Friday, May 2, 2008

Announcement

There will be 2 practice session for the performance on graduation day

Date: 5 May 2007 (Monday)
Time: 3 pm - 5 pm

Date: 7 May 2007 (Wednesday)
Time: 3pm - 5 pm

The venue will be confirmed later.

Minutes of the meeting

Hey everyone.

Minutes of the meeting
Date: 2/5/2008
Time: 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Venue: D25
Attendance: Mr Yong, Daniel, Donny, Faiz, Hani, Kristin, Lisa, Nadia, Riman, Sara, Zul

Agenda: Discussion on the trip to Pusat Sains Negara on Sunday (4/5/2008)

Chronological order of events
7.15 am: Meet at Taylor’s University College
7.15 am: Pick up at E-Tiara
7.30 am: Pick up at Ridzuan
9.00 am: Arrival at Pusat Sains Negara

The 8 groups are to be divided into 2 large groups.
The 2 groups will go to different floors and will switch venues after exploring for 45 minutes (for each floor)

Group 1 (Ground Floor)
1. Ahmad Shafiq B. Suffian Wee, Nurul Ain Bt. Norman Dunsah, Sara Lee de Menezes
2. Ng Jiun Shyan, Siti Nadia Bt. Mohammad Sallehin, Kristin Hah Chern Wen
3. Daniel Jonathan Yeo, Hani Nadrah Bt. Zakaria
4. Riman B. Ramli, Norhalisa Bt. Termidzi

Group 2 (1st Floor)
1. Zulfadhly Murtadha Afiq B. Zainal Bahran, Izzatul Nadzirah Ismail, Ashley Faizah Zulkapeli
2. Faiz B. Abu Salihu, Anis maziah Bt. Hamdan, Ariffah Bt. Mokhtar
3. Wan Danial B. Mohammed Noor, Yuvha Dharshini A/P Rata Mohan, Kwa Sze Mei

9.15 am: Start activity
10.00 am: The two groups will switch floors
11.00 am: Everyone gather back at main entrance and later proceed to the parks.
12.00 pm: Lunch followed by journaling session
1.00 pm: Departure for Sentul

Important Reminders:
Children will be given different coloured ribbons to be tied on their wrist. (Indication that they are from group 1 or 2)
Volunteers are reminded to bring scissors on Sunday.
Create a buddy system for the children (pair up)

A word from Mr Yong: You are their parents from 8.00 am – 1.00 pm on that day

In the event of an enquiry or an emergency please contact:
Mr Yong Foo Seng
Sara Lee de Menezes (0122854998)
Siti Nadia Bt. Mohammad Sallehin (0195957973)
Zulfadhly Murtadha Afiq B. Zainal Bahran (0135952990)
Ahmad Shafiq B. Suffian Wee (0179397650)

Meeting ended at 4.00 pm.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Hani's Comments

Firstly, it is really hard for me to abide to word limits. my apologies.
Secondly, it is merely opinions.
Thirdly, on an overall scale, this is the best experience yet since i enrolled in Taylors.

My best experience as a volunteer

I feel that the best experience would be seeing how much I can influence a child. I feel proud that I succeeded in understanding the children, and from being distant, we became close ‘kakak and adik’. The best example would be Shin Chan (Syaqizal). He was very distant before (everyone knows), and I thought that I will never be able to get him open up to me. The best moment was during the third week when before he went home, he made the effort to come to me and daniel to shake our hands. I felt that I achieved something. I felt that I meant a lot to these kids.

What the children benefited the most

My opinion is they finally have someone to look up to. They have a good role model now. I once recall Shin Chan writing in my book: ‘you go to college’. I translate that he looks up to me because I am an educated example. I hope that it drives him forward to do the best in his education. Same for all the kids. The children also benefited in the sense that they now know that anything is possible. Drawing is possible. This was mostly instilled during the journaling. Other than that, they also now know that reading is not only in form of books but also singing, role-playing and story-telling. They now can diversify their source of reading materials.

What the children benefited the least

I feel that the children lacked the instilling of good moral values like sharing and team work. This was not really stressed on during the reading time. I also think that in terms of reading, as this is the main objective of the program, the children in the Level 1 benefited the most while for Level 2, the aim was not really achieved as most of them took it lightly. If to be specific, they did learn new facts from the reading activities, but they did not really in a profound way, improved their pronunciation and vocabulary due to the short sessions and yes, lack of man-power to have a one on one reading session.

The most effective activity

I would say the most effective activity that I have so far done is… well.. to be honest, I don’t think there is any that I can really regard as ‘effective’. There always had been an obstacle every time I planned something out. Haha. Let me see… I think it was the story telling for ‘around the world in 80 days’… because I prepared so many pictures for the story and this really did attract the children to ask and ask what/where/who about the pictures.

The biggest challenge as a group and as an individual

Biggest challenge as a group is that trying to get them to pay attention to one activity and keeping quite. Believe it or not, they just love to wonder off doing something esle. We did try to discipline them. I should have implemented rules and discipline (like what was adviced ms.tiffany in the first session) earlier. The biggest challenge as an individual is having not to feel guilty. Every time after a session, I would be rendered quite in the van contemplating back what I could have done better for the session. I would get angry with myself (lisa would be the ear, of course) thinking why I lost control of the group, why the kids still complained “kak hani.. nak buat benda lain boleh tak?” then, Mr.Yong words would pop into my mind, “we try our best”. So.. that is my biggest challenge: not feeling guilty, thinking that I have not done the best for the children.

What I would have done if I was given a second chance

i would plan and plan. I would come up with all these sorts of amazing games and session for every session. Kids tend to get bored easily. I would also try to learn to be more flexible in handling the kids. I would have more volunteers to attend to one on one reading. And more healthy food (haha).

Love,
Hani

Friday, April 11, 2008

Only ONE response so far.

Hi everyone,

I've been checking the response to which I requested you guys to provide information on the experience you've had during this reading session. Please check posting dated April 1st. So far, there's been only ONE volunteer who replied. C'mon guys!! You can surely do better than this!! Please take some time to contribute and share your experience. You can reply as 'comments' or if you want a little privacy, you can always email me - tiffany.fy@gmail.com. Just cut & paste the questions onto your email for convenience. Mucho Gracias!!

Cheers!
Tiffany

Saturday, April 5, 2008

The session on 5/4/2008

hey everyone. just wanted to say, "GOOD JOB!" and well done to all the volunteers for the energetic session!!!
it was kinda hectic but everyone managed to get it together. eventhough i lost my voice, i m glad that everyone (volunteer and all the kids) had fun.
if there were any mistakes on my part, i'm truly very sorry.
three cheers for everyone!!!
hip hip hooray!!!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Latest Updates.

Hi everyone,

There will be a meeting this THURSDAY (3rd of April)D25, 3.15pm to finalise the plans for this coming Sat. Our focus will be COURAGE.

Due to some talks and the IELTS which have been planned for you all by the college, we will have to reshcedule the last few sessions.

The original sessions were 19th April, 3rd May and 10th May.

They are now rescheduled to 26th April, 10th May and 17th May.

Leave a legacy

Dear Everyone,

Our journey with the kids in Sentul is about to reach its finishing point. I am sure most of you, if not all, have benefitted in more ways than one. Before we say 'sayonara' to one another, on behalf of Yellow House, I would like to archive some of the works and contributions which you have poured out during these months. By that, I meant in the form of text . Hence, it is very important that each group make some comments. These comments are the legacy that you leave behind for the future batch of students. They would gain invaluable insights and guidance from your contributions which otherwise would have been wasted had they not been recorded. Plus, I would like to request for each group to 'interview' the kids in your own group and get their 'from-the-heart' kind of testimonials. I would be using standard formats in the questionnaires. You can answer them as comments which makes it easier for me to record the notes. Thanks, everyone!

1) In not more than 100 words, please share your best experience as a volunteer.

2) In not more than 100 words, please share what you think the children benefited most from this project.

3) In not more than 100 words, please share what you think the children benefited least from this project.

4) In not more than 100 words, please share the most effective activity you have done so far.

5) In not more than 100 words, please share the biggest challenge you face as a group as well as individually. And another 100 words on how you overcome the challenge.

6) In not more than 100 words, please share how you would have done this project differently if given a chance.

Now unto the kids. You can share the task of interviewing them and cohesively compile the info as one group:

a. Did you like the Reading project? Yes, No, OK, Not really.

b. Did you like the volunteers? Yes, No, Ok, Not really.

c. What have you learnt (most valuable lesson) from this program?

d. What was your favourite session? Why?

e. How would you describe this program to your friends in school?

f. Tell us how has this program changed or impacted your life.

** some questions may be too difficult for Level 1 kids, so it's OK if they are not sure how to answer you.

Thanks everyone!

Cheers,
Tiffany

Monday, March 31, 2008

final day

hey there everyone...
this is kinda out of the topic which everyone is focussing on...
sorry, i was just thinking of the agenda for the graduation day....
like what kind of food should we order, the actual plans for the day and so on...
for now, what i have in mind is something like the speech day(that's what we call it in my previous school) or hari anugerah cemerlang, is it?
so, there'll be certificates given for each kids and some kind of performances at the start, somewhere in the middle and one more for closure....
what do you think? mok, hani and i are still discussing but if anyone has any suggestions regarding this, please don't hesitate to post it here or tell us straight away....
thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

leaving something behind

everytime da session ends, i really hoped that at least i leave a good impression in the children's heart and leave a smile on their faces........

i'd always hoped dat we can share our hopes n stories from our last 18 or 19 years n motivate the children with these stories..... different volunteers give out different life stories n different life messages....... Yes, the children needed reading practices through this program, but i think dat they need more than that. They needed some role models so they can look up to (juz like wat Mr Yong always said) n when i heard da word "role models", i felt so proud dat i can really be one for the children.

Anyway, sharing stories sounds fun n i have a suggestion here....... this is merely an idea i came across when i read an article somewhere..... it's about writing something for yourselves n keep it in a time capsule..... den set a time e.g. 1 year, 5 years or even 10 years later, open da time capsule and take a look at da piece of paper dat you had written so many years ago...... actually, the whole idea is to write what u want 2 see urself in da future e.g. if u c urself as a lawyer, u'll write "i want to see myself as a lawyer in n years time". Dat's when after n years time, u open da time capsule up, n c whether u had achieve wat u had written n years ago...... It's some idea but the idea of having a time capsule can actually help motivate n get the children going to achieve wat they really want in the future....... n dat's wat really i want to see too..... the kids becoming what they really want in the future....

It's a great idea if u see about it. But it takes so much time (n years, any1?) n there's da problem where da time capsule may be forgotten.....

An idea from me...... haha.... but, wat most important is dat i really want 2 c da children have fun in the program and leave each session with a BIG smile :D

Friday, March 28, 2008

Values

to be kind and to have hope

hello. i thought that i wanted to leave them with this lifelong message, to be kind to others and to have hope no matter what. i'd maybe tell them stories that have made an impact on me. for example the kind prince. still searching for a story on hope though. i want to find stories which had some magical elements or something that they can relate to. i HOPE that they will enjoy it! :p
I wanted to do a little exercise on hope and dreams. It goes like this:
the kids are given a piece of paper.
they are told to write or draw their hopes and dreams (what they wanna be when they grow up, what they wanna achieve etc)
then they share their hopes and dreams wit the group.
after that, they are told to switch their papers with the person on either sides of them.
from there, they will be given a final instruction on what to do.
based on how they react to the instructions given, we can tell how much they have learn on the values of hope and kindness.
what do u guyz think?
when i did it, i thought it was kinda interesting.
that's all from me.
c ya!

lisa/fei

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Hardworking+patience!!!

i gotta admit that when i read the question... i had so many thoughts running in this complicated mind. hurmm... what value? what value?

then i thought of something. something that the kids can hold on to all through out their life as a human being: the value of being HARDWORKING+PATIENCE. :) bear with me as i bore you with my long explaination...

when i look at the kids, they seem so innocent. they enjoy life so much (every second of it). they have fun as if there was not a single problem in this world. (hello???) they run around happily without knowing what the world out there is like. (we were like that, i suppose.. when young) the REALITY, can be sum up into these words: A STRUGGLE, WILD, HARD, DEMANDING, COMPETITIVE, and UNPREDICTIBLE. don't you agree? every now and then, there bound to be obstacles that are just killing. if we are not strong enough, we perish. (haha)

i thought i wanted to share with the kids what are struggles/the bad times/the hardship that i had to go through in the past 19 years i have walked on Earth (fuuyoh... this is like creative writing).. i mean.. we ALL can share our depressing moments, failures, loss. and whats more important.. how did we stand up again and become who we are today. the kids perhaps see us as abangs and kakaks who have everything in the world/ successful people. i mean... we have good education etc. we even seem to be very contented with life as that is what our happy faces portray every saturday mornings... for once, why dont we tell them how we have struggled to come this far? you all would have to agree if i say, the journey was not easy...

lets share with them the struggles we faced. i think the two values of being 'patience' and 'hardworking' pulled us through all the struggles we have gone through in life. it would be a great session. a heart to heart talk. the kids will see us in a new light or perspective. i believe so. ooooo... so touching. i feel like crying. hahahahha.

hani.

p.s. then again different ppl hold on to different values, that help us to propel through this crazieee life. share the experiences!!!!.


Another quest for y'll

Hi All,
Thanks so much for all your thoughts and comments and feedback on the previous topic. I can see that most of you are quite expressive and have lots of ideas to share.
I hope you're all prepared for the second one. After all, prizes pun sudah bagi, right?
Question: What is the 'VALUE' that you would like to impart in the lives of the children in the reading group? In other words, besides just doing activities in every session, what impression would you want to leave behind after this session has ended? Do you have a specific 'LIFE MESSAGE' that you would like to convey in order to build the character of the child? (Pretty heavy-duty, huh? But please, each and every one of you, please give it a shot!)

Posting rights for Tiffany

Riman,

Can you please invite Tiffany onboard so she can post as well. Her email is tiffany.fy@gmail.com

Thanks,

Yong

Latest updates

hi everyone.

We have a problem for the 19th of April session. We have to cancel this date as the college has organised a talk for all you prospective medicine students.

I am toying with the idea of having the session earlier or a week later (12th or 26th). What do you all think?

Please give me feedback using the chat space in this blog.

Yong

Monday, March 24, 2008

Meeting

Hi all,

sorry for the late reminder. As we discussed on Sat, the meeting today will be at D25 at 3.30pm. See you there.

Yong

Monday, March 17, 2008

Hi.

The meeting on Wednesday will have to be cancelled as quite a number of students are having their IELTS class. Hence, we can only have a meeting this Friday at C27 3pm.

I suggest that this weeks activities be the normal and we actually plan for a more elaborate session later (on the 5th April). This will give us more time.

Yong

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Hi everyone.

Thanks for updating the blog. Please leave your name at the end of each entry so we (or I) can identify you.

Hope you have had a good break. We had to cancel the last meeting scheduled on Friday 7th of March as there was too little volunteers around. It's ok though.

Can we have a meeting this Wed (19th March) at 3.30pm C27 to finalise for this Saturday. Thursday is a holiday so IF we need another meeting we still have Friday.

Some of us suggested a play/ drama...i'm thinking we might want to leave that nearer the end. what do you all think?

Yong

Friday, March 14, 2008

copyrights guaranteed

hey. i thought that the things on the blog were really inspiring and thought provoking as well. i took some thoughts which some of you had put on the blog to be included in an article. hope that all of you who had put up your posts don't mind. don't worry, ur copyrights are guaranteed! if u do mind, do tell me and i will not include it in the article. Please do not sue me on intrusion on the right to privacy. (i am not joking, i am dead serious) =)
i hope that more people would put up their thoughts and experiences on the blog!!!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

a penny for ijat's thoughts...

to me, this has been my most interesting experience so far (in teaching kids anyway...)... i'm actually quite used to teaching kids... coz everytime we have a long break, my house will be full of kids having some sort of like a summer camp in my house...but still, these kids in SENTUL have touched my hearts the most so far...they all seemed so innocent with such creative young minds who can bring up so many ways to cheer up my day...seriously...the whole hectic week enduring all the challenges in SAM is neutralize by just one day (a few hours to be exact) with these kids...though some are quite naughty (who's not when they are a kid themselves right???) but in their own special way they have a spot for us in their hearts...that really touches me (am i crying????).....hahahahahaha....

at one point, i feel like im a kid again remembering when i was a kid myself....i used to hate arts and anything to do with it...but then, i just LOVE doing the JOURNAL we are required to do in this programme.....it's just FUN!!!.....whenever i feel stressed about anything involving college life....i just open up my journal and start decorating it and writing.....seriously....my journal is COLOURFUL....never thought it will turn out that way....feels just like a kid....(miss those times whenever i come to think of it).....

these kids have potential to be somebody in the future...somebody who can contribute something anyhow in their lives...HENCE (as mr yong likes to say it), i am very happy and proud that i have the opportunity to be a part in these kids lives.... we might not be able to see it yet but i think that we have in a way inspired them (i pray to God that they are).... lets not look our contribution as a small one because as some people might say it...a small deed can come to be a big difference....

so, let us all just do our best for our next sessions and share as much as we can....dont ever think this project as a burden and just have fun doing it....it will feel a whole lot better to think it that way...just a way to entertain ourselves looking at these kids characters.....well, to all volunteers, i just wanted to say, FIGHTING!!! and CHAIYOK!!!!

p/s: i'm still searching for cute stickers to give to my kids....hehehehehehehehe....and also for my own journal....huhu...isn't it FUN????

Sunday, March 9, 2008

My 2 cents

It's been an interesting journey so far, Lot's of uncertainty and challenges are faced.That's unsurprising since it's a pilot project. We have to slowly take one step at a time and learn from our mistakes and success in order to guide the future volunteers

But I do hope what we're doing is helping them, All we can do is be here and provide and of course make this fun for them,It is really up to them to really want to learn.

It's a good experience, now i know how my mum feels when she teaches at school (*what's worse than teaching children? teaching teenagers..LOL*) I now really respect people who do teach full time and are fully dedicated to teaching (Teachers, lecturers, etc)

I really hope that the children will enjoy this programme and really learn something out of it.Nice to know that we really can Make A Difference (United) in someone else's life and take part in their life and helping them be best that they can be in this world

Thursday, March 6, 2008

What runs in Kristin's mind.......

I personally do agree of the fun part being able to join such a meaningful project. Even though these sessions does eat up my extra sleeping hours on Saturdays, but I do admit that joining the MADU team and get to teach kids how to read is really an awesome job. I never even think i'll be able to teach anyone to read but now i totally feel great when i'm doing so!

It was a scary thought at first when i found out that what we will be doing is to teach KIDS! I almost freaked out and i actually think deep before i make the decision to attend the training session (go training session = NO TURNING BACK!). but, i made up my mind and give myself a chance to go along with the project and see how can i make an impact on these kids. The end results may not be what i'm expecting, but, at least i tried my best in helping these kids.

This project gives me a whole new experience and a new meaning on teaching. Now, i can truly undersand how my mom (she is a kindergarten teacher) teaches her kids tiredlessly. To educate the children and to help them build a better future for themselves. Although I'm still new to this, i truly believe as time goes by, i'll get use to it and make myself more comfortable dealing with the kids (luckily, my group has many little quiet ones ^_^) and of course, helping them improve their reading!

Jonathan's comments

i agree with hani.. eventho i know what we're doing is right, and that i know that i do want to enjoy it. it's hard for me to spawn true interest in what's doing. in that sense, i trully admire hani. i wish not just me but everyother volunteer will have the same passion for this program and bring it to next the next level so to speak

hani's experience

i promise that i'll type something brief... (yeah ryte :P)

how do i feel about the community that i am serving?
let me be honest. at first i was really sceptical. i mean: KIDS?!!! i can imagine all the trouble and burden that i was about to carry on these small shoulders of mine. i was scared (i still remember that first session, and i was in the stuffed van, and i was getting this PANIC attack as if i was about to go for a scholarship interview... i was so NERVOUS meeting the KIDS!!!) i just had no clue what i was going to do with them, if say.. they gave me their tantrums or started doing things that i did not like. i felt too young to be a 'parent' and what?!! dealing with KIDS!!! (the sound of the word KIDS just makes me tremble at times..haha)

but guess what???? i found this community that i am serving, (yes, the KIDS) are AWESOME!!!. it shocks me to find that they have so much POTENTIAL at a very YOUNG age. the kids in my group are SO CLEVER!!! little-EINSTEINs!!! i compare myself to them at their age, and i think that they are way better of than me in terms of knowledge and reading. serious. i'm in AWE seeing how they are so THIRSTY for KNOWLEDGE and FACTS. they have this CURIOSITY that no, does not kill the cat, but kills me... because i am so FASCINATED at how their little minds work and ABSORB so fast. i'm all "WOW!"

it really does render me speechless. and happy.. to know that i am a part of something 'NOBLE'. i am actually one of the individuals that are (and hopefully..remain for a long time) shaping the future of these KIDS. they may grow up to be someone really GREAT someday and i was a part of it all (haha, tumpang gembira). i taught them how to READ. i INSPIREd them. (i think/i hope?)

i learned one big lesson through all this mixing around with the kids. i learnt that when we all were kids, we all were just the SAME. we all were INQUISITIVE little creatures that are NATURALLY born GOOD in person. and i see that in all the kids in the room at the community centre. then i think, why is that some of us turn out to be useful beings and some others turn out to be criminals, addicts, rapists? when to think again, we started out the same: nice, sweet, innocent, good when we were little children. i guess people change due to their environment, influences through out their life. but if we are able to SET GOOD FOUNDATION, GOOD VALUES in these kids from a YOUNG age, then perhaps ALL will turn out to be GREAT society members someday.

i hope to instill values in these kids so that they would not be influenced by whateva BAD things in their years to come. i seriuously want to see them successful someday. cuz they are just AMAZING!! (thought naughty+irritating+evil at times... sorry.. i just needed to spill that..haha)

conclusion... i love this community that i am working with ryte now. FANTASTIC!!

hani

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

my experience

hello. just thought i'll share a bit of my experience on the reading programme.
the kids seem to like it when we bring props to liven up story telling session.
i brought things that may seem as ridiculous - a crown made out of newspaper, a tupperware which "thinks" it is a drum, a guitar which consists of a box and a few rubber bands!!!
i think the kids went along with me just because i told them to! (though i really hope they enjoyed themselves)
riman really caught the children's attention through some magic tricks during the "get to know you" session. He will make a great magician!!!
The kids were also impressed with his "sound effects" during story telling.
from a scale of 1 to 10, this experience certainly gets 100 hundred!!! i like the fact that i help out in any way that i can (big or small) and now i look forward to each saturday!!!
the kids are really great and it really means a lot when they give us a warm greeting before each meeting. it is as though we are making a real difference in their life even in a short amount of time. the greatest part of all is that not only am i giving, i am receiving as well. the kids have shown me that it is important for me to still retain my "inner child" and have fun! life is not all about exams and amount of a's. it is also to live life to the fullest! we need to smile more, laugh more and care more about others.

on a last note, i would like to ask everyone who is reading this post for a little favour.
i am hoping to get an article on this activity published on the college magazine (though it is subjected to the editorial approval first).
I hope that everyone can contribute by sharing their personal experience and any pictures of the kids or yourself during the activities.
if mr law and ms tifanny can also share on the process involved in journaling, that would be a great addition to the article as well.

thnx in advance to all!!!! hope that all of u read this and will encourage others to do the same!!!

Hi everyone

Can we meet up this Friday at C27, 3pm for a short meeting to discuss some items for the enxt session on the 22nd. I know that some of you are planning to go back to your hometowns. If you can't make it it's ok. We'll just discuss with whomever's there.

The main focus will be to get a general idea of what to do for the 22nd. We will meet again after the break to finalise things.

Yong

Hi

Dear Everyone,



Now that we have conducted three sessions of the reading program with the kids in Sentul, I would like to start contributing my feedback and more so, I hope all of you, the volunteers, will make an initiative to give feedback. It's really convenient as we are already using this blog as a platform. Now it's time to make full use of it. As an incentive, first 8 (eight) contributors gets a prize (serious!) from me!



I'd like to find out how you would rate this service experience, so let's start with this first question: How do you feel about the community you are serving?

Personally I am quite inspired by the kids. It's amazing to see their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn from you. Their appreciation is most apparent through their welcoming faces, their punctuality and responsive (most of them) attitude throughout the session. Some may be more active and playful than the others but that's normal. I hope by sticking to the program for the months to come, they will experience a transformation in character towards not only reading, but school performance, behaviour at home and more.

===========================================================


--
Kind Regards,
Tiffany Tang

Friday, February 29, 2008

Minutes for 3rd Pre-Session

Date: 29.02.08
Time: 3.15 pm – 4.05 pm
Venue: D25
Attendance: Mr Yong
Ain, Anis, Ariffah, Daniel, Faiz, Hani, Ijat, Jonathan, Kristin, Liza, Nadia, Riman, Sara, Sze Mei, Zul

Agenda:
Itinerary for 3rd session
Chronological order of events for 3rd session dated 01.03.08 was planned
7.50 am: Meet at Taylor’s University College
8.00 am: Pick-up at E-Tiara

8.15 am: Pick-up at Ridzuan
9.00 am: Arrival at Sentul (warm-up and preparation)
9.30 am: Ice-breakers (conducted by Group 5)
- 5 minutes introduction

- Teapot song (Nadia)
- Barney song (Kristin)
- Simon says (Jonathan)
- Freeze (Mr Yong bringing CD player)

(Suggestions for future sessions : Hi-5 and Head & Shoulders song)

- 10 minutes get-to-know (what the kids did for the past week)

Level 1:
10.00 am: Reading of story books
Reading games
10.45 am: Storytelling

Level 2:
10.00 am: Reading of story books/Drawing (customized to suit groups)
10.30 am: Storytelling

*Tongue twisters prepared for the kids to read during the holidays

11.00 am: Journaling
11.30 am: De-brief and departure

Meeting ended at 4.05 pm.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

New Photo album

Hi all,

I have started a picasa Web album. This will include our photos.

check it out: www.picasaweb.google.com/jinseng777

Yong

Usage of Blog

Great usage of the blog here. Keep it up!! Please post your feedback as a new post and not as a comment. This will make sure the readers don't miss out any of your feedback.

I encourage ALL of you to blog your ideas. Even if it is short.

Yong

Hani's ideas

i thought i'd share my group's plan for this week.
i personally thought that among the level 2 groups last week, Donny's group (yes, the loudest group in my room)did a really good job. i'm inspired!!! the kids were jumping up and down, enjoying the story. it was two things in one: reading and story telling. (i think)and ms.tiffany is right on the advice that we should have ACTIONS!!! lots of ACTIONS during story telling or the reading slot. Donny's gropu were active and happy. from my eyes. my kids were jealous. haha.
so this week, daniel and i are planning to put in lots of action.. we're planning to read 'around the world in 80 days'. we are going to get the kids to go 'around the compound in an hour or less'. yes, outside activity. yeah, it does mean that we are cutting of the story telling slot. ( flexibility ryte?) while going around the compound , the kids will have to stop at 5 differnt pistops (London, India etc as in the story) and we continue reading the story at each pit stop. each kid would take turns to read the story (we're trying to teach them the value 'sharing' and 'pay attention when others are reading' plus overcome the problem of not having enuf man power for 'one on one reading') we also have a certain activity (keeping it short) at the pitstop. (we are even PLANNING to print lots of pictures of the different countries in the book) plus a bit of props. hahahha. this is a big plan i admit. (trying my best to make it happen). cuz guess what? (this is again my head speaking) i think there is no point of having them reading a book (yes, they become better at reading) if they do not enjoy the book!! or take reading as something that we force them to do. we need to make them lurrrveee reading (so that they continue to do so when they are older) and i believe that they would only enjoy reading if they keow that books are filled with adventures!!!! (i know.. i am not making sense. or this has already been higlighted by ms.tiffany and mr.yong before but i have this feeling that they just read cuz we they have to read. its like us who have to finish the really thick chemistry book cuz we have too!!! to survive?)
getting back to my point... if we really want to role play the stories... then we would need to prepare props (good ones.. not newspaper ones?!) and other things (then only will it be fun). why don;t we together choose some stories (nice ones) and prepare the props togethre as a big group. then one week, one group take the props and do the story with their kids and the other week, another group does the story. (me and daniel wanted to make a simple cardboard train (hhahaha. big plan ryte?) but we just cannot do it with two people. then.. at the end of everything.. everygroup would knoe the same story and we can merge them to discuss the stories (if this idea is really bad... feel free to say: hani.. you are making everything complicated!!!)
then again, my opinion...
me and daniel are also going to give them homework... hahahah. we are after all not going to meet them for for 2 weeks (the 4th session is on 22nd march ryte)... we are thinking of giving them TONGUE TWISTERS!!! hahahah. like simple ones. that they know and understand the words. i mean... it is still considered reading ryte? just for fun over the holidays. we are trying to do new things every session. need to let them know that it is not only books that they can read.. but tongue twisters, poems exist also!!! we all can brainstorm together the different activities that we can do with the kids.. i think that would be better. we seriously cannot have normal storytelling evry sessions. come on. i'm tired of it.
me and daniel are gonna give it a go. this plan of ours. we'll see how's the response. if they enjoy it then, we'll pass the idea to other groups...
c ya all tomorrow!!!.

Hani's feedback

this is hani.
firstly, err... mr.yong, we actually thought that your singing was really good (plus the cute actions!!!). the kids reallly enjoyed it cuz you were really supporting and funny. you qualify for malaysian idol 3rd season.:D
secondly, i do agree that for level 2, we have a problem with time management. talking from my group's experience, we spent most of the time with the kids reading their own books. we thought that it would not be appropiate if they did not finish the book. they, themselves also wanted to finish the book. so story telling session did not take place. (nyway, from the first session response.. they did not enjoy story telling.. then again i think it was due to our own fault as we had no actions/good technique during the story telllig)i seriously think we do not have enough time to fit all the activies above - without 'rushing' of cuz. the other level 2 groups (in my room) also had time to read the books only and no storytelling session (i think). a question: can we stop the kids while they are reading and go on to the next activity? i think we should. in a nice way. emm... we seriously need to work on the time management issue.
then comes the issue of fitting in a session for homework. i feel that will be quite hard. (my opinion)as we are already struggling to fit in the storytelling session. lets not have a slot for homework (i feel that its not evryweek that they would have some homework problem to ask us). but if they do really want our assistance, we try to do it after the reading slot. finish the reading quickly or something. i do not want to let them do their homework during the journalling time as journalling is more important.
my opinion k.

Feedback from Tiffany

Dear fellow volunteers, young men and women, handsome guys and pretty gals,

I think you would agree with me that our second session was equally exciting despite the unexpected additional number of children. I am sure your wonderful mentoring got the parents so excited that they shared it with their neighbours and convinced more kids to turn up. Anyways, you handled the situation extremely well and I am very encouraged by your enthusiasm, passion and determination. (*Applause!! Applause!!)

Secondly, thanks to Hani, who has contributed her ideas and thoughts in the comments section. Boy, when I saw her posting, I ‘kinda’ sympathize Mr Yong. Does he have to mark your assignments every day? (*Just kidding!) And speaking of Mr Yong, I think he doesn’t qualify to be in Malaysian Idol but I am definitely sure he will impress the producers in the kids’ educational series like Barney and Sesame Street.

Ok, let’s get serious, shall we? Just wanna share some ideas with everyone:

1) Punctuality
a. As Mr Yong has pointed out, punctuality is crucial. You can even get there early to prepare the Game and Group activities. For eg. Decorate the white board with fanciful and nice drawings and text to add more excitement to the songs that you want to teach the kids.

2) Thematic method
a. This is just suggestion. Please feel free to comment. I am thinking of using thematic style to conduct the Level 2 groups. This may help to provide a stronger structure. Let me explain. If say the theme is friendship, volunteers can work on activities based on this theme. The ice-breaking can be sharing about good friends each of us have in school or in our community. Or it could be on the topic ‘How I can be a good friend to others”. Then, when it comes to reading, you can choose stories or non-fiction articles that depict the value of friendship. Then, play some games to help the kids learn more about friendship:- For eg. draw two invisible lines. The one on the left represents characteristics that build friendship and the one on the right represents those that destroy friendship. – Give the kids words like kindness, generosity, caring, patience and humility, plus a few other ‘destructive’ ones like selfishness, proud, mean, big mouth, nosy, etc. Ask them which side does each word belong to. OK, this sounds quite boring.. Or you can paste a piece of blank paper on each one’s back. Then identify each person if she/ he is a friendship builder or destroyer. Give the kids all the above words and ask them to write them on the piece of paper which is pasted on their friends’ back.
b. Other interesting themes include:
i. My heroes
ii. Countries I like to visit
iii. Interesting jobs that people have such as comic artists or a food critic.

3) Homework helper
a. I have discussed this with Gin Kye, and we have come to a conclusion that we will not include this activity in the reading session. Instead of helping them with homework, Gin feels that it is more beneficial to instill the value of responsibility and discipline towards their school work. You can help to bring the relevance of what the kids study in school with real life. Why do they have to study mathematics, science or language? When they see the relevance, they will be more motivated to study harder and be a better student.

4) Body language
a. Did you know that when we talk, the words we say is as important as the way we say it? Hence, when you conduct the session, be aware of your body language. You may be presenting an interesting subject but if you are folding your arms, sitting crossed legged, keeping a distance from the kids, it shows that you are not open to them and that you are not as interested in the subject as you claim to be. So, practise various body language with your group or in front of the mirror. That way, you will be able to observe and improve.

5) Story telling
a. Most of you are working on some fresh new ideas for story telling, so that’s wonderful. Keep those ideas coming as this is a learning process for all of us. Create masks, costumes, props, puppets, drama or whatever it takes to make the story telling session more fun, exciting and most importantly engaging. I once watched a live performance of beauty and the beast where the actors actually invited children from the audience to participate. They were asked to do simple tasks on stage or recite easy script. It was a lot of fun for the audience as well as the kids.

6) Documenting your experiences..
a. This has been a great milestone in reaching out to the children-at risk in terms of imparting a reading culture. Hani, for example, has commented that we should inculcate the luuurve of reading, not just reading for the sake of doing it when the volunteers are there. So, we are working out a platform where you can record and archive your experiences, inspiration, concerns, progress and many more. This information will help new volunteers and the management to gauge and structure better and more efficient programs in future.

Lastly, I sincerely hope this has been a fantastic journey for each one of you. Please keep up your commitment and enthusiasm. They are really contagious!! In a good way, of course!

Cheers!

Rgds,
Tiffany Tang
Yellow House
Firstly, would like to apologize for not putting up this post last week as was busying preparing for the upcoming test.

Below are some of the feedbacks received from you guys on how the session was conducted and also ways of improving: ( Do read Hani's comment too =)

Level 1

Afiq's group- The kids were said to were actually having more fun this week. Activities done with action actually managed to grab the attention of the kids as it helped to curb boredom.

Level 2

Daniel's group- Kids in this group require more attention during reading. To enhance better understanding, certain words were translated into BM.

Donny's group- The kids had alot of fun during the role-play session. The kids picked a story and was read by one of the volunteers and then the story was re-enacted by the kids. This not only allowed the kids to have fun but also to understand the story better. However, it can be seen that kids in this group dislike journaling.

Sarah's group- Kids in this group were actually very enthusiastic on playing scrabble. This group also suggested more man-power is needed preferably adults to help assist the kids.

Jonathan's group- This group made the effort by making sure the inactive kids in the team participated by making them in charge on holding the chalk and have the responsibility of writing the words down.

Suggestions & Comments

- Mok suggested that instead of providing the children with story books, introduce to them encyclopedias as it would give them early exposure into scientific stuffs.

- Miss Khatijah informed that more kids would be coming these week. Therefore, volunteers should be more prepared.

- The kids were said to have enjoyed reading ( 1:1 session is good)

- Volunteers were told to ask the children on which word they do not understand and try their best to explain it.

- For volunteers looking after the Level 2 kids, they are encouraged to ask the kids to bring their homework as generally these kids do not hand in their homeworks at school.

- Kids also have to be taught some basic discipline ( Eg: Be silent when the volunteers are talking, show respect)

- During the reading session, time limit also has to be set to ensure that other part of the activities are not distrupted.

- Some of the kids is said to be too shy therefore encourage them to participate more and if possible, give individual attention to these children.

- A 5 minute break was also suggested.

- Some of the volunteers also requested that journaling is given extra time as the 15 minutes allocated is insufficient.

- Volunteers are also told to personalize their style of teaching as every kid requires different approach.

That's it for now. Do feel free to add any other suggestions.



Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Latest for Session 3 + feedback

Dear all,

We will be having a meeting at 3pm C27 this Friday (29th Feb) to plan for Level 1 and Level 2. Please be on time and tell me ahead of time if you cannot make it.

In case i forget, i will have to pick up the Etiara people earlier this sat at 8.15am. we will then have to leave by 8.30 to pick up the ridzwan people. we only have 1 van for 14 people so we may have to squeeze. I have asked my friends to drive 2 cars to help as well. we must really try to get there on time.

FEEDBACK FOR SESSION 2

All of you did very well considering the fact that we were taken by surprise by the additional kids (about 15 extra). I am constantly thankful to God for you all as you all are so adaptable and also dependable. KEEP IT UP!!

Some areas we need to work on are:
1. The intro session and icebreakers
I thought the song was good (NOT my singing though). The kids were really enthusiastic even the older ones. we need more of this.

2. Level 1 was good. Be prepared for more kids this weekend. Pn. Khatijah has warned us of one last batch.

3. Level 2. Need to be more systematic here and improve the grouping system and reading time. We should try to work in a storytelling slot and maybe even have a homework slot (any subject but prefereably English)

What do you think?

Please feedback in this blog.

Yong FS

Friday, February 22, 2008

Minutes for 2nd Pre-Session

Date: 22.02.08
Time: 3.10 pm – 4.10 pm
Venue: C27
Attendance: Mr. Yong and Mr. Gin
All 19 members except Donny and Riman

Agenda:
1.0 Itinerary for 1st session
Chronological order of events for 2nd session dated 23.02.08 was planned
8.15 am: Meet at Taylor’s University College
8.30 am: Leave for E-Tiara and Ridzuan
9.15 am: Arrival at Sentul
- Drop by Yellow House library before proceeding to training centre
9.30 am: Ice-breaker (conducted by Group 1 – Ashley, Ijat, and Zul)
- Barney song
- Sit stand
- Scavenger hunt
- Simon says
- Egg, chicken, dinosaur, prince

(Ice-breakers may be utilized in future sessions, if not for the 2nd)

Level 1:
10.00 am: Reading of story books
Reading games – hangman, word ‘stick’
10.25 am: Storytelling

Level 2:
10.00 am: Reading of story books
Reading aloud (one to one)
10.30 am: Storytelling

10.40 am: Journaling
11.10 am: Closing song
11.15 am: De-brief
11.40 am: Departure

2.0 Brainstorming
Ways for effective storytelling were discussed

Meeting ended at 4.10 pm.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Hi

See you all at 3pm C27 today (Friday).

The agenda is as follows:

1. Logistics
2. Program
3. People

Sze Mei, can you write a short report on the last session? Please include what we did, the rough time and the people in charge. Also include the feedback at the end.

YongFS

Minutes for 1st Pre-Session

Date: 15.02.08
Time: 3.00 pm – 4.10 pm
Venue: C27
Attendance: Mr. Yong Foo Seng
All 19 members

Agenda:
1.0 Grouping of members
The 19 members were divided into 7 groups
1. Zulfadhly Murtadha Afiq B. Zainal Bahran, Izzatul Nadzirah Ismail, Ashley Faizah Zulkapeli
2. Faiz B. Abu Salihu, Anis maziah Bt. Hamdan, Ariffah Bt. Mokhtar
3. Wan Danial B. Mohammed Noor, Yuvha Dharshini A/P Rata Mohan, Kwa Sze Mei
4. Ahmad Shafiq B. Suffian Wee, Nurul Ain Bt. Norman Dunsah, Sara Lee de Menezes
5. Ng Jiun Shyan, Siti Nadia Bt. Mohammad Sallehin, Kristin Hah Chern Wen
6. Daniel Jonathan Yeo, Hani Nadrah Bt. Zakaria
7. Riman B. Ramli, Norhaliza Bt. Termiozi

2.0 Election of Committee Members
Several members were designated posts
1. Communications – Riman
2. Transport and Logisitics – Jonathan and Donny
3. Secretary – Yuvha and Sze Mei

3.0 Ways of communication
Several channels for communication were discussed
1. Facebook group
2. Blog (read2children.blogspot.com)

4.0 Itinerary for 1st session
Chronological order of events for 1st session dated 16.02.08 was planned
8.15 am: Meet at Taylor’s University College
9.15 am: Arrival at Sentul
- Look for the rooms
- Arrival of the kids (get to know the kids)
9.45 am: English Test (kids will then be divided into two levels – Level 1 and Level 2)
10.15 am: Ice-breaker (conducted by Group 6 – Daniel and Hani)
10.30 am: Groups are allocated by Mr. Yong
10.45 am: Reading (Peter and Jane, etc.)
11.00 am: Reading Games (eg. call the word, form a sentence out of flash cards)
11.15 am: Story-telling session
11.30 am: Journaling
11.45 am: Departure

Meeting ended at 4.10 pm.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Hi!! (From Tiffany, Yellow House)

Hi All,
I must say that all you impressed me so much for this first session! The motivation and drive was written all over your faces. You guys deserve a huge pat on your back! Just a few more pointers (in case I won't be seeing you this Friday):

- Be relaxed and consistent: Kids normally react to how you carry yourself. So, if you maintain a calm and relaxed demeanour, they will catch it. Consistency is also another powerful tool. When kids are familiarised with you (because you are consistent), they warm up with you much easier.

- Give your best - Whatever the outcome these kids show, it's not your fault. If they seem to keep aloof, it's not your fault. So, keep guilt at bay. As long as you are the volunteers, that's all that matters.

- Wear comfortable attire - Now that you know the venue, and that you'd have to sit down when conducting the session, try to wear comfortable and appropriate attire. If your clothes distract you, it will affect your concentration.

- Be flexible - Many groups have shown flexibility while conducting the session which is excellent. Try to be sensitive towards the kids; how they react, respond and behave.

- Here's an idea for story-telling session. I agree that having different titles read at the same time may be quite unorganised. How about this - We divide storytelling into two groups - level 1 and 2. So we have more volunteers to participate as a larger group. Each group can choose a particular story, decide how to present it, prepare the necessary materials (you can even act it out, do a simple puppet show, have a narrator and some actors, use simple costumes, masks, accessories, sound effects, etc). The kids will watch and listen as though they are watching a live performance. Then you can even conduct some Q&A's to see if they understand the story. After that, when they go back to their group, you can suggest topics for journaling which may or may not relate to the storytelling session.

That's it for now! thanks again!
Cheers!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

1st Session

Congratulations to all of you!! Well Done. I think the 1st session went really well. all of you were proactive and positive with the children even the difficult ones. Keep it up. Please spend some time blogging your thoughts on how the first session went in your opinion. Feel free to share your thoughts.

Yuvha & Sze Mei,

Can you please post the minutes of the pre-session (the one on Friday 3pm) here on the blog as well. don't worry about the format.

Also please do a summary of the day (i.e what time we started, what did we do etc...). Just fill up the lesson plan and include details of each subsection. If you're not sure what to do see me. Please also include the feedback session as well.

See you all on Friday 3pm, D27.

Yong FS

Thursday, February 14, 2008

 
 
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New Members

We will be having people from the corporate sector join us for the program as well. They will be in their own team. They are:

1. Odin Chong (MAS)
2. Karen Low (Communication & Events)
3. Adam Ng (FnB)
4. Ng Kee Yeow (Digi)
5. Valene (i'm not sure which sector)

Please get to know them and make them feel welcome...they may be your future bosses / employers heheh.

Yong

UPDATES 3

Just confirmed the venue today. We will not be able to get a large hall to meet with everyone. I don't think this is a problem as the administrator told me that they are expecting about 20 odd students. Target to be there about 9-9.15 am. The kids will arrive at 9.30. We are not getting that many kids for the first session as i think the parents may still be cautious and want to give it some time first.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

UPDATES 2

Please bring along the story books and flash cards you have made for this Friday's meeting. We will discuss any problems you think we will face.

I have also started a Google group to test out. Lets compare and decide.Please sign in according to the invite email.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Updates

This Saturday we are getting 2 college vans to take us to Sentul and back. I think we have to be at college by 8.15 am sharp. Don't want to be late for the first session (and all of them actually).

We also need volunteers for the following positions:

1. Transport & Logistics
2. Communication
3. Administration

I have Danial & Jonathan so far... but a few more would be good. If you're interested, we'll discuss this Friday.

Welcome from Mr. Yong

Hi everyone. It was really encouraging to see all of you involved in the training session and having a great time.

The first session is on this Saturday (16th feb). can we meet for a short meeting to finalise all the details this Friday at 3pm (C27)?

Yong

Saturday, February 2, 2008

The Members...

1) Hani Nadrah Bt. Zakaria J4 hani_xtina@yahoo.com 0136695551

2) Norhaliza Bt. Termiozi J4 feishinguji@hotmail.com 0123150529

3) Faiz B. Abu Salihu 0173245374

4) Ashley Faizah Zulkapeli ashleyzul@gmail.com 0126926854

5) Izzatul Nadzirah Ismail izzatnadz@yahoo.co.uk 0124969808

6) Ahmad Shafiq B. Suffian Wee angel_of_destruction89@hotmail.com 0179397650

7 ) Anis maziah Bt. Hamdan anismaziah@hotmail.com 0166341765

8) Ariffah Bt. Mokhtar ipah_ayin@yahoo.com 0122568469

9) Wan Danial B. Mohammed Noor wandanial@gmail.com 0176815564

10) Riman B. Ramli silver_rayz89@hotmail.com 0139777260

11) Zulfadhly Murtadha Afiq B. Zainal Bahran murt_89@yahoo.com 0135952990

12) Daniel Jonathan Yeo J2 leinad_yeo@hotmail.com 0168038550

13) Sara Lee de Menezes J4 snoopy_sldm@hotmail.com 0122854998

14) Siti Nadia Bt. Mohammad Sallehin J4 nadiasallehin@yahoo.co.uk 0195957973

15) Nurul Ain Bt. Norman Dunsah J4 ainnorman@yahoo.com 01732361551

16) Kwa Sze Mei J7 kwaszemei@gmail.com 0169051153

17) Yuvha Dharshini A/P Rata Mohan J7 yuvha19@gmail.com 0162745357

18) Kristin Hah Chern Wen J7 ahwen89@yahoo.com 0123022775

19) Ng Jiun Shyan J7 angelicdespair@gmail 0129798570

*I apoloize for any mistake... do inform me if there's any.. thx

Friday, February 1, 2008

Welcome ~

This is the blog... so please gather here... I have invited all of you so please check your email address to become a member here.. ok ~ any question on how to become member do ask at the ChatBox located here~ peace~