Category: Teaching

3Rs – Reduce, recycle and reuse

Factual composition is one of the trickiest essays that I have to teach during Latihan Ikhtisas.  Why?  It is based on facts and thus, we cannot add hypothetical information or assumption.  But how to know more about facts around us?  It is through reading.  If you don’t read, there will be little chance for you to encounter the latest facts or findings.  Like the smallest planet is not Pluto.  When I learned about solar system and planets, Pluto was considered as the farthest planet from the sun (the 9th planet in fact).  But, this fact is changed.  Now, Pluto is no longer considered as one of the planets even, but rather known as Dwarf planet (a planetary mass-object that is neither a true planet nor a natural satellite).  So, teaching factual composition demands me to give the students lots of reading materials about nature and whatsnot.  The most common places to find such things are from magazines like National Geographic or Discovery.  I asked around from my colleagues in UTM.  Some of them wanted to “dispose” it from their offices so I use this opportunity to ask for donation (give me the magazines FOC).  Armed with that magazines, I asked the students to read one or two articles before giving them homework on factual composition.

FACTUAL COMPOSITION

Tips and techniques

  1. You have to inform and present facts and ideas in factual compositions. You may have to explain something to the reader.
  2. You cannot get the facts wrong in factual compositions.
  3. Each paragraph must have a distinct topic and all other sentences must factually relate directly to it.  The link words or phrases are important as they help the reader follow the flow of ideas

What can you do to save the environment?  Write your composition not less than 350 words.  

     The world around us is in danger.  The earth faces problems of global warming and massive pollution.  Our rainforests are disappearing. Animals in the rainforests and seas are in danger of extinction.  So are our natural resources.  How can one person save the environment?

    There are many things that we as individuals can do to stop the destruction of the environment.  We should take green steps, that is, change our habits and lifestyles to stop polluting and harming the world around us.  After some contemplation, I know what I can do to contribute towards saving our environment.  I will practice the 3Rs – reduce, recycle and reuse – and the 3Rs will be my dictum in life.  I will not be part of the use-and-throw society.

    First, I can reduce consumption of paper by using handkerchiefs.  This will definitely save many trees.  Every kilogram of paper I do not use can save 2.5 kg of greenhouse gases.  I will also say ‘No’ to plastic bags.  Plastic is not biodegradable.  How many times have we read from the newspapers of fish and turtles being choked to death because of plastic bags?  I will instead carry a cloth bag with me to carry all my shopping.

    As a result, there will be less littering and pollution.  Moreover, I will add to my ‘No’ list of disposables, especially styrofoam and polystyrene.  For takeaways, I will bring my own Tiffin or containers.  This will definitely reduce the amount of rubbish I throw away.  Of course, it can be quite inconvenient but ‘little drops of water make the mighty ocean’.

   Another example of what I can do is to reuse.  I will use paper on both sides, reuse any paper and cards.  I will creatively reuse wrapping paper, ribbons, birthday cards or empty boxes.  Every ton of paper I reuse will save seventeen trees.  I can also do a compost from my kitchen and garden.  Any leftover food and garden trimmings can form insulation and enrich the soil.   Old toothbrushes can be used for cleaning shoes or walls.  To do this alone is difficult, so I will get help of my siblings and the rest of the family.

   Instead of individual effort, it becomes a family or class effort.  It is more effective this way.  For example, if I can convince my fellow friends to separate paper, plastic, metal and glass for recycling, it will really help to reduce the emission of methane.  Still another example is computer recycling.  As we change our computers and other related electronic products quite quickly, we should send them to recycling companies that specialize in such work.  Just throwing them away will cause a major problem of disposal. 

    There seems a lot to be done.  However, if we can do it together, we can make a lot of differences in saving our environment.   [472 words]

Durham will always have a special place in my heart

When I taught essay writing, I always thought about how to engage my students to write essays.  One of the things that I can think of is to give them good and “interesting” examples of essays.  As I browsed various books and magazines to get some ideas before writing the essays, I found myself feeling elevated and yet disappointed at the same time.   I felt enlightened reading some good essays or articles but at the same time I felt there are something missing from the “story”.  So, I ended up to compose some of the essays on my own, based on my own experience and story.  It works!  The students love it!  And at the same time, they get to know me better (a little bit) from reading those essays.  2 in 1.  Teaching content and instill values at the same time.  Attaboy!

DESCRIPTIVE COMPOSITION

Tips and techniques

  1. You are usually asked to describe a person, a place or an event.
  2. There will be no points given to guide your writing unlike Directed Writing composition.
  3. You should be able to write clear and vivid descriptions to help the reader create a mental picture of what is being written.
  4. Describing is an important skill. You will need to describe people, places, scenes in many types of composition.

Write a composition of about 350 words about your favorite place.  

Durham is a small university town which situated at the northeast of England.  As a historical city, it became a centre of pilgrimage in medieval England in the 11th century.  The cathedral and adjacent castle which were built around 11th century was designated as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986.  Durham is a hilly city with steep riverbanks surrounded by densely wooded vegetations.

Other than its religious landmark, Durham is also home to Durham University.  It was founded as the University of Durham in 18th century.  It is claimed to be England’s third oldest university after the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.  Regardless of its splendid reputation, it was not the reason why I chose Durham to further my study for my PhD.

I never knew the existence of Durham University when I was searching for a place to further my study.  One of my friends advised me that when selecting a university for a postgraduate study such as PhD, I should not look at the university’s reputation per se, but also the location where the university is situated.  In this case, reputation alone does not guarantee the best learning environment needed by a postgraduate student.  As a postgraduate student, what I needed most was a learning environment and culture that would help me get through the ups and downs of my PhD journey.

My friend suggested that I should consider Durham University as a place to further my study because Durham is also one of the most picturesque cities in England.  I fell in love with Durham on the very first moment I set my eyes on the university campus, especially the School of Education. I could never thank enough my friend who gave me that advice.

Durham has witnessed various manic episodes of my life especially after my father passed away when I was in my second year of study.  Had the gentleman who rode the bicycle did not stop me when I was contemplating to jump into the River Wear near the St Hilde and Bede college, I might not be alive now and be able to tell my story to my students about the hardship that I had endured as a postgraduate student.

If people ask me why I love Durham and could not help from talking about it countless times, I would just say that Durham is my favorite place and it will always have a special place in my heart as long as I live.  [412 words]

What did I do while undergoing my Latihan Ikhtisas (LI)?_Part 3

When I did my Latihan Ikhtias, I taught form 4 students Directed and Continuous Writing [English class].  For Directed Writing, there are three types of essays: Letter, Article (Report) and Speech.  For letter, there will be divided into formal and informal letters and for article, there will be divided into formal and informal articles.   Formal articles are articles that one writes to give feedback or complain which will be addressed to certain individual.  For informal articles, the articles are for wide range of audiences which one find in magazines or newspaper.  A good example is an article that you can find in school magazine.

For Continuous writing, there are five types of essays: Narrative, Argumentative, Factual, Descriptive and Reflective compositions.

Narrative composition is a story-telling kind of composition.  It has 5 plots: Exposition, Rising action, Climax, Falling action and Resolution.

Argumentative composition is a composition where you state your stance either agree or disagree about something.  A good writer can include the agreement and disagreement in one composition and able to balance both arguments well.  But for novice writers, it is better if one sticks to one side of an argument i.e. either agree or disagree.

Factual composition is based on facts and hard-core reality.  In this case, students must know facts and reality and cannot state hypothetical information or evidences.

If they want to state hypothetical assumption or views, it is when they write reflective composition.   So, the differences between factual and reflective compositions are not much.  One is based on facts and another is based on hypothetical assumptions (as long as it is logical).

Lastly, for descriptive composition, students write either to describe an event, a place or a person.  It is kind of straight forward yet many students struggle in this task.

But I gave them some tips and techniques to differentiate the different compositions and examples of compositions for each type.  Some of the compositions are based on my own experience so, they cannot find it from elsewhere.  It makes my class a bit special because I wrote the examples myself.  No duplication even though I learn the characteristics of each composition by referring to the various books.  Just to make sure my essays are in compliance with the characteristics 😀

 

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop

I wrote this essay when I was teaching form 4 student Narrative Composition [Continuous Writing] back in 2018 [this was the time when I did my Latihan Ikhtisas].  This is based on my own story.  The students were amazed that I use my own life experience to write a short narrative like this as an example that I gave them.  I still remember one of them said this “Teacher, ini cerita pasal Teacher ke?  Wah, Teacher pun tak suka sekolah ni ke dulu?”[Translated: Teacher, is this your story?  Wow, did you also dislike this school?”].  I replied by rolling eyes while saying “Yes, like some of you, I also dislike this school but my mother requested me to stay until I finished form 5.  Now, go back to read this essay again and highlight any word that you don’t understand.  Later on, find the meaning of the words that you don’t understand from the dictionary”

NARRATIVE COMPOSITION

Tips and techniques

  1. A narrative tells a story. The main purpose of a narrative is to explain in a story telling manner.
  2. Know the difference between
Question What it means
i)       Write a story based on

ii)     Write a story beginning with ….

iii)    Write a story ending with ……

 Your story is about …..

You must start your composition with the line(s) given

Your story ends with the line(s) given

 

  1. Sometimes the title of the composition is an idiom or a proverb. Be sure you know its meaning before you start on the composition.
  2. Note the specific structure and language feature of a narrative composition.

Write a story ending with a proverb by Confucius “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop”

    My fists were clenched.  Hurt and angry, I glared at my mother.  She whispered softly, ‘This is the best chance for education, Dear.  Behave yourself’.  I did.  Not because of my mother or any need for studying that I might have stayed at this school.  It was the feeling that I needed to prove that I would never be the black sheep in the family that made me stayed at this school. 

   With three older siblings who were graduates from local and overseas universities and another one was studying at a local university doing Accountancy, I felt pressured to excel in my study too.  I felt hopeless when I could not change to a different school that I wanted that has science stream classes.  I hated myself for being a weakling.

  As the youngest in the family, many might assume that I was the baby in the family and pampered by my family.  It was a far cry from the truth.  I was never being pampered.  In fact, I was consistently compared with my older siblings who were high achievers.  Being a late bloomer, I was never academically high achiever during primary school.  As I started to bloom during my adolescence, I was still struggling to get the kind of excellent grades that my parents could be proud of.  Yet, deep inside my heart I knew that I could become someone that I envision myself to be, rather than someone that anyone would expect me to become. 

   The question was how could I prove to all that I was a good student, a high achiever like my older siblings?  What should I do?  These questions gave me nightmares.  I started to think to find ways to be a better student.  But, I still did not know how to become one. 

  One day, feeling especially sorry for myself, I huddled in a corner and refused to talk to anyone.  After a while, my friends started to avoid me and treat me invisibly.  A senior who saw me sulking muttered ‘Stop wallowing in self-pity’.  With that, I realized that even if I did nothing to change my current situation, I was actually made a decision.  I thought to myself that ‘Decision is not only being made if I do something, it is also being made if I do nothing’. 

   Rather than doing nothing, I decided from then on to study hard and be persistent even though I might make mistakes or fail along the way to be academically high achiever.  Finally, what Confucius once said made sense to me ‘It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop’.            [442 words]

What did I do while undergoing my Latihan Ikhtisas (LI)?_Part 2

I had a blast when I went for my Latihan Ikhtisas last year, even though at first I was thinking about doing a post doc instead.  Why a blast?

After so many years of teaching at university i.e. more than 10 years, I can compare the challenges being a teacher and a lecturer.  Well, I find that teaching at school is not that “challenging” as compared to teaching at university.  I might be bias in this case given a fact that since I am not a real teacher, so I was exempted from doing many of the other things that teachers have to do on daily basis.  For example, I didn’t have to fill in any information at SSDM (Sistem Sahsiah Disiplin Murid).  SSDM is a system to record students good behaviour and misbehaviour.  Yup, it is expected that teachers have to do it on daily basis.  But of course, it is very rarely for them to do it unless they are the discipline teacher or school counselor.  

I was also exempted from managing the “elearning” kind of thing known as Frog VLE.  Why?  ONLY Malaysian teachers, students and parents can use it.   They can register and thus they will have username and password.  I am not a teacher, student nor parent so I can’t create an account.  On top of that, I was also exempted from fill in any information about the students on different system such as PAJSK and such.  So, what did I do at school then other than teaching?

Well, I created lots of exercise worksheets.  You name it. I have it all.  I looked at various sources such as Busyteachers and others.  On top of that I also created some cute posters using Canva (Example: Dueling Proverbs).  I shared with my English panel teachers so we could print it out and posted it on the notice board.  But, cute things don’t last long.  The moment a teacher posted it, it only lasted for few hours.  Sigh

I also wrote some essays as examples of continuous writing compositions.  Some of the essays from my own experience.  So it does make it more real to the students because they can know a little bit about me through the essays.  2 in 1.  Teaching and getting to know me better.  

To be continued…. 

What did I do while undergoing my Latihan Ikhtisas (LI)?_Part 1

Some colleagues have been asking me this question “What did I do at school other than teaching?”  Well, to think back about it, there were so many things that I did.  Most of the things were fun, new and challenging.  I never thought that I would create a mural (I still need to touch up some of the drawings though :D) 

Other than that, I would also never thought that I would harvest pineapple which they planted within the school compound.  At first, we had to pay but if we harvested it ourselves, we could get FOC.  So, armed with a small machete and gloves, I harvested the pineapples while wearing my baju kurung.   I also experienced cooking using wood (so traditional and basic!).  But of course, I was not the one who made the fire.  The fire was already made by the students.  As teachers, we don’t do the dirty works, for obvious reason.  That’s what the students are for!  But as the evaluator [uhuk uhuk judge], we were entrusted with the task to evaluate the students’ survival skills that they have to show during a 2D2N camping such as making fire.  So, we have to let the students “show” their skills to make fire etc.


 

What else?  To be continued….

 

 

UM – Ulang matapelajaran [Translated – Repeating Course]

I had students with the status of UM [Ulang Matapelajaran] before.  But, somehow another I don’t feel any attachment with them so when they fail a course, I don’t hesitate to retain whatever grade given to them.

This time around it is different.  Why?  I have known this student since 2012.  Yup.  We have known each other quite long.  I remember this student in particular because there was a male student in the same cohort who passed away drowning while saving others’ lives.   I have some emotional attachment with this cohort because I just finished my PhD at that time and excited to teach again after so many years of studying.  This class is also special because the students had swimming class before mine so, my class was the perfect time for them to take a rest after physically taxing swimming class.  Well, I tried to do some activities which required them to move around.  They moved around alright but the moment they went back to their seats, their eyes seemed to shut down automatically.  The faculty combined the class with TEASL students.  What a ying-and-yang combination!  Indeed.  

Years passes by quickly and before we know it, I met this student again in my masters class.  I had a quick chat with her after class.  She seemed a bit shy around me. When I asked her if she took my Educational Psychology class in 2012, she sheepishly acknowledged that.  Then, I asked if she was in the same class as the late Miji (only a nickname), her face went pale and gloom.  Without looking at me, she looked down on the floor before replying “Dr still remember Miji?“.  I told her that I normally remember my students’s faces.  It is just that I don’t remember their names.   To lighten up the atmosphere a bit, I asked her if she has settled down.  Looking down at her shoes again, she replied “I am still single, Dr.  I am busy with my work.  Many of my friends have got married.   I further my masters because I want to improve myself as a teacher“.  With a light pat on her hand, I assured her that the time will come for her to settle down.  She told me that she teaches Malay Language now even though she majored in Sport Education.  She is still a sport education teacher though.  So, she has the opportunity to teach what she learned at UTM.  Since that quick chat, I never have any chance to talk to her again. 

When I graded her assignment, I notice that she only took the quiz once and she did not get good marks for the quiz.  She did not get good marks for her final as well.  So, relying on her proposal assignment alone, she got below 60 marks.  To be exact, her final marks are 58/100.  Just a shy away from getting a passing grade.  I crack my head to increase the marks.  I can’t simply increase the marks unnecessarily and without any valid evidence.  I look again the quizzes that I have given them (some are graded and some are not graded).  I notice that she never tried to take the ungraded quiz unlike others.  This makes  me feel sad.  Others took the opportunity to improve their grades by using whatever things that I provide them to the fullest.  I notice that there are several students who took one ungraded quiz more than three times.  Since I don’t give the answer, they have to try as many time as they could until they get the right answer themselves.  So, in this case, they will “force” indirectly to refer to their notes to find the answer.  This is a part of self-regulated learning.  

What should I do with this student?   After all, she is in her 8th semester.  A dilemma indeed.  

A teacher? Or a hero?

I have been thinking about this long time ago since I was doing my masters at IIUM.  I had a chance to be supervised by a great mentor who teaches me about value and ethics.  I learn that from him.  Taking several classes under his tutelage was a privilege that I will cherish for the rest of my life.  I would email him quite regularly when I have qualms about my teaching practice.  I would always get a straight-to-the-face kind of answer.  No filter.  Nothing.  It always serves as a reminder why I am in this profession.  He had retired now.  No email.  Just occasional Whatsapp message.  But, it helps me to feel better when I am feeling blue.  

Now, I am no longer have the privilege to email him like I used to do.  He rarely checks his email.  With a younger wife, he is pretty much preoccupied with his retirement life.  So, I normally will find motivational videos about teaching.  One of my favorites is a TED talk by Rita Pierson.  She passed away not long after giving the TED talk.  To know more about her, this is one of the articles written about why it is important for teachers to know their students better in order to make impact on their lives.