WEEK 4: Journey to the Unknown

 DAY 20 

21 August 2023

Hello, readers! After a medical checkup, I'm thrilled to share that my persistent cough is not TB, bringing a huge sense of relief. I was worried about my health, so I'm grateful for this positive outcome. Thank you, Alhamdulillah!

Now, back to Monday, and the Monday blues are making their presence felt. I walked into the school a little nervously, anxious about starting my teaching journey. Today marked the first time I'd met my students, particularly 4 Beta, a class I hadn't entered before.

Since we hadn't received our permits yet, I entered the class alongside Miss Li, who kindly introduced me to the whole class. I could feel all eyes on me, but thankfully, I managed to introduce myself without any awkward mishaps. I didn't jump into my own lesson just yet; instead, Miss Li instructed me to continue the lesson she had prepared for the students. I led a discussion on the grammar aspects of the chapter as it was coming to a close.

After wrapping up my class, I went on to handle relief classes, and it was a relief to receive positive feedback from the students. During my free time, I dedicated myself to planning lesson plans for my upcoming classes. Tomorrow, I'll be stepping into the world of teaching 3 Kosmik, and I'm both excited and nervous. Wish me luck for a great start to our educational journey!

Preparing materials for the next class

DAY 21

22 August 2023

Today marked a significant milestone in my teaching journey as I stepped into 3 Kosmik for the very first time. The emotions I felt were quite different from simply relieving classes, where there was a unique blend of excitement and anxiety. A certain uneasiness haunted my thoughts as I wondered whether the students would comprehend what I taught them. You see, 3 Kosmik is a fifth class, and, without being judgmental, I'd heard that many of the students had lower English proficiency levels. Puan Sajana, my mentor, had advised me not to set my expectations too high, as these students often didn't actively participate in class activities. With that in mind, I couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive about how my lessons would unfold.

To kickstart the class, I decided to ease the atmosphere with a simple ice-breaking session. We played a round of "Two Truths and One Lie," and I was pleasantly surprised at how engaged and enthusiastic the students were during this activity. When it came to the lesson, I covered vocabulary related to homes and introduced them to a crossword puzzle as an exercise. To my delight, most of the students managed to successfully solve the crossword puzzle. However, there were specific words that I noticed they struggled with, and I'll certainly be focusing more on those in our future lessons.

crossword puzzle exercise

One observation I made was that while working on their exercises, the Chinese students often conversed in their native language rather than English or Malay. This language barrier posed a challenge, so I'm contemplating learning basic Mandarin to facilitate communication and make the learning experience smoother. Overall, it was an exciting and fruitful first day with 3 Kosmik, and I'm looking forward to all the learning adventures that await us!

DAY 22

23 August 2023

My day started later than usual as I spent some time learning basic Mandarin. Knowing a few words might help me communicate with my Chinese students. Language can be a powerful bridge! The highlight of the day was being assigned to co-curricular activities. I joined Kelab Pencegahan Jenayah, netball, and Seni Silat Gayung. While not in my comfort zone, I embraced the opportunity to gain new experiences.

In my lesson with 3 Kosmik, I focused on teaching them grammar, specifically the forms "will" and "be going to." I was delighted to see active participation from all the students, and they even completed their exercises on time. While the Chinese students seemed chatty during the exercise, I decided to break the language barrier by saying "我明白" (Wǒ míngbái), which means "I understand." Their shocked expressions were priceless, but it worked wonders in getting their attention. We checked the answers together, and most of them were correct. Overall, the class went smoothly, and it was a fantastic learning experience.

Grammar Lesson for 3K

In my class with 4 Beta, we ventured into a new topic: Unit 5, "Globetrotting." I taught them reading comprehension, which involved a fascinating text about a brave man travelling the world. To make the lesson engaging, I introduced a mystery box challenge. Watching their reactions as they put their hands inside the mystery box was simply priceless. It seemed like even the boys were a bit terrified. The twist came when I revealed the contents—gummy worms in a bowl of slime! The students thoroughly enjoyed the lesson, and their positive feedback warmed my heart.

Before concluding the lesson, I assigned the students homework to work on in pairs, preparing for a presentation on famous people who have embarked on incredible expeditions. I provided examples to help them grasp the concept and encouraged them to conduct research and prepare their materials for the presentation tomorrow.

Mystery Box Challenge 

We ended the day with traditional games in celebration of Merdeka Month. It was a delightful experience that was cut short by unexpected rain. The school day ended earlier than usual, leaving me both exhausted and satisfied. Stay tuned for more adventures ahead! Goodbye for now!

Pertandingan Permainan Tradisional

DAY 23

24 August 2023

I'm still feeling a bit tired from yesterday's adventures, but the excitement keeps me going. Today was a bit lighter on the schedule, with only one class in store: 4 Beta.

Our focus for the day was student presentations, and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. The students came well-prepared and ready to showcase their knowledge. While there were a few hiccups with some boys forgetting their materials, they showed remarkable adaptability by drawing their presentations on the spot. The girls, on the other hand, relied more on their notes.

One pleasant surprise was the fluency and confidence displayed by some students. They spoke clearly and engaged the class without constantly referring to their notes. This activity gave me valuable insights into their English proficiency levels, helping me tailor my teaching accordingly.

To make it more exciting, I organized a little competition to find the best presenter. The winner would receive sticky candy, which had everyone's attention. While all the students did exceptionally well, one student's presentation stood out. His clear and detailed explanation earned him the title of best presenter, much to the delight of the class.

While I couldn't capture any pictures this time, the 35 minutes we spent together were filled with learning and camaraderie. It was a brief yet enriching session.

After the school day ended, we had one more important task ahead: picking up our teaching permits at JPNWPKL. Stay tuned for more updates, and have a great day, everyone!

@JPNWPKL

DAY 24 

25 August 2023

It's finally Friday, and the much-anticipated school holiday is just around the corner. With no classes on my schedule today, I used the time wisely to work on my lesson reflections, which I later submitted to the GPK for his review and signature.

However, today held a special treat as SMKDL organized an event called "Ambang Merdeka." To mark this celebration, all teachers, including myself, were dressed in striking red attire. The event was a delightful experience, filled with patriotism and camaraderie.

While there wasn't much on the agenda, the festivities lasted until 10 a.m., leaving us with wonderful memories and a sense of unity. To give you a glimpse of the occasion, I've gathered some pictures and videos. Feel free to enjoy them as we celebrate Independence Day together.

Wishing you all a Happy Independence Day and fantastic holidays ahead!

Morning Session Teachers

SWOT Analysis of the Week