English Diagnostic Test for Form 1

Date: 9 Jan 2013 (Monday)
Venue: Khalifah Hall, SM Sains Sembrong, Kluang

115 Form 1 students who registered in SASEM last Monday sat for the Form 1 Diagnostic Test this morning. Fariha, Syamsul, Azhar, Rozila (HOP) and I were there to oversee the administration of the test. We hope to finish marking the test by next Monday so we can assess the student's performance and take follow-up steps. I hope I can meet the deadline because my daughter's wedding is very soon and the renovation is still on!

The Thinking Teacher

Ist Lesson in 2013...

Date: Jan 2th 2013
Venue: 5 Bukhari

After a long stretch of holiday, I can imagine my students' English going rusty and all. So what better way to start the class with an ice-breaking activity! The activity is called 'My Circle of Friends' to encourage listening and speaking. Oh my! Did I hear all sorts of things? You bet, Bahasa Melayu was used in abundance, mispronunciations and all but lots of giggles. One student ( I think it was Hafiz) started with "Melaka, Melaka!!" in the style of a taxi driver looking for passengers!! It was an absolutely noisy and crazy market! However, some students were still shy and afraid to use English confidently. I timed the activity for 10 minutes and then asked for feedback from the students. The lesson proper ensued after this activity.

Here's the handout for My Circle of Friends.

This year I also hope to carry out at least two five-minute activities that focus on listening-speaking skills in a week before the lesson proper begins. I'm using the following book as it gives me plenty of ideas. As a matter of fact, I've posted about this book before here.

Happy teaching :)

The Thinking Teacher

First Panel Meeting

Date: 27th Dec (Friday)
Venue: Meeting Room 1

Alhamdulillah, our first panel meeting was held and many issues were ironed out upon reflection of 2012. All subjects conducted their first meeting after a briefing by En Kilfli, the senior assistant. The English Panel held its meeting in Meeting Room 1. With only five teachers, we are definitely in need of more teachers to cover the 30 classes next year. I gave our first in-house training covering: Journal-writing and Set System. Let's hope for a better year in 2013.

Holding court...En Kifli Mohammad, PK1

The Thinking Teacher

First Teacher's Meeting in SASEM

Date: 27th Dec 2012 (Thursday)
Venue: Meeting Room 1

Our first back to school signal! First teachers' meeting with 45 teachers and two new senior assistants. Welcome to En Kifli Mohammad, our new PK1 and En Mazlan Sariyed, PK Kokurikulum! To be honest, I'm still in renovation mode and I feel like crying because school term is commencing but house renovation is still on...

Principal En Mohd Noh chairing the meeting. On his left is
En Kifli (PK1) and on his right is En Mazlan (PK Koku)

teachers ready to embrace 2013!

absorbing all...

I've been given two major responsibilities: Coordinator of Excellence Programmes and Coordinator of Internationalisation Programme. Alhamdulillah, I can now make strides in the responsibilities entrusted to me with the new senior assistants. 2012 was a waste of my time- total block in communication and progress :) Indeed God is truly fair in His judgement. He knows what is best for us. SASEM can now look ahead and chart its own history. Ahoy captain! Full speed ahead! May Excellence be yours SASEM in sya Allah.

The Thinking Teacher