Saturday, May 17, 2008

F.I.R.M

Today was another wonderful day at school.
My 1st class for the day was with the P.5 class. The children were all hard at work, working on their project work stuff. Project was concerning the mock scenario of Singapore being able to host the Olympics in the future after the successful attempt with the Youth Olympics.
-Very different atmosphere indeed(:-
So they were discussion, approaching me for help to what possible problems might face if Singapore were to host, what solutions, identifying a prominent problem statement. it's so tempting to just provide them with answers, but decided to just prompt them, get them to think, negotiate with their team mates.
This girl even thought I resembled this actor, Nathanial Ho from Channel 5's En bloc series. So i gave a 'huhh' look and a amusing time confirming that I'm not him and neither a twin brother of his(quite obvious from the surnames)

Took the p.6 classes for P.E today. Having their 1.6 KM Napfa Run. had the opportunity to stand there and to spur them on as they ran even if it was 3 rounds, my my they run really fast.
got some recess break in the staff room, and back to P.4 class.

The whole week has been health check up week, so P6s were taking their jabs & the P4s having their routine checkup. It's a usual thing for everyone to ask " need to take injection ar?" which i reiterate to the P4s that it's the check up that they are going for this time, that will till P6.
Took some time to start learning the names of the girls, know them more personally than just their face. Every child wants to be acknowledge by someone(:
Read to some of the girls a book "Dear Greenpeace" by Simon James while the rest of the girls quietly sitting & talking softly with one another. We were waiting for the boys to come out from check up instead of keeping say, "keep quiet keep quiet". It's a interesting book cos there are envelope flaps in the book itself with notes in there, telling of a story of Emily thinking that there's a whale in her pond and asking Greenpeace the necessary steps of caring for it. Managed to link the book to their assembly talk on protecting the environment on Thursday & sharing a little about what Greenpeace was all about.

Thought I had anther class, which turned out to be a free period for a break. However, I ended outside the library and met 7 P.6 children who didn't take the jab with the class that day, cos one of them was sobbing-fear of the jabs. So I used that time to share tips with them on how to overcome the jab, talk about their school schedule, sooth her a little, distracting the girl from the phobia of needles that she has
Took the book again, this time get them to read!cos P.6s are into the age of having the idea "wanting to come up to speak is embarrassing" so made everyone person read a section of it. the opening the flap of envelopes in the book was quite attractive I must say:p

was great to see them one by one coming up to read even if it's a small section of it.

Had to affirm them especially more for that girl to be brave & off i went to another P.6 class where I did an activity with them.
I manage to have them divide themselves into groups. Their task was to work together to use 10 straws, 1 wire cleaner, 1 piece of given masking tape & a piece of recycled paper to make the tallest & the strongest tower.
Initially they were 'lamenting about i don't want to join this person and that person'. From there the noise lowered and everyone was working on their tower. Lots of creative ideas from everyone, brainstorming to build it, strengthen it. Was a heartening to watch the kids making the effort to work on hands-on stuff, instead of just yelling at one another over simple matters or wandering around should there be nothing to do.
Have to mediate sometimes, for simple scuffles build up to spark off a near outbreak.

The final class was with a P.4 class, which challenging behaviours were many. Had to firm on this one, lots of energy in their bodies to be used. started with a 'pass the message' game before the girls went in for check up. Had to be very firm & know that for every action there is a consequence that Mr Tan has warned you about prior to taking action. Thank God for helping me through(:

But I will only be teaching till next tuesday,informed that they have enough teachers to cover for the rest of the week i guess/:
I miss all the children already.

Thank God for allowing my to come to this school for a relief teaching assignment! though the journey is ending as soon as it started, I enjoyed walking this journey.
Hope as I meet them on Tuesday, I give them an experience that they carry with them even as they move on from primary school.
Shall work planning on a writing activity/team-building game(longest line anyone?) for them to take turns writing 1 word to describe each of their friends&personal notes for each one of them.
praying for ways to carry on the relationship as a mentor in their lives even as I might not see them again
Thank God for the encouragement verse from Galatians 6:9 that Joelle blessed me with(:
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we wil reap a harvest if we do not give up."

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