.L.i.v.e. L.i.f.e. T.o. T.h.e. F.u.l.l.e.s.t.

I'm Back!

2010-12-25T11:39:00.001+08:00

It has been a long time I didn’t write anything in this blog. How to start? What to start? I totally don’t have ideas! Huhuhu! Hmm..Perhaps I can update my activities for the whole month of December 2010! Currently, I am in Kulim completing my Diploma in Education at MARA Academy, Jawi, Penang. It is scheduled to be over in August 2011. I really have a good mood today as I just got my result of Semester 1 Diploma in Education last night. I got 3.84 and I am indeed proud of myself as I really worked hard last year and my effort is paid handsomely!

Hmm...I don't know what to say anymore and perhaps later if I have other ideas I would fill this blog with more awesome stories! Till then, eat, drink and be merry!

Literature: The Fruitcake Special

2010-08-17T10:32:00.000+08:00

Hi everybody!

This time I want to share nice lesson plans on The Fruitcake Special. I applied these in my class and they seem so helpful and fun.

First and foremost, for the introduction of the short story, perhaps you could have a debate session which the motion is 'THBT Perfume is More Appealing Than Look'. Ask students to form 2 groups and decide which group will be the government or opposition sides. (Use your creativity to decide). Then, elect 2 adjudicators, Speaker of the House and time keeper. Give them time 20 minutes to 30 minutes to list out the arguments and ask each team to choose 3 speakers and each speaker is given 6-7 minutes to speak and 3 minutes for reply speech.
This activity is quite interesting as the students will try to defend their arguments and try to convince the judges that their arguments are strong. Encourage shy students to be speaker of the house or the debaters.

Happy Trying! Huhuhu...!

.S.a.m.p.l.e.E.s.s.a.y.1.

2010-08-03T15:44:00.000+08:00

Title: Memories

“Come on, Troy! Catch me if you can!” Annie ran as fast as a girl who suffered from leukaemia could. She did not mind the little pain she had to endure each time she took another step ahead. Annie turned back and stopped giggling gleefully when she realised that Troy’s voice was no longer heard.

She darted towards Troy ignoring the feeling of exhaustion that filled her body. Troy was on the ground looking all ashen and breathless.

“Troy, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” A five-year-old Annie’s voice shaking. Her face depicted that she was petrified looking at her friend’s condition.

“I’m fine. I just want to rest for a while.” Troy’s voice barely could be heard. Yet, Annie swore that she saw Troy tried very hard to put a calming smile on his pale face with his chest moving hard up and down.

Nurse Tracia dashed towards them as soon as she saw Troy was on the ground. A sense of anxiety and responsibility filled the air.

“I’m sorry, Annie but I need to take Troy inside. You can always play with him tomorrow.” Nurse Tracia gave a smile before she took Troy in her hands who was still gasping for more oxygen.

“If there is still tomorrow…” she whispered to herself. There was crystal water in her eyes looking at Troy’s face which was now had turned blue.

Days of excruciating pain, needle prickling and dose of medicine seemed to be crawling in a slow rate. However, Annie and Troy managed to overcome all the obstacles faced in front of them. One year had passed by and they still lived their short life in the Children Medical Hospital to the fullest.

“Annie, if we ever manage to become an adult, what will you be?” Troy and Annie were sitting on the hospital bed with alphabet books in their hands.

“I would like to be a doctor!” There was glistening hope in her eyes.

“I don’t want to be a doctor. I hate being in hospital.” Troy’s voice was soft. He threw his gaze to the blue sky outside the window.

Tears dropped down to Mrs. Suzy’s face to hear her son blurted the worlds out from his mouth. How she wished to switch place with her son and let her alone bear all the pain that his son had to endure. He was too small to be suffered all those pain.

Troy could not move his feet. His heart sank the minute he heard the words come out from the doctor’s mouth. A minute later, he could hear his mother’s soft cry. He might be a six years old boy but he did know the discussion outside the door was a about his death.

“Troy can only live for 3 months to one year unless there is miracle…” That was the only words that he could hear. Apart from that his ears had turned deaf.

Devastated, Troy crept out from his room with tears streaming his cheeks. Mrs. Suzy was too shocked with the news oblivious to his son’s escape.

Nurses were everywhere looking for Troy. They searched high and low but the result was devastating. Troy was nowhere to be seen! Mrs. Suzy kept on repeating Troy’s name on her mouth. Where had he been? Where was her only son?

Troy hid behind the table when the door of guest room cracked open. He did not want to face anyone right now. He needed some space! He needed to be alone! Troy shut his eyes hard and closed his ears with both of his hands trying to make his mother’s voice leave.

“Annie…” How he wished to see Annie right now. He wiped off his tears and mustered some courage to face Annie. The steps that he took seemed to be heavy and slow. A stroller that was shoved by nurses made Troy’s heart even more hurt. Death… He wished he would not die!

Troy was standing in front of Annie’s door. He pushed the door slowly, shocked to see that there were nurses tidying Annie’s bed. Troy’s eyes were searching for Annie but she was not there. Suddenly Troy felt he could not breathe. There was difficulty that he could not express each time he inhaled the air.

“Troy!” Troy heard his mother’s voice from behind of him. Mrs. Suzy lifted Troy and hugged him.

“Where have you been son?” There was glistening tears in both Troy and his mother’s eyes.

“Annie… Where’s Annie?”

“She’s no longer with us, Troy…” Mrs. Suzy bawling her head off. She knew how meaningful Annie towards Troy.

That was why she tried very hard and put all her mind to find Troy just now. To tell Troy that Annie had left them, left the world and left her soul.

Twenty years had passed by yet the memories of Annie could not be drifted from his mind. Memories between him and Annie have etched forever in his mind and keep looming large. Be a doctor… That is what he is going to fulfil. For the sake of their memories.

Written by: Nurul Zahidah Mohtar

Edited by: Madam 'Ainaa

.T.e.a.c.h.i.n.g. C.o.n.t.i.n.u.o.u.s. W.r.i.t.i.n.g.

2010-07-28T09:12:00.000+08:00

BEHIND EVERY SCRIPT, THERE IS A FUTURE!

How to teach continuous writing? These tips I get from a really experienced teacher and he is also the SPM chief examiner. Let's find out how to teach our valuable kids the correct methods of continuous writing!

What I do with my kids is first and foremost, I will distribute good sample essays written by their seniors and give them time to read and think about their own plot of story. Next, I will ask them to tell me their plot. They could combine the plot from the seniors' writing or they could come with their own plot or they could modify movies or any stories that they have watched or read before.

Once everyone has told their plot to you, ask them to write. I ask my kids to write maximum 4 pages and minimum 2 pages. (It's page not sheet. Ss easily get confused of this!) After everyone has finished writing, ask them to submit to you the essay. When you check the essay:

1. Introduction must be strong. Use catchy intro. (I will put some notes on catchy intro later)

2. Dialogue is a must especially narrative writing. (I only teach my kids narrative writing as narrative writing is the easiest to get high marks)

3. Arrangement of the dialogue. Refer to the novels. Tell our kids how the dialogues should be written.

4. Tenses. They might use all present tense for their story or past tense for their story. Do not mix tenses. Once the kids mix the tenses, their essays is in 'D' category.

5. Vocabulary is vital. Use wide vocabulary. Use Thesaurus if possible. Each one of them should have thesaurus or teachers can guide them on the vocabulary.

Example: happy --> elated; sad --> distraught; important --> vital and so on.

6. Put some words of wisdoms or maybe a part of song lyrics to make it more interesting.

7. Last but not least, teach them how to twist their story to suit with the titles given in the exam. It's whether they have to add a few lines for the beginning or a few lines for the ending or add a word for one-word topic essay.

It really takes time to teach continuous writing as I usually spend one month with my kids to teach them continuous writing. Next post, I'll include some of the best sample essays done by my students so that you will have a clear picture on how to teach your kids continuous writing. Till then, happy teaching!

.C.o.n.s.p.i.r.a.c.y.O.f. L.a.n.g.u.a.g.e.W.e.e.k.

2010-07-28T08:50:00.001+08:00

First and foremost, I don't want to talk about Language Week as overall. I just want to comment about DRAMA Competition. Was it just a conspiracy when the host did not invite adjudicators from nearby schools but just picked the judges randomly to adjudicate the dramas? I noticed that two of the judges were MRSM teachers and another two from HQ. For me, THIS IS NOT FAIR!

This is not because we didn't win but the process of adjudication was not fair enough. First, as far as I know, usually for DRAMA competition, the host will invite adjudicators from nearby government schools as what had been done by other MRSMs before. But, it did not happen during National Language Week! Second, when they announced for the winner, and of course the winner was the host itself, it was totally obvious that they wanted the host to win. Each college that participated the drama got one trophy whether it was for the best actor, best actress, best supporting actor or best supporting actress. My kid should have won the best supporting actor as he was far talented than the winner.

Maybe some people will say let bygone be bygone but for me justice was not there. I firmly think that our drama is the best among the best because we have great actors and actresses and our drama is unique and people enjoyed our drama that night. To all my kids, you have done a great job and wait until we will be the host and we will see how it will go! Till then, I love my drama kids and this drama team is unique and the best of all!

.M.R.S.M. V.s. L.a.n.g.k.a.w.i.S.c.h.o.o.l.s.

2010-07-17T22:21:00.000+08:00

Playing sport is my passion as I really enjoy playing all sports and after giving birth I feel like that I am not strong like I used to be in those days. My stamina sucks and I always feel tired after playing for 15 minutes especially netball.

Maybe because I do not like running and jogging. Last time when I was in the university I went for swimming as swimming can increase my stamina but here in Langkawi I cannot find a perfect swimming pool for me to boost my stamina. (I love swimming! I am a good swimmer!) As the result, last month we had this so-called sport carnival in SMK Kedawang and it ended up terribly for me as I didn't perform well but then we were the champion of the sport carnival. I played every game but I felt like I was not in the mood because I couldn't run well and I was having heavy period that time and it limited my movements. I wish I could have played well and made my team proud of me. Yet, we were the champion and there was nothing I could say just sorry my teammates and I promise I will play better next time!

Let me share the moments of joy with all of you!

Best of the best: Netball team and football team

We'll beat them again next year! Prepare for GURKA in September!

.N.e.w.R.e.c.i.p.e.

2010-07-17T14:26:00.001+08:00

Check this out! New recipe that I tried last weekend. It's very simple and indeed suitable for those who are lazy like me! Huhuhu!

This recipe is called Chicken Butter and it is very simple. What you need:
a) Chicken
b) Butter
c) Garlic
d) Oyster sauce
e) Salt
f) turmeric powder

How to do? As simple as ABC:

1. First, wash the chicken meats and put them in a bowl. Add salt, turmeric powder and oyster sauce in the bowl and mix them together with the chicken meats.

2. Then, heat a wok and add butter in the wok. Slice the garlic and add them in the wok with the butter. Wait until you smell the aroma of the garlic.

3. After that, put the chicken meats in the wok and wait until they are cooked. Then, serve with rice. Enjoy your lunch!

Standardised Test 3 Form 3 Semester 2 2010

2010-07-13T23:38:00.014+08:00

This is the answer scheme for standardised test 3 semester 2 2010 form 3. Please revise and inform me if you have any comments because i'll appreciate it. Thanks everyone!

SECTION A: Guided Writing

Answer:

A very good morning I bid to the Principal of SMK Chung Hwa, respected teachers and my fellow friends. I, as the president of the Environmental Club feel very honoured to deliver a speech which I think is very significant today entitled ‘How to Protect the Environment’.

Environmental issues have become a hot topic in the newspaper recently. The media always highlight the issues of air pollution and water pollution. According to a report lately, these pollutions have caused global warming and I believe we feel the heat increasing day by day. Therefore, I have a few suggestions that we can apply in our daily life to save our Mother Earth.

First and foremost, please do not litter. Littering can cause an unhealthy environment because the rubbish thrown may lead to many diseases. The best way is to throw the rubbish in the dustbins or bury it in the ground. Do not ever burn the rubbish because when you burn it, it can cause air pollution. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, please do not litter to protect the environment.

Next, please keep rivers clean. The rivers are the most precious award from God. Thus, we have to appreciate what God has granted us with. Even though rivers are unlimited resource, they are the source of food and water. Besides, we should keep the rivers clean to protect the aquatic lives to maintain the ecology cycle. It is important as maintaining the ecology cycle can stabilise the environment. Therefore, keep rivers clean to protect the environment.

Then, please avoid open burning. Open burning is very dangerous as the smoke released is very unsafe as it contains carbon monoxide. When we inhale carbon monoxide we tend to have breathing problem and it affects our respiratory system. It is advisable if we bury the rubbish instead of burning it. Therefore, avoid open burning to protect the environment.

Ladies and gentlemen, we should use paper bags instead of plastic bags. This is because plastic bags take million years to decompose. If we burn plastic bags, the smoke produced from the plastic bags is very harmful to human because it contains chemical substances. Therefore, use paper bags instead of plastic bags to protect the environment.

Finally, please reuse and recycle materials. Do not waste materials such as plastics, bottles and papers. Plastic bags that we get from the supermarkets or shopping malls can be used as garbage plastics and papers can be sold to recycle centre to gain revenue. Other than that, old tyres are useful as flower pots and aluminium cans can be modified as pencil boxes. Use your creativity to create something new with something old. Therefore, reuse and recycle materials to protect the environment.

In conclusion, whatever you do, please think first as the proverb goes ‘look before you leap’ so that you will not regret in the future. I do hope you could practise what I have told you before and let us conserve and protect our Mother Earth. Thank you for listening attentively.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I highlight the content points with black and the elaborations with purple. This is just an example so that you know how to write a complete speech. If you notice, in every paragraph it is encouraged if you justify the points that you have mentioned earlier. So, have fun writing and I'll come out with answer scheme of summary and literature.

Section B: Summary

Content points = 5 (5 marks)

Language = 5 marks

Content points:

C1 - exercise regularly

Rephrase: exercise frequently

C2 - having a proper diet

Rephrase: having a balanced diet

C3 - get enough sleep

Rephrase: get sufficient sleep

C4 - get support from your family and friends

Rephrase: get support for family and buddies

C5 - make a timetable

Rephrase: make a schedule

C6 - being well-organised

Rephrase: being disciplined/well-ordered

C7 - should not be too harsh on yourself

Rephrase: should not force yourself

Section C: Literature

Question: Describe an incident and state two themes that you can extract from this incident.

Answer:

Based on the novel The Prisoner of Zenda written by Anthony Hope Hawkins, the incident that I choose is when Rudolf Rassendyll impersonates King Rudolf V. (Incident)

The first theme shown by this incident is courage. (1^st theme)This is proven by the character of Rassendyll who has just met King Rudolf V in a forest. Since their faces look alike, the King invites him to have dinner but unfortunately the king is drunk and cannot wake up for his coronation on the next day. Therefore, Rudolf impersonates the King and goes to the coronation. Rudolf is brave enough to pretend to be the King because if somebody knows about it, he most probably will be killed. (1^st Evidence) In my opinion, in our lives, we should be brave and think smartly before doing anything because if not we will be in hot soup. (1^st Own View)

The second theme shown by this incident is loyalty. (2^nd theme) This is proven by the character of Rudolf who has never betrayed the King when he pretends to be the King. He even saves the King when the King is kidnapped by Black Michael, who is the King’s brother and he willingly sacrifices his love towards Princess Flavia because he knows honour comes before love. His loyalty towards the King has not been paid but he feels satisfied because he has done a good deed in his life. (2^nd Evidence) In my opinion, we should help people sincerely and although we do not get paid for what we have done but we still feel happy and satisfied because we know we have done the best in our lives. (2^nd Own View)

In the midst of hardship!

2010-02-26T10:15:00.006+08:00

Hi all!

This is just my experience and my opinion on teaching new text of Form 4 literature, In the Midst of Hardship. The text is simpler than Sonnet 18, definitely. Hmm.. please have a look and comment if I don't interpret every stanza correctly. I really appreciate your comments! Thanks..

In the midst of hardship by Latiff Mohidin

At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed
they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their son's
albino buffalo that was never found

They were born amidst hardship
and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
now they are in the kitchen, making
jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

Stanza 1
They returned to their home in the early morning. Their clothes were very wet and torn. There were cuts on their arms but they did not show any signs of misery.

Explanation:
Dawn refers to early morning. The poet uses brows to tell about the expression on the face. "...but on their brows, there was not a sign of despair..." It means by looking at one's brows we already know their heart, whether the person is unhappy or happy.

Stanza 2
They went through the terrible flood day and night courageously. They stayed in their house that was full of water due to the flood occurred. They could see dead bodies and the skin of woods floating. They were also worried of their missing albino buffalo as they could not find it.

Explanation:
The flood was terribe but they faced it bravely. They stayed in the water all the time with the dead bodies of animals and small chips of trees all around them. In the stanza, the strong bond between family members is shown when the poet said "... desperately looking for their son's, albino buffalo that was never found..." They searched for the buffalo which was owned by their son. Because of the love, they were willing to sacrifice looking for the animal. Albino buffalo here is 'kerbau balau'. It shows that this flood happened in a village. (Thanks to Cikgu M. Faisal Abdullah for the meaning!)

Stanza 3
They were not born in a wealthy family but they grew up without grumbling. They lived happily and even could make jokes.

Explanation:
Amidst means among. That means they were born and grown in the hardships and they were used to living like that. They lived happily is shown '... making jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves.' Cigarette leaves is 'rokok daun'. (My husband smokes this when he doesn't have money to buy cigarettes.huhuhu) It means they lived comfortably even though they lived in poverty.

I hope all of these could help you understanding the poem and help you in teaching and learning process! Till then, do comment and I really appreaciate it! Bye! Thanks!

RM90 per year!

2010-02-26T10:02:00.004+08:00

Hi all!

I've found a cool online tuition website called www.istudy.com.my. You just have to pay RM90.00 per year and you can revise all the 8 subjects for PMR candidates and 9 subjects for SPM candidates. For me, it's very worthwhile because if you go to outside tuition, you have to pay RM30-50 per subject. Furthermore, if you, parents are concern on your children's safety, do not hesitate to sign up for this remarkable online tuition. Your children will be in front of your eyes studying and you can monitor their achievement because this online tuition will also send your children's result through email! Can you imagine how good this website is!

So, do contact me if you are interested because there are 9 i-pins left. Bank in RM90 into my account and send me your details:

a) parent's full name

b) address

c) tel. no

d) your email address

e) your children's name

I will email you the login name and login password and log on to http://www.istudy.com.my/ and enjoy the benefits! Very simple and easy! If you have problem, you can email me or contact me!

Registration Form 1 and Form 4!

2010-02-17T13:51:00.004+08:00

Hi...

The registration of form 1 and form 4 today was okay. Everything was on a right track. Everything went smoothly as planned. I've got a new homeroom. Form 1! At first I was reluctant to accept form 1 students as my homeroom 'kids' because they are very young and I was afraid I couldn't handle them as they are still small and need extra attention from teachers. But, when I met them for the first time, they were all okay and most of them are Kelantanese.They are selected students because Langkawi will be PKA starting this year. (PKA stands for Program Khas Akademik. Actually it is similar to PKP; Program Khas Pendidikan..huhuhuh)

That's all for the news today! Till we meet again! Bye!

Maresmawians Batch 1999/2000 Info!

2010-02-04T14:35:00.000+08:00

Hallooo...

Two days ago, Pak Hasyim a.k.a Cikgu Hasyim, our Ketua Unit UPPM asked me to gather the information of my batch (1999/2000). He said that MARA wanted to update the system. Then, today, when we had Majlis Penutup for KIKA (Kemahiran Insaniah, Kemahiran Akademik) for Form 4 students, our beloved Mr. Principal, Tuan Haji Mahzan said that the ministry wanted the info because they couldn't see the function of MRSMs. They said that MRSMs did not produce good students that can contribute to the nation and country.

In my opinion, the statement made by ministry is ridiculous because the students produced by MRSMs are all the best among the best. We do contribute to the country and nation (eventhough some of us are working in other countries) :D So, stop envying us as 'MARA Kids' as many of us do have good jobs and survive well.

Till then, Maresmawians.. please comment! Thanks!

Welcome to my territory!

2010-02-02T07:31:00.001+08:00

Hi all!

Let me introduce myself for the first post. My name is 'Ainaa binti Abdul Rashid. I am an English teacher at MRSM Langkawi. This year, 2010, I am teaching Form 2, Form 3 and Form 4. This blog is created to share my ideas or opinions on lessons, teaching and learning process and etc. You are most welcomed to be my followers, to give comments and to share your ideas. I really appreciate it! Till then, enjoy reading!