SK Panggong Spirited Merdeka (Independence) Day Celebration

On Wednesday, 25 September, I was treated to a delightful Merdeka Day Celebration at
SK Panggong. The day started when I saw a critical mass of 57 wonderfully decorated bikes peddled around the village for a national victory lap. I had the good fortune to assist Teacher Zailina settle a tie breaker in the bike decoration contest. We worked together in assigning the places and commenting on the virtues of these patriotic pieces of art on wheels.  Many bikes displayed the Malaysian as well as the Kelantan's state flag side by side making a harmonious colourful collage.

Much to the students' amazement, I got permission to take a student's Schwinn Bike for a spin. It has been awhile, but it was enjoyable. Not longer after I made my first circle I had an entourage bedecked in red, blue and white following me as I took another couple laps around the parking lot. It was not long before the strength of the morning sun had us seeking shade and thirst aid.

The fun filled day did not end there.  While the dazzling bike armada was in motion, the remaining students year 4-5 were painting one big huge flag or while years 1-3 were couloring small ones. Soon as the paint dried, these students' patriotic masterpieces were displayed in the hall as festivities continued. Most classes participated in the patriotic song competition which was based on fluency, creativeness, crowd response and volume of the song.  I was as an honourary judge for both patriotic song and costumnes competition.

The highlight of the day was a re-enactment by students of the local legend Tok Janggut who died c.1918.  Tok Janggut was a local Islamic scholar who studied in Mecca and was master of local martial arts known as silat.  Tok Janggut resisted British Imperialism by not paying what was viewed locally as unfair tax. The British sent their goons to arrest him, but a struggle ensued, and Tok Janggut was the last man standing. He declared Pair Puteh independent shortly afterwards. The British used a heavy hand and punished Tok Janggut, his supporters and their families. 57 years after the British have left Malaysia, it's almost been a hundred years since Tok Janggut's era, but the legend Tok Janggut still lives close in the hearts of the people and children of Kelantan.

I wanted to thank all the great and friendly teachers, administrators, staff and students for making a wonderful memory with a red, white, blue and yellow backdrop.  Thank you SK Panggon, the great state of Kelantan and marvellous Malaysia!

SK Bukit Abal's Book Contest Completion

Kudos to Teacher Salmah, for encouraging literacy and improving participation in the Nilam programme via SKBA Book Contest. It started out as idea, then a conversation that turned into discussions. Her idea blossomed from planning stage into implementation stage and has matured to completion after three months of competition.  There were seven students who thrived and entered  Gangsa (90-179), Perak (180-269) and Emas (270-359) levels.  Entry to these lofty levels requires children to read anywhere from 90- 359 book titles. The students' achievements are very impressive.

Teacher Salmah showed good leadership qualities by getting T. Siti Basirah, T. Hamizah and T. Suzana to share her vision.  The above mentioned teachers did a remarkable job of promoting the books in their classrooms and working as team for the various events that composed of SKBA Book Contest. Fantabulous Job Team!

I still fondly remember two titles that I read to the pupils during multiple story times strung across the three months. Captain Bear and Take Me Home were memorable titles, as well as crowd pleasers. There were some good higher order thinking explanations offered by students of what may have happened after the story ended in print.  I'm sure eager, waiting on pins and needles, for a sequel of Captain Bear.

The contest and prize giving ceremony was held on Sunday the 21st of September. It was a great way to kick start school after a one week vacation. 45 students earned conciliatory prizes of pencils, erasers and candies. They were wrapped decoratively and presented by the Guru Besar Fadzilah. The GB had been very supportive throughout the whole contest.  He also graced the ceremony by distributing certificates and lovely wrapped book gifts to the seven high flying students who excelled.  I appreciate the mutuality mindset that was shared by above mention professionals who worked together to raise the love for literacy in the student body of SK Bukit Abal. Again,  Kudos!

UPSR Clinics

It was mentioned in last week's paper that UPSR will continue with the KSSR syllabus; therefore, next year is not the last year of the test.  The pressure to pass is great, but with a little practice, anybody can pass. And those who are willing to push themselves, an A is very achievable goal. My clinics included the myriad of this type of spectrum of student's skills.

All students made progress; however, some were knock your socks off excellent. The clinics stress vocabulary, simple present tense, present continuous, past tense, past continuous tense and future tense. Grammar skills like spelling, punctuation, irregular verbs, end marks and subject-verb agreement are emphasised during the sessions. Students are encouraged to write clearly, economically and grammatically correct sentences. They learn to master sentence variety: simple, compound and complex sentences. Students are inspired the whole nine yards to spice up their writing with similes, idioms and parables. 

 I wish all the students and teachers the best of luck on the 30th of September!

International Jamboree & Spelling Bee at SK Kampong Berangan

It was Kelantan's showcase event for the month of August, the International Jamboree & Spelling Bee.  It occurred on Thursday, August 21st, 2014. It was a bright shiny morning as eight schools moseyed to the event.  The participants were: SK Banggol Pa'Esah, SK Berangan, SK Bukit Abal, SK Bukit Jawa 1, SK Padang Pa'Amat, SK Panggong, Srifaridawitya School (Yala, Thailand) and Chongraksatwitaya School (Pattani, Thailand). Colonies of butterflies were fluttering in the young participants bellies, but after the opening ceremony speech by Sir Rusli they all dissipated. 

The purpose of the event was to create a fun English atmosphere for students, Years 3, 4 and 5, and to enable students to practice English spelling, listening, speaking and writing through enjoyable activities. The programme was designed in a 3-Station series of events, to increase student engagement and give maximum exposure to several types of educational activities.

The 3 stations were the Spelling Bee in the Hall, English games and activities in the science lab and watching Akeelah and the Bee in the computer lab. Although a spirit of competition prevailed, the focus was not on winning, but rather on participation, education, and FUN! The students, teachers and mentors were corralled into a rooting tooting atmosphere of good times.

Everyone involved in the event deserves appreciation; however, a few deserve added recognition.  Mr. Sharir bin Muhummad from Pasir Puteh PPD. The host school's Sir Rusli, T. Rofia'ah, T. Hasnah and T. Mazwan were marvellous. The Word Masters were exceptional:T. Adzura, T. Basirah and Toby Walrod. The BEG mentors Niamh, Sara, Yusuf, David, Ella, Scott, Elizabeth and Khidar(AB). Big thanks to Hj Waedaoh and Hj Kholiluerahman for facilitating the inclusion of the Thai schools. We were delighted that Events Director, Noraini Bell, honoured the Jamboree with her presence and smile.  

Mutuality mindset makes mutual support, true cooperation and 

giving more helpful and satisfying.

SK Beris Lalang TPD presentation

Sk Beris Lalang's TPD 6 presentation was very exciting. 

The team demonstrated a fun and involving Lexis reinforcement activity for phase 1 students, the activity involved sticking vocabulary words on the white board, then instructing pupils to throw a provided ball (made of recycled paper and scotch tape) at the words on the board. If students hit a word, they then had to spell the word and say it to be rewarded a point.

MTPs from various TELL2 schools enjoyed participating in the demonstration of the the vocabulary game, and many seemed very excited to give it a try in their own classrooms. Great job SK BL! 

Phonics with SK Beris Lalang and SK Jelawat 2

Although many of the teachers and students have limited exposure to phonics, they absolutely love to get involved when the opportunity presents itself. 

Students from both SK Beris Lalang and SK Jelawat 2, were super excited and very motivated during our recent phonics workshop. The pupils caught on really fast, even with some of the more difficult sounds, these little guys were constantly surprising their teachers by enthusiastically participating and eagerly completing tasks.

Once the teachers and pupils reviewed the sounds and phonetic symbols, they quickly showed a boost in confidence and renewed interest in phonics. Thumbs up to the MTPs and students, as always, it's such a joy assisting MTPs  in class with these little ones!

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!