One of my choir/sc student posted on her FB wall yesterday.
She said: its not a step DOWN, but its a step FORWARD towards your FUTURE and how u will mentor your juniors.
A new perspective to her (according to Ruby) and also me and my different views and ideas.
Guiding and molding students take a long time.
Trying to make them see things in a different view takes awhile and also how you present the idea to them.
It takes open-mindedness, passion, love, care and concern.
Now, its time to work on my form class using different ideas.
Friday, April 22, 2011
SYF
SYF which stands for Singapore Youth Festival is finally over for all the performing art groups in our school.
Clearly, improvements can been seen in our PA groups, regardless of whatever awards the groups were awarded.
This brings to mind the subject title. SYF is suppose to be a FESTIVAL, and not a COMPETITION!!!! Numerous feedback have been given to CCAB with regards to the Festival. Most teachers (including teachers from other schools) have commented how SYF is being run and importantly, how it affects EVERYONE.
CCAB mentioned that SYF is about the showcasing of the various PA groups and also a benchmark of where the PA groups are.
However, the stress level that the students and teachers go thru are almost unbelievable.
If the students are well-prepped for their performance and for whatever award that they will receive, they will or should be able to manage their emotions fairly well.
However, if the students do not get their desire awards, they will be very crest-fallen, and it is up to the teachers to comfort them and to bring up their spirit.
What is most important as a teacher is to guide the students to see the BIGGER picture out there (teamwork, communication, expectations and emotions).
I had to comfort my music student yesterday after the results were announced. Her eyes were totally red, and she was trying her best to copying her homework assignment.
I told her:
Clearly, improvements can been seen in our PA groups, regardless of whatever awards the groups were awarded.
This brings to mind the subject title. SYF is suppose to be a FESTIVAL, and not a COMPETITION!!!! Numerous feedback have been given to CCAB with regards to the Festival. Most teachers (including teachers from other schools) have commented how SYF is being run and importantly, how it affects EVERYONE.
CCAB mentioned that SYF is about the showcasing of the various PA groups and also a benchmark of where the PA groups are.
However, the stress level that the students and teachers go thru are almost unbelievable.
If the students are well-prepped for their performance and for whatever award that they will receive, they will or should be able to manage their emotions fairly well.
However, if the students do not get their desire awards, they will be very crest-fallen, and it is up to the teachers to comfort them and to bring up their spirit.
What is most important as a teacher is to guide the students to see the BIGGER picture out there (teamwork, communication, expectations and emotions).
I had to comfort my music student yesterday after the results were announced. Her eyes were totally red, and she was trying her best to copying her homework assignment.
I told her:
regardless of the award that the group receive,
think about how much you have gone thru.
How much have you learn & achieve?
How did u mentor your juniors?
How did the whole group work as ONE?
You guys sounded as ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT, and ONE VOICE.
You have come so far, you have participated in 2 syf.
You have learned so much within the span of 3years, this is just a small pebble in your life.
Look back, reflect on your learning journey.
After i advised her, i think back to how the choir's alumni advised the choir members.
We the teachers & the alumni had to "scold" the choir quite frequently before Achievement Day. There were the scoldings, the pampering, the advising, the reflection log that every choir member had to do, and the Facebook.
New media is a very powerful tool, and with many thanks to Facebook, we had the chance to communicate even more frequently with the choir. The alumni were doing their best to help their juniors, there were many quotes...there were some small scolding, and there were many GREAT ADVISES - both from the alumni and parent.
One of the most worthy sentence came from a alumni. He said:
" you need to CRAFT every note....."
Almost every choir member relate to the above sentence and tried their very best.
For the first time (or maybe the 2nd), the choir sounded as ONE HEART, ONE SOUL and ONE VOICE when they performed in SOTA. They smiled, they sang with passion and most importantly, they ENJOYED their performance!!!!!
I am really very happy for them, and how much they have learned from this whole experience. They were able to reflect on their own singing, and i hope this learning journey will stay forever engraved in their minds.
think about how much you have gone thru.
How much have you learn & achieve?
How did u mentor your juniors?
How did the whole group work as ONE?
You guys sounded as ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT, and ONE VOICE.
You have come so far, you have participated in 2 syf.
You have learned so much within the span of 3years, this is just a small pebble in your life.
Look back, reflect on your learning journey.
After i advised her, i think back to how the choir's alumni advised the choir members.
We the teachers & the alumni had to "scold" the choir quite frequently before Achievement Day. There were the scoldings, the pampering, the advising, the reflection log that every choir member had to do, and the Facebook.
New media is a very powerful tool, and with many thanks to Facebook, we had the chance to communicate even more frequently with the choir. The alumni were doing their best to help their juniors, there were many quotes...there were some small scolding, and there were many GREAT ADVISES - both from the alumni and parent.
One of the most worthy sentence came from a alumni. He said:
" you need to CRAFT every note....."
Almost every choir member relate to the above sentence and tried their very best.
For the first time (or maybe the 2nd), the choir sounded as ONE HEART, ONE SOUL and ONE VOICE when they performed in SOTA. They smiled, they sang with passion and most importantly, they ENJOYED their performance!!!!!
I am really very happy for them, and how much they have learned from this whole experience. They were able to reflect on their own singing, and i hope this learning journey will stay forever engraved in their minds.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Managing expectations & whatnots
how does one manage expectation?
something unpleasant happened and while i do not wish to write about it here, i do wonder whether did i do my very best.
maybe one's best effort may not be another person's best effort.
things maybe set in stone, but it can also change with times & change with people movement.
something unpleasant happened and while i do not wish to write about it here, i do wonder whether did i do my very best.
maybe one's best effort may not be another person's best effort.
things maybe set in stone, but it can also change with times & change with people movement.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Choir & SYF
had a long talk with my Choir on monday...almost to the verge of being 'naggy' & long-winded at them, but i guess it was for the best.
After last week's choir practice and the feedback from my choir instructor, i had to find a way to talk to my choir. The feedback given to me was that the choir was being complacent. They acted this way after attending a choir-exchange during the March hols.
I was thinking long and hard, thinking how to talk to them, how to advise them, how to motivate them....so on and so forth. I even had to ask my former chair-person to visit the choir last friday to listen to them!!!! so that she can give them some advise and comments.
But i guess the worst or shall i say the best happened during this Monday's assembly program.
One of the students (most unfortunate, a student from my form class), mentioned the word 'FAIL' very loudly during the interval break from the 1st song to the next. I guess they were kind of affected by it, and luckily, they did not show it. (i think they did not show it, as i was busy running behind the stage)
The next comment which i received, and which i shared with the choir was from Mrs Chew.
Mrs Chew commented that the choir improved. When i heard it, my 1st inital reaction was 'WHAT???? Are you sure?'. Followed by the next question, which was 'When was the last time you heard the choir?' Which Mrs Chew replied with a 'last year'.
I had no idea what to do with the comment till i spoke to the choir at 4pm. After going 1 big round about my own experience and what i have gone thru in this school (changes of CCA etc), i told them about the comment given by the teacher. At this moment, i did not want to mention Mrs Chew's name. But i did ask the choir, what do they think of her? Comments that i received were...'fierce, fussy, strict, no nonsense to be given'...etc.
The students know that Mrs Chew demand the best from them, and that she can be very strict, and of course, she has many many years of teaching experience.
When I told them that Mrs Chew said that the choir improved, the whole choir was in shocked. But i had to explain to them, what it meant, and how much more they had to improved, how they performed, how they behave, and how they sound like, and most importantly, their attitude towards learning and performing.
I had to mention about the band performance, and since half the choir attended, i thought that they will be able to relate to what i was going to comment and how they can learn from each other.
.........to be continued.....(with editing)........
After last week's choir practice and the feedback from my choir instructor, i had to find a way to talk to my choir. The feedback given to me was that the choir was being complacent. They acted this way after attending a choir-exchange during the March hols.
I was thinking long and hard, thinking how to talk to them, how to advise them, how to motivate them....so on and so forth. I even had to ask my former chair-person to visit the choir last friday to listen to them!!!! so that she can give them some advise and comments.
But i guess the worst or shall i say the best happened during this Monday's assembly program.
One of the students (most unfortunate, a student from my form class), mentioned the word 'FAIL' very loudly during the interval break from the 1st song to the next. I guess they were kind of affected by it, and luckily, they did not show it. (i think they did not show it, as i was busy running behind the stage)
The next comment which i received, and which i shared with the choir was from Mrs Chew.
Mrs Chew commented that the choir improved. When i heard it, my 1st inital reaction was 'WHAT???? Are you sure?'. Followed by the next question, which was 'When was the last time you heard the choir?' Which Mrs Chew replied with a 'last year'.
I had no idea what to do with the comment till i spoke to the choir at 4pm. After going 1 big round about my own experience and what i have gone thru in this school (changes of CCA etc), i told them about the comment given by the teacher. At this moment, i did not want to mention Mrs Chew's name. But i did ask the choir, what do they think of her? Comments that i received were...'fierce, fussy, strict, no nonsense to be given'...etc.
The students know that Mrs Chew demand the best from them, and that she can be very strict, and of course, she has many many years of teaching experience.
When I told them that Mrs Chew said that the choir improved, the whole choir was in shocked. But i had to explain to them, what it meant, and how much more they had to improved, how they performed, how they behave, and how they sound like, and most importantly, their attitude towards learning and performing.
I had to mention about the band performance, and since half the choir attended, i thought that they will be able to relate to what i was going to comment and how they can learn from each other.
.........to be continued.....(with editing)........
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
My form class, the notorious 3t2.
No doubt they have been very playful, with a couple of them giving me grief etc, I am very proud of them for what they achieved yesterday.
No doubt they have been very playful, with a couple of them giving me grief etc, I am very proud of them for what they achieved yesterday.
As some or actually 6 of them had to go out for their cca training, my form class were only left with 11 pupils to row the dragon boat. and 2 pupils did not turn up last minute.
but nevertheless, with only 9 pupils rowing the boat, they did not come in last. They were very happy n they actually called me up when they finished the race.
They were so eager to find out whether did they qualify that they msg their PE teacher.
And do they DID!!!!
This morning, I had to emphasize on the importance of Teamwork and No Backing Out to the whole class.
Think they understand what I was trying to say as I went thru numbers with them and also congratulate those who turned up yesterday for the heats.
And yes, according Lilian (their PE teacher), they were Formidable yesterday = )
And I am very proud of them = )
*although there are quite a number of issues n problems in my form class, I try to stay Positive for them*
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, February 27, 2011
quote for the day
just read this from a blogger's entry
Persistence is what makes the impossible possible, the possible likely, and the likely definite. – Robert Half
such a powerful quote & so meaningful
Thursday, February 24, 2011
evolving & reflection
attended a symposium @ SOTA last week to understand their curriculum,
to attending a seminar for Arts & Music teachers by STAR.
STAR was started early last year, together with PESTA and also PERI for the primary school pupils.
SOTA
- one of the basic requirements to get into SOTA is to make sure that you qualify for the express stream, and also prove to the panel that you can you offer during the audition
- its not easy as they only take in 200 students per year
- interesting conversation during the Q&A: a primary 6 student asked whether is there any CCA in SOTA. The answer was NO. WHY? reason being that everything is build into the curriculum, so that students are actually exposed to the 'CCA' but in a fixed timetable.
-typical school hours for the SOTA students -> 8-5pm
- Dance students - > 8-9/10pm, as the students need to cool down their body with the help of a physiotherapist
- sharing thoughts by the Visual Arts Presenter: SOTA do not send their students for SYF competitions. They do not see any need in it........SOTA is very different from the mainstream schools.
- I found out that SOTA is under the charge of MICA
STAR
- a new academy for Art and Music teachers, where support will be provided for them, and to provided training that will enable the teachers to be a even better teacher
- sharing of thoughts
-providing support
-training
-overseas cultural exchange programme
-masterclasses
-changing of ideas, and most importantly
-Community of Practice
COP
- exchange of ideas, peer support, discussion, reflection etc... ...
think it is going to be a HUGE thing as the principal of STAR was giving quite a number of examples on how to create a COP group.
-I will try to find out more about COP, and its impact on us\
to be continued....
to attending a seminar for Arts & Music teachers by STAR.
STAR was started early last year, together with PESTA and also PERI for the primary school pupils.
SOTA
- one of the basic requirements to get into SOTA is to make sure that you qualify for the express stream, and also prove to the panel that you can you offer during the audition
- its not easy as they only take in 200 students per year
- interesting conversation during the Q&A: a primary 6 student asked whether is there any CCA in SOTA. The answer was NO. WHY? reason being that everything is build into the curriculum, so that students are actually exposed to the 'CCA' but in a fixed timetable.
-typical school hours for the SOTA students -> 8-5pm
- Dance students - > 8-9/10pm, as the students need to cool down their body with the help of a physiotherapist
- sharing thoughts by the Visual Arts Presenter: SOTA do not send their students for SYF competitions. They do not see any need in it........SOTA is very different from the mainstream schools.
- I found out that SOTA is under the charge of MICA
STAR
- a new academy for Art and Music teachers, where support will be provided for them, and to provided training that will enable the teachers to be a even better teacher
- sharing of thoughts
-providing support
-training
-overseas cultural exchange programme
-masterclasses
-changing of ideas, and most importantly
-Community of Practice
COP
- exchange of ideas, peer support, discussion, reflection etc... ...
think it is going to be a HUGE thing as the principal of STAR was giving quite a number of examples on how to create a COP group.
-I will try to find out more about COP, and its impact on us\
to be continued....
Friday, February 18, 2011
attended a symposium at SOTA just now after my form class' learning journey.
This symposium is an eye-opener,not just for me as a educator, but also from the eyes of a parent.
it was a huge turnout and the principal of Sota, Mrs Rebecca Chee gave a very good introduction about the school, it's curriculum and how the timetable is like.
the cut off point, the requirement to enter...
ok, will update when I reach home, as my iPhone batt is running low....
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, February 14, 2011
term 1 week 6
How can one define the meaning of a good teacher.
or should the question be rephrase differently?
What is the meaning of good?
For the past few weeks, i wondered to myself whether am i too harsh or too strict with my students, especially my form class.
Do i have too high a expectation from them? Or am i trying to build in some form of structure, discipline and routine for them?
setting a routine for them is essential and important.
*to be continue...*
Attended a Focus Group Discussion on EBS this past Wednesday.
CPDD is trying to come up with ways to find out whether has the textbook been a success or is there any need to edit the textbook.
EBS, a subject for the Sec 3 & 4 Normal Technical students came about after it was revised from the old subject, which was EOA.
The 2 subjects are specially created for the NT students, in view of how Singapore's economy was progressing, which sector was needed to drive the economy, and where is Singapore's economy and workforce heading to.
the moment anything is printed, it can be considered as 'old press'. For the EBS' textbook, where the students are learning so much about retail, travel and tourism and hospitality, the textbook can be considered as 'passe'.
The table that i was assigned to came up with many ideas. It was really great meeting teachers from other schools and they were very forth-coming with their ideas and lessons.
back to the question: Should the textbook be edited? If yes, WHY. If no, WHY? What should be kept, bin out, should more examples be given for certain topics.... etc
One of the main suggestions given is that EBS teachers from schools should have a hand in creating and updating the textbook. Reason being that teachers know what works and what will not work from the ground level.
*to be continue later....*
or should the question be rephrase differently?
What is the meaning of good?
For the past few weeks, i wondered to myself whether am i too harsh or too strict with my students, especially my form class.
Do i have too high a expectation from them? Or am i trying to build in some form of structure, discipline and routine for them?
setting a routine for them is essential and important.
*to be continue...*
Attended a Focus Group Discussion on EBS this past Wednesday.
CPDD is trying to come up with ways to find out whether has the textbook been a success or is there any need to edit the textbook.
EBS, a subject for the Sec 3 & 4 Normal Technical students came about after it was revised from the old subject, which was EOA.
The 2 subjects are specially created for the NT students, in view of how Singapore's economy was progressing, which sector was needed to drive the economy, and where is Singapore's economy and workforce heading to.
the moment anything is printed, it can be considered as 'old press'. For the EBS' textbook, where the students are learning so much about retail, travel and tourism and hospitality, the textbook can be considered as 'passe'.
The table that i was assigned to came up with many ideas. It was really great meeting teachers from other schools and they were very forth-coming with their ideas and lessons.
back to the question: Should the textbook be edited? If yes, WHY. If no, WHY? What should be kept, bin out, should more examples be given for certain topics.... etc
One of the main suggestions given is that EBS teachers from schools should have a hand in creating and updating the textbook. Reason being that teachers know what works and what will not work from the ground level.
*to be continue later....*
Sunday, February 13, 2011
term 1 week 5
A relatively short week, but filled with excitements.
attended the ACD meeting where the main focus was on our department's Action Plan (AP).
Trying to digest the AP, to understand it from the perspective of all the different units can be quite challenging. Getting all the teachers to understand the AP, to work towards the SAME goal/target is another major challenge.
Anna presented and did a very good job in sharing the AP with the whole department. Although it was quite a handful, I believe that everyone who was there that day was able to understand.
Coming up with the AP was a whole different matter. Anna and I sat down together a couple of times, and we cracked our heads and brains trying to decipher everything. Anna had already work out some of it, and I was there trying to look at it from another perspective. We thought that it will be good to make it as simple as possible, as clear as possible, so that everyone in the department will be able to understand.
We looked at the old AP, and tried to incorporate new values, goals and targets into the AP.
It has not been an easy task, but Anna held the fort and she managed to complete it.
For now, we just need to make sure that everyone in the department shares the SAME VISION and work towards it.
attended the ACD meeting where the main focus was on our department's Action Plan (AP).
Trying to digest the AP, to understand it from the perspective of all the different units can be quite challenging. Getting all the teachers to understand the AP, to work towards the SAME goal/target is another major challenge.
Anna presented and did a very good job in sharing the AP with the whole department. Although it was quite a handful, I believe that everyone who was there that day was able to understand.
Coming up with the AP was a whole different matter. Anna and I sat down together a couple of times, and we cracked our heads and brains trying to decipher everything. Anna had already work out some of it, and I was there trying to look at it from another perspective. We thought that it will be good to make it as simple as possible, as clear as possible, so that everyone in the department will be able to understand.
We looked at the old AP, and tried to incorporate new values, goals and targets into the AP.
It has not been an easy task, but Anna held the fort and she managed to complete it.
For now, we just need to make sure that everyone in the department shares the SAME VISION and work towards it.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
a very delayed post - term 1 week 4
What kind of advise can we give our students? And how do we know whether are we giving them the 'correct' advise?
the above questions actually set me pondering. Pondering what kind of advise to give to my ex-students and how do we know set them on the 'correct' path in life?
if you notice, the word CORRECT is being quoted.
What we may think is 'correct or right' for them, may not be what they, the students think. Not what their parents think. Not what other teachers think. And of course, not what their friends think.
2 ex-students recently called me up and told me that they are thinking of applying for the NAFA-MOE music programme. For an instant, i was shock, in disbelief, which turned to happiness and after which, came the WHY.
Why was I in shock?
- I didnt think that my ex-students will be choosing and considering this path to take
Why was I in disbelief?
- I refused to believe that they would want to consider taking this path, and they are NOT the first few ex-students of mine to go along this route.
- An ex-student who graduated 2 years back, who took O-level music in 2008. She was one of the top students in our school who took 10 subjects. If I am not wrong, I think she was the only student that I know who took 10 subjects. She had the opportunity to go to a top JC in the east, but she went to NAFA to pursue music. And why did she choose to do that? When I asked her, she gave me a very practical piece of advise. Her main reason? Traveling to the school in the east will take up too much of her time and she believe that it can be put to much better use.
- another student dropped O-level music at the end of her sec 3, but she went on to pursue the NAFA-MOE music programme after her Olevels.
Why was I happy?
- They were my 3rd batch of students whom I taught music to. It was not a easy journey, but it was something very memorable.
and the most important question, is WHY?
after i gotten over my shock, my next question to the two of them was WHY?
1. Why do you want to take up this path?
2. What are the risks of going along this path?
3. Are you ready to be bonded for the next 9 years of your life?
4. What will you do if you are not selected for the scheme?
5. How will you deal with the students when you become a teacher?
6. Are you sure that you will not break your bond?
7. Will you be interested in pursuing a degree in future?
8. Have you spoken to other students who have chosen this path?
9. How will you react if you need to teach an additional subject when you are posted out to the schools?
10. Why do you not want to continue your education in the JC?
11. Have you spoken to other teachers? (to the ex-student who was from another school in the same cluster)
12. What did your parents say?
There were many other questions that i threw at them over the phone, and which i expected them to answer me on the spot.
My main concern as a teacher, or as a capacity of a ex-teacher (since i do not teach them anymore) is, AM I GIVING THEM THE CORRECT ADVISE?
Are they ready to commit the next 9 years of their lives?
Their interview was on the 31st Jan.
I wished them the very best, and of course, I hope that they know what they will be in for.
Fast forward to the 8th Feb., they needed me urgently to fill up a testimonial form for them by Friday, the 11th. They needed this form urgently as MOE is trying to arrange for their NAFA music audition.
Keeping my fingers, hands & legs crossed *feeling very stress for them too*
the above questions actually set me pondering. Pondering what kind of advise to give to my ex-students and how do we know set them on the 'correct' path in life?
if you notice, the word CORRECT is being quoted.
What we may think is 'correct or right' for them, may not be what they, the students think. Not what their parents think. Not what other teachers think. And of course, not what their friends think.
2 ex-students recently called me up and told me that they are thinking of applying for the NAFA-MOE music programme. For an instant, i was shock, in disbelief, which turned to happiness and after which, came the WHY.
Why was I in shock?
- I didnt think that my ex-students will be choosing and considering this path to take
Why was I in disbelief?
- I refused to believe that they would want to consider taking this path, and they are NOT the first few ex-students of mine to go along this route.
- An ex-student who graduated 2 years back, who took O-level music in 2008. She was one of the top students in our school who took 10 subjects. If I am not wrong, I think she was the only student that I know who took 10 subjects. She had the opportunity to go to a top JC in the east, but she went to NAFA to pursue music. And why did she choose to do that? When I asked her, she gave me a very practical piece of advise. Her main reason? Traveling to the school in the east will take up too much of her time and she believe that it can be put to much better use.
- another student dropped O-level music at the end of her sec 3, but she went on to pursue the NAFA-MOE music programme after her Olevels.
Why was I happy?
- They were my 3rd batch of students whom I taught music to. It was not a easy journey, but it was something very memorable.
and the most important question, is WHY?
after i gotten over my shock, my next question to the two of them was WHY?
1. Why do you want to take up this path?
2. What are the risks of going along this path?
3. Are you ready to be bonded for the next 9 years of your life?
4. What will you do if you are not selected for the scheme?
5. How will you deal with the students when you become a teacher?
6. Are you sure that you will not break your bond?
7. Will you be interested in pursuing a degree in future?
8. Have you spoken to other students who have chosen this path?
9. How will you react if you need to teach an additional subject when you are posted out to the schools?
10. Why do you not want to continue your education in the JC?
11. Have you spoken to other teachers? (to the ex-student who was from another school in the same cluster)
12. What did your parents say?
There were many other questions that i threw at them over the phone, and which i expected them to answer me on the spot.
My main concern as a teacher, or as a capacity of a ex-teacher (since i do not teach them anymore) is, AM I GIVING THEM THE CORRECT ADVISE?
Are they ready to commit the next 9 years of their lives?
Their interview was on the 31st Jan.
I wished them the very best, and of course, I hope that they know what they will be in for.
Fast forward to the 8th Feb., they needed me urgently to fill up a testimonial form for them by Friday, the 11th. They needed this form urgently as MOE is trying to arrange for their NAFA music audition.
Keeping my fingers, hands & legs crossed *feeling very stress for them too*
Sunday, January 23, 2011
News
Keeping up with the news can be both time-consuming but at the same time, life & knowledge enriching.
Reading the news, watching news on the television was not my interest when I was younger. I used to fall asleep when the news was on and miraculously, i will wake up when the news was over.
However, when I went overseas to pursue my degree, keeping oneself up to date with the current affairs was inevitable. One had to keep up with whatever was happening back home, happening in the current country (wherever you are), and also keeping up with whatever was happening in the world.
One had to learn how to be street-smart, be self-reliance, be more confident, and lastly, learn how to be independence.
Independence is something that cannot really be taught, but something that one learns from within.
Coming back to the news....in the past week, Amy Chua's memoir on bringing up her daughters created a semi-backlash, a furor, and of course, many questions on how the Asians raise up their children.
The Straits Times published an article today about 'We are not all Tiger Mums'.
It was a very interesting read with quite a number of views given by other mums.
Is it right to label some mothers as "Tiger Mums"?
There are some people who will and will not agree, depending on which continent you are living in.
As a parent, do we want our children to do well in schools, do well in life, namely their career? Of course, WE DO. I may not be in the capacity of a parent, but judging from the phone calls that parents has made to me, and vice verse, and from the parents' visit to this just on Friday, parents DEFINITELY WANT their child to do well.
As a teacher, how do we ensure that our students will do well under our charge? Should we use the mentality of a "Tiger Mum" to teach them? Or should we do so as a capacity of a teacher.
Yes, the role of a teacher cannot really be define clearly. We are a role model to them, we guide them, we nurture them, we scold them when they have done something, we encourage them, we mold them, we advise them, we 'fix' them and of course, we TEACH them.
We need to learn, We need to grow with the times, We need to move on, We need to be BOTH critical and creative and definitely, We need to REFLECT.
Reading the news, watching news on the television was not my interest when I was younger. I used to fall asleep when the news was on and miraculously, i will wake up when the news was over.
However, when I went overseas to pursue my degree, keeping oneself up to date with the current affairs was inevitable. One had to keep up with whatever was happening back home, happening in the current country (wherever you are), and also keeping up with whatever was happening in the world.
One had to learn how to be street-smart, be self-reliance, be more confident, and lastly, learn how to be independence.
Independence is something that cannot really be taught, but something that one learns from within.
Coming back to the news....in the past week, Amy Chua's memoir on bringing up her daughters created a semi-backlash, a furor, and of course, many questions on how the Asians raise up their children.
The Straits Times published an article today about 'We are not all Tiger Mums'.
It was a very interesting read with quite a number of views given by other mums.
Is it right to label some mothers as "Tiger Mums"?
There are some people who will and will not agree, depending on which continent you are living in.
As a parent, do we want our children to do well in schools, do well in life, namely their career? Of course, WE DO. I may not be in the capacity of a parent, but judging from the phone calls that parents has made to me, and vice verse, and from the parents' visit to this just on Friday, parents DEFINITELY WANT their child to do well.
As a teacher, how do we ensure that our students will do well under our charge? Should we use the mentality of a "Tiger Mum" to teach them? Or should we do so as a capacity of a teacher.
Yes, the role of a teacher cannot really be define clearly. We are a role model to them, we guide them, we nurture them, we scold them when they have done something, we encourage them, we mold them, we advise them, we 'fix' them and of course, we TEACH them.
We need to learn, We need to grow with the times, We need to move on, We need to be BOTH critical and creative and definitely, We need to REFLECT.
Monday, January 17, 2011
term 1 week 2
think positive & stay positiveever since i started teaching, the above quote has always been part of my life...no doubt there has been ups & downs, but if one can always stay true to their own belief, nothing is impossible.
Nothing Is Impossible versus Just Do It2 very different slogans by 2 different sports company.
1 by Adidas, the other by Nike.
Both very successful in their own way, but also during different time.
Nike was more like my generation...the Generation X
whereas, Adidas is more the Generation iY.
Nike's slogan was very popular and very catchy when it first came out, and with all the media on the sports' culture back than on Michael Jordan etc, with Nike Air etc...it was number 1 back than.
but now, Adidas can be considered as number 1 in the sports field. The way that the brand was marketed, together with the popstars, the fashion line with popstar designers and fashion designers.
Whoever came out this slogan has got it TOTALLY ACCURATE in all sorts of manner. Regardless whether is it to do with life, work, passion etc...NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.
Nothing is Impossible is something that we need to teach all of our students. Being face and tasked with a normal technical form class, we told them that they should not give up, but to REALLY STRIVE for the BEST and believe in themselves. Not just for the NT, but all the classes.
how can we make the students believe in themselves?
how can we make the students strive much harder?
how can we make the students see the link between what we are teaching them now and also the preparation for their future?
perseverance is something that the youth (not all of them) of today lack
how do we teach them perseverance?
is it something that can be taught or learned thru hardship/trial & error?
something to ponder about
Sunday, January 9, 2011
term 1 week 1 - A new journey
this is my 1st post of the year and it is also a entry which i find very hard to pen down my thoughts.
Like what Mr Chin mentioned during my interview last November, it is going to be a roller-coaster ride, and at the current moment, i am perched right on top of the ride, just before the great descent.
No doubt it is going to be a challenging year, i do hope to learn as much as i can from my fellow colleagues.
Last November, as part of my training (and new job scope area) i attended a 3-day course on Habitudes. This was a real eye-opener to me, as i learned about different metaphors and how i can relate and teach them to our students.
It was a struggle initially, as it was something new to me. However, thru the guidance of the facilitators, we actually learned alot from them and learned how to facilitate,lecture and admin a 20 minutes lesson (by actually coming up with a lesson plan, teaching the whole class, and displaying the 3 mentioned roles). We MUST pass this 20 minute lesson plan before we get our certification and it was a TOTALLY NERVE-RACKING.
It has been an exciting week 1, with a new form class (3t2), new form teacher to work with, NEW colleagues, sec 1 orientation and CCA Open House.
Anna and I attempted to sit down and go thru our dept's action plan, and we realized how everything comes together within the 4 units. We understand that there are many more things that we need to figure and work out.
There are some areas which i would like to further blog about:
- work review
- Art unit
- Big picture
Like what Mr Chin mentioned during my interview last November, it is going to be a roller-coaster ride, and at the current moment, i am perched right on top of the ride, just before the great descent.
No doubt it is going to be a challenging year, i do hope to learn as much as i can from my fellow colleagues.
Last November, as part of my training (and new job scope area) i attended a 3-day course on Habitudes. This was a real eye-opener to me, as i learned about different metaphors and how i can relate and teach them to our students.
It was a struggle initially, as it was something new to me. However, thru the guidance of the facilitators, we actually learned alot from them and learned how to facilitate,lecture and admin a 20 minutes lesson (by actually coming up with a lesson plan, teaching the whole class, and displaying the 3 mentioned roles). We MUST pass this 20 minute lesson plan before we get our certification and it was a TOTALLY NERVE-RACKING.
It has been an exciting week 1, with a new form class (3t2), new form teacher to work with, NEW colleagues, sec 1 orientation and CCA Open House.
Anna and I attempted to sit down and go thru our dept's action plan, and we realized how everything comes together within the 4 units. We understand that there are many more things that we need to figure and work out.
There are some areas which i would like to further blog about:
- work review
- Art unit
- Big picture
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