It's fantastic going down memory lane with my primary classmates especially Wong Yew Foon - Mary Wong. Coincidentally in school I am preparing this young boy of mine to do Khalil Gibran's 'On Children' for our upcoming International Day!

This brings back memories of my life from young and of my two girls. Hoping for a bright future for this gifted student.

Teachers Day A day to pamper teachers. James came up and gave me a tiny wrapped gift. After a little while he said, Ms Rosy why wont you open the presents. I replied that I usually open them when I get home. He said, Please can you open mine, because I want to see the expression on your face when you see it. These are the 'wants' of the little ones entrusted in our care.

! Fantastic Experience at the mike on the 34th annual sports day! These are the many experiences teachers get to tryout at SriKL <3 Reminiscent of my school days on the tracks yearly.

Do the honours for the boys!

James is such a good spot too. Today during Math lesson his group was lagging behind. He coaxed Ryan to go out in front and said, 'Do the honors for the boys' Ryan. (such eloquence for his age) The song that was on the kids lips today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yodYEPyyQ2k We were on English Grammar lesson on instructions to make lemonade and James shared this joke with the class. Q: What do you give to a sick lemon? A: Lemon aid!

For induction to Grammar lesson on Singular and Plural nouns I used the above link. Its catchy tune got everyone on their feet. After the grammar song James raised his hand and asked if anyone could tell about compound, concrete, collective and abstract nouns.... His friends were relucta.nt to try I asked him to tell them instead....He explained it very clearly! I was glad that during the quizzes the students were able to go up to the Level 5 and had fun attempting it.

humour

I notice James has a good sense of humor too. We were on an English lesson of 'instructions' to make ice-lolly. The final instruction was to put the ice-lolly mould into the freezer. James raised his hand and said there was something missing in the last instruction. He said it should be 'chuck' the ice-lolly mould into the freezer, much to the laughter of the entire class. Regards, Rosy

FIRST TERM BRIEF OF JAMES LOW 25th January I gave James a newspaper article on Pulau Carey to read and tell me what he understood from it. He could tell me its about the natives who lived in Pulau 'Curry'. 26th January During English Lesson on Punctuation. James raised his hand and said that a common mistake of UPSR students is putting the comma after 'and'in sentences. When asked,he said he watched in on Astro Tutor TV 27th January James was occasionally found to be cutting queue during lunch time. When asked he said that he loved the food so much that he just couldn't wait to have his meal. I reminded him about the importance of queuing in the canteen. 4th March English lesson was on party time. We were discussing about games during party time. He raised his hand and said, 'Allow me to explain how the game is played' He said first place the number of chairs that is ONE less than the number of children who are going to play the game. Next play the music, and when the music is stopped one child will not have a seat and he or she will be out of the game. Then it goes on and one until the last child will be the winner. Group Work During group work James does get frustrated as he seems to get the solution almost at once. He was trying to tell his team mates the correct answer and one of them did not want to listen to his view and James called him a 'knucklehead'. I just couldn't control my laughter as I was observing the group at that time. I had to intervene withholding my laughter.

It's Good Friday and my birthday too! A day to spend with the Lord and be thankful for the many blessings and lessons I have learnt ALL these years <3

I taught James a 'bad word'

Two of my boys in class reported to me that James said a bad word today and it was 'bastard' Perhaps my my interpretation is as bad as my students and I asked if James did say it and he affirmed it and said he hears it in the cartoon all the time! I took out the dictionary and showed his the word and read it out to him. I reminded that he shoue smilld never repeat the word in school. He smiled broadly, At night I get this mail from his sweet mum the following day. Yesterday,as usual he tells me about his day in school and I was shocked when he told me he learnt a new word- 'bastard'. After enquiring him, I got the whole story : ) what he said was actually 'busted'...something he picked up when watching the cartoon 'Phineas and Ferb'. I can imagine you must have had a shock yourself! Haha.... Anyway,i've told him not to say that anymore... : ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvFh9SzRC1Y

January Year 1R James sat with his parents in the first row. It was the kids Yr 1 Orientation Day at SriKL. Teachers and school heads were seated facing them. I noticed James's smiley face and bright eyes, listening to Principal, Dr Tan. When the KP of Year 1 encouraged parents to mark their belongings with a symbol for the child to identify with, James said, "I know what I would mark my belongings". His mother held his hand to quieten him. I thought to myself, "I wish I have this boy in my class", he's indeed a character. While the respective teachers were calling out their student, I asked James if he knew which class he was going to. He replied, "I don't know". When I called my students and yes,indeed he was my student to nurture and care.

Its the holidays Spend a day with Philo in Klang. BBQ was good and time to catch up with the family. Even had time to relax to a pedicure treat by my sweet sister Philo. Counted blessings from the Almighty above for the sister bond. Hope it remains with my darling daughters too!

Hair stylist makes our day! First day of 1st Semester Break Marcia and I went to the hair saloon! Never met a guy so funny and his antics changed the day for Marcia and Me. Swaggerific daughter Marcia Have a good break!!!

End of Semester 1 for 1R 2012 Great Day - PTC What made my day? 1. You did your work professionally today! 2. Ex student running up with mom to show that she got first position in Yr 2. 3. Superior saying that she wanted to visit my class but couldnt make it as she was held up in Yr 2 and 3. Targets were made for the kids for the 2nd semester. Now a little time to spend with amma and complete an essay of 500 words for my British Council lecturer. Education never ends!

The year it was ......... me and my 1R

My kids are amazing!

I did an evaluation on my last week of school and I am happy AND I will make some amendments to the kids desires for 2012.

I was given three dyslexic boys in my class. During the course of the year another student went for testing and was confirmed as dyslexic too!

Three of them going for remedial classes immersed into the mainstream gradually.

My only concern was the fourth one -
whose mum who is also a teacher seems to be dyslexic herself - hereditary!
The methods she's been using and thinks BEST for him BUT its not working ;o(

Que sera sera

My Dearest Acha

My 30th Day Eulogy!

I remember acha for his warmth, strength, humour and wisdom.

Early Years
During my early years I remember acha enrolling us to English School Kulai as we arrived from India. He made sure we had tuition classes to catch up on our English, Math and BM. He was concerned that we behaved well during tuition classes. I remember whilst at Kulai Besar the four of us, chachi, kochai and Jopi were a bit loud and noisy towards the end of a tuition class and didn’t realise that acha was observing us at a distance when he came to pick us home. You guessed it; we got a mouth lashing when we got home.


Our home the 'half-way house' between Spore and KL

When guests came to the house we were to be seen and not heard. He would call us one by one to introduce us to his relatives or friends! I dreaded this very much. It was embarrassing because some of them would make some remarks, like whom I resemble etc. The guest were really lucky as acha would slaughter chickens and amma would cook ‘kari ayam kampung’. They would also be served ‘ubi kayu’ which we planted at the backyard. We reared chicken, turkeys, duck and planted greens, tapioca and curry leaves. Turkey was saved for Christmas night yearly! When I took up Agricultural Science in Form 4, I started planting long beans, ladies fingers and four angled beans.

'Merdeka'

At Midlands and Kulai Oil Palm I remember the many annual Merdeka Sports Days. Acha’s staff looked forward to the event. He treated all his staff well. They would request that I take part alongside them. Acha was proud of my athletic ability. I remember once he even allowed me to travel on the back of a lorry home with his staff. The journey was from Kulai Oil Palm to Midlands. That was an experience I relish to this day.

Hari Raya Puasa

I remember the Hari Raya Puasa delivery of the wide array of homemade ‘kuih muih’ by his staff. Acha will reciprocate with a lavish Christmas dinner which they looked forward too! He would also get Amma to pack our Malayalee cakes for them to take home to their families. The staff would also gladly help us cut branches of a Christmas tree to make a ‘natural’ Christmas Tree for us to decorate in our hall every year!

Pray, pray, pray!

Acha implanted in us that prayer was an integral part of our family life. Back then we had our evening ‘Angelus’ and daily night prayers. Prayer time was stretched longer if it was a special month dedicated to Mary or a special saint! We had strong knees then! The evenings were spent making the garlands for the holy pics. Usually Jopi and I would team up to pluck the flowers from the garden to do it. I remember the numerous yearly trips, novenas Acha has taken me prior to the LCE and MCE exams. The churches include St Jospeh’s church and OLP in Singapore, SFX at Melaka and St. Theresa at Masai too! Acha encouraged us to take part in church activities while we were young like YCS and convent retreats. Upon retiring he did not volunteer to do church work as he believed that some people who worked in the church were not truthful and he did not want to be part of it.

PTC

I remember Acha coming for one of my school’s first PTC. His update to his friends who also came for their kids PTC was…”the teacher called me all the way to just have a friendly chat”. Ms Quek my teacher said positive things about me and all she said was all that he already knew about his daughter! From that year on NO more PTC attendance by acha…hehe...Lucky me!

Reading is endless!

He inculcated in me the habit of reading newspapers and even subscribed to the Malay daily to improve our Bahasa when a credit was compulsory for a full cert. He was an avid football fan cum player during his younger days. His interest was infectious and we all took to the sport. We could play football or train in our neighbourhood. He kept abreast of his favourite game till his last days.

Watching over his brood

Acha was protective of his daughters and did not encourage us to pursue our studies abroad. He was more liberal towards his sons, be it education abroad or marriage. He changed with the time and mindset evolved...cool! He was compassionate to his grandchildren and pampered them. His happiest moments were with his family, relatives and friends.

Health

His age and health took a toll on him two years ago. Philo and I became Florence Nightingales to him for a brief time. Then came along Chenney from Cambodia (god sent) who took over from us timely. Perhaps, Acha would not have savoured all his favourite food during his last days, I know back in his mind he knows it
would do more harm than good if he consumes more of it. We were being cruel to be kind to him!


Last day
On my last visit and day with Acha, he was indeed frail. He lifted his hand and smiled broadly. He did not speak much but lifted his hand to reach out to me as Chenney and I cleaned him that morning. Upon reaching home to Subang Jaya, I called Philo and updated her of Acha's condition. Immediately she suggested that we both became Florence Nightingales during November Year end holidays. My reply was ' I don't think he can hold on any longer'

Till we meet again

I now wish Acha a peaceful time with his creator.

Till we mee again, I love you always Acha!

Sutha mole 24th October 2011.

The media team of the musical Hansel and Gretel

Friend did read my blog so time for an long overdue update

Its Yr 1 in 2011 and 7 months with my little ones now.

Has been enriching teaching English, Maths and providing Humanities and Moral assistance in class.

Kids are growing intellectually and physically no doubt.

Was pleased to be appointed in the Media Team during our Drama Musical Hansel and Gretel.

Personally awaiting to complete my last 2 modules for CIDTT

Learning is endless

To be an effective teacher:


Getting to know Guru of Instructional Design - Gagne

Still thinking of Piaget, Howard Gardner, Skinner?

school days

Getting to know kids
Working to identify weaknesses and strengths
seeing them grow!
Laughing with them
Loving and accepting them as they are!!!!