Minggu Orientasi 2023

Sesi persekolahan tahun 2023/2024 bermula dengan minggu orientasi. Suatu pendekatan baharu yang cuba diperkenalkan oleh pihak Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. Secara peribadi, saya menyambut baik sarana ini. It is a long awaited policy. Selari dengan aspirasi Falsafah Pendidikan Negara dimana salah satu tunjang utamanya membentuk keperibadian murid. 

Kelihatan santai dengan aktiviti dan program di peringkat sekolah, namun secara psikologinya, murid dapat mempersiapkan diri dengan sesi persekolahan seterusnya. Tidak terburu-buru memulakan kelas akademik sepertimana sebelum ini. 

Dalam pada itu, guru-guru juga berpeluang berinteraksi dengan ibu bapa yang hadir sama sepanjang minggu. Tambahan, sekolah kami mengadakan sesi gotong royong menghias kelas. Cocok pada saat dan waktunya. Ibubapa kini tahu realiti kekurangan fasiliti yang dihadapi warga sekolah hingga ada yang sanggup mengeluarkan duit poket sebagai belanja menghias kelas. 

Secara keseluruhannya, program ini saya percaya merupakan satu permulaan yang baik. It's a good start for an amazing year ahead. Berkemungkinan ada kekurangan dan kelompongan sepanjang penganjuran, namun, sebagai 'pilot project' ianya berjaya set a new benchmark. Kita mengharapkan ada penambahbaikan di masa akan datang bilamana ianya menjadi tradisi dan kelaziman setiap awal sesi persekolahan. 

Foto: Aktiviti akhir, Saya Suka Origami yang diajar oleh Guru-guru Cilik, Arshad dan Amirah - Kelas 5 Cendekia.

Momotaro

Topic 10, the Peach Boy is one of my favorite topics as I am able to introduce to the students the fascinating culture of Japan. Growing up with manga and anime makes me more appreciative towards the culture of this Land of Rising Sun. Apart from singing the song and learning to doodle some of Momotaro's characters, we also had planned out to have a short drama presentation based on the story itself. 

As usual, the students were so eager and enthusiastic in preparing all the costumes and props required for the performance. They came out with different ideas which some of them were unexpectedly creative and magnificent. After each performance, the students evaluate other group members through Peer Evaluation process. By doing this, the students will be aware of certain weaknesses that they have to improve for the next group presentation. 

In summary, the students had done a great job, where they collaboratively worked in groups, delivering the good products. My advice for other teachers who are afraid of doing group works, just give it a shot and do not underestimate these children's ability. You may be dazzled by their ability to come out with something beyond our thinking box. | ͰM

War Cry - Negaraku

This month, I managed to successfully complete a new project - The War Cry project. This is the first time we had ever participated in the competition. We actually were offered to join this contest in the eleventh hour of which only a few days were given to start everything from scratch until the final stage of video recording. At first, it seemed quite impossible to do it but still, I took it as a challenge and straight away scribbled down some words for the chant.

The whole process of forming the team, distributing out the war cry lyrics, memorising the lyrics, learning the steps and recording took only 2 days to execute, which seemed quite burdensome yet, to my amazement, the students were able to pull the whole thing very well. Salute to these kids. At first, I was actually doubted that these kids would able to pull it. But they did! Though at the end there were many elements that needed to be cut off like some dynamic steps, lyrics, and formations, but still they had done a great job.

Apart from being able to perceive new cultural element of war cry, I had learned a lot about my ancestral root of ancient Malays and the historical diaspora of this unique Pacific Islanders through the process of making this war cry project a reality. I am now more apprehensive and appreciative towards the Maori and other Pacific aborigines, our very own distant relatives of Malayo-Polynesian who shared common languages and history.

On the whole, I am glad that I was given a chance by Puan Suzi to run this project. Though it was not perfect, at least the kids had shown a great determination in making this project possible. I am also glad that I gained lots of new knowledge out of it. Perhaps we could do better war cry performance by next year with proper planning and adequate time allocation. InsyaAllah. | ͰM

Establishing the Marching Band

I like to try working with something new every single day. That is why I could not stick with routines, whether at home or at work. I will try out some new things especially at school where it is blessed with kids with full of potential. It does not have to be perfect. It just has to be something new and fresh. That is why I love my job as a teacher so very much due to the chances gained in trying out new things day in and day out.

This time I managed to establish a marching band for our school. In just one week, 30 students were given the newly bought melodicas and drums to rock on the Oh When the Saints song at our annual sports' day. At first, the challenge was that there were not enough musical instruments like drums and melodicas. Even the drums were in such a poor condition.

I then discussed with some music teachers and the Head of Music Panel about the problem, which later approved by our Headmistress where she ordered 10 new melodicas and 3 drums. I was actually relieved that she approved my request in spite of its last minute nature. Soon after all the musical instruments received, I started training them with the song, the only song they will be playing during the opening ceremony.

The initial plan was the band would be playing for a short slot, but it turned out to be them playing all the way through the marching parade. I was quite nervous at first, but luckily they nailed it. We even played impromptu the short version of Superman Theme for the flag hoisting ceremony.

So far, I had received positive feedback from the teachers and the parents where they lauded the effort of establishing our very own marching band, moreover it is established in a primary school. I would like to thank all parties involved in making this marching band a reality. InsyaAllah we will try to put on more effort to present the best performance in future. | ͰM

Inauguration

Congratulations to the newly appointed class monitor, Muhammad Farhan Arif and the class assistant, Nusratina Batrisyia. It was quite a simple ceremony done in the classroom which for some people, it brings no significance. But still, I truly believed that this small little thing meant so much to them as it brings up the sense of appreciation to both of them. It is my hope that they will build-up the leadership skills throughout the year of their service in this class and perhaps one day will become the best leaders. Insya Allah.

Faces of future leaders

Zoo Negara Field Trip

This is my first field trip that I ever planned and I am so excited!!! Never before had I planned a trip even during my years in Maktab because I am the type of person who does not like to deal with documents and going through the tiring procedures. Forms, paperwork, letters, you name it. But now, I realised that the process of planning the trip was quite easy. 

After completing and sending all the documents needed to PPD and passing the letters of permission to the parents, I went to the Zoo Negara 2 days prior for a survey. It is important so that I could become more familiarised with the place.

On the field trip day, we firstly had our breakfast at the school canteen with the delicious fried noodles and hot tea. The bus leaves the school compound at 8.00 am and arrived at the zoo around 9.00 am. When we tried to purchase the tickets, the online system was down, so the zoo management issued traditional receipt instead of the wristbands. The entrance fee was RM11 for school students and RM16 for teachers. These fees included the pass to observed the panda. 

After giving a short briefing to the teachers and students, each group went separately to the specified animals. The animals for my groups (four groups of them) were quite far from others, so we need to rush up and kept the fast pace at all the time. 

All group gathered at the Kids World at 11.30 am, right before the Animal Show started. After the show, they walked out to the zoo entrance for some snacks and lunch. All students were firstly required to wash their hands with Dettol handwash provided and dried them up using the napkin, also provided. I really put an emphasis on the hygiene aspect because we do not know where these children's hand been to touch. 

After having our meal under the shady trees, we went in back again and headed straight to the Panda Complex. It was quite a big complex which houses 3 famous pandas in Malaysia. We only managed to see the male panda and sadly he was enjoying his napping time. Around 2.30 pm, we went straight to the Musolla to perform our Zuhur prayer before heading back to school at 3.00 pm. And that was the wrap of our field trip.

I had some positive feedbacks from the teachers and the students. Most of them said that though it was a tiring trip but they were really enjoyed the trip and had a great time at the National Zoo. I hoped that I will be able to plan another exciting trip in the future, Insya Allah.  

Done surveying the site

Happy faces of 5 Dinamik

Ready to explore the zoo

Animal show which I had missed because I was busy with the food packs

Hand sanitizing before having our lunch

Photoshoot at Panda complex

Busy taking the information about panda

Zoo Negara: Misson Accomplished!

Ramadan Mubarak

The long awaited month of the year has started today. In the spirit of celebrating the first day of fasting, I had taught my students an English nasheed called "Ramadan Moon",  by Yusuf Islam. The song was quite long and I was afraid that my students cannot sing it properly. But to my amazed, they nailed it!!

Actually I was planning on having a Ramadan Party but due to the time constraint and workloads I just keep that idea for next year. I really want to celebrate this Ramadan season because I want my students to feel the festivities of the month as same as how they felt when celebrating Hari Raya.

After singing the song, I distributed my homemade Ramadhan greeting cards to them and had our photo session. I hope that they can feel the joyfulness of Ramadan by learning from the nasheed itself.

I would also like to wish here,

RAMADHAN AL-MUBARAK

to my family, to all my friends and to all Muslims around the world. May Allah's blessings be with us. Aamiin..

Here is the song, Ramadan Moon

Class Reshuffle

Today all year 5 classes had undergone reshuffling process where the students need to move according to their new classes. At the beginning I was informed that there will be 9 new members that will join our 5 Dinamik class. So, I told the students that whenever new members of 5 Dinamik will be announced, they need to welcome the new members with applause as a welcoming gesture.

But 10 minutes before the reshuffling process started, I received the bad news. I told the students that I am so sorry that there will be some members moving out to other class. It was then when the process began, I soon realised that my students were so frustrated and sad. Even now I am still can  remember their sad faces.

I was sad too because we had so many great moments in the classroom. From English lessons to decorating the classroom. All were great memmories. We transformed our classroom to become the 5 Dinamik space agency, pasting all alien stuffs, hanging solar system on the wall, you name it. We even had planned to have our very own 5 Dinamik field trip to the National Planetarium this year. I am so sad that these kids will never be able to join us.

The parents in my 5 Dinamik group were quite dissapointed as well to see that their children went back home sulky, gloomy, sad and some even crying. Some parents did asked me to just make thier children stay in the 5 Dinamik classroom.

Unfortunately, all the things happened were beyond my control.  No matter how sad we are, life must go on. I hope that these kids will enjoy their time in other classroom. It might be taking some time to adapt, but I know they will survive and enjoy their new classroom. Once again, thank you for the great memories we had in the classroom, children....

Classroom Project 1

Last Tuesday (3rd Feb. 2015) - which was Thaipusam public holiday - my students and I decided to be in school for our very first communal work. The work involved lots of cutting and pasting. As the theme is outer space, I had decided to do a solar system featured wall. We had pasted a row of glitters coated foams, in order to form a sets of planets. It was a quite simple and easy task as the students need to cut the foams into circles of varied sizes..

The kids started working after the briefing session

Cutting and pasting

The kids are alligning the planets into position

Preparing planet earth

Our information board - still empty but it will be filled up soon

Our back side wall - before

Our behind wall - after (just ignore the messed up chairs and desks)

Wordings on our left side wall. Still working on it.

Interior view of our main entrance. I was lucky enough to get the outerspace themed flashcards from Mydin.

Overall, I am satisfied with the work done for this time. Good jobs kid. This would be our very first decoration project. First phase done, five to go. I am expecting to get all the job done by March so that we can focus on other things. Lucky me that I have a bunch of cooperative students and supportive parents that will make all things happened. 

New Project 2015

Hello 2015!

New year, new resolution, new spirit. Alhamdulillah. Lucky me as I got less job scope which means less responsibilities for this year. I am appointed as the class teacher for 5 Dinamik, coordinator for English Language Room (or SAL Room), Head of Lekir House, trainer for school's athletic elite team, school's Red Crescent advisor and coordinator for KSSR Year 5 English.

For the classroom, insyaAllah, I am planning to do the spaceship theme for my year 5 Dinamik. As I am sharing the class with Cikgu Bakri, it would be much suitable to do this theme rather than flowery or fairy tales theme. Still, we have not discussed yet but I think he will just go with the flow. =)

To do a thematic classroom requires some research and detailed thinking as you need to ensure that everything are in line with the theme chosen. Everything should be well synchronised. That is why I spent almost one week going through the internet to look for some ideas and gathered some decoration stuffs.

At this point, I have just finished creating the logo and preparing the decoration stuffs. I am really excited to run this project. May Allah ease everything that I am doing.

This would be the logo for the class. 

Crazy Hat Day

In conjunction with the Children Day celebration, year 4 teachers had organised a program called Crazy Hat Day. Actually I decided to do this activity for my class party, but as year 4 students were not allowed to do the end year party, so I proposed this idea to year 4 teachers. Due to their awesomeness, the teachers agreed to go on with this activity. Lots of hats with different colours, themes, patterns and figures I had seen today. I was actually quite surprised to see parents’ cooperation when it comes to making creative stuffs. I do believed that if teachers put the efforts to do something for their kids, the parents will always be around with their helping hands. Overall, I do appreciate the full support and commitment given by the year 4 teachers. See you in the next year Crazy Hat Day.

Faces of 4 Jed

Me with my kids, 4 Jed

4 Kristal

Creative hats, 4 Jed

4 Jed - one of the winning Crazy Hat

4 Kristal - one of the winning Crazy Hat

4 Kristal - Fruitilicious

Me with 4 Zamrud

Fund-raising for Palestine #2

On Thursday, 17th July 2014, the 4 Jed students had collected $500.00 in total for the Palestine Relief Fund. The solidarity team lead by Shalini Ratna Sabila as the head fund-raiser, had presented the mock cheque to Mr. Hafiz. The fund-raising team members also created a poster with the message "Save Palestine" for the campaign. 

Shalini is observing her team members' work 

Pasting the pictures and photos of children war victim

Placing the photos and Palestinian flag

 Final touch

4 Jade solidarity team for Palestine

The students presenting the mock cheque for the Palestine Relief Fund to Mr. Hafiz.

An interview session with the fund-raisers

Shopping Spree

The long awaited moment has finally arrived. Today the students finally had the opportunity to do their shopping spree. The Jade Shop officially opened for the first time since the Classroom Economy project launched in April.

Among the items sold were stationaries such as pencils, erasers, rulers, sharpeners and colouring pencils which sold at $30 each. The other items such as tumblers, notebooks, pencil case and nursery rhymes book were also sold but at a little higher price. 

The students really enjoyed shopping at the shop. Some of them even surprised that they were able to buy real things with fake money, the Jade Dollar. Most of the students bought stationaries as they were essential items needed in the class. 

In addition, the students were given conversational dialogue to be used during the transactional process. As this was their first time making transaction in English, students were seen a little bit shy when conversing among themselves. 

At the end of the day, the Jade Shop managed to collect $620.00 for the sales. 

Jade Shop signage welcoming the customers.

The cashiers busy preparing to open the shop

Stationaries sold at $30 each

Among the other items sold.

A student is choosing some items to be bought

A student is making a transaction

Committed cashiers welcoming the customers with their smiles

The shop is closed

The students are helping to put things back into order

The boys are shopping at the Jade Shop

The customers are busy shopping at the Jade Shop

The cashiers are counting the money collected from the sale