Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Hi !

It has been quite a while since I wrote.

I have been terribly busy with school work.

Primary 6^Commitment(2008) did well for their
P.S.L.E. I am really proud of them. I hope they are enjoying
themselves in Secondary school.

Some did visit me in January this year. They looked so
grown up. I am glad that I was given the opportunity to be part of their lives.

They must be busy with school work!

I have a new class this year. I have to set new
rules, throw away my expectations as these
pupils don't know me.

I need to go now, will write more.

noor written at 10:51 AM * any comment?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Hi it has been quite a while since I posted on the blog.

Just wanted to share what I did in class and thus far
has been quite successful. I dare not say it is very successful
because I have not read the students essays.

The Curriculum Cycle was first introduced to Singapore when
MOE introduced the 2001 EL Syllabus. It is based on Halliday's
theory of Functional Grammar. According to Halliday, language
is learnt based on its function/s. There is a Theme, Rheme and
Subject Complement/ Object and Direct Object in a sentence.
According to him, if learners know the function of the different
part of the language, they would understand better.

Let's get back to Curiculum Cycle. It was started by Beverly
Deriawanka (an Australian). She developed an improvised
version of Halliday's Functional Grammar. Like Halliday, Beverly
also believed that in learning a language, learners need to know its
function/s. She came up with a simplified version of Functional
Grammar and this is taught through the Curriculum Cycle.

There are 3 main Phases of Curriculum Cycle :
a. Exploring the genre
b. Joint Construction of the text
c. Independent Construction of the text.

Unlike Halliday, Deriawanka believed that learning the language
can be further enhanced through text types. Each text type has
its features and grammatical structures. In total there are 8 text
types.

Enough of theories... I introduced to the students the features and
grammatical structures of a narrative. Gave them examples to look at.
In the 1st phase of Curriculum Cycle...
Teachers are supposed to get the students to know the genre through
watching a video. I showed my pupils a short video on 'youtube'...
together students identified the structure of a narrative based on the picture.
Students then write out the story.

Students enjoyed it. They had never thought that an advertisement has
any educational value. I will continue about what I have taught my kids
tomorrow... I am feeling sleepy. I will sleep now because I need to be up
in an hours time to prepare for school.

Adious....

noor written at 4:30 AM * any comment?

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Hi all!

Trip to Perth was great. Achieved the objective of the trip.
However, I felt it could be better.
In my opinion, the students really need to be more pro-active
in their approach towards learning.

Students need to ask more questions so that they would know more
and not just accept what is told to them.

I guess for the students to achieve this... it would take alot of time, effort
and exposure on the part of the teacher and students.

As a teacher, I realised... students need constant reminders and encouragement.
Modelling to them on how to behave is pivotal. Many a times, it is not that the students
don't want to but more they do not know how to. I truly believe that as teachers it is important
to model and not assume that students know how and what to do in different situations.

I will be posting some pictures later. Got to go now!

noor written at 1:05 AM * any comment?

Sunday, November 25, 2007

It is me again!

Tonight at about ten thirty, will be leaving for Perth.

I will be bringing 26 pupils to Perth. It is a trip that promises
lots of fun.

I had packed my bags to the brim with lots of first aid stuff...
Ironed Adam's clothes and Shaheed's uniform.

I am in between cleaning the house and getting ready.

I have to go now! Will write soon about Perth!

noor written at 1:59 AM * any comment?

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Hi there!!

The examinations are finally over for me.

That's a big weight off my small shoulders.
Managed to answer the questions:)
Happy that what I studied is being tested.

Going to spend the next few days shopping... eating and
catching up on lost sleep!

Down with bad flu. Going to see the doctor and get some
medication.

Life is great... after the examinations.

Chiao!

noor written at 5:22 PM * any comment? Today, is the last day of the examinations.

I have woken up slightly earlier to prepare myself for
the examination. Get the books ready, files and stationery.

I am nervous as well as excited. Nervous for the exam...
The paper that I will be sitting for is Language Testing.
This particular lecturer is quite fond of setting difficult
questions. Have not idea what he would test us.

What I know is...
There will be a total of 4 questions.
Section A : One question on testing of receptive and another question on testing of
productive skills.

Section B : One question on Item Analysis and one question on Alternative Assessment

I have read and studied for the examinations. I am just worried I cannot answer the
question...


Well... let's look on the bright side of life... It is the last paper. As of 12noon today...
I will be free as a bird. I will go shopping, trim my brows and maybe cut my hair.
I am so looking forward to it. Have not been shopping for the last two months.... so sad.

It is a time of awakening and shopping and more shopping.

All the best to me today! May the force be with me!
Chiao

noor written at 6:03 AM * any comment?

Friday, November 16, 2007

Today marks the end of 5 examinations that I have to sit for.

The feeling is euphoric. Imagine having to sit through 3 examinations in a week!
That's something.

I am only left with Language Testing exams on Wednesday.
On Monday, is my Media Assignment presentation.

I am down with flu today, supposed to meet Christine to do the assignment(Language Testing). I did not go. I still have to do the assignment at my own time and pace. Resting in
between.

I am waiting for the other laptop to be ready, meanwhile I am writing on the blog.
I have to go now or else... I won't be able to finish the assignment and study for my exams.

Chiao!


noor written at 7:25 PM * any comment?

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

In completing the survey,

You need to write down your name, school and trainer.

For the trainer, write... IM Innovations.

noor written at 8:08 PM * any comment? This message is for my ICT Club members.

Please go to the link provided on my blog and complete the
survey as soon as possible.

Once you have done the survey please tag on my tagboard
to confirm that you have done the survey, write your real names. Please take this
seriously! Do not give answers that doesn't reflect well on the school.

For those of you who intend no to do the survey.
I suggest you re-think.

The website is;

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KOBY_2f16sq1XZejZ2WW_2bVGQ_3d_3d

You can click on the link to go to the website.
Thank you. I should be getting 20 tags from the ICT club members.
Looking forward to see your names.

noor written at 7:58 PM * any comment? Hi there! Thank you for all your prayers...

I am half-way through the examinations.
Preparing for another examination this Friday.

At the same time, trying to finish my media assignment
which is due on Thursday. How will I manage?
I don't really know. What I know is to count my blessings
and give my best.

I am half-way through the media assignment. I should finish latest
by tomorrow morning. After that I will study for Language Methodology.

Don't have a clue on what to do and study for Methodology. I guess... have to
read all the approaches to the four skills. Hope for the best and try to be compose.

Actually the Curriculum examinations, really taught me alot. As a result of that,
I am better able to manage my time for the exam.

At this point of time, I think I would like to thank all my friends from Singapore
who is doing the Post-Graduate In Applied Linguistics, people like.. Bee Ling, Geetha,
Christine, Sarah and Irene. You have beeen a great bunch!

By the way, to the Graduating Class of 2007 this year...
I wish you all the best. I am sorry that I won't be able to make it
for your graduation tomorrow. I wish all of you all the best for the
future and God Bless You!

I have to go now! Will try to write soon!

noor written at 12:07 AM * any comment?