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At the meeting, we the teachers were informed by the principal:
ps: all to be done before the term comes to an end
- “Peers Observation”
Each of us were given a paper with questions like [what did I learnt], [how can I apply], [what suggestion can I give] etc. Anytime during our free period, we got to find a class to sit in.
Not to help up but to observe the teacher conducting lesson - to catch each other doing right and to learn from each other.
Just today, one of my colleagues already booked a timing to “see” me next week - opps I was still thinking since I’m new then maybe no colleague will want choose me.
You see, we have no schedule to follow so we actually get to choose any teacher we want to “see” so I pray that I will only have one. - “Recordings”
@@! I almost fall off from the chair when I heard this! Haha!
Each of the teacher got to find any two lessons to be recorded - one audio & one video.
Interestingly Mrs E Tan is very understanding principal who wants to minimize our stress, she actually said that no one (not even herself) will be hearing or watching the clips except ourselves.
What’s her purpose then?
“Self-development” said Mrs E Tan.
She wants us to listen and look at the way we teach, our gestures, our speech and then evaluate and improve. She mentioned many times when we are in it teaching, we often overlook the little things/gestures we said/do or things that we shouldn’t do etc.
This is just the beginning of an extra pair of eyes in the class. Haha!
Come term 3... Mrs E Tan will enter one by one into the class to observe the teachers.
Previously she was sharing that the last time she entered the classroom to observe the teachers, she knows that the teachers will be nervous if they see her sitting there so to minimize that, she will “dramarama” to wipe tables or walk around to look for something. Haha!
But this time in term 3, she said she will holding on to our lesson plan and a checklist as she do the observation.
Why?
She is actually getting us ready for the "great things" ahead.
The reason why she is doing all these beside for "QRS", it is also to prepare the teachers as in July, MOE officers will be coming to our school to observe some teachers and so Mrs E Tan don’t want the teachers to be nervous and panic during then when pairs of eyes be watching, she is actually “training” us now.
“QRS” - Quality Rating Scale
Oh man… my first time hearing this!
Started by the MOE for kindergartens. Is still pretty “new” to most kindergartens actually but according to my colleagues, guess eventually it will be for all kindergartens.
Yes! LSK is going through accreditation.
This “QRS” is quite a pilot-program that I heard MOE is “trying out” on 3 kindergartens (LSK is one of them) and this explains why we will be having MOE staff in July. Few weeks back our school was featured in the newspaper and our principal was interviewed regarding this.
"accreditation": to certify (a school, college, or the like) as meeting all formal official requirements of academic excellence, curriculum, facilities etc
… checked from Dictionary.com
Many of you may not totally understand what I’m blogging but being an educator in this field, this is really something and a WOWOWOW.
In conclusion… Mrs E Tan has never fails to impress me with her leadership. She is really someone who thinks ahead.
Instead of panicking when MOE implement, she is taking it slow and steady.
And one thing I salute her is unlike other principal who would have put great pressure on the teachers “heavily” if MOE implement, Mrs E Tan is actually helping and guiding the teachers and definitely preparing us way in advance.
Recently I heard from one of the office staffs who been in LSK since the beginning that even before “QRS” was introduced, 3-4yrs back, Mrs E Tan was already doing many of the requirements stated (not knowing that there's this "QRS")
It came in handy when “QRS” was introduced this recent years.
And thankfully LSK wasn’t caught by surprise but instead can volunteer to be in the “trying batch”.
Mrs E Tan is taking this very seriously… all of us got to be on the ball.
In the coming July all the teachers will be attending a course regarding “QRS” as well. =)
Wooohooooo~~~ Miss Lim, are you ready?!?!?!
The last meeting left me with some thoughts…
When I first joined LSK, a camera was attached to me. I was amazed by the generosity of the school - every form teacher actually has a camera. Is like “what a luxury!!” Of course school’s property. Haha!
We the teachers are encouraged to capture moments where children engaging at learning corners, where children having outdoor/indoor lesson, where children having outdoor snack, where children having water play, where children go for excursion, for portfolio etc etc etc. Others that need to take photos will be:
- the physical arrangement when a new area are set up
e.g. previously our school’s atrium (common area for all levels) had “Our Neighbourhood” clinic, supermarket & café are set up for children’s role-play
- during mass celebration
e.g. previously during CNY, the committee members got to take photos for filing purpose
- etc etc etc etc
Later then I realized why, all for “SOP”. This is my third kindergarten but this is the first time I encountered this term in this field.
That’s why when I first joined LSK, I was “drowning in the water” cause beside the many things to learn, to catchup and to do, there’s a standard of doing things so that’s why the pressure came in.
But I thank God that from term 1’s drowning to now "kicking in the water" in term 2.
Recently encountered some shocking “tides”.
to be continued…
Attended a wedding recently.
No hotel or restaurant … it was at chalet
No reception … bride’s sister walked around with a big signboard to get guests to sign
No proper sound system … couple’s friend shouted for the guests to gather for the ceremony
No “stage” or elevation of couple … many guests can’t really see what's happening
No proper photographer or camera … bride’s jie mei took photos with digicam
No “box” to contain the hongbaos … it was all squeezed into the bride’s mum’s mini bag
Though quite many guests but only 8 tables with 6 chairs each were laid … many guests were standing on the green green grass munching and fellowshipping.
The most “shocking” scene I ever witnessed at a wedding … … during his “free time”, the bridegroom was smoking! Hmmm… Haha!
Is back! Is back! Miss Lim’s children’s talk is finally back!
scene #1
* discussion on saving water *
Miss Lim: … … … just like Miss Lim’s mummy
Children:: * shocked * You got mummy?!
Miss Lim: * thinking “it happened again” * Yes Miss Lim has a mummy and a daddy
Child C: Who is your mummy?
Miss Lim: Hmm… my mummy is my mummy. Haha!
Child J: Do you have grandmother?
Miss Lim: Yes I have!
Children: * shocked *
Miss Lim: Miss Lim has one grandmother, one father and one mother
Children: * revelation *scene #2
* lesson/experiment on evaporation *
* children mentioned words “shady” and “sunny” *
Mrs E Tan: So can you tell me what are the differences between shady and sunny place?
* silence for a second *
Child M: I know! Shady place has no sun and sunny place has no shade.
scene #3
* times really changed … remembered previously when I received my progress book from my teacher, I will either hide it in bag or show to mummy directly, cant really bother what’s my grade/performance etc *
* recently children’s observation report was given to them *
Child Jo: I got “S”!
Child Ju: “S” is super! Then I is no good.
* Miss Lim stepped in and explained the “meaning” of H, I, S (their “grading”)
* and the next 5mins was spent answering children’s different questions pertaining to the observation report *
scene #4
* lesson time *
Miss Lim: Children, before I bring you all out to music room, give me 5mins to explain…
Child B: * jokingly with a smile * So long?
Miss Lim: * go ahead with her explanation *
Miss Lim: Ok! I’m done! Let’s go to music room now!
Child B: Not 5mins yet
Miss Lim: * flipped *
Two Sundays ago, together with Tcher Lizhen & Tcher Jinzhi, had lunch with Malcom and Nainai. It was a belated birthday celebration for nainai’s 50th birthday! =)
For the past 3yrs, we only celebrated Malcom’s birthday but this year was the first time we celebrated for Nainai.
2007...
2008...
After the meal, after receiving the gift and just before we left, Nainai kept saying “thank you thank you”, I supposed she was overwhelmed the love and the blessings.
2010...
Malcom’s Nainai - a very strong lady
Every week, Nainai will definitely bring Malcom out from the home on Fri and filled his weekend with activities after activities and the shopping malls if possible before bringing him back home on Sun evening.
Because of Malcom’s health condition, Nainai can be quite gloomy at times - she is just afraid the day will come when Malcom has to depend on wheelchair, that’s one of her reasons for bringing Malcom around actively now.
Due to the lack of parental support/love for Malcom … much of the responsibilities are actually upon one Nainai’s shoulder.
=) do continue to keep both Malcom & Nainai in prayers..
Malcom
- for his legs to be strengthen
- the peace of God to be with him, esp when he feel alone in the home
- that he will has strong immune system
- that he will grow up healthy and strongly
Nainai
- finanically blessings
- strength of God as she support the family very much on her own
- joy of the Lord
- good health
In one of my recent blog entries, I shared about few students from NP came to our school for attachment and “rare-ly” one of them was actually a guy!
One of the sessions, both classes of K2 children were out to water their plant - me + 2 NP students with my class and Cher M + 2 NP students with her class.
Just when I was getting my children to queue up, suddenly I heard Mr L shouted loudly at the children attached to his class. He made two sentences but I can only remembered one - “Stand here now!”. Trust me - his tone was LOUD and FIRM!
The children were shocked, my children were shocked, Cher M was shocked, I was shocked and the other NE students were shocked too. The most “interesting” thing is that the children were quiet only for like 20secs then shortly after you could hear giggling/talking from them already. * flipped *
Shortly after, Cher M got the children together for a “lecture” and before getting them to apologize to Mr L. This was witnessed by another passerby who called up one office staff which later went up to the principal - seem like quite a “serious” issue as afterall this is not the “culture” of LSK and I guess not right for a “attachment student” to misuse the authority that way?Under that kind of “circumstance”, is actually understandable for children to behave that way - slightly loud and carried away - after all they are excited being a gardener and of course cant wait to water their plant.
Mrs E Tan aka the principal addressed this issue and I’m @@ at some of her sharings:
- don’t expect and put our “standard” on our children, they are still CHILDREN
- statements like “You are already in K2, why you still like this like that”, “You are already 6 years old, why you cannot like this like that” are no no
* children are children … how to ask them to keep quiet and don’t talk
Hmm… Mrs E Tan is really a different principal. =)This incident has made me reflect the years...
I remembered when I first started out as a teacher in PCF kindergarten, my patience towards children wasn’t that good as well - can easily find me shouting here and there (that’s why my voice so eeeeks now … failed to use it well).
Slowly as the years went, really thank God that He enlarged my patience tank.
Hmm... and also more immune to the "loudness" created by children?
At times when the children get out of hand, I told myself I must release one “big volcano” which sometimes can be quite “effective” but somehow I just find it hard to let myself be very angry.
Though was holiday-week but was in school almost everyday from 8plus to 6pm!!!
ps: even later and busier than normal school days … hmmm
Beside staff meeting (which started with worship + prayer) and discussion with level head, the time was spent to read through then typed out lesson plan, keep all term 1 resources before taking out term 2’s, laid out the materials for learning corners, prepared the art materials, searched for pictures before pasting it for self-check on task cards etc etc.
Preparing the art materials and self-check items are no joke!
Just imagine having to cut 200 leaves, 800 petals, 800 strings for one flower artwork. And cut paste cut paste for (8 x 32sets) x 10 different task cards. Haha!
One of the days I went for the FIRST home visitation to one of my form class’ students with my level head and Chinse Laoshi. Though “experienced” in JAMs visitation but this slightly different … haha … more to learn from the senior.
During school days, the teachers seldom get to sit to “enjoy” our lunch cause we got to either swallow … I mean eat quickly in the canteen or eat with the children in the class. But this week, all of us had our lunch together - chatting and laughing away.
Yes… Cher Lim is tired after a week of preparation and preparation but thank God for His strength to sustain me, thank God for His grace that kept me through the week, thank God for His favor, thank God for His creativity and thank God for the fruitfulness each day!
In a few days time, another 10 weeks of Term 2 will starts again … as usual, mixed feelings. =)
I love this shot…
Half of Week 9 and the whole of Week 10 are like “free weeks” as all curriculum and worksheet covered and done. Unlike my previous experiences where week 9 and 10 will be revision through worksheet or just teaching, in LSK the children are having revision in much fun ways, experiments and hands-on!
Check out the theme for K2 - - Water - - quite a “rare” theme compared to the “usual” theme you see across many kindergartens.
What the children learnt/accomplished:
1) States of water and its examples - solid, liquid, gas
2) Water cycle - evaporation, condensation, precipitation
3) Uses of water - home use, industrial & agricultural use, recreation
4) Four National Water Taps - reservoir, imported water, new water, desalinated water
5) Reservoirs in Singapore - there are 14 of them
6) New Water - the process, the infos, visited the NeWater Centre
7) mindmap on water, water cycle and their visit to NeWater etc etcHmm… probably you are thinking can the children understand all the above “chim” concepts taught and big words used?
Yes they can! =) And some of them even know it BEFORE I explain.
Previous week one of the experiments the principal Mrs E Tan did with the children was to try putting water on different materials and get children to see which evaporates first/faster - tissue, paper or cup? After which she had discussion/sharing with the children to recap the concepts before getting them to work on mindmap. 
Last week the children did another experiment and this time to find our the differences of evaporation on different materials and to predict which will dry faster/first.
- plastic and styrofoam plates
- plastic and styrofoam bowls
- woodeen and plastic chopsticks
- silk cloth or rugged cloth
- plastic glove or knitter
Beside all the experiments, the children also more fun experiments/experiences at the atrium where children get to have more hands-on activities at the different “Water Stations“.
10wks of Term 1 in LSK finally … … … … … … over!!!!
Been a term filled with ups and downsss, especially the first few and the last few weeks.
Throughout the 10weeks… much responsibilities were given, much excellence/standard were expected, much tasks were given but of course much help and attention were offered too.
Hmm… just when you think for the next one week Cher Lim can shake legs at home, you are wrong! Cher Lim got to be in school almost everyday to prepare for Term 2, the official “go home time” is even later than normal school days.
Looking back at week 8-10, really want to thank God for His grace & strength! =)
It can be pretty stressful being the last few weeks of the term as there were much work needed to be done (during and after school hours) and especially when with deadlines - from conducting experiments to adjusting quickly to the last minute changes of plan, to compiling of children’s worksheet to writing of observation reports to the different admin/logistics.
But I guess the “challenging” moment is to sacrifice my time, my precious time in school.
On one hand I already don’t have much time to myself but I got to set aside time for students from NP who are attached to our school for their practicum/learning experience and two of them attached to my class. Beside “setting an example”, I got to sit with them for discussion, to go through namelist to select children for their activity, to fill up feedback form, to have short meeting with their mentor, to assist them to the best of my ability etc.
There were a day where I got to finish off some impt stuff for both my form classes but before I can sit down and start, I was called by my principal to sit in the meeting with all the practicum students as she wanted to brief all together. Once done, before I can enter my classroom, I was called to the office by the admin clerk to settle the readers and by the time I reached my room, it was already 4plus. I then told the admin clerk, “Can you please stop the time?“. Haha!
Few days ago on the actual day of their practicum (where they conducted lesson with a group of 5-6 children and their mentor were around to observe them), that morning Mrs E Tan called for a "prayer meeting" at both classroom to uphold the practicum students and the children involved into God's hands. How nice is that?! =)
Though "that's goes my time!" but it been a joy & privilege to be able to be the Host Teacher for the two students from NP.
My not long ago status @ fb - “how cool is it to have my principal aka my boss to pray for me after our heart-to-heart talk”
After that talk, she dropped me smses…
“xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx, I will personally help you along. The LORD is with you. Ps 27:13-14”
“Just remember that NOTHING happen by chance. This new journey is for you and for those around you. I know you will be fine!”
So far including her, I have worked under 5 different principals (1 from first and 3 from previous kindergarten), I must say she is the FIRST principal who I’m so comfortable in sharing my heart out and I only know her for ~4mths! Trust me… I really shared my heart out. Mrs E Tan is a principal who…
- is a woman of God
- love and serve His people
- not just talk the talk but walk the walk
- show love, support and encouragement to her staff
- believes greatly and take pride in her staff
- gives children hugs and affirmation
- has excellence when doing things* believes an “open-concept office” aka her door is always opened for any to look for her
* is always available
- understand the “pressure” of teaching with a pair of eyes
… there was once she conducted a trial lesson for me then she told me to conduct the afternoon session, think my expression changed for a second and before I could say anything, she said “Don’t worry, I wont come in and see”. Haha!
- etc etc etc etc etc etc
Trust me, Mrs E Tan is a very busy principal … never once you see her shake legs or leave the school earlier and not to mention arrive in school later than any of the staff
One thing I’m always very appreciative is her availability for me as she believes very much on hand-holding the new staff.
Remember there was once I needed help from her, I went to the office and she had something on hand, not even asking me to wait for a minute, immediately she put her stuff aside and went with me to my classroom. Another I got to salute is her patience and "willinglyness" towards the pre-nursery children. Trust me, taking care of a class of more than 20 pre-nursery children is no joke. I can still remember during the first few weeks of the term, it was so chaotic that the class teacher was so stressed and one of the days Mrs E Tan gathered all staff and declared a prayer walk, 7 times round her classroom and got each teacher to commit to pray for 2 children.
You see… not many principal will be willing to leave their office to step into the classroom (or at least for my previous principal… opps) and not to mention to have the patience to take care of the challenging class, the pre-nursery where you will find more than one children wandering, dreaming, CRYING and shouting at the SAME time.
But EVERY week and EVERY day, you will see Mrs E Tan in the pre-nursery classroom to carry and to coax the individuals.
Seriously I do not know what lies ahead in my journey with LSK but one I definitely know for sure - I am soooooooooo blessed to be under her leadership and guidance.
Few weeks back, I smsed few of the parents from my ex-kindergarten to ask how's their child aka my ex-angel coping in with the life/work @ primary school.
It brings great joy to know they are coping well and enjoying their new journey. 
After two days of excursion to NewWater and ExplorerKid, the teachers were given an unscheduled school holiday so here I am … resting @ home today.
After each excursion, I’m down with headache and after yesterday’s ExplorerKid, my back is aching now. Old already? Haha!
Just today one of my children soiled herself, she just cant control.
According to my colleagues, it was even more serious/often (almost everyday) last year and the smell can be really bad.
Together with my Chinese teacher, we washed her up before we got her a new set of uniform and shoes.
As I put on the uniform, I saw scars on her stomach - the scars are different from the “common ones”, don’t know how to describe.
I held back my tears, especially after I look up and saw her expression. She is brave!
Know about her condition earlier but didn’t expect it to be that “serious”. Actually I couldn’t believe it when I first know about her condition cause she is just like any other child - bubbly, lively, adorable and smart. According to my principal, she is a miracle child! =)
I have another boy in another session who is also a miracle child.
Just the age of 6, he went through many operations, checkups and pains. “Pay special attention to him” was made known to me after I learnt about his condition.
Once I asked him why he was absent from school the day before, he replied “I unbalanced so mummy wants me to stay at home”.
Actually he was trying to say he was feeling dizzy. And not long after, he had a checkup to have brain scan.
He know about his condition and mum will always tell him “Jesus is your Healer”
It really breaks my heart to know about their condition. They have to undergo so many at such tender age.
But we know - they are CHILDREN of GOD and GOD IS THEIR HEALER!
Together with their classmates, we often keep them in prayers!
Whenever the term is coming to an end, can expect a certain level of busyness. But this time, I already can feel it, even just being week 7.
Today I left school slightly later … all work done?
Of course not … still have stacks of worksheet etc waiting for Miss Lim.
Sometime it can be “@@” - on hand there are like task A, task B, task C and task D then just when you decided to stay back to complete task A, announcement made and task E and task F were added and due to its’ importance, got to finish task E and F first so put task A-D on hold.
Finally when I completed task A and wants to work on task B, got to attend the weekly meeting that ends almost @ 6pm so another day gone. Returned the following day and came along task G & task H & task I. And by then task B already have i, ii, iii piled up.
The following weeks going to be busy…
2 days - excursion
1 day - portfolio discussion with level head
xx day - term2 curriculum meeting with level head and VP
yy days - compile 2 classes of worksheet (3 “subjects”), take photos, collect/compile items for portfolio etc etc
zz days - clear off outstanding work, finish off observation of children and fill up/compile observation checklist
aath Feb - submission of observation checklist
bbth Feb - submission of worksheet
ccth Feb - submission of portfolio
And just this week was being approached by level head to start planning for home visitation and another teacher wanted to arrange a day with me next week to visit together with her as my student and hers are sibling.
Dear Jesus, please enlarge Ah Ni’s capacity! Anoint her hands!
Remind her constantly that she can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens her! Thank you Jesus! =)
Yanni wishes all of my faithful readers - YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU and YOU a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year! =)
Huat ah! Huat ah!! Huat ah!!!
Looking forward to spending quality time with my family, relatives and cousin!
I have this boy Child D in my K2 class… he is a very obedient and rather quiet boy. =)
As my school is a 3hrs program so the timetable are actually pretty tight so basically my lunch time too. I really need to squeeze out time to eat … hmm I mean swallow lunch! Haha!
So many time I got to grab my food first, placed in class and wait for a “break” to eat so the children get to see my food or even Miss Lim eating. Haha!
Whenever Child D see me after my “lunch”, he will always ask very quietly and gently “Miss Lim, you eat already?”
I replied “Yes!” and he will just smiled and walked away.
Just today he asked me before and after my “lunch”
* before *
Child D: Miss Lim, you eat already?
Miss Lim: Oh… not yet. Going to after Z Laoshi come in. =)
Child D: Orr… ok!
* after *
Child D: Miss Lim, you eat already?
Miss Lim: Yes! =) Thank you Child D!
Child D: * whisper * Miss Lim, later you go home must remember to eat ok?
Miss Lim: Yes I will! =)
Attended Mr & Mrs Tang’s wedding… my secondary school/classmates.
I know Mrs Tang longer and for a period of time she was one of our GS-ladies.
So interesting - yearssss back witnessed their little "love story” back in secondary school and yearsssss later they are married!!!
It was simply awesome to just there to witness their wedding! Not forgetting the catching up with other school/classmates.
Unlike other wedding, this wedding caused me to have “more feelings”.
Really very happy (I mean really very happy) for them.
Best wishes to Mr & Mrs Tang!
Times flies… approaching the end of week 5.
How’s Miss Lim in LSK?
Many of my colleagues been asking me how’s everything, how am I coping with the lesson, am I adjusting well to the school, how am I with the children etc etc etc.
“Wonderful!”
“Awesome!”
“Yes! I’m doing great!”
“No problem!”
… none of the above was mentioned. Haha!
All I can say is “Still adjusting. Still swimming, at times will sink. Not really there yet.”
Though only 5 weeks in LSK but feel so long already - so many things to take note of, so many things to watch out for, so many things to cover, so many things to keep up, so many things to prepare, so many things are expected etc etc.
ONE of the MANY practices that I think is pretty cool - every child’s birthday will be celebrated, during assembly with the entire school, with the blessings from all friends and the teachers! Not forgetting a “standard present”. Just when you thought is by month, is actually on their actual birthday - individually!
Probably there are many christian kindergarten around but not all/many christian kindergarten are actually as alive/active as LSK.
Is a christian kindergarten - everyday the children will start the day with PRAISE & WORSHIP. Throughout the day, prayers will be made to Jesus - even after certain lesson, for friends who are sick, for any other prayer requests by the children.
I thank God for a good principal… =)
She is really someone who dreams big, thinks big, do big, pray big, encourages big! I really got to admit - she is verrrrrrrrrrrry different from my previous principals! =)
Hee! Love the way Child E spelled my name (above).. phonics in use? 
I burst out in laughter when I read the above “dialogue”. Haha! 
The above painting was done by Child A when she was on mc… 
Surprise!!! Woo… impressed by the effort of Child J (above)
A huge =) was on my face when I opened and read Child S' msg (above)
“You’re God princess”? How cool and sweet is that…
Nice experience…
Enjoy the “song item”… think he prefers going to the Animal Resort? Hee! 
2008...
Malcom’s Nainai - a very strong lady
“Let’s get some soil into our big pot” 
“Wooo… that’s how small a tomato seed is”
“Let me plant my tomato seed”
“Water time!”
It will takes ~70 days before they can bring their tomato home! 
Last week the children did another experiment and this time to find our the differences of evaporation on different materials and to predict which will dry faster/first.
Beside all the experiments, the children also more fun experiments/experiences at the atrium where children get to have more hands-on activities at the different “Water Stations“.
Skipped busing for service.
