs K also shared with me about some storybook telling ideas. Apparently, there is a Japanese storybook telling method, known as Kamishibai. It is pretty interesting as the set consists of large pictures with the story written at the back of the cardboard. This allows the teachers to engage the interest of the children while reading out the story to them. Perhaps I would check it out soon.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Day 7
Today, I headed over to Mrs K's K1 class for observation. She started off with the usual morning exercise, followed by the good morning song and attendance taking. She also started checking the fingernails of the children to make sure that they are short and clean. She then proceeded to teach phonics, mainly focusing on 3-letters words, such as ten men, fun run, and red hot. After teaching, she assigned them written assignments that include them writing words and drawing.
While I was observing them, the principal came over and pulled me out of the classroom. Apparently, there seems to be an emergency in the other kindergarten. One of the teachers was late and parents of two children were waiting to meet her. I followed her like a little lamb, thinking that the other kindergarten was just a stone's throw away. It was only awhile did I realize that she was actually trying to flag a cab down to bring us to the other kindergarten. I informed her that I drove as I did not want to travel from the other kindergarten back to the original kindergarten to retrieve my car. She hitted me lightly for not informing her earlier. I guess that broke the ice slightly as she started to share more about her duties as a principal in the car.
When we reached the other kindergarten, it was slightly more run down than the original kindergarten. Apparently, for that kindergarten, it will be closing down at the end of the year and converted into a centre that offers enrichment courses. The principal brought me to meet the teacher who explained the conflict situation to us. It appears that a boy has bitten a girl, which angered the girl's parents. As such, the girl's parents scolded him. This resulted in the boy's parents being unhappy. Intertwined with the entire story were some of the lies told by the boy who was afraid of telling the truth.
After listening to the teacher's explanation, I helped out with another teacher's filing of portfolios for individual children. The teacher was quite nice as she patiently explained to me on how I should go about the filing. Through the portfolios, I am able to grasp an idea of what the children have learnt and done for the term. While I was working on the portfolios, the teacher even served me coffee and cake. The coffee was nice smelling and the cake was quite nice, considering that I have not had my breakfast.
Next, at 1020 am, I followed her to observe how she teached her class in identifying shapes. She read to them books before assigning them worksheets to identify the different shapes. In the meantime, she pulled some of the students out to rehearse their dance for their graduation ceremony. Both the principal and I watched the teacher directing the dance for the children. We then discussed on how we could further improved the dance with the usage of props such as masks or flowers. Nonetheless, I think the plans are shelved due to shortage of resources and time. I hope to be able to create the masks for the children to wear though.
While the children were working on their worksheets, the teacher was discussing tips on how I could manage a class properly by asking the children to settle their own conflicts. She also shared some teaching tips like how to make the environment works for you while teaching instead of against you. For instance, she brought in different types of sand for the children to have a feel of the different textures.
Soon, it was 1130am. The principal went out to meet the parents in conflict. I did not go along as I felt that the parents might think I am an intruder in their conflict. The principal passed me the storybook, "Goldilocks and the 3 bears" to read to the Nursery class and plan for their lessons. I helped to take over the K1 class while the teacher freed herself to meet the parents of both parties. They were learning about weathers such as rainy, sunny and cloudy. I taught them more weathers in that brief session. Soon, it was time for them to end school and the teacher returned to wrap things up.
The principal happily told me that the matter was settled and I sent her back to the original kindergarten. On the way back, she shared with more about the kindergarten, such as the kindergarten fees and the budget for the concert, which was actually quite limited, considering that the parents only paid 30 bucks for the graduation ceremony. It was really a tight budget constraint as part of the money was also used to book the concert hall.
In all, today was an enlightening day and I learnt quite abit of the role of a principal. FINALLY! When I went home, I searched online and found some interesting ideas such as making a bear puppet and teaching them the "Pease porridge hot" nursery rhyme.
While I was observing them, the principal came over and pulled me out of the classroom. Apparently, there seems to be an emergency in the other kindergarten. One of the teachers was late and parents of two children were waiting to meet her. I followed her like a little lamb, thinking that the other kindergarten was just a stone's throw away. It was only awhile did I realize that she was actually trying to flag a cab down to bring us to the other kindergarten. I informed her that I drove as I did not want to travel from the other kindergarten back to the original kindergarten to retrieve my car. She hitted me lightly for not informing her earlier. I guess that broke the ice slightly as she started to share more about her duties as a principal in the car.
When we reached the other kindergarten, it was slightly more run down than the original kindergarten. Apparently, for that kindergarten, it will be closing down at the end of the year and converted into a centre that offers enrichment courses. The principal brought me to meet the teacher who explained the conflict situation to us. It appears that a boy has bitten a girl, which angered the girl's parents. As such, the girl's parents scolded him. This resulted in the boy's parents being unhappy. Intertwined with the entire story were some of the lies told by the boy who was afraid of telling the truth.
After listening to the teacher's explanation, I helped out with another teacher's filing of portfolios for individual children. The teacher was quite nice as she patiently explained to me on how I should go about the filing. Through the portfolios, I am able to grasp an idea of what the children have learnt and done for the term. While I was working on the portfolios, the teacher even served me coffee and cake. The coffee was nice smelling and the cake was quite nice, considering that I have not had my breakfast.
Next, at 1020 am, I followed her to observe how she teached her class in identifying shapes. She read to them books before assigning them worksheets to identify the different shapes. In the meantime, she pulled some of the students out to rehearse their dance for their graduation ceremony. Both the principal and I watched the teacher directing the dance for the children. We then discussed on how we could further improved the dance with the usage of props such as masks or flowers. Nonetheless, I think the plans are shelved due to shortage of resources and time. I hope to be able to create the masks for the children to wear though.
While the children were working on their worksheets, the teacher was discussing tips on how I could manage a class properly by asking the children to settle their own conflicts. She also shared some teaching tips like how to make the environment works for you while teaching instead of against you. For instance, she brought in different types of sand for the children to have a feel of the different textures.
Soon, it was 1130am. The principal went out to meet the parents in conflict. I did not go along as I felt that the parents might think I am an intruder in their conflict. The principal passed me the storybook, "Goldilocks and the 3 bears" to read to the Nursery class and plan for their lessons. I helped to take over the K1 class while the teacher freed herself to meet the parents of both parties. They were learning about weathers such as rainy, sunny and cloudy. I taught them more weathers in that brief session. Soon, it was time for them to end school and the teacher returned to wrap things up.
The principal happily told me that the matter was settled and I sent her back to the original kindergarten. On the way back, she shared with more about the kindergarten, such as the kindergarten fees and the budget for the concert, which was actually quite limited, considering that the parents only paid 30 bucks for the graduation ceremony. It was really a tight budget constraint as part of the money was also used to book the concert hall.
In all, today was an enlightening day and I learnt quite abit of the role of a principal. FINALLY! When I went home, I searched online and found some interesting ideas such as making a bear puppet and teaching them the "Pease porridge hot" nursery rhyme.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Day 6
Today, I started observing Mrs K's K1 class. She is a very good and patient mentor, who imparted lots of knowledge to me, especially on safety and hygiene. So, for the beginning of the day, the children have to take off their shoes before the teacher puts disinfection lotion on their hands. She then proceeded to start her daily morning exercise with the children, which somehow resembles the Singapore workout. In doing so, it helps in developing the children's motor skills and in a way, reduces the high energy level of the children. (Although in my humble opinion, it might have a counter-effect of making the children more alert and energetic.) The exercise includes actions such as head rotation, wrist rotation, bending of hips, knees rotation, hand on knee bending, slow jog and fast jog. Whilst observing the exercise routine carried out in the classroom, I wonder if it would be better for the exercise to be conducted outdoors, especially since there are potential safety hazards such as the sharp corners of cupboards within the classroom. Mrs K also encouraged the children to bring their own handkerchiefs to wipe their hands after washing. No wonder I saw many children having their own handkerchiefs in the pockets of their uniforms. I was then pulled out to help out with Mdm N as Mrs C was absent on that day. Besides, the specialist for special needs children from HQ travelled down to the kindergarten to observe the two special needs children in the kindergarten. Sight of her makes me miss HQ very much. The difference in attitude and treatment was totally obvious despite both of us representing HQ. :( Why has SC not visited me yet?! As the nursery classes have not arrived, Mdm N was helping the K2 children to rehearse their recipient of their graduation certificates during their ceremony. It was adorable to see the children rehearsing. They then proceeded to rehearse the dance that they have prepared for their ceremony. For this K2 class, they would be performing rock and roll. The nursery children soon reported to school and Mdm N got busy preparing them for the assembly. As usual for assembly, the children sang various songs and recited the pledge in different languages. I am starting to get used to such a routine. After assembly, I sat in for Mdm N's class for awhile. She taught the children about the weather and made them sing different nursery songs, such as Twinkle twinkle little star. She even had her own rendition, which was Twinkle twinkle little moon, that was shaped like a pancake instead of a diamond. I then proceeded to help out with Mrs C's nursery class since she was not around that day. I looked after the children during their break time and read to them a book about witches before their Chinese class. As there was time constraint, I did not have the opportunity to delve deeper into the subject of halloween.
After the chinese lesson of nursery class, I resumed taking care of them. I let them into their individual learning activities corners. One of the problems that I faced with nursery children is that they always like to switch learning corners and that itself created lots of problems for me. When I allowed one kid to switch, the rest of them will try to approach to me to request for switches. I guess I have to learn how to be strict with the class to prevent such a problematic scenario from happening. I also faced the problem of children complaining about trival issues to me. One of the tricks that other teachers have imparted was to ask the children to settle those issues among themselves. I have yet to master the skill of convincing the children to do so but I am working on it.
During the session, I taught two girls the art of folding hearts. I enjoyed my interaction with them but other children love to poke their heads in and requested to join in. As much as I want to try to interact with each individual and get to understand them better, I am afraid I might be neglecting the rest of the class.
Time always seems to pass by quickly when we are enjoying the activities that we are doing. Very soon, it was time for the children to pack up as another teacher would be taking over to wrap things up and read a story for the children.
I met up with the principal for a brief meeting. It was nerve wrecking as she always put on a strict front and I tend to be tongue-tied in front of her. Hope that this would not occur again and things would improve.
P.S: Happy Birthday, dada!
P.P.S: When I walk over to the K2 class briefly, I was being offered a Rocher chocolate by sweet C. It was her birthday too. She is totally adorable. =)
After the chinese lesson of nursery class, I resumed taking care of them. I let them into their individual learning activities corners. One of the problems that I faced with nursery children is that they always like to switch learning corners and that itself created lots of problems for me. When I allowed one kid to switch, the rest of them will try to approach to me to request for switches. I guess I have to learn how to be strict with the class to prevent such a problematic scenario from happening. I also faced the problem of children complaining about trival issues to me. One of the tricks that other teachers have imparted was to ask the children to settle those issues among themselves. I have yet to master the skill of convincing the children to do so but I am working on it.
During the session, I taught two girls the art of folding hearts. I enjoyed my interaction with them but other children love to poke their heads in and requested to join in. As much as I want to try to interact with each individual and get to understand them better, I am afraid I might be neglecting the rest of the class.
Time always seems to pass by quickly when we are enjoying the activities that we are doing. Very soon, it was time for the children to pack up as another teacher would be taking over to wrap things up and read a story for the children.
I met up with the principal for a brief meeting. It was nerve wrecking as she always put on a strict front and I tend to be tongue-tied in front of her. Hope that this would not occur again and things would improve.
P.S: Happy Birthday, dada!
P.P.S: When I walk over to the K2 class briefly, I was being offered a Rocher chocolate by sweet C. It was her birthday too. She is totally adorable. =)
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