Hop In: SK Padang Pa' Amat leaps into SCORM

I'm very fortunate, because I get to work with so many outstanding professional Malaysian teachers. Teacher Zuraida is a prime example. Even though the school's lab is expecting 40 new chromebook laptops any day now, she energised her pupils learning experience with some e-learning. With a laptop, a projector and a set of speakers; the lab became alive with FROG VLE. We had a chance to infuse the latest technology into two classes of Year 3(A&D).

I was pleasantly surprised when Teacher Zuraida used "Doing The Skeleton Dance", a title from last year, to open the session for Year 3A. Since the class was in Unit 4, People Around Me. It was a great opportunity to use "People in the Town" from the tell2resources Google Drive. The drive is available from one click on Teacher Zuraida's FROG dashboard. No longer is it necessary to remember any pesky passwords, with one click access to numerous helpful resources and teaching aides. We also used two sets of occupation flashcards to spice up the song for the cooperative Year 3A class. The lab was charged when the class with belted out the chorus, "I see the people in my town and I say, hey brother what's going down?"

Year 3D class was taught with a SCORM inspired lesson.  Quick reminder, SCORM is an acronym for Sharable Content Object Reference Model. The lesson (object) was a review of letters and sounds of s, a, t and p. All the phases of the lesson are available and sharable from one click of the finger from the teacher's FROG dashboard.  Introduction:(S, A, T, P), Identifying:(S, A, T, P),  Blending and Segmenting:(S, A, T, P), Tricky Words (S, A, T, P), Enrichment (S, A, T, P) and Assessment:(S, A, T, P). The class was able to progress through letter identification, letter writing in the air and blending many short vowel words. Their confidence soared, so they too were treated to a couple rounds of the hit song "People in the Town". This class has really progressed quickly and has begun to look forward to English class. This speaks volumes for the efforts of Teacher Zuraida to attract a class that was aloof. I'm sure the attention grabbing learning methods are a contributing factor. Keep up the sterling work Teacher Zuraida!

Hop In: SK Banggol Pa' Esah uses SCORM in the classroom

Technology is a tool, when placed in the hands of a creative teacher, it is a vehicle for a fun high definition student centred activity. Teacher Mohasnizam is one of those talented teachers winning students' attentions and increasing skills with Information Technology like FROG VLE. FROG is a virtual learning platform sponsored by the JPN (MOE) accessible to every teacher, student and parent in Malaysia. It's in its nascent stages. VLE stands for a virtual learning environment. Move over colour chalk, we have high definition with stereo sound in the classroom. It's no competition between the chalkboard versus the computer monitor, especially in regards to this tech-savvy generation of students.

Using a big screen monitor, we demonstrated a SCORM inspired e-learning lesson to the class. SCORM is an acronym for Sharable Content Object Reference Model. The lesson (or object) was dedicated as a phonics review of letters and sounds: S, A, T and P. We began with the programme Introduction:(S, A, T, P). The class sprung into action differentiating between sounds and letters S, A, T, P. Next, we sang with the songs on Identifying:(S, A, T, P).  The students also used their fingers to draw the letters in the air while pronouncing the letters with their corresponding sounds. We practiced word families and breaking down words with Blending and Segmenting:
(S, A, T, P).  

We switched gears for a few moments during the lesson. The class also enjoyed singing and watching "The People Song" video. It was a gratifying activity covering KSSR Year 3, Unit 4. Occupation flashcards were distributed throughout the class. Whenever the occupation of the flashcard in their grips was mentioned, they would thrust it into the air and shout it out.  It was good wholesome fun.

Finally, the class participated in Assessing:(S, A, T, P).  It was 10 questions online assessment of S, A, T and P. The questions were a mixed bag of skill assessments like: sounds, blending, segmenting, spelling letters, spelling sounds, missing letters and matching words. The lesson was a hit and there was not a single Angry Bird in the class.  Contrarily, they were lots of smiling faces as they gave salams to their teacher. Kudos to Teacher Mohasnizam for incorporating the latest technology in the classroom and driving it home with a fun way to increase student comprehension.

The First UPSR Clinic of 2015- SK Bukit Merbau

They are playing my tune. In Kelantan, we share a mutuality mindset and a textbook example of that collaborative effort can be seen in the verdant countryside of Pasir Puteh. Pasir Puteh is divided between two subclusters: Bachok-Pasir Puteh and Machang-Pasir Puteh. We have 6 mentors working in these 3 districts lead by the charismatic Niamh Dunne (B-PP) and Sara Teale (M-PP). We having been working jointly from the beginning of TELL2 by sharing Teacher Professional Development (TPD) sessions together. The buck doesn't stop there, we've worked hand in hand together in many projects like the Linus Workshop and the International Jamboree & Spelling Bee to mention a few.

It is only fitting, the launch of the UPSR Clinic season of 2015 was held in one of Sara's school-
SK Bukit Merbau.  The dedicated Teacher Norimah and Sara have been planning since last year to host a clinic. Due to their perseverance, they managed to be the early birds this year.

On Tuesday, the 17th of February, forty-six Year 6 students gathered, after school from 2-4 pm, at SKBM. The group consisted of mixed skills sets from classes Year 6A and Year 6B. The students were eager and bounding with potential. We started the clinic with just an overview of UPSR and BI paper in particular. Through discussion, we were able to dismiss some myths and misinformation surrounding the test. Next, we agreed that Paper 1 and Paper 2 are equal in value, 40 marks each. We identified together Paper 2 posed a bigger challenge. Consequently, we dove straight into Paper 2, Section B.

We collaborated as a class and did a sample question together. We broke it down to a chart, table, box and a written response. Methodically we filled row by row in the table. As they made mistakes, we corrected them together. Student's were advised to circle the first letter in the table to recognise wether a capital or small letter is required for the answer. It was via this demonstration many of the nuances of this section were relayed.

The students then worked independently on another sample question from Paper 2, Section B. Sara, Teacher Norimah and myself roved around the class and checked the work in progress. Due to time constraints, we only had time to check the table. The students showed a quick acquirement of skills taught by scoring 8-10 marks on the table We also introduced the first set of vocabulary as homework... Animal Parents And Their Young. We ended the clinic with the same chant from the beginning. In unison we cheered excitedly, "English is easy peasy!" We exited with the battlecry, "I want to get an A in English!"

Please note, Brighton Education Group (BEG) is committed to bringing student centred education and developing high order thinking in schools. Yet, we also pragmatically recognise in a student's spectrum of educational experiences, exams are inescapable.  Therefore, we are also able to boost the student's toolbox of academic skills with the ability of polished exam orientated methods. Either way, it's a reflection of BEG's commitment of Creating Opportunities and improving the schools in Malaysia.

SKBA and SKP- Transition Completion Cermonies

It was a ceremonious event for the Class of 2027. They are the young future of Malaysia and they seem to be a bright bunch of kids. SK Bukit Abal and SK Panggong had their ceremonies on the same Thursday. Fortunately due to my mentees good planning skills, I was able to participate in both events. Teacher Hamizah and Teacher Suzana got me involved in the festivities at SKBA. We sang English songs with the spirited lot: "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and "BINGO". Teacher Ros, Teacher Zailina and Teacher Zuriana included me in the preparations and programme at SKP. I assisted Teacher Ros with a stellar performance of "Good Morning To You" and "London Bridges".

It was a momentous occasion for the fresh batches of Year 1 students, who just completed three weeks of transition courses to the big leagues. The days of kindergarten and pre-school were now ancient history, so they were eased into their new routines of a full day of school life. The bar was set and all these students leaped over their first hurdle in their academic careers. WhooHoo! You did it, Class of 2027 SKBA and SKP. They displayed the grit necessary to face the challenges in the 21st century Malaysia.

Some of the day's highlights was a game where the rambunctious youth had to blow up a balloon and pop it. Another thriller, was the candy toss. Students made circles, while teachers put gobs of candy in the centre. When the command to start was given, they scrambled to get as many pieces as possible. The teachers did a superb job of making school fun for these fledgling students. It is a great privilege of mine to be able to work with an outstanding group of teachers who are in touch with Malaysia's most valuable resource ... its children.