Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Dear all, today is the day that I gave birth to the adorable and cute little boy by the name
of Shaheed. He was so small only, 2.945kg when he came out. However, he grew bigger by the
hour. Yes... not day but hour. He is now much heavier than myself.
We'll probably go out and celebrate his birthday. Sang a birthday song for him in 3 different
languages this morning.
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any comment?
Monday, July 30, 2007
I had intended to go to school today.
I had scheduled meetings with the
NIE Supervisors.
I came to school early. I was on a mission.
The mission was to get the message across
to the kids that I really meant what I said and
I have been getting feedback regarding their
behaviour.
Prior to this, I went to the pupils' blog and was
shocked to see blogs that were not updated. I listed
them and wrote down the date in which the last wrote
in their blog. (I reminded them last week to update their
blogs by last Friday, 27 July.
They were shocked to see me in school. I inform them of
my 'findings'. They were speechless. The pupils have till
this Wednesday, 1 April to update their blog. I reminded them
that it was not an April Fool's joke.
The other thing was their attitude and behaviour in Hazel's class.
Just because she is new and nice... they climb all over her. Making
so much noise while they were doing group work.
There were many unhappy faces but.... I managed to get the
message across that they should behave whether I am around
or not.
I know that I should not worry about them and concentrate on my studies...
I just do not like their attitude. Not forgetting, I will continue to monitor
their blogs. The next thing that I will look at, is the Primary 5^Commitment
forum page. If anyone of you are reading, please tell your friends to post their
answers.
After the meeting and 'scolding' session, I went to RELC to attend my Language
Testing lecture. As usual, I had an enriching time listening to Dr Chan talk about
what should we test. Listening and Reading are actually co-related and Speaking and
Writing are in the same domain.While Listening and Reading requires the learner to
decode the text while Speaking and Writing requires the learner to encode the text.
I also learned that... it is more difficult to test a learner on its reading skills than in writing
as is reading there are different skills to be tested at the different levels. Yes! You are right..
It is very 'chim'. I have to go now... need to read for Dr Richards class tomorrow. Chiao!
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any comment?
Sunday, July 29, 2007
I guess this is what life should be.
Resting at home, watching television after
a hard week at school.
When I was in school teaching. Sunday meant a day
that I dread most. It was a day that I spend preparing
Monday's lesson, doing lesson plans and telling myself
that there are pupils waiting to be nourished with knowledge.
It was quite bad. I would also try to sleep early on Sunday night
coz I had to wake up early the next day! How dreadful!
Life is much better this week as I am away on course at RELC.
I get to sleep later tonight as I will be watching, "Ugly Betty".
I guess you really can't get the best of everything. Everything has
its advantages and disadvantages. As for now, I will spend the
rest of the day, "bumming" around the house. Thought of going to the
gymnasium at 4 p.m. and do some reading. I begin to enjoy reading actually.
Oh... I almost forgot to say that I went to all my students blog and got a
list of pupils who have not updated their blogs despite reminders. I guess...
they think I was pulling their leg. When I see them on Monday, we will see
whose leg is being pulled!!! Ehmmm...
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any comment?
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Finally the weekend is here. Time to relax a little.
However, I need to do alot of reading for the weekend.
Next week will be a busy and tiring week as there will
be more readings to do.
I've appointment at BrowHaus to relax and beautify
myself! The appointment is at 10.30 a.m.
Adam and Shaheed are in school. Will meet them
for lunch later.
I thought of going to Bras Basah Complex to get those
cool and colourful files,not forgetting index cards and
colourful pen to entice me to write more notes. I hope to
do it after going to BrowHaus.
Heard from the teachers that my pupils are creating quite
a din in class. I am disappointed in their behaviour. Maybe
I was expecting too much. Furthermore, how can I impose
my beliefs and views of ways in which a class should be conducted
onto others. I guess I just have to just hope that the pupils
will come to their senses soon and not take advantage of the
situation.
In addition, I heard that the Primary 3s are running around the class.
I don't remember that happening two weeks ago. In my next entry,
I think I would like to talk about the influence of a Teacher in the
classroom.
Got to go now.. I am an appointment remember!!
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any comment?
Thursday, July 26, 2007
I actually survived the first three days of the course. It is heavy going.
The course on Curriculum Development by Dr Richards almost burst my brains. There is just so many terms and there is only a slight difference between one and the other. I try very hard to stay awake during his lecture.
For the PostGraduate Diploma In Applied Linguistics, I am supposed to take 4 Core Modules and 2 Electives. Core Modules are in layman terms- no choice have to do whether you like it or not. On the other hand, Electives are subjects that you have to make a choice. It is actually a 'guided dictatorship' kind of choice as there are only 3 choices. Most probably, I'll take the Use of Media in Language Teaching. I am torn between Language Testing and Research in Applied Linguistics. I am attending the Language Testing lesson later today. I actually like Research in Applied Linguistics.. however.... the lessons are conducted on every Friday afternoons! What a turn off!
I want my Fridays to be a day that I can look forward to, do my readings(bluff more of going shopping!)
I don't know what had happened to my blog. Yesterday, I did my tag-board and today I cannot read anything!
One hour to go before lunch time is over. The lunch time is so darn long that I can go to Paris and come back and still make it on time! In my 13 years of teaching, never did I have a 2-hour lunch!
I have to go now! Will see what I can do to 'repair the damage done on my blog'.
See you soon.
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any comment?
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Wow!!! The day is filled with briefing after briefing. You don't know what hit you. Anyway, I switched off after ten a.m. I am on my lunch break waiting to sit for my Proficiency Test. Yes! I have to sit for a test. I will end at 5 p.m. today. I looked at the timetable. It is fully packed with lessons. Oh God!
Thought of spending the 4 months at Starbucks, I guess I cannot. There are 6 assignments and 6 exams to sit for!
Made some friends.They are Bee Leng, Geetha, Irene and I cannot remember her name. There are 4 of us who are on MOE Scholarship while the rest are either on PDL or paying for the course on their own. Got to go now! Will have more time to write later. Chiao!
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any comment?
Hi all!
I have mixed feelings about tomorrow.
I am going for a course for four months.
Tomorrow is orientation day.
I am expected to be there at 9 a.m.
Will have to go to school first to finish up the class
board and do some administrative work.
I guess I still have some work pending like...
doing a closure with teh NIE Trainees and CTs.
Adam had a hamstring pull this afternoon.
He is sooo stubborn. Refuse to seek treatment.
He is in the bedroom agonizing in pain.
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any comment?
Saturday, July 21, 2007
I was late! I had lunch with Adam and Shaheed before going to school.
I was surprised to see Hazel. I was later told that she is coming with us
as Simone was not going. I did not mind... I do need an extra pair of hands.
Had loads of fun with the kids. I have included the pictures.
The best part of the day was the fireworks. The reason, throughout the
show we only saw people walking to the toilet. It was really frustrating.
I had fun nevertheless...
I almost forgot.... met Victoria at Marina Bay.
It was good to see her. She is still as small and cute as ever!
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any comment?
Friday, July 20, 2007
It did not begin as expected.... but it ended so well. Could not have asked for for.
We had this big idea of dressing as 'bibiks' ... wonder why i agreed to it.
Stella asked if I could pick her. Since I was driving.... very kesian... I picked her up.
As I entered the estate had to regurgitate my alphabets as it was one of the HDB blocks
with alphabets attached to it. I guess HDB has run short of numbers to use.
Any way the bibik came down at 6.55 a.m. I knew I was late. Drove like an F1 formula
driver to school. Everyone thought I was late... Checked my phone after school and realised
that Wang had called me to check if I was late. All because of Stella.
Stephanie helped dress me up.... I looked like a bibik.
It was difficulty walking.
Assembly was next... Stella had this brilliant last minute idea to go on stage.
Just went along... had nothing to lose.
After that, there was a performance by, Main Wayang... a Peranakan group.
Stella really pushed her luck when she asked Ms Tay to go up the stage and parade
her dress(she was wearing a cheongsam)... I guess the Principal will be expecting her soon!
After all that went to class... it was a teary farewell... will tell you more tomorrow.
After that, briefed my new relief teacher, Hazel ,she is so so young.
I then did my Lab 3 board. It all ended at five thirty.
Called home and wanted to have dinner with Adam...
Thought of going out for dinner. He has plans to go out with
his friends... So I had dinner with Shaheed.
I am really tired... will need more sleep as I have to clear my table tomorrow.
It is such a mess.
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any comment?
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
It is exactly 8 more days to leaving school.
Trying to finish up the syllabus as much as possible.
Nothing much is really happening.
So looking forward to 4 months of rest.
Actually when I say nothing much happened.... I lied.
I just remembered about the Papier Mache.
The pupils project will be showcase at Century Square this
Saturday and Sunday.
Had to do touch up of the pupils' work. It is so very tiring.
Could not sleep for the past few nights. Don't know why.
I am coming down with flu, I guess.
I cannot be sick now! There's so much to do.
Feeling very, very sleepy. I hope I can last till 4 p.m. today.
I have Contact Time.
Will write often... Promise.
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any comment?