SKKB Hosts Southern Thai Delegation of Teachers and Educators 25/8

SK Kampong Berangan is real active school with a great bunch of teachers. Leading the helm is Sir Rusli, who has history of cooperating with many schools throughout Thailand. SKKB was visited by the primary teachers, while the high school teachers went to SMK Ismail. Each group was given a tour of some the innovating programmes from the Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM). The Thai teachers were very interested the Doctor Mudah and Frog programmes. Around 12, the other group of high school teachers joined their primary counterparts in a big assembly.

SKKB is a shining example of cooperation, frequently we work side by side in various programmes for betterment of the students. I was fortunate that TELL2 programme was the third programme showcased at the event. However, it was brief articulation of this exciting effort my colleagues and I are dedicated to during the combined assembly. We were warmly received by our Thai counterparts and then treated to a couple cultural displays by various schools around Pair Puteh.

It was a positive event. Many new ideas and conversations were exchanged between the bilateral group of teachers. The kids' performances were breathless and colourful.  The lunch was fantastic. It was a constructive event and a precursor for the upcoming Chestnut Carnival.  Stay Tuned!

MTPs from SK Banggol Pa'Esah- An Amazing Presentation

Last Tuesday (19/8), I was bedazzled by the quality and professionalism by two schools MTPs' presentations.  SKP went first and SKBPE followed with a strong finish.  T. Mohasnizam, T. Asisiah, T. Nor Azizah and T. Noor Adzura astonished their peers with Phonic Spoons.  Phonic Spoons are easy to make and highly effective for teaching Key Stage 1 learners pronunciation.  The game included both short and long vowels in form of vowel pairs. The purpose of the game is not to produce sensical words, but to compel participants to apply a phonics approach when reading words.

The Phonic Spoons yields multiple varieties of words for beginning learners to practice phonics in a fun and competitive manner. This is how it works. Start by making vowel spoons in blue {a,e,i,o,u (short vowels) and long vowels (ai, ea, ee, oa, oo, ou)}. Next, make consonants spoons in two colours: first letter position orange and last letter position green. If you pronounce the word correct, remove one spoon and collect.  Next person reads new word, if correct collect, if not pass. Their first-class presentation contained a power point, a video (When Two Vowels Go Walking), presentation and demonstration. The room boomed with phonics and laughter as the 6 groups of teachers played the game. Astounding job, keep up the great work! Screenshots of their ppt presentation are provided below:

MTPs from SK Panggong- An Impressive Presentation

On Tuesday 19th, August at the Old PPD in Pasir Puteh, the MTPs from SKP knocked the socks off of everyone with their presentation. They presented an idea in a very professional and thorough manner. T. Rosilamaton, T. Zailina and T. Zuriana started to engage the crowd and grab there attention by first distributing one balloon to each of the 6 groups of teachers. Each group was instructed to pop the balloon, low and behold one ballon contained a chip that entitled the group to an edible prize.

After galvanising the crowd, they presented how to make and use a fun classroom game Phonics Lotto. It is a bingo type game using short vowels. The presentation well received by their peers and a few requested to keep the teaching aides. However, everyone was directed to our google drive file to download and print for themselves. Fantastic job teachers, keep up the good work.  Screenshots of their ppt presentation are provided below:

SKBA Book Mid-Contest Story Time And Bookmarks Give Away

SKBA and the great teachers there were busy last week to mark the midpoint of their successful Book Contest in conjunction with the existing Nilam programme. My focus groups Years 1-3 listened to the riveting tale about the cleverness of an octopus in, I Am Smart.  We were learned some new vocabulary and put actions to many verbs and nouns.  Whenever the main character of the story octopus was mentioned students in unison raised both of their hands and wiggle eight fingers to peak their involvement and interest in the story.  The students were able to record this story in their respective Nilam books.  The entry in the Nilam book was rewarded with a bookmark, to spur on young readers.

Teacher Hamizah, Teacher Salmah and Teacher Siti Basirah were fantastic that day organising students, handling the event, signing new entries and distributing bookmarks. They wonderfully included other teachers who participated.  They made a plan and pulled off a fabulous event. Kudos to you.

In the latter part of the day, I read an interesting tale called Take Me Home. The tale revolves a young boy who finds abandoned goslings and he raises them as if he were a goose mother. The crowd was older so we tried some high order thinking questions to open up dialogue with the students.  There thinking caps were on, because they were able to express some creative answers. This group of students also shared the same benefits of the earlier group: Nilam entry and a bookmark gift.
I Love To Read!

Hari Raya @ PPD Bachok

Last weekend I had the great honour of being invited to a Hari Raya extravaganza at PPD bachok by SK Tangok.

There were more than 800 teachers present and representing 39 primary and secondary schools in Bachok, I was overwhelmed by the level of decorative creativity shown by teachers in the design of their school Raya stalls. Not only were teacher's Raya outfits snazzy, but the variety of local cuisine was amazing in both presentation and taste. 

All the teacher's and respective schools were engaged in fierce competition to become this year's Hari Raya champion, but in the end the trophy went to none other than.....SK Badak! Congratulations for great decorations and presentation to all the teachers and staff at SK Badak!

The celebration not only gave me the opportunity to meet old friends and to make new ones, but it also allowed me to get a better feel of the competitive culture of local teachers. Although I may have gained a kilogram or two, this was a wonderful event and I can't wait to attend next year's Hari Raya celebration.

Raya Party Animal

It is well known, I like to party.  Furthermore, Raya Parties top my list. I had the good fortune to attend 4 parties this year. Unfortunately, I was unable to squeeze in SK Padang 'Amat for the festivities. Raya Parties are super colourful with everyone displaying their new sharp looking clothes. The smell of satay wafts through the air, intriguing all. The MC's voice booms from one end to the other of the hall. Celebration and excitement race through the veins of all participants.

I had a great time celebrating with administration, guests, staff, teachers and students.  Everyone looked snazzy with their new outfits and smiles abounded on the faces. Not to mention, I've seen the most impressive displays of raya biscuits in my life. It is a local tradition that everyone brings raya biscuits, and in a potluck manner, spreads them on the table.  At the end of celebration, you can choose from an impressive selection from multiple varieties of biscuits, beyond your imagination. It is the climax to a wonderful event. Happy Raya and a Bountiful Eid!

LINUS workshop in Pasir Puteh

TELL2 mentors came together to do LINUS in Pasir Puteh!!

There was a LINUS workshop held for the LINUS teachers (one from each of the 39 district schools) in the old PPD building in Pasir Puteh.

We were thrilled to have such a sporting bunch of teachers who gave it their all and really made all the hard work worth it.


  

Planned by myself (Niamh) and Sara, there were eight Brighton mentors were involved and made the day the success that it was.

Many thanks to Khidar and Yusof, for being a stunning team as always, Emmy and Achama, part of Sara's team for giving it their all and, of course our project manager, Toby for being so wonderful :).  Special thank to Pn. Azizon & Mr. Sharir  in the PPD for their support.

We were also very lucky and grateful to David for sharing his extensive teaching writing skills.  He gave us a great presentation and hopefully correct some wrongly formed e's!!

Each mentor was a vital cog in the wheel to giving the LINUS teachers some inspiration in how to conduct more interesting activities for underachieving kids in the area.  

Colourful, fun teaching aids and games were demonstrated by the mentors and showed how to make them work in the LINUS classroom.

Focus was on Phonics, Blending & Segmenting, Onset  & Rime as well as the presentation of PAL (Peer Assisted Learning) reading program, some classsroom management tips and ideas on how to improve mixed ability lessons.

It was a fun day and I know that the teachers enjoyed it just as much as the teachers did!
Hopefully we will be seeing this workshop taken to other districts soon.

That's all for now folks,
More to come soon,
Niamh