constants

some things in life are constants ..

and for the some of us , we like it that way...

growing older

sometimes it just strikes you..

how much how you acheived
what have you contributed to the society
how much have you grown over the year
how you spend time on what you value the most
how has life been ...

life

a sunday

i've always thought of the ' sunday blues' whenever sunday comes. it's like somewat of a withdrawal like feeling that one experiences due to the coming work week. But this sunday is a little different. not beacause it is a holiday tomorrow but there is just this little feeling of contentment and relief.

i'm glad that ppl around me are moving on and are happy, i'm glad for the simplest things i have in my life .

in our crazy pace of life, we forget the simple things we have to keep us going each day.

contentment

A Powerful Quote

"knowledge can be created in the classroom and doesn't just have to come from the teacher."

rethink

i would like to think that students are able to use fact and figures to support their thoughts and opinions. (that is critical thinking ) also there is just simply no running away with the trusty pen and paper test. but of course just like the writer puts it. why is there a need for teaching to test and teaching to develop skills be mutually exclusive?

A good teacher is one who is able to marry both !

inspiration ..

i like this..an answer to my long-time question

A letter to the Forum

As an educator of 20 years the letters on education in Singapore and the West by Mr Gan and Ms Bava beckon a response from me. The crux of the discourse stems from our understanding of “teaching to test” and “teaching to develop skills”-critical thinking skills.

Based on the comments, the perception is that the Singapore education system is based on rigorous testing while the West – the UK and the US –encourages critical, creative thinking. Both these methodologies of instruction have their merits and flaws.

In Singapore and the West, the measure of success in education is based on test cores, so teaching to test will boost the students and society’s perception about the intelligence of these students. Teaching to test also requires quite a bit of drills, often repetitive and boring, going over the same problems, the same situations in various forms. This is boring for both the student and teachers.

As an educator in Los Angeles, my experience of teaching critical, creative thinking is filled with mixed results. Students are encouraged to speak up and participate, and they generally do. The problem with this form of participation is that the discourse has no merit because it is based on their personal opinion that contradicts generally accepted data. The premises of their arguement are substantiated not by facts but by fantasies.

In truth , “teaching to test” and “teaching creative , critical thinking” are not mutually exclusive methodologies; rather , they complement each other. It would be to the students’ advantage if they could use the information generated from readings and respond critically and creatively to the ideas. The task then is for the teachers to come up with various types of lesson plans , using materials that apply to students’ lives , or materials form the past that are still applicable today. This is true for all levels of students.

Ong Wooi-Chin

a good deal

i'm really crossing my fingers ( and toes ) for a good deal. i really hope to seal the deal soon. : )

deadlines

i'm dangerously missing the datelines for my preparation. Have not booked a bridal gown designer. horror. although i did enjoy the whole process, I realised that the whole decision making portion of it is more complex than what i had thought it would be.

i seriously hope this weekend will be productive. This is quite a busy season for dd. hanging in there. still want to remind myself that i'm lucky to have gotten a roof above our heads.

I've also offically 'started' my keep fit programme. Quite a shocker for myself too. am terribly motivated by the pedometer. At least it acts as a form of motivation!

Towards a good weekend !

being 'old'

all signs around me for the past one week has been pointing at the need for one to upgrade, one to do better, one to acheive something. the constant need to upgrade

gee

the profession

i read with disbelief on how any individual could actually comment that "teachers just teach, they dun educate." gd grief. well i'm not about to launch into a verbal attack, i'm glad that two readers have readily offered their two cents worth in response to that comment.

teaching comes from the heart. maybe one should revisit their schooling experience before commenting on what teachers do. spare the poor teachers.. it is a lot of hard work and heartache ....

pictures

lack of pictures. maybe i really do need to take the effort to go picture taking. well at least it serves as good visual memories. busy week adn i'm going to the zoo this weekend. hope to return with some new found inspiration!

rush

it is unbelievable how fast time time is passing. with this national day long weekend. at least we managed to get to one shop. wat a weekend! i will be the first to join for joy, the day we confirm our package. It is time to move along.. a crazy month ahead.

i was just thinking .. it is kinda stressful to be in ur 30s when u havent achieve anything in ur 20s . it is the start of another work week . strive on !

the journey thus far..

have heard of the saying , it is not the destination that counts but the journey.

after hearing all the horror stories of wedding preparation, it is no wonder one would enter the journey with much caution , worry but I'm glad to say that I've learnt much thru this journey.
am thankful.

it is a lot of trust , hope and luck i guess when searching for suitable companies to help us...