reminiscing 30th April

being without a camera on the last day of my practical really disappointing. I was thinking tat it's the end..i can't take photos with my students d...trying hard to save my memory card but to no avail despite some students helping up desperately... Until the very last 5 minutes, i suddenly remembered their BM teacher...SO i quickly send the monitor to find her asking for help... really thank God that she came down and helped us took a few pic..at least got whole class pic taken... Satisfied with it la...Must be grateful with watever we got.

I put this up because i only got the photos jus a few days ago... looking at them really brought me back to the past when i was teaching these kids. seems like yesterday oni. the memory is still so fresh in my mind tat I won't ever forget each and everyone of u.

PJ top school's math past year

Hi everyone!!!! Here's a math exam paper from the top school in PJ. I guess some of u would want it as an extra exercise..And i'm sure it will help u to boost up ur confident!!! Hope it's not too late!!! There are answer there too!But try to do it yourself (DIY) first..then refer to that student's answer and compare it k? Don't lie to urself ya!!
P/s: Can you see the correction done by this student? NOw, do u think corrections are useful? IF without correction, no one will ever know the correct answer , be it to himself, or to others!!! Corrections really do good to u and other ppl as they can also learn. xD But sad to say. ur teachers don't ask u to do corrections as they think that u all will learn on ur own..and big enough to learn from mistake...But i can say only a few of you are big enough to do self-learning...Others..haiz!!! Attitude: Who cares?! anyway, all da best ya!

Math studying tips

As exam is around the corner, here are some tips for u to do better..Actually i found this very much earlier...jus tat i don't have the chance to share with u all...Hope this small tips will help..
Math Studying & Test Taking Tips
1. Always read math problems completely before beginning any calculations. If you "glance" too quickly at a problem, you may misunderstand what really needs to be done to complete the problem.
2. Whenever possible, draw a diagram. Even though you may be able to visualize the situation mentally, a hand drawn diagram will allow you to label the picture, to add auxiliary lines, and to view the situation from different perspectives.
3. Know your calculator! If you must borrow a calculator from your teacher, be sure that you have used that "brand" of calculator on previous occasions. If you are not familiar with how a particular calculator works, your calculations may be incorrect.
4. If you know that your answer to a question is incorrect, and you cannot find your mistake, start over on a clean piece of paper. Oftentimes when you try to correct a problem, you continually overlook the mistake. Starting over on a clean piece of paper will let you focus on the question, not on trying to find the error.
5. Do not feel that you must use every number in a problem when doing your calculations. Some mathematics problems have "extra" information. These questions are testing your ability to recognize the needed information, as well as your mathematical skills.
6. Be sure that you are working in the same units of measure when performing calculations. If a problem involves cm, m AND km, be sure to make the appropriate conversions so that all of your values are in the same unit of measure (for example, change all values to m). (i stressed many times in class d)
7. Be sure that your answer "makes sense" (or is logical). For example, if a question asks you to find the number of feet in a drawing and your answer comes out to be a negative number, know that this answer is incorrect. (Distance is a positive concept - we cannot measure negative feet.)
8. Remember, that it may be necessary to "solve" for additional information in a problem before being able to arrive at the final answer. These questions are called "two-step" problems and are testing your ability to recognize what information is needed to arrive at an answer.
9. If time permits, go back and resolve the more difficult problems on the test on a separate piece of paper. If these "new" answers are the same as your previous answers, chances are good that your solution is correct.
10. Remain confident! Do not get flustered! Focus on what you DO know, not on what you do not know. You know a LOT of math!!
11. When asked to "show work" or "justify your answer", don't be lazy. Write down EVERYTHING about the problem, including the work you did on your calculator. Include diagrams, calculations, equations, and explanations written in complete sentences. Now is the time to "show off" what you really can do with this problem. (told u all also)
12. If you are "stuck" on a particular problem, go on with the rest of the test. Oftentimes, while solving a new problem, you will get an idea as to how to attack that difficult problem.
13. If you simply cannot determine the answer to a question, make a guess. Think about the problem and the information you know to be true. Make a guess that will be logical based upon the conditions of the problem.
14. In certain problems, you may be able to "guess" at an approximate (or reasonable) answer. After you perform your calculations, see if your final answer is close to your guess.

jia you!!! :)

new discovery

A moment ago, I was tidying up my things...until i made a new discovery!!! The present that my 'son', Eujin gave me got a younger brother!!!! check this out...Don't they both look alike? from the head to toe....the eyebrows, the eyes, nose,...even their graduation attires also matched!!! Finally, they found each other!!! So, i think i should thank my 'son' very much!! Not only i found my 'son' in Penang, this lonely brothers also found their other half here... the world is so small!

maybe, moments later, when i continue tidying up my things, will hav other new discoveries... Hehe! Hav u smiled?

gathering with gengsters

2nd May 2009:
9am - out to get report.
10am - reached home, changed, depart to CLHS to pick Jie. Then dropped Jocelyn n Shi jie to a street called Carnavon. Took me an hour plus.
12.35pm - finally, get to sit down n fill my hunger and meet all the gengsters!
Jus so 'ngam' tat everyone has the same thought of wearing black.Suddenly so united! But this group of gengster is unique, different from gengsters one can find outside. Very lovely, caring and fun!




















Tried out many things in Gurney!!! Well, it's fun! Everyone is sporting to play. Got many surprises from u all too! Big Apple doughnuts, McD sundae, Fish manhattan, moo moo....some of which can't be written in words.
the final moment...
7.30 - 8pm: at A&W. Suddenly everyone was quiet..then someone broke the ice. phew!! I suddenly disappeared.. MIA(missing in action). everyone is hunting for me..Then i came backwith little gifts in the bag. The moments of giving it out and saying my final words was really tough!!!! i can't break down! I tried so hard to contain my tears inside my eyes and i did it! U all also did it rite? At least it was not a sad ending but a nice, happy ending!

please stay up

I heard many news about my students these few days without me... Something really caused me to break down is a few of them cried during their math lesson. This is really something very hard to believe and yet it happened and they made me missed them more and more!
The past has been a history..only left as memories in our hearts now... tx to u all for creating very good moments with me these 4 months...Initially, when USM gave me the application form as to where to teach during my practical, Chung Ling wasn't in my options. It was because of my partner that i had no choice but to apply for CLHS. I kept refusing to apply for CLHS. I was very afraid becox CLHS is a top school, with all the top scorers....the cream of Penang!
So, i assumed that the students are very bossy and teachers all very super!!! So, i was pressured...I need to prepare a lot in order to teach 1 class...But when i started teaching the 2 B classes, all my assumptions weren't true!!! u all were very humble, willing to learn, good discipline and respect teacher. I was told to be very strict and fierce for the first few weeks.. But I failed at the very first sight... no student said i was strict or fierce at all!!! haiz!!! But at least i pretended not knowing mandarin...i was told to be like tat too!! this one i kind of pass la..cox some students really thought i only knew english. :) (jing jie was one of them)
Everytime when i wan to enter 4SB3, i can't be fierce or at least show an angry face...this is becox all these boys were very 'cute'. but luckily u all din climb over my head...not respecting me as teacher. sometimes i kind of regretted being too close to u all..can crack jokes at anytime..not at the right time...and the right place. but when i see that u all were having fun learning, I'm very much comforted!
Now, i can say that teaching B classes in CLHS is good!!! especially 4SB3 of year 2009!!!!
pls: to those who still need time to get used to my absence, please stay up k? Dun miss me too much as i will miss u all too!!! Take care guys!!!

finale...

28. Patrick - initially, very good student, attentive and active in answering questions. But after changing place, all his attention fly out. very interested in the environment outside rather than my lesson. Wanted him to come back to his place. his work quality was declining while many of them hv improved well! what happened? Anyway, i know he is trying hard to maintain himself in good condition.. please dun be easily distracted..i think it's better nt to sit beside the window.
29. Wen Xin - very nice handwriting and always follow class lesson. whenever i asked to copy, he will be one of those who did them fast! Next time in college or university, u won't find any difficulty in writing. tx for taking down all the homework for my 'son'. he he!!
30. Xue Zheng - top student in class..jus wonder y u can't be in A class. At times, wanted to give u more challenging questions.. but time dun allow.I know the lesson might be boring to u cox it's too easy for u..but tx for being considerate becox i hav to take care of the need of the majority of ur classmates! U should eat more..too petite! :)
31. Chan wei - the droopy dwarf in 4Sb3. you know the snow white and the 7 dwarfs? He's the dwarf with the sleepy face.. Always so sleepy, be it in the morning or in the afternoon. But satisfied with his work. Also very fast in doing and thinking. jus tat din check his work carefully...
32. Jin Sheng - During the last few days, suddenly became so good boy...scolding his frens for being noisy jus becox i'm leaving them already... I can say he's very stingy. Always wan to squeeze his homework into as little pages as possible. good improvement in doing his corrections..Loves to sing..but when i gave him the privilege to sing in front, he rejected..haiz! got special invitation also dun wan..
33. Weng Hooi - another droopy dwarf in 4SB3. but he did his work very well! That's wat i wan to praise him. Excellent!
34. hong Wei - I have the feeling that he dun really like me..it's ok.. Mayb becox i was too strict on doing corrections and he dislike doing corrections. Laws are for the lawless..If u understand this, then u get it..otherwise, jus forget about it. Many times he was sleeping in class..no interest in my lesson...Can u tell me y? Too boring?
35. Keen Chung - always put the blame on You Shen when something went wrong. Anyway, improved alot in passing up work n doing corrections! GOod job! now nobody will chase after u for corrections d...u can relax..
36. Ken fai - something to praise about him is that he really tried hard in his Math! I can see a drastic improvement! Very good job! Paying more and more attention in class, doing work and passing up work on time...even more with corrections done!!! Really a great pay to me! Tx!
37. Waygen - first impression - body language "i can't hear u". That day was the 1st day i entered class..he signalled to me that he can't hear my voice.. Very attentive, diligent and cooperative student!!!! Love his attitude! Want to give him a big praise for his work! really a big clap for u! This student also kept a clean record of the dimerit system. He always checked his work, did his corrections, asked when not sure or dunno how to do, asked for extra exercise, good speed in copying notes n exercises, very active in answering the game questions n intelligent! jus one thing to comment - writing getting smaller n smaller. :P another impression was tat he kept cheering me up when he knew tat i was very depressed. So comforted! He's so caring! And now, i hav to keep cheering him up...Please be happy always!
38. Shi Jie - very responsible monitor and hav the leadership skill. you must be very thankful to the school for putting u in 4SB3. It's a very good environment for u to study. So, dun give up easily! You can do it!! trust me n all the more trust in urself! i can see the potential in u. First impression - already told him. others no need to know la..Thank you so much for helping me collect books the first month..I remembered u kept coming to pass up 1 book after another book. Duno how many times u got to walk in and out of the staff room. Then this work is passed to Yu yang..which in turn got marked by another teacher. Luckily u din get any dimerit for hanging around in staff room. When u lose ur tempered becox can't understand the question, i was very burdened to give extra exercises. I realized all ur problem lies on ur basic. so, i hav to rebuild ur basic b4 u can do well in ur MAth.. and u did it rite!!! scoring good grade in first test. :) but u was so depressed that few days..n i din hav the chance to talk to u until u eventually smiled!! this student also very caring and sensitive. he was the first one to see tat i was unhappy when i entered class one day.. I thought i can hide tat feeling but in the end, was exposed by him. HE was so caring tat he kept cracking jokes to make me feel better. Finally, becox of all ur efforts, finally i gave a smile in return. :) very comforted! Attentive in class too, trying hard to understand the lessons and did his work very well! Something good of him was that he will come to the staff room to look for me whenever he faced problems. But something bad is that give up so easily. Must always grab hold of him. now no one to grab hold of him d...u guys out there, please give him more support k?
39. Yew Qian - corrections!!! always din do..even after dimerit. Also caught him talking in class, not following the lessons... If u all notice, those who paid attention in class did well in test. while those always talking, not copying notes, din less good in test. Anyway, he did improve a little on this corrections and work after my new dimerit system came out. At least i knew he's trying...Please continue to improve!!!
40. Thompson - talkative, playful. Very hard to get him to pass up his book on time with corrections done! But things change after my new dimerit system..indeed it was effective!!! :) As times went by, he was improving too! Good job! I'm sure if he pays FULL attention, stop playing with Mr Joshua, follow instructions, he can do better, really!

huh!! Finally, i finished giving comments on 4SB3. please give some comments after reading k? enjoy it! Bye!

continuation

8. Chua Ching Tatt - I can say tat his best fren is Yew Qian. Partner in class, best fren until homework also exactly the same.
9. Jian Sheng - Hmm...This guy..initlally seems to be very good boy..sitting at his own place, paying attention and did his work. But duno when become so cruel to leave Daryl alone and gathered at teacher's table. I felt suffocated u know! Some more after shifting his place during my lesson, still not enuf. Mouth non-stop talking. Mayb next time prepare an orange. Once he opens his mouth, the orange will be stucked there at his mouth.. But i know this will not happen cox no more next time. As time flies, he started to be lazy...not doing correction and homework..caught his many times!!! Luckily din get demerit. Anyway, I like his neat writing and very systematic work! very nice student to joke with! :)
10. Eujin - My 'son'. At first very irritated by his calling 'mum'. Felt like giving him a karate kick. But wat to do? He's so consistent in addressing me as his 'mum'. So i cooperate with him la. Since he also give much cooperation in class. But this son always dun wan to follow his 'mom' home. The worst gift he gave me was his first test. Dunno wat happen! Too nervous till all blank. But the best gift is his work plus correction and the Pooh. Though he often disappear in class, went for tournaments n stuff, his homework was always in tip-top condition. Tx to his good fren, Wen Xin. Jus be steady and i believe Eujin will score better in the coming exam!!
11. Chan Hoe - When my new dimerit system came about after the holiday, i rmb he got one 'sun'. then he was nervous n kept checking his work. Tat was a deep impression of him! I'm not saying his work was bad. He always did his work and check if any corrections to be done. Only tat 1 time tat he din do correction, jus so coincident that i started the system. Anyway, he's a very good student, listening and participated in class activities very well!!! If everyone is jus like him, how good it will be! :)
12. Chin Tatt - everyone knows him as egg tart, one of my favourite dessert!! :) He's also a bit like jian sheng. At first, sit at his place during my lesson. Then coming nearer n nearer to me. I jus wonder y everyone wants to come to the front, squeezing at teacher's table and Xue Zheng's table. Is it becox my voice too soft? But the strange thing is these 2 boys are already sitting very front. still ????? maybe someone can help me solved this..
13. Xuan Yang - my very first impression of him was he's weird... cox he wore a pendrive at his collar ( assumming hte pendrive as his tie). Tat makes him very unique in class.. I recognized him by that pendrive..haha!! But of cox now, i know his xuan yang. a very hardworking student. Always pay attention in class. I like his attitude!! Whenever he got question, he'll ask when i walk-by...Maybe he's shy to voice out when i'm in front. I can say that he give me a very clean record of his correction. NO 'sun' at all!!!! I rmb once i suspected him copying his fren's or the other way...He was very upset and came to see me... I clarified that i wrote 'maybe' only...I din accuse him. I'm jus suspecting. Then he felt very much better! From then on, i know he's serious in his work and i shouldn't be suspicious anymore. I jus would like to say a very big thank you for ur good work and attitude! keep it up!
14. Chin Can - very good student, always listening and participate in class activities. The unique part is his hair...I din say it's bad.Dun simply assume k? Unique means special n no one have it other than him. I still rmb that he asked me for donation. How dare him! haha! Jk.. but i din donate. It's not tat i'm stingy..but jus coincident that i dun have enuf money for myself too! Sorry la! ANyway, i did donate to his Scouts the last week..jus tat i din donate to him, but to another student. Doesn't matter rite? I dun face much homework problem with him...very easy going student. :)
15. Jiunn Shyan - Finally, it's ur turn d..Happy? a joker!!!! Very hilarious person! My first impression of him was when i couldn't pronounce his name accurately. Very difficult le.. then he corrected me. But tat time i can't really recognize his face..jus know got this student by the name of Jiunn Shyan only. I recognized his face when i used mandarin to explain something, he was so surprised! "wa, lao shi yong hua yu jie shi". then i switched to english and he responded 'wa, lao shi yong ing wen jie shi'. 'What is the problem with him?' i thought. I think he doesn't know tat i actually know mandarin. Hehe! Also a very easy going student, humble though he's the top scorer for Math. Surprised me too!!! Diam-diam ubi in class...
16. Rong Jun - hmmm...this student..Very scare of cross. Once he did many mistakes in his homework, he very beh syok. But good thing about him is tat he's wiling to learn and always look towards perfection. Very helpful when seeing me with projector, laptop and many things.Even when there's a teacher inside the class, he will come out to take my things into the class while waiting for the teacher to exit the class. very nice of him! Since he's tall, he was always the one to be called to jump and pull the projector screen. Dun be angry so easily! Now no need u to jump d, I already sponsored a string rite? make use of that string to jus pull the screen down whenever needed. Hope the string won't disappear..U all better take care of that string.
17. Zhiwen - sitting right at the back... dunno y always need to me to ask him to sit down. Love to stand to much, but dun wan to stand in front. and always want to see my wallpaper...y so curious? nothing much to see...pay more attention to ur math better... Work hard k?
18. Koay Wei Sheng - good job in doing work n passing up on time...hardly hear his voice in class..
19. kang yean - first impression - need to check eye power. :p But until the end of April, i dun think he got his new spectacles. anyway, i know he always want to listen in my class, taking his chair to the front with his book. Love his learning attitude. Another impression - writing like 'cakar ayam'. Dun be angry.I know boys r very open-minded.. Won't get angry so easily when being talked bad about. But as time went by, as i told him to improve his writing, i dunno if he did try to improve...but his handwriting was getting much better!!! I can stop guessing when marking his book. Well, he also did improve on his correction very much!! a drastic change! really a great gift to me!
20. Ching Yoong - his small, petite size makes him insignifant to me..when i brought them to the bookfair, i asked them to line up to go back to class. and I thought tat he's from another class. then another classmate said tat he's from 4SB3. From that time i can recognize him d...After so long huh...Y is he so happy when he got 39th place in class? Nothing much to comment on his work..no problem!!! great! Aim for a better position k? ur math is not bad!!! got hope! All da best!
21. Pei Liang - very straight-forward. First impression "bu zhi dao zhe ge lao shi zai jiang she mo". Of cox he's not referring to me. He said it so loudly n openly. But it's good to be frank... WHen he's blur, he will ask until he understand. This is sth everyone must learn! Thanks for all the questions to help me improve my teaching!!! Another impression of him was tat he motivated me, giving me encouragement when my lecturer and Ms. Tey came in to observe! really can't believe tat my students were very supportive!! They include tee huang, Shi jie, Jian Sheng, zhiwen and many more too. Tq so much!!!
22. Jing Jie - very fair boy, good command of english. can make ppl think tat he dun know mandarin. something he did often - being absent. Always see his place was empty. Then, upon returning to school the next day, he will be very lost in the jungle! Dunno wat i'm talking about. I tried to help him as much as i could. initially, very attentive in class.. But after holiday, dunno wat happen..gay with Tee Huang d. Always sit together, chatting..disturbing the class. Haiz!!! Then i will throw some questions to him or Tee Huang to check if they really listening or not. There's once i gave him one question on implication. if he did it correctly, i will reduce the number of homework. I knew he couldn't do it..and it's proven. :p result of talking non-stop!!! But very good thing was that all his classmates were very supportive and helpful, kept helping him to answer correctly!! this is called team work!!! I love tat moment so much! Also very nice guy to talk to...very glad that during my last day, he tried to hard to understand chap 5, which he missed a lot! The greatest reward for me was tat he finally able to solve the exercise tat i gave tat day! pleased dun return to me wat u've learned.
23. Leong tatt - very very hardworking student. Always wan some extra exercise...Very good work..and also gave me a clean record in my dimerit system. very well done!! Participated in class activities very actively... in games, in answering my questions. Also have a learning spirit! A model student! though sometimes gave sour face cox too many homework. And one more thing to compliment - always check whether he did his correction b4 passing up his work. Love his attitude! This is wat i wan..be responsible for all ur work as a student.
24. Wei chia - love to read other books, comics, fictions ....dun seem to do work in class...according to him, he said will do at home...but i know at times, his work din originate from him..but from someone else. (copy).
25. You Shen - one of the 4 in their group. caught them copying many times!!! He got many 'sun' even before my new dimerit system came about. but good thing was he got improve a little on his work. Jus tat whenever i passed by him, only then he start to copy the notes on the board..and put the blame on keen chung. Both sama- sama la... talking, having private meeting...
26. Yu yang - very responsible assistant monitor! but poor him got marked by another teacher...can't stay longer to talk to me in the staff room..pity him! Thanks a lot for helping me to collect the books and take the projector and laptop. also very attentive in class, and always making sure tat he did correction! Another white record in my dimerit system! U did it! I know you can score good grade in ur Math! ur work is good n original with nice handwriting!
27. Foo Xiang - can sing very well...always can't see him in class cox he's so small in size..blocked by other classmates.. But i know he's paying attention and did his job as a student! Well Done!

for 4SB3

here, i would like to give some comments about 4SB3... yesterday, no time to talk n comment..these students wan me to comment about them one by one...see how they torcher their teacher..40 of them evaluate me, one person, in return, i got to comment them all 40 on my own...haiz...but anyway, I will do it WILLINGLy.. Jus need some time..
Here's a few first... Should i go by name or jus randomly? I think by name better...less i left out one and they come n blame me pula...
1. Chang Wei Sheng - A very obedient, good boy in class. Always did his work very neatly and creatively!!! Well done! Not able to catch him not doing correction.
2. Tee Huang - dunno how come after first test, and the holiday, becomes so so so talkative...and so fren with Jing Jie. Always thought to separate this 2 buddies when lesson is on.But one thing good is that he improved a lot in his work. Wanted to help him do well in Math.
3. Khy-Jie - I love his work! Neat, tidy, did his corrections. Also attentive in class and dare to ask. Excellent!!!
4. Daryl - creative in drawing his sets.. most of them draw circles but he came out with some other shapes. But poor him cox always being left alone by his partner, jian sheng. :p though seldom see him in class, bz with his scouts, i think, one thing i wan to comment is that he always did his work. No excuses not doing though he's not in class. Responsible!!! Did his role as a student.
5. HEmaraj - Haiz....this student..very easy-going. Tat's y i always use him as an example. Remember i asked you all to describe about him? He's not at all insulted or unhappy when something negative is being described. At times, a little playful!!! Like small child-playing with Joshua n Jackson. "teacher, u see him.." haiz..Hope next time when i meet u again, u hav grown more matured...compatible with ur age. :)
6. Jackson - Once i confiscated his comic. Then he turned out to become very cooperative, doing work, keeping quiet and listening in class. I thought tat is becox he wanted his comic back. But after i returned him his book, he still remained the better..doing his work in class especially!!! That was a very great gift to me! :) After my dimerit system came, the one with the sun symbol, he became cautious and did his corrections on time! Very good job!!! but after i leave, dunno wat will happen...
7. Joshua - Also another 'hemaraj'. "teacher, u see him..he do me..." hehe!! Always din pass up book on time and dunno y his book was always not with him.Jus wonder y everyone wants to borrow his book? I always monitor his work..Though still not very good, jus a little more diligent n attentive in class, i'm sure he can do better!!! Actually was quite disappointed with his first test... Again, with my dimerit system, he did his corrections on time too after he got 2 'sun's. Haha! Then finally, deducted to 0. Well Done!!!
I shall stop here for the moment.... happy reading and spread to ur classmates k?

oops...got a phone call here..got to go help my fren.. So will continue next time....