MY MUSINGS

Emotional Disturbance: A Concern or not?

2013-11-05T19:54:00.002+04:00

Teens and younger children may suffer from emotional disturbance at some point during their school days. Parents arguing or divorcing, relatives ill health, and problems at home can leave students upset, angry and confused. Having to cope with emotional problems at school can make learning difficult and lead to behavioural problems. Taking a child’s emotional state into consideration in the classroom can help them to heal, and give them better opportunities to learn, despite difficult times.
Some children may let you know they’re emotionally under the weather. At other times you may hear rumours from other students, be informed by parents, or notice a change in the child’s behaviour. A child who alters their behaviour in the classroom may be showing signs of going through personal trauma or difficulties.
A teachers job, is of course, to help students learn. One way to do so is to make sure, to the best of your ability, that the student is as receptive to receiving and understanding knowledge as they can be. Emotional disturbance can prevent a child from being able to concentrate in the classroom, and may also make them tearful, argumentative or disruptive.
While you can’t solve all of a disturbed child’s problems, even if you want to, you can make their learning experience easier by being thoughtful and understanding. A child who’s having difficulties won’t want their problems pointed out, so treating them especially differently from other students won’t be helpful. However, making an effort to include them when they seem extra quiet, and offering them encouragement and support will help tremendously.
If an emotionally disturbed student is badly behaved in the classroom, you can’t afford to completely overlook their behaviour, as this would set a bad example to other students. You can though, take a disruptive child aside, and privately give them the opportunity to open up to you and share some of their troubles.
Some schools provide a counselling service for students who need to unburden themselves and seek advice. A child who shows signs of needing help may benefit from seeing a counsellor confidentially, where they can speak freely with a professional who won’t discuss their problems with anyone else, unless the child’s perceived to be in danger.
Being a teacher is a responsible, and sometimes stressful job, in more ways than one. Dealing effectively with students who have problems outside of the classroom, which they bring into it, is just one aspect of teaching which requires kindness and an intelligent, but sympathetic response.You can best take students with emotional disturbance into consideration in the classroom, by being observant of their behaviour, and by taking positive action when needed. By lending a listening ear, and possibly a shoulder to cry on, you can help a student to feel less anxious at school when their personal life is up in arms.
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Speed Reading Techniques

2012-06-19T12:00:00.001+04:00

With the alarmingly increasing availability of information to people nowadays, need for speed reading is also on the rise. It is a collection of various techniques and methods that help in increasing your reading speed without actually reducing your retention and comprehension capabilities. This is becoming more and more popular among students and professionals alike. This is because students benefit through this skill by covering more chapters than their contemporaries. In the corporate world, employees with this skill are able to comprehend various reports, newspapers, emails, correspondence and other technical papers faster. Thus, it improves the efficiency and productivity of the person along with providing him more time to deal with other facets of life.
Speed Reading Techniques
Though learning to read speedily does not help in increasing the I.Q of a person, it does help in increasing the ability of the brain to comprehend various new concepts in a short span of time. In addition to these techniques, one should strengthen his or her comprehension and vocabulary to master this skill completely. Some common basic techniques that can be followed may be listed as follows:
Avoid Reading Word by Word: Unfortunately, most of us are taught to read word by word since our childhoods. This is a typically common poor reading habit, which makes the person concentrate more on the words rather than the concept presented by the complete text. For speed reading, one needs to read in chunks and blocks while grasping the basic essence of these groups.
Avoiding Sub Vocalization: Considered to be one of the major speed reading techniques, according to it, one should avoid pronouncing each word when reading as it reduces the comprehension ability and the reading speed of the person. One should practice regularly to get out of this reading speed slowing habit.
Focus on Reading: There are many who believe in multi tasking. However, one should avoid combining any other work while reading and try to just sit and read. Avoiding all kinds of distractions and disturbances will help in improving the reading speed of the person.
Skimming the Content for Main Ideas: Reading is not a linear practice. It is not necessary that one take in the sentences and paragraphs sequentially and in order. One should develop the habit of scanning the complete content in the minimum possible time they can and focus more on the important content, which are often highlighted in bold or are in bulleted points. This will help him or her in avoiding the fluff and concentrating more on the vital material.
Take Regular Breaks: Steady reading for hours at a stretch affects the efficiency of the person while slowing down the retention process. One should take regular breaks to refresh him or herself, which also helps in avoiding much strain on the eyes.By continuous practice of these speed reading techniques, one will notice a considerable amount of change in his or her own reading style in a very short span of time. Though many are blessed with speed reading naturally, there are a whole lot of courses available on the market also that help people in learning the same. One just needs to remember that speed reading is not magic. Regular practice and concentration are the only two ways that will help him or her to master this truly valuable art.

How voice to use your as an effective teaching tool

2012-04-11T22:35:00.002+04:00

The human voice is truly an amazing gift. So the most effective tools you have as a teacher is your voice.No doubt,this tool is the best tool of an English language teacher. Think back to your favorite school teachers – what was it about them that won your heart? Chances are, they knew how to catch your attention, make the subject interesting and inspire you to learn.You can do the same for your students, too. Start each day with a cheerful greeting or a bit of news or trivia that will grab their attention. Why not ask them a thought-provoking question to wake up their brains? What you communicate to your class early on sets the tone for the day ahead.

There are many ways you can use your voice as an effective teaching tool. Consider the following:
Expression -
In the classroom, what you say and how you say it is important. Use an expressive, sincere voice to encourage a student that struggles with new concepts. Quietly affirm someone who has little support or encouragement at home. When the class (or a student) is overly-excited, a calm, steady voice can help diffuse the situation.
Express pride in children and groups when they are cooperative and helpful. When special events are on the schedule, share your anticipation through the tone of your voice. Your facial expressions, tone of voice and pitch automatically come into play as you speak. Be expressive as you teach and never hesitate to inject true emotion into your voice. This helps the children learn to be expressive, too.
Volume -
There’s just something about a whisper young children can’t ignore! It signals intrigue, mystery, secrets and more. Place a finger to your lips to signal for quiet, then speak in a whisper to introduce the next activity. Whisper, “I’ve got a brand new story you’ll love. Let’s tiptoe over and find our places very quietly.” Be sure to vary the circumstance and occasions for using whispers. If you whisper every story time, it will soon lose its appeal and intrigue.
The rise and fall of volume helps maintain interest for all students and can be especially effective for older children. During a history lesson, quote a couple characters, using different voices and volumes to peak interest. When posing class questions, making announcements and giving assignments, a bit louder volume is in order. You want everyone to hear you clearly. On the other hand, yelling is never in order! It shows the teacher has lost control of the situation and also feeds the frenzy you are trying to dispel.
Inflection -
The dictionary defines inflection as “any change in tone or pitch of the voice … a modulation to signal a question by a rising inflection.” Inflection of the voice adds interest to what you say and can actually change the meaning of what you say.
For instance, consider the word “really.” In a flat monotone, the word sounds like dull and robotic. With a slight inflection, the word takes on real meaning. For instance, when the rise in pitch comes at the end of the word, it asks the question, “Really?” With a higher pitch at the beginning of the word and a drop at the end of the word, one affirms the question with “Really!”
Most of us use inflection without even thinking about it. It’s one of those skills we learned as a child by listening and imitating the way those around us spoke.
Inflection is also one of the most effective tools you’ll use as a teacher. Variation of tone and pitch is a vital part of the communication process, and without it, what we say can be misunderstood. For instance, the following sentence without inflection (in a flat monotone with no change of pitch) actually means the opposite of what it states:
“I am so excited about your good grades. ”
Would your child actually believe you were happy and pleased excited if you said those words in a monotone voice? Now try the same sentence with inflection – the way you would normally say it if you saw straight A’s on a report card. “I am so excited about your good grades!” Say it again a couple times and notice the natural inflection in your voice.
As a teacher, you have the ability to change the atmosphere in your class room with your voice. A whisper is an unexpected change in volume level that will catch students’ attention – and hold it – for brief periods of time. Using a monotone voice will certainly do the same!
Inflection, however, is the one tool you must wield daily to keep your classes interesting. If you’re reading aloud, explaining a new concept, sharing information or making announcements, inflection helps maintain interest in what you are saying.
Yes,the human voice is truly an amazing gift. Every time you stand before your students and speak, 15 parts of your body are actively working! The generators of sound include your lungs, rib cage, diaphragm and related muscles. As they move air upwards in the chest, the vibrators of sound – the larynx and vocal cords – begin to quiver.
The resonators of sound are the oral mouth, throat and nasal cavity. These determine the quality of your speech. Finally, the articulators of sound are the jaw, lips, teeth, gum ridge, hard and soft palates and the tongue. These work to help you pronounce words distinctly. And you thought all you had to do was open your mouth and teach!
Remember, the ability to speak and teach is truly a gift. By using your voice as an effective teaching tool, you can impress the hearts and lives of your students. Who knows? You may be the one favorite teacher they’ll remember for years to come!

Virtues of a Mother

2011-05-08T13:38:00.000+04:00

Yesterday a question haunted me .It may not be an important one for all.However, I wish to share it with you. Sorry, I didn't reveal the question yet!.Here it comes-- Did the person who coined the word 'mother' think of the virtues of a mother and the various roles she plays in the family?

Finally,thanks to Allah,today I could find an expansion for this blessed word.

M for Maker:God has given only the woman an opprtunity to be the maker of a baby.

O for Optimist:It is the mother who is never bowed down by the problems of her children. It is her optimism which sees through all the ups and downs of life.

T for Teacher:She is the first teacher of the child.It is also said that 'mother's lap is the first school of the child'!

H for Homemaker:It is mainly she who transforms the 'house' to a 'home'.Hope you know the difference between these two words.

E for Efficient :It is She who supposed to manges the daily routine of the house most efficiently.

R for Reformer :Who else can influence and reform the children better than a sincere mother

A Red Rose To My Mum

2011-05-08T13:21:00.000+04:00

A mother is a person full of care
You can't find somebody like her

Whom I can trust much
Whom I love so much

She is very special and very rare
Our Islam tells us to be more wise
Her companion leads to the Paradise
I and you must obey our mum's words

I call you everyday,I know but
In this day I would present a red red rose
Revealing to her my sincere love
"Mum I love you forever and ever"

This feeling lives within my heart
You taught me everything
Still teaching me the real life!
I will love you forever and ever

A mother is a person full of care
In my heart You are so near
In my eyes You are always a dear
With you I feel not lonely and not weard

I can't say how much You dear to me
But with my deed I try to show it
I know I will fail in it!...
But I will try forever and ever...

Now let me give you a red rose
From my deep heart.....
A red red coloured rose
With full of love and hope.

To ponder over.....

2011-04-04T20:41:00.001+04:00

Certify your character
Nullify your greed
Amplify your behaviour
Rectify your mistake

Simplify your needs
Clarify your doubts
Testify your opinion
Beautify your life

Satisfy your husband
Gratify your wife
Justify your decision
Notify your necessity

Modify your views
Occupy your place
Verify your statement
Glorify your Creator

Be deaf to your critics!

2010-03-19T22:29:00.003+04:00

Once upon a time, a bunch of tiny frogs arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around to the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants.
Honestly, no one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. Crowd heard statements such as: “Oh, way too difficult! They will never make it to the top”, or “Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!”

The tiny frogs began collapsing one by one. Except for those who, in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher. The crowd continued to yell, “It is too difficult! No one will make it."
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up. But one continued higher and higher. This one would not give up.

At the end, everyone else had given up climbing the tower except for the one tiny frog who after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

Then all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one little frog manage to do it? A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal.

It turned out….. . The winner was Deaf!!

MORAL:SOMETIMES YOU SHOULD BE DEAF TO YOUR CRITICS.

Shakespearean Marriage

2010-02-19T22:54:00.000+04:00

When was the marriage proposed?

'Twelfth Night'

Who were the bride and bridegroom?

'Romeo and Juliet'

From whom did they buy the wedding ring?

'The Merchant Of Venice'

What did the bride reply?

'As You Like It'

Who were the chief guests?

'Antony and Cleopatra'

Who were the cooks at wedding?

'The Merry Wives of Windsor'

Who manged the Event?

'The Two Gentlemen of Verona'

Who blessed the wedding?

'King Lear'

How would you describe the wedding?

'Much Ado About Nothing'

How was their honeymoon?

'A Mid Summer Nigth's Dream'

Where did they live after marriage?

'Hamlet'

How was their married life?

'The Tempest'

Wht was the bridegroom's vacation?

'Taming of the Shrew'

What did the bride give him?

'Measure for Measure'

What was their hope?

'All's Well That Ends Well'

2010-02-19T14:57:00.004+04:00

uplifting quotations

Crazy Cricket*

2010-02-18T12:24:00.003+04:00

CRICKET is a fun,
When India scores runs.
When Sachin hits a six,
Pakistan is in fix.

When Ganguly hits a four,
Everyone wants to know the score.
When Dravid gets out,
Everyone shouts.
When Kumble takes a wicket,
Everyone loves cricket.
When Yuvaraj takes a catch,
INDIA wins the match !
(*Composed in 2008,players may change)

True Friends

2010-02-18T12:11:00.002+04:00

Friends are forever,
Friends are true.
Friends are people like me and you,
Friends are never black and blue.

   They help each other,
They care each other.
   They show us the right path,
   As if it is an oath.

They can be better than a book you read,
If they cure of your greed.
A friend in need is a friend indeed!
So let's be friends till our end.

Nature

2010-02-18T11:26:00.002+04:00

Nature is bright,
With its lovely sight.
Where rivers flow,
Fertile soil will grow.

Nature is lifes's beauty,
To save it's our duty.
Nature is a flower,
With charm it bewilder

To My Brother

2010-02-17T20:52:00.001+04:00

O! My dear brother
I miss you too much
I like you to much
I wait for your arrival
   I count for your arrival
   I dream your presence
We can roam together
We can have fun together
We can cook together
   O!My dear brother...
I wait for you...
Wait for that moments...

The Otherside of Progress

2010-02-17T19:13:00.002+04:00

MAN has verily progressed
World has wholly changed.
From carts to cars,
From huts to houses,
From letters to emails,

But if we look behind,
We shall surely notice.
The greenery has gone
But man has paid no heed.
As long as his deeds
And needs are fulfilled!

Here comes the Question
Should progress pay
Such a heavy cost?
A cost of lives?

My Father

2010-02-17T18:30:00.003+04:00

Born as man,bears all pains-Yet,
Comes up as the one among mains.
Feels no tired to bring up kids-And
Cares no hand in sharing his plight.
Gives his all to kids in need-But,
Expects nothing great indeed.

Work all days from dawn to dusk-And
Feels his duty a daily must.
Goes to market with no fanfare-To
Returns home with nothing for him.
Spends and spares all for others-And
Feels no need to greed others.

Allah says us "be thankful"-So,
Let us be grateful -To our fathers.

My Mother

2010-02-17T17:58:00.003+04:00

I took your words for granted
When I was just a child.
I never knew you had so much care
I always made you sad
Though you were so kind.

I never stopped to count the times
When you wipped my falling tears.
The times when you soothed me in my distress.
But now I know your love for me
Is something that cannot be defined!

All I have to say is
To thank Allah for giving me
The best mother on Earth!
"Give her a long healthy life"
To Allah I pray.

2010-01-08T19:13:00.006+04:00

Thanks a lot for your visit.Hope you will come again to share my MuSiNgS*