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.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
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.
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