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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Heart of a teacher - Paula Fox

Henry Brooks Adam - “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell, where his influence stops.”

I want to share this absolutely beautiful poem. This is for those teaching as a profession, teaching your own kids or serving as a teacher in the Lord. AGTV




The child arrives like a mystery box…
with puzzle pieces inside
some of the pieces are broken or missing…
and others just seem to hide

But the HEART of a teacher can sort them out…
and help the child to see
the potential for greatness he has within…
a picture of what he can be

Her goal isn’t just to teach knowledge…
by filling the box with more parts
it’s putting the pieces together…
and creating a work of art

The process is painfully slow at times…
some need more help than others
each child is a work in progress…
with assorted shapes and colors

First she creates a classroom…
where the child can feel safe in school
where he never feels threatened or afraid to try…
and kindness is always the rule

She knows that a child
can achieve much more
when he feels secure inside
when he’s valued and loved…
and believes in himself

…and he has a sense of pride

She models and teaches good character…
and respect for one another
how to focus on strengths…not weaknesses
and how to encourage each other

She gives the child the freedom he needs…
to make choices on his own
so he learns to become more responsible…
and is able to stand alone

He’s taught to be strong and think for himself…
as his soul and spirit heal
and the puzzle that’s taking shape inside…
has a much more positive feel

The child discovers the joy that comes…
from learning something new…
and his vision grows as he begins
to see all the things that he can do

A picture is formed as more pieces fit…
an image of the child within
with greater strength and confidence…
and a belief that he can win!

All because a hero was there…
in the HEART of a teacher who cared
enabling the child to become much more…
than he ever imagined…or dared

A teacher with a HEART for her children…
knows what teaching is all about
she may not have all the answers…
but on this…she has no doubt

When asked which subjects she loved to teach,
she answered this way and smiled…
“It’s not the subjects that matter…
It’s all about teaching the CHILD.”

I remember my 7th grade social studies teacher, Mrs. Oppenborn, and the valuable life lesson she taught me one day. One day after Halloween, Mrs. Oppenborn brought in candy for my class. We all rushed up to take it, and then were on to the next activity. Mrs. Oppenborn stopped us with the following observation, “I noticed that none of you said ‘thank you’ when you took the candy.” She went on to say, “You’re probably not going to hear many people tell you this, but remember to say ‘thank you’ when you receive something you didn’t ask for. I didn’t have to bring in candy for you all, and you didn’t have to say anything. But, I did, so you should consider showing your gratitude.” Simple truths

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

How Kinesthetic Learners learn

Kinesthetic Learners

How to tell if your child is kinesthetic!


They are very active
Not able to sit still long
Talks with body language and gestures
They like to show you better than tell you
Always touching and feeling things
Good at mimicking others
They like those amusement rides unless they make them sick, then they avoid them
Naturally athletic and loves sports
Sometimes they are labeled with attention deficient disorder
Remembers what they do very well
They remember best by getting physically involved in whatever is being taught
Acting out what you are reading
Enjoys making and creating things
Will take notes to keep busy but will not often use them.
Enjoys using computers
Has trouble staying still or in one place for a long time, hates lectures!
Enjoys hands-on activities
Seems to want to fiddle with small objects while listening or working
Likes to eat snacks while studying.
Is not great at spelling
Does not have great handwriting
Likes science labs, hands on work!
Studies with music on
Likes adventure books, movies
Likes role playing
Takes breaks when studying
Easily distracted by activity around them
Has good coordination
Best ideas and energy will come when engaging in some physical activities
Likes spending free time outdoors
Working with jigsaws puzzles
Some prefer to take an engine apart and put it back together, than do any reading or looking at diagrams about how it works.
They tend to lose concentration if there is little or no external stimulation or movement with what they are learning
They can remember how to do things after they've done them only once (motor memory).
Have good motor coordination.
They remember best the things they experience

How kinesthetic kids learn!

They must do things for themselves to have the best chance of learning.
When they are listening to lectures they may want to take notes just so they can move their hands.
When reading, they like to just scan over the material first, and then check out the details of it.
They might use color highlighters and take notes by drawing pictures, diagrams, or doodling.
Play music, when appropriate, during activities.
Be sure to use colored markers to show main points on charts, chalkboards and white boards.
Give them lots of stretch breaks
Make sure they have toys such as Koosh balls or Play-Dough to give them something to do with their hands.
Give them colored pencils, markers, highlighter pens to use
They are most successful when totally involved with the learning activity
They will receive information fastest when participating in a science lab, drama presentation, skit, field trip, dance, or other active activity.
Be sure to use touch, action, movement and hands-on work in your learning activities
Use real objects as much as possible.
Let the child touch what ever they are learning about as much as you can.
Flashcards can help them memorize information because they can touch and move them around.
Also remember that writing and drawing diagrams are physical activities, so be sure to let them use these activities
Use big sheets of paper and large color markers for your diagrams.
To remember a phone number some learners may remember the pattern of their fingers as the press the numbers.
Let them studying in short sessions
Take them on field trips, library, museums
They like to study with others
Use memory games to teach with
The worse things for them to do is to take long tests or do essays
How they learn best is with fill ins, multiple choice, short definitions
To help them with memorization let them pace or walk around while reciting to yourself or using flashcards or notes.

Things they enjoy doing, making dioramas, working with modeling clay, scrap booking, using a color book, crafts, dance, demonstrations, games using the body, needlework, rocking and reading, making a video, making posters, dressing up as characters, anything on the chalkboard/whiteboard, charades, pantomimes, plays, calculators, puzzles, walking and reading, puppet shows, workbooks, musical performances, labs, cut and paste tasks, making mobiles, making displays

They might study better laying on their stomach or back, or in a comfortable chair or bean bag
When they are trying to memorize info, have them close their eyes and air write the info or on a surface, also tell them to try to hear the words in their heads.
Try not to do just one thing only , let them do various things like drawing, playing board games, following instructions to make something, movement activities,
Working in a standing position might help
Letting them chew gum while doing school work will help keep them doing their work
Kinetic learners learn while they are walking around while listening.

Vocabulary

Kinesthetic Vocabulary Charades: Help your child make a list of words and their definitions. Take turns with your kinesthetic child selecting a word and acting it out silently, so the other can guess which word is being dramatized. If you go first, select a word, act it out, and have your child guess which word you are acting out. Then have your child select a word and act it out, and you guess the meaning. Points can be awarded for each correct guess. http://ezinearticles.com/?Kinesthetic-Vocabulary-Activities-Accelerate-Learning-for-Kinesthetic-Learners&id=1132036

Spelling

use those magnetic letters to teach spelling, they can touch the letters and move them around so that makes it easier to remember for them. Also let them trace the letters with their fingers.
Be sure to keep the lessons short and offer 5 min. breaks
spelling games will work, use flash cards,
Having them write their spelling words on flashcards will help

Language arts

use computer, typing helps and its movement
Use word tiles to make sentences
Sentences strips to make paragraphs

Math

also use computer, games online
write problems on chalkboard/whiteboard
teach them math by using manipulatives! so they can move things around and touch!
they can also learn math by writing out the facts
Using everyday situation will help with teaching math, like shopping, cooking

Reading/Phonics

Let them walk around while reading or some kind of movement
Letting them act out the store while they listen might help
Teach phonics using hands on games, let the child handle any cards etc you use, use recipe cards with sounds on them, let them build works with them

Monday, September 20, 2010

A father's cry - Sanctus Real

Sharing what we watched in our first session of "Parenting babies and toddlers" class. Enjoy!

The real story behind the song:

Sanctus Real - The Story Behind Lead Me
Uploaded by EMI_Music. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

(Sanctus real) - Lead me Official music video

Sanctus Real - Lead Me (Official Music Video)
Uploaded by EMI_Music. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The Greatness of our God - Hillsong







The greatness of our God

"Verse 1
A E B
Give me eyes to see more of who You are
A E B
May what I behold still my anxious heart
A E B
Take what I have known and break it all apart
A B
You my God are greater still

Chorus 1
A E
And no sky contains
B C#m A
No doubt restrains all You are
E B
The greatness of our God
A E
I spend my life to know
B/D# C#m A
And I'm far from close to all You are
B
The greatness of our God

Verse 2
C#m A E
Give me grace to see beyond this moment here
C#m A E B/D#
To believe that there is nothing left to fear
C#m A E
And that You alone are high above it all
A B
You my God are greater still

Instrumental
A, E, B, C#m
A, E, B

Bridge 1
A E B
And there is nothing that could ever separate us
A E B
There is nothing that could ever separate us
C#m
From Your love
A E B/D# C#m
No life no death of this I am convinced
A B
That You my God are greater still
(Repeat)

Chorus 2
A E
And no words could say
B C#m A
Or song convey all You are
E B
The greatness of our God

I spend my life to know
And I'm far from close to all You are
The greatness of our God

Chorus 3
A E
And no sky contains
B C#m A
No doubt restrains all You are
E B
The greatness of our God
I spend my life to know
And I'm far from close to all You are
The greatness of our God
All You are the greatness of our God"


Copyright 2010 Hillsong Publishing / So Essential Tunes All rights Reserved. Used by permission.



What a beautiful prose, that flows so intimately into a beautiful worship experience unto our God.

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Review : Julia Gabriel Mandarin Speech & Drama - N1 class











We ended our N1 parents accompanied program after 1 Term (10weeks), Mandarin Speech and Drama at Julia Gabriel last month. Our goal for the class was for both KB and me to get excited at conversational mandarin. I also liked a parent accompanied program so that I can observe and participate in my child's learning. Firstly, I had no one to converse mandarin with at home. Daddy speaks Bahasa in addition to English , so all my child picked up was mandarin and Bahasa songs and that's it.

Our theme was: Toys "Wan Ju"

Program

Warm-up with toys - kids joins the class and plays freely with toys on the mat
Circle time - Introducing each one, saying hello and singing songs with action
Drama - Teachers dons a head-gear and enacts a short story with reference to the day's object
Magic Box - A magic box is brought out to let class guess what is inside (usually toy of the day)
Worksheet - simple word recognition and pasting exercise are done
Ends - Class ends with more songs.

We signed up for seven sessions and that was just enough for us. The program structure seems a little stale and towards the third or forth session, KB last interest in the magic box. He was into the drama where the teachers enacted stories. It was a simple 5-15mins stories which does not have most creative plots or storyline. There were not much props that stimulates a child visually. A pity since it is a drama class. I thought there should at least be more creativeness in this class.

Review of items teachers taught:
Songs that was sung was good as it coincides with the 'toy of the day'.

Word recognition and worksheet was rather pointless as the program was for 2-3year olds. It was not my focus to work on word recognition so we did not work on that at all.

The Magic box concept was an interesting prop that was so over-used and hence "an over-kill'. I almost doze off on that one too.

Review of the way teachers relate:
In two instances, the main teacher used peer pressure to get KB to do something the rest of the class was doing. Personally, I felt that was unprofessional. A young child may be developmentally not ready or not interested. I assume she was a trained teacher in early childhood development but it failed to show up. It was a far cry from the gym class I signed KB up. The instructor, Renee, at The little Gym were so gentle and polite in reaching out to a child that it really gave the child respect and hence confidence to try something new.

Final verdict
It is not what is being taught as opposed to how it is being taught that matters.

The final product is that my child learns but refused to show it in class. He has started to speak to our mandarin-speaking neighbours in mandarin and he has been more at ease speaking mandarin to each other at home. There were few instances where he initiates speaking mandarin as well.

Would I recommend this class?
Maybe. If you're looking for creative class with a high energy child, I'd say this one pretty much stifles everything. If this is a kick-start for English speaking homes and kids who are quite young, this may be an introduction. I like that the class speaks only mandarin for 1 hour, because our homes do not provide this sort of environment. The good thing is there is no need to sign up for the whole term of 10weeks, and you can go for trial class as well.