Showing posts with label PSP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PSP. Show all posts
Hello! Le post is going to be about my experience at Kem SKORlah (KS) which is the practical part of PSP.
Kem SKORlah (KS) is an English Camp which lasts for about 3 weeks during the school holidays and ends with the prestigious Open Day.
There were three schools for KS - PLC 2, 4 and 6 were placed in 19, PLC 3 & 5 were placed in SK and my group PLC 1 was placed in a school in Klang. (All the school's name are of acronyms or numbers to keep the privacy intact).
Our Classroom Culture setting
Weeks before KS started, we were separated within our own group and had our team members (aka collabs) who would work with you and teach the same class, set class culture and basically do everything together. This would later apply in the fellowship as well where we'll have our collabs in the same school (or not, since most of the Johor peeps are now alone).
All 63 of us had to work with our teams and come up with our classroom setting, culture, rules, deco and brainstorm ideas for activities. We also support one another in terms of lesson plans and many other miscellaneous things. I was placed with Brian and YT, and we were open to each other's ideas - taking everything into account and then weighing our options on what's feasible and what's not feasible.
This is how my team works with one another:
Brian - Our Personal Ops team (who provides every material from papers to printer to projectors) which made it easier for our team since we didn't need to go to the legit ops team at level 36 and fight for the printer every night and we didn't need to book the projectors provided.
YT - The Calm one who gets everything done in an orderly manner, checking if everything is there and what is missing.
Me - The creative juice flow?
We call it the Sampan Analogy.
We chose to name our class ALPHA! (with an exclamation mark, because I'm extra like that) after many deliberations and my team's unanimous agreement.
Why ALPHA! ?
The poster was drawn by my students, we actually split them into groups and got them to vote for each logo design and once they selected their favourite design, we transferred it to a bigger platform and made stickers out of it for them as well!
Simple, we believe that everyone's born a leader and they are capable of many things and of different aspects and just because you're not talented in a something specific, does not mean you can't contribute to the team or be a leader. Everyone is flawed but we also believe that everyone has a unique ability which somewhat complements each other's flaws.
The poster was drawn by my students, we actually split them into groups and got them to vote for each logo design and once they selected their favourite design, we transferred it to a bigger platform and made stickers out of it for them as well!
We had a choice to pick out of the four classes - Form 1 (x2), Form 2 and Form 4. We decided to go ahead with Form 2, which I deem as the year or the age where teenagers are filled with curiousity and where they begin to explore more of themselves and seek who they really are.
Materials we made for our class!
My team and I prepared - logbooks (for students to write their notes and thoughts in), activities, the roda impian for quizzes and many others. We also agreed that students are allowed to eat soft food in class as long as it does not disturb the rest.
We travelled every morning at 6 in the morning (hence waking up at around 4.30am to get ready and such) and ofcourse a 45 - 60 min ride to school with the bus provided by the ops team. The funny story is that our bus driver/bus changes nearly every single day and they get lost all the time whenever we go to school or come back from school. HAHA. To much joy for my group, ofcourse.
First days of everything is usually the day where everyone is nervous or clueless about every single thing. Since our group was the only group in the school, whilst the rest of the other groups are away. Each of us had a role and task to complete on that day itself, and I helped out with the registration table - with ofcourse my beloved Roshinee and Nicole who came on that day to help out!
The schedule for KS is pretty simple - English classes which consists of Speaking, Reading and Writing (as to which each of us will take turns to teach) and at the end, we'll have something called the English Club where we will conduct fun activities and projects for students to take ownership of their own work.
The Wheel of Fortune my team and I made for our Club Activities
I wouldn't call my teaching perfect, hell - it's far from perfect to be completely honest. I lack in so many divisions, yet I can't deny that whenever I face those kids - I ensure that I will definitely improve myself.
Just like how we fellows are supposed to take charge of assemblies everyday, we also got our students from each class each day to give out breakfast/lunch to the other students to allow them to engage with other students. Basically, to empower them into being independent with the things they do in daily life.
My student giving a speech about her experience at Kem SKORlah. Couldn't be more proud of her!
Lil' Champs class's presentation about bullying
Shooting Star's presentation about Ideal Classrooms
As part of the KS journey, students are required to present their projects (made during English Club) during open day to their parents, teachers and friends who attend. They're also required to perform something on that day as well. ALPHA!'s students are split into two groups and my class decided to present their projects on social issues - which we brainstormed together. I also encouraged them to include the use of technology into their projects and presentation, subsequently exposing them to Fintech, but I do admit that they have a long way to go.
One group focused on animal abuse and another focused on racism, they incorporated 21st century learning into their presentations and engaged with students from other classes in order to launch their project. The class also had to perform something during open day be it singing or dancing. My class decided to sing 'All for Me' by John Legend. Idek why but they chose the song (yay student empowerment).
Here's just a little sneak peak of the presentation of stakeholders going around looking at our kids projects and so on.
However, the main highlight of Kem SKORlah was our one and only WATERGUN WAR Activitty! It took a weeks time to plan (due to our busy-ness with lesson plannings and what not) and I am extremely thankful to my PLC team for being the most hardworking and the best team players any team could ever have. The preparation to get the water guns, and the sponsored water guns by one of our fellows - Rheena (who is now teaching in the South!) and getting the materials prepared for just a day's activity.
John being John and also delivering our milo and teh ais to us.
Best team anyone could ever ask for.
Getting soaked and feeling nasty after that.
Despite the challenges we had to face, the kids definitely had fun with the activity. We even got them to mix around disregarding age and race because that was our main aim of the activity - team work. That was the best feeling ever, to be able to see them run around after two weeks of studying and getting to vent out their frustrations and have fun with their peers.
After three weeks, everything had to come to an end and while not everyone is in the picture but I'm glad that these people decided to attend the camp and took their holiday time off and spend it in school. Our teachings were not perfect and I believe that my ways of teaching isn't near to perfection at all, if anything I still lack in many things. But thank you for the surprise performance, it really touched the team and I. I appreciate each and every one of you and hopefully what we have taught you has somewhat been ingrained in your brain and you guys are moving forward to improve yourselves and be better than what you think you are.
Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game.
- Babe Ruth.
A quote that I have kept close to my heart and I was glad that I was able to share it with everyone. Because true to words, to try is to fail and to fail is to try. As long we keep trying, it shows growth and improvement.
It is indeed quite hard for me to put my entire feelings into words, hence the lack of updates eventhough Kem SKORlah was a few months ago. But this it. I am finally able to finish this post and put this behind me, moving forward but keeping the memories really close to me.
Signing off.
Signing off.
Had another long week, learnt a few new things, caught a few fat ass mosquitoes, got my tealive, grumbled because I had 2 long tiring days.
I completely maxed out on Wednesday but it is probably because we had a short one day holiday on Tuesday (for Deepavali!) Happy Diwali to all my friends who celebrate Deepavali!
Just a little update on what has been going on throughout the week. Had some team building activity where we basically travelled (nearly) the entire KL and I fell asleep in our Grab car otw back to our apartment LOL. Finished it quite quickly since I wanted to get back to rest but KL is nothing less of a gem because as crowded as it is, it is indeed beautiful.
One of the activities this week was to get into groups of 3 and take a picture of what non-student centred learning and student centred learning are like. Ikhwan (Or known as Killer Instinct), Candice (the photographer) and I were one of the many groups and these are some of the pictures that we have taken!
Got to finally play badminton after 8 long years and it never felt so good. Especially when we were all so stressed out and was in desperate need to release those negative feelings.
Had a mini session of board games as well, where I got to try out something new.
We also walk to the Academy centre which is a 15 minute walk from our place, having to cross the big road and hence a picture of me running to cross the road before any random car bangs me down and maybe save me from having to deal with PSP (haha YM, if you're reading this, I'm kidding. Maybe.)
Morning PLC group huddles and our presentations! We had a session where one of our PLC group member - Jo Ann had to lead the entire session and she did a great job in getting us to work together and presenting what we have found.
Basically, every week there will be a session where each PLC group member would lead the session and I am currently sharing my session with Munirah (which will be coming up in the next few weeks). This applies for every PLC group btw, not just mine.
I completely maxed out on Wednesday but it is probably because we had a short one day holiday on Tuesday (for Deepavali!) Happy Diwali to all my friends who celebrate Deepavali!
Just a little update on what has been going on throughout the week. Had some team building activity where we basically travelled (nearly) the entire KL and I fell asleep in our Grab car otw back to our apartment LOL. Finished it quite quickly since I wanted to get back to rest but KL is nothing less of a gem because as crowded as it is, it is indeed beautiful.
My team and I at the KL Rimba Canopy walk!
One of the activities this week was to get into groups of 3 and take a picture of what non-student centred learning and student centred learning are like. Ikhwan (Or known as Killer Instinct), Candice (the photographer) and I were one of the many groups and these are some of the pictures that we have taken!
Got to finally play badminton after 8 long years and it never felt so good. Especially when we were all so stressed out and was in desperate need to release those negative feelings.
Had a mini session of board games as well, where I got to try out something new.
We also walk to the Academy centre which is a 15 minute walk from our place, having to cross the big road and hence a picture of me running to cross the road before any random car bangs me down and maybe save me from having to deal with PSP (haha YM, if you're reading this, I'm kidding. Maybe.)
Morning PLC group huddles and our presentations! We had a session where one of our PLC group member - Jo Ann had to lead the entire session and she did a great job in getting us to work together and presenting what we have found.
Basically, every week there will be a session where each PLC group member would lead the session and I am currently sharing my session with Munirah (which will be coming up in the next few weeks). This applies for every PLC group btw, not just mine.
I mean this is just the 2nd week and I'm about to enter the 3rd week of PSP. I would like to reiterate that while I do enjoy the courses, I felt a little worn out because I had absolutely no mood having to deal with information constantly entering my brain for 12 hours straight (We have breaks, dw). I'm just also really glad that I know that in a way, I'm not alone. The LDOs (Leadership Development Officers - who basically are our mentors and we have 6 for each group), facilitators and operations team have all worked so hard to accommodate to us and I'm pretty sure that they are tired too.
There were quite a few mishaps this week (like the wires for the kettle and rice cooker melted LOL). I find it quite surprising that while I was grumpy and agitated after a long day, I didn't blow up. I got into my zen mode and calmed myself, having to remind myself that it is no one's fault and things happen. I felt good after that. Because I'm pretty sure that no one wanted it to happen anyway, so it's alright.
*Up 1 point for Resilience*
This training has pointed out some of the things that I have already known but never really acknowledged (ha ha ignorance at its best) and things I don't know. It has enhanced me to think better, to be more evaluative and allows me to grow not just as an individual but to be a better team player as well.
I can also now fully acknowledge the fact that I am quite good at impersonating people (Not in a negative manner, ofcourse). Ah, another thing that PSP has taught me - to accept what I am good at and further improve it, and to accept my flaws (which I despise so much) and work my ways to control them or make it better.
To come back to this view every night is a blessing.
p/s: Hi Teo Yen Ming (my favourite LDO), if you are reading this, please take note that I will be quizzing you on whether you have read this post and future posts. You know, just to train my CFU (Check For Understanding) tactic. HAHAHA.
p/p/s: Credits to Kong Yi Fen for the amazing photos taken by her and also I really need to upload the pictures from my camera.
See ya.
I learnt that although I am subconsciously aware that everyone has issues of their own, but I have never really dived deeper other than just assuming that they do have issues and everything that has happened to them is one of the reasons why they are the way they are today. It is also possible that in every individual, including myself - ignorance is embedded within us and we tend to focus more on ourselves and disregard as to what is happening around us.
I have always been wary about what I post on social media (unless if I am the only one who could see it), because I believe that some things are best kept to ourselves and our family and close friends. I could honestly tell you that after a few days of attending training sessions at the Academy and involving myself with group work, PLC (Peer Learning Community) huddles every morning, I feel like it has been a month? (Is this how contestants on Love Island feel like? HAHA).
65 of us were split into 6 PLC groups and all groups are according to the regions they're placed in. For example, the members who are in PLC 1 - 3 are all placed in the Central region (aka Selangor/KL), PLC 4 - 5 are members who are placed in the Southern region (aka Johor) and finally PLC 6 where the members are placed in the Eastern region (aka Sabah). Before I could go any further, PLC 6 comprises of fellows who all come from different parts of Sabah & Sarawak and they are all of different ethnicity which elevates our cultural knowledge and getting to know the way the system works in the East.
I honestly enjoy going for morning huddles during my PSP training because that's where I get to listen to my group members voice out their thoughts and opinions. It would then get me thinking as to whether I have been critical or evaluative enough, thus having to push myself further. I also enjoy being able to relate to most of the academic training sessions because then I get to apply my ideologies and what I have previously learnt into it. I am always open to new ideas or constructive criticisms when it comes to my learning.
We have been provided with the one of the best accommodations that I could ever ask for, it is fully equipped and we feel homey and comfortable once we get back from the training centre which is about 5 minutes drive away. Breakfast and Lunch are constantly provided (With weekends as an exception and Dinners are exempted as well) which I extremely appreciate. At times I do question myself if I will ever have the chance to experience this ever again.
I concluded: No.
The reason being that it may be different when I get to the school which I will be placed into, the environment's going to be different - the community, the school's culture etc.
And no, I do not know where I will be placed, yet.
For now, PSP for me - shows a great deal of idealistic proposals of how we could self-reflect and be more aware of who we are (hence, getting to know ourselves a litttle bit better) but what is realistic about it is that, once we are honest with ourselves, we see a face in the mirror and we question ourselves more but in a more positive manner (hopefully!!). Not only do we see our own reflection but we also see others who are honest with themselves and that is great, without honesty and communication - there will not be any progression.
Our facilitator who ran the session was Farihah btw, thought of just sharing her name here instead of using 'the facilitator' all the time.
Once Farihah instructed us to open our eyes after each statement, I saw the looks on my cohort members' face. It was filled with pain and emotions, something which I did not expect at all. I understood that it was difficult, emotion wise but having to see those looks on their faces actually struck upon me that we all had it rough.
I feel that it is important to address all these problems that we are facing, and I am actually quite proud and happy that we could be honest to ourselves that those events (based on the statements) has happened to us and by being honest with ourselves, we open up the possibilities to have something new in our lives and moving forward.
While I understand that I am only addressing this issue within my cohort members, I'd like to note that these issues could arise in the general public as well - especially with the schools that we are all about to enter soon. Students who have broken homes, teachers who don't have the energy to teach anymore because they are out of their own wits to help out and that they themselves have their own issues and so much more.
How?
How do we all help each other move forward from there?
What?
What do we do in order to help ourselves feel better or even tackle the battling demons within ourselves?
My next question is,
What's Next?
Granted that this is my first week and I am doing my best to digest and bask in the feeling chaos.
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