This will be a very short post because I'm currently rushing for something else.
The homework for this long weekend (because of Youth Day) are:
Decimals Homework
They need to draw out a "model" of the 5 decimals I gave them (0.51, 0.19, 0.77, 0.85, 0.46)
They need to differentiate the hundredths and the tenths
Some students were facing some difficulty in this, so I hope the parents can understand and be more patient with the children as they try to understand this. I will be bringing in some things for them to play and learn about hundredths and tenths.
For creative students, they can attempt to create a picture.
An example for a decimal 0.15 would be:
Tables and Graphs Topical Worksheet
For their revision on the topic of Tables and Graphs
That's all for now. Will post another one soon today.
Emotional rollercoaster would be a way to describe mine.
Anyway, here's the gist of the short day today.
Gist of Today
We did some admin things in the morning and started on our DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) program.
To the kids, please get the books exchanged before I come in, so that you have more reading time.
Please also help to remind your friends who are not reading. Let's help each other to learn and be better people. :)
We went through the annotation and discussed the story and how to write a sub-note beside each paragraph
To parents, annotation is a strategy that Primary 6 children are applying and I've decided to start it when they're young so that its easier for them to follow through. You'd be glad to know that our class has the highest number of passes for comprehension for the whole level.
You can ask your children about the 4 step approach to Comprehension With A Partner
1. Do annotations quietly. They must be constantly asking themselves questions like,
"Who is this character?"
"Why did she do this?"
"Why did she do that?"
"So how does these things connect?"
These questions actually help the children to really understand what the story is about.
2. Discuss the questions with their friend. If their friends speak the same mother-tongue, I would advise them to tell their friend in their mother-tongue. Strange you say? Well, these children speak in their mother-tongue more than English, probably even more at home. We can safely say they're more proficient at their mother-tongue. So why not tap into that? Furthermore, learning is always about tapping from prior knowledge, things that they already know. So this is how I'm doing it. It's definitely a plus point if they disagree: they would try to understand each other and from that, they become closer to understanding the question.
3. Discuss with a friend the answer. If they disagree, they shouldn't say things like "Oie! You stupid la!" but "I'm sorry, but I disagree. I think..." This helps the kids to fight less and be more focused in their work. Disagreement isn't always bad because it helps them form meaning of the answer/question.
4. Share the answer and write the same answer. Some parents may say: "Wah! Why are you teaching my child to copy!??" I'm not. The reason is because when they share an answer, they feel more ownership that they share the same answer and agree on something mutually. Plus, it's interesting to see when they compare answers with other pairs and start to disagree! :)
I then gave the class a break and showed them a book on Fonts. Just a book on the many design of Fonts for their reading interesting and an award if they finish their work early. You might say "What if the child just rushes through the work??" Don't worry. Because of the 4 step approach, they're more busy arguing about their answer than about the book. Why do I say this? Because no one was busy with the book until much later and if I suspect anyone rushing their work, I'll check their books.
I then gave them homework of comprehension to do alone. I'm gonna ask them the difference between doing a comprehension alone and with a friend tomorrow. :)
Ok. Now to serious class stuff:
Due Tomorrow: Homework and Consent Forms
Bring consent forms: those who forgot their NKF and Lesson Study CFs and the remedial and focus group CF
Maths Revision Homework: I gave yesterday and is due tomorrow
1-WAD books: Children are to get a new exercise book by tomorrow or next tuesday
Bring English and Mathematics Files: We need to refile and ensure the worksheets are properly filed
Maths Topical Worksheets: I've briefed this in class
English Reading Comprehension Booklet 2: Worksheet 1
Survey and Online Blogging @ Lead.com
Computer and Online Consent
If I may request parents who disallow their children to use the computer to allow them to. I know you are worried that they might waste time playing computer games, but as I give them more online work to get them more engaged (i realize many of the students in the class are IT savvy), we should trust them to do the work I've given them. As we trust our kids, hopefully they will enjoy learning more and have a stronger bond between parent and child. :)
- Optional* Online Blogging: My CCM Experience @ Chinatown / Kampong Glam
Remember the other consent forms!
- CHANGED DATE English Lesson Study - Creative Writing (ignore the previous one)
- Focus Group Consent Forms
- Thermometers for tomorrow's temperature checking
*Note to Parents:
There are some students who have not given me the consent forms. Please make sure your child gives you the consent form for your acknowledgement.
Some students have not given me their English and Mathematics Workbooks. If the books are not available at the school bookshop, then I would suggest to go to Popular to purchase them. In the meantime, I can only make photocopies and make the child do the worksheet again once they get their books, as a practice.
Children must also remember to bring their Mental Sums books by this week.
Lesson today
Today for English, we learnt about cranes, a type of migratory birds. First, we closed our eyes and relaxed. Imagined ourselves sitting on a bench. Then suddenly we heard wings flapping. We looked up and saw a big white bird who was gliding and flapping its wings.
Mr. Farhan asked us to open our eyes and we saw this video (someone said "Wah! Like magic!" Hehe.. ^_^)
Then we learnt something interesting!
The birds were actually flying in a pattern! And we also learnt the reason why! They do this to conserve energy! And they actually take turns too!
We also learnt that they migrate because of the lack of food during winter. In the video above, they actually visit a cornfield and help the farmer eat the waste corn. We learnt that sometimes animals and humans can actually help each other. :)
Then due to popular demand, we watched a video on termites. And we learnt a lot of things too! Like the abdomen of the termite queen is 4 inches / 10 cm long! WOAH!
Mr Farhan was a bit hesitant at first, but he gave in because at least his students were interested in learning about something. ^_^ (Hmm.. Shall we do a mini project about animals and how they live? You can choose the animal. Sounds interesting right? Let's do an online poll! Check out on your lead.com under Assignments on the left panel)
According to the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract theory, we moved on to Pictorial and discussed the answers I gave the children for homework (Maths Textbook Pages 8-12). Some of them did not know how to do some pages and I'm glad that after the discussion, these children learnt how to see the relationship between the pictures of bars and pies.
Some students unfortunately did not do the homework. Our class has an honesty policy and I have a good rapport with the children that they do tell me the truth, but whenever they aren't honest, I do tell them I'm disappointed because I'm fine if they tell me truth that they don't know how to do it, but they must show some effort. If they have absolutely no idea, then it simply means they haven't being paying attention during the previous lesson! Then it's definitely their loss and this is what I try to drive to them.
I then gave them the worksheets for them to complete. Since it was a simple task, they completed quickly in class.
Class Administration
I showed the class the new timetable and asked them to change it within their own because to my knowledge, the children would copy their timetable in their student handbook. But since some of them have told me whether they could have a copy, I will be giving them a copy tomorrow.
Along with the copy, I will give those who are involved in the Focus Group and Remedial Sessions their consent form.
On the topic of consent forms, there will be change in the date for the Lesson Study. It will be pushed forward to the 13th of July. I will also give this to the children.
Class Photos
I have also given the children their class photos. I have paid for some of the students and they still owe me some money.
Consent Forms
I collected the 2 consent forms given yesterday: NKF and Lesson Study. There are some student who have not returned me the return slips.
Sorry for the late entry. Hope some of you remember what we went through today~
Lesson
Revision of Fractions:
Super shortcut method
36 / 4 = 9 = 36 x (1/4)
36 divided by 4 = 9 = 36 multiplies 1 quarter
Introduction to Decimals
Linked fractions (divided by 10 and multiplies by 1 out of 10 [1/10]) to decimals
1 out of ten = 1/10 = 0.1
5 out of ten = 5/10 = 0.5 = 1/2
Shaded one part out of 10 parts of a model
Used drawers, glass doors and soap bottles to show students concept
Homework
Maths Textbook Pages 8 - 12
A letter to Melissa. She transferred out from the class. :(
Administration
Some students did not bring their Maths and English Workbook. Please bring it by tomorrow.
Some students did not bring their Maths Practice Book and English Learning Log. Please bring it tomorrow.
We constantly use these two books for note-taking for their revision and reference while doing their homework. It encourages them to be more independent in their learning.
I have given the students 2 consent forms:
NKF Trip - We will have an excursion to NKF on the 15 July from 2 - 5pm. I would appreciate if a parent would be available to assist me in caring for the children on that day. Many thanks in advance.
English Lesson Study - I will be conducting a lesson study where a new strategy will be tried on the class for the teaching of the English subject. I will require the class to come on the 06 July and stay back from 2 - 3.30pm
Miscellaneous
For the record, I am no longer teaching the class PE. Mr Zhafrie, a relief teacher, will be taking over.
I will be starting on the 1-WAD project soon (next week latest). Might consider getting them a new exercise book since the ELL (English Learning Log) would be for note-taking. Any thoughts?
Will provide a list of those in Focus Group and Remedial Classes by Wednesday.
I will do my best to post this by 3pm everyday so that us parents can check it at work before you come back home.
I will be asking the children for their parents' signature once every fortnight.
Do sms me before 9pm or leave comments here if you have any questions!
I'll post the homework here and any other school letters and/or publications that I have given the children.
For the record, I will be giving back the English Workbook and Mathematics File once every fortnight for your signature, for your checking and acknowledgement.
I'm sure most parents already have my mobile number. Do not hesitate to contact me. Please do so on any day before 9pm (unless of course there is an emergency).
As for the Focus Group, I will be sending out a letter to those who need to attend the Focus Group. Tentatively, the sessions will be on Mondays and Wednesdays while Friday afternoons will still be reserved for remedial sessions.
Your child who is attending the Focus Group sessions may still attend remedial sessions. If you do not wish your child to attend the Focus Group, please inform me.
Announcements for this week:
National Kidney Foundation Excursion on the 15/07/2011
Time will be confirmed soon; Require 1 Parent Volunteer (SMS or call me)
Children will be given a daily mini homework (except Friday)
1 Word A Day: With their English Learning Log, class will be given a word to find its meaning and write a sentence using the word
e.g. Magnanimous (adjective)
Meaning: Very generous and forgiving especially to someone weaker or a rival
Sentence: I think he is a magnanimous person when he helped his opposing player stand up when he fell.
Words will be selected from their spelling list to make them further understand the words from the spelling list
Thank you for reading. I look forward to working with you for this coming Semester.
