Hi everyone,
Glad to see we had interesting takeaways from the Excel Fest. Let's see how we can apply these takeaways in our lessons to make it more meaningful for the pupils. The bit which Jaz went for focused on the usefulness of recycling - encouraging our pupils to hone their creative talents to think out of the box to produce something meaningful. For the fish spa... interesting... can't imagine somone eating off my foot! For me, it's about seeing how we make learning more meaningful for our pupils and how we can tap on their other talents to get them enthusiastic about learning. Someone must have found out about that fish spa to be able to introduce it in the first place.
The sharing by the various teacehrs yesterday was also useful for us. We mentioned how we can tap on the idea of a moot board and take photos of this year's props for our Sec 1 Singapore Legends so that next year's pupils can add value to what the current batch has produced. Also about how we should acknowledge our pupils - saying thank you - and most importantly about how we should set the tone right before starting our lessons.At the same time may I take this opportunity to once again thank Caroline for her excellent sharing yesterday during PD session. Thanks Caroline!
I think the Humanities Times discussion today is interesting. We talked about the teacher who did not help his pupils during the earthquake and how he was later sacked for the comments he made after that. We mentioned about the roles we play as an educator in ensuring the safety of our pupils and whether the actions of the teacher was right. Also about the experiences we had when we see people in distress in Singapore. Hope it got us thinking...
Had a good time just now. Have a good weekend ahead :)
Azlinda
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Excel Fest Takeaway by Siva
Hi,
Trevor and myself attended a sharing session by Hai Seng Catholic School which was conducted by the Science department of the school.well, the presentation showcased their environmental related project which emphasizes on preservation of our environment. It was very exciting experience in which we were exposed to the school's efforts in conservation of the environment with programs such wonderful gardens with a touch of creativity and the innovative approach taken in creating evironmental friendly products via extensive research done by the students.
Overall, it was a a great experience.
Trevor and myself attended a sharing session by Hai Seng Catholic School which was conducted by the Science department of the school.well, the presentation showcased their environmental related project which emphasizes on preservation of our environment. It was very exciting experience in which we were exposed to the school's efforts in conservation of the environment with programs such wonderful gardens with a touch of creativity and the innovative approach taken in creating evironmental friendly products via extensive research done by the students.
Overall, it was a a great experience.
Hai Sing Catholic experience by Trevor
My main takeaway will be the idea of setting up greenery all over the school. The idea of fish spa is also very interesting. The students also came up with perfumes. I was impressed that the students were able to come up with these ideas. Another interesting fact was that they cultivated orchids to tie in with the national education. Vey impressive programme more suited to be shared with the science department.
Hai Sing sharing on greening of their school by Caroline
What struck me most was the greening of their St Mark's block which had always been 'blessed' with afternoon sun in abundance. Despite adding curtains and increasing the number of fans, the situation did not change for the better. Eventually, the solution came when they put pots of palms along the corridors that not only provided shade but increased the supply of oxygen ( helps keep kids and teachers awake? ;D )
The fish spa was also another innovative way to bring out the entrepneurial skills of the students.
The fish spa was also another innovative way to bring out the entrepneurial skills of the students.
Experimental Music by Jaz
Hi,
I attended the sharing by Singapore Polytechnic (I think) on music. The session was very engaging and interesting. 3 poly students and the lecturer performed by using "home-made" musical instruments. During the session, all the participants were divided into six groups. Each members chose an "instrument" which was a "junk", such as pots and pans, a fan cover, a trophy. The group's task is to perform a piece of music using their instruments. The most interesting part is the different ways you can produce different types of sound from the same piece of instrument.
I attended the sharing by Singapore Polytechnic (I think) on music. The session was very engaging and interesting. 3 poly students and the lecturer performed by using "home-made" musical instruments. During the session, all the participants were divided into six groups. Each members chose an "instrument" which was a "junk", such as pots and pans, a fan cover, a trophy. The group's task is to perform a piece of music using their instruments. The most interesting part is the different ways you can produce different types of sound from the same piece of instrument.
My takeaway from the Excel Fest
Hi guys,
How was your experience at the MOE Excel Fest recently? For me, the main attraction was the experience I had when I visited the booth by Telok Kurau Secondary. I had a manicure (is that what you call it? the one where they shape the nails, then did something to it and finally buff it?) done by the pupils and managed to talk to them and a teacher while waiting for the manicure to be done.
This is a programme for the Normal Technical pupils. The pupils who did my nail told me that the programme was conducted within curriculum hours. The girls learn this while the boys learn about haircut. At the end of the course, they are certified hairstylist and beauticians. I think it's an excellent learning experience for the pupils. The takeaway is practical and some may even realise a talent they may not have discovered if they are not given that experience. As it was exciting, learning becomes engaging and meaningful. I felt that it was a fruitful experience for the pupils.
My takeaway for our pupils? I feel that if we bring meaning to what they are learning, they will be more enthusiastic and engaged. Thus, I got to constantly revisit the practicality of the humanities education with pupils - how they are learning skills to help them become more discerning individuals. This is useful no matter what field they are working in in future. By telling them the usefulness on life, we can get them to be more enthusiastic in learning.
What about your experience?
Azlinda
How was your experience at the MOE Excel Fest recently? For me, the main attraction was the experience I had when I visited the booth by Telok Kurau Secondary. I had a manicure (is that what you call it? the one where they shape the nails, then did something to it and finally buff it?) done by the pupils and managed to talk to them and a teacher while waiting for the manicure to be done.
This is a programme for the Normal Technical pupils. The pupils who did my nail told me that the programme was conducted within curriculum hours. The girls learn this while the boys learn about haircut. At the end of the course, they are certified hairstylist and beauticians. I think it's an excellent learning experience for the pupils. The takeaway is practical and some may even realise a talent they may not have discovered if they are not given that experience. As it was exciting, learning becomes engaging and meaningful. I felt that it was a fruitful experience for the pupils.
My takeaway for our pupils? I feel that if we bring meaning to what they are learning, they will be more enthusiastic and engaged. Thus, I got to constantly revisit the practicality of the humanities education with pupils - how they are learning skills to help them become more discerning individuals. This is useful no matter what field they are working in in future. By telling them the usefulness on life, we can get them to be more enthusiastic in learning.
What about your experience?
Azlinda
Monday, May 5, 2008
Updates from Coffee Talk 0505
Hi everyone,
Firstly let me welcome back Jaz to the team. Nice to have you back :)
Also, I'd like to thank Azlan for last week's Humanities Times and Ashley for this week's Humanities Times. Think it's been progressing well thus far. Thanks a lot guys.
We covered the folowing points in our Coffee Talk this week:
1. Homework must be given to pupils at the end of each lesson. This homework must be recorded in the pupils handbook. Also, it is to be reflected in our reflection that we submit via the Professional Devt File.
2. Pupils should be in proper school attire when they come to school - be it Saturdays or weekdays. They can be in a school-based t-shirt. Shorts should be the school shorts. If in doubt, they should wear the school skirt/pants.
3. We also mentioned about the things to do for pupils should they not do well for the examination.
4. Ashley went through the Major Project 2 for the Sec 1s. If in doubt, please go to her for clarification.
5. We also discussed things to tell the pupils when they are preparing to sit for the CH examination through the Humanities times. Please go through with the pupils during your lessons.
6. I have updated the following ESSS as our department submission: Implementing of Humanities Times for Reflection, Peer observation form for Humanities Department, Using a booking booklet for efficient utilisation of department laptop, development of huamntieis teacehrs portfolio and 5 minutes preparation to 50 minutes successful lesson. So... we have 5 ESSS submissions as a separtment thus far.
Have a good week ahead.
Azlinda
Firstly let me welcome back Jaz to the team. Nice to have you back :)
Also, I'd like to thank Azlan for last week's Humanities Times and Ashley for this week's Humanities Times. Think it's been progressing well thus far. Thanks a lot guys.
We covered the folowing points in our Coffee Talk this week:
1. Homework must be given to pupils at the end of each lesson. This homework must be recorded in the pupils handbook. Also, it is to be reflected in our reflection that we submit via the Professional Devt File.
2. Pupils should be in proper school attire when they come to school - be it Saturdays or weekdays. They can be in a school-based t-shirt. Shorts should be the school shorts. If in doubt, they should wear the school skirt/pants.
3. We also mentioned about the things to do for pupils should they not do well for the examination.
4. Ashley went through the Major Project 2 for the Sec 1s. If in doubt, please go to her for clarification.
5. We also discussed things to tell the pupils when they are preparing to sit for the CH examination through the Humanities times. Please go through with the pupils during your lessons.
6. I have updated the following ESSS as our department submission: Implementing of Humanities Times for Reflection, Peer observation form for Humanities Department, Using a booking booklet for efficient utilisation of department laptop, development of huamntieis teacehrs portfolio and 5 minutes preparation to 50 minutes successful lesson. So... we have 5 ESSS submissions as a separtment thus far.
Have a good week ahead.
Azlinda
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