Thank You Class 1E

Thank You Class IE

Hi, Class IE. Sorry I took a while to upload your phots on my blog. Hope you all are doing fine. I enjoyed teaching your class. Hopefully, you also enjoyed my teaching =) Though I have scolded you a few times, I do hope you understand that I was trying to let you see the importance of listening and following instructions. Do remember the Cyber-wellness messages we taught you. Make it a life-style and more importantly pass them on to your friends!

On a side note, someone commented that the class was quite fearful of me.

On reflection, I realise that I look quite stern if I do not smile (look at the photo above).

I also find that I can be quite stern whenever the students get rowdy and do not listen and instruction during lessons. One of my X-students even jokingly called me the TERROR of Bukit Merah =) as I disciplined them firmly whenever they did not obey the rules repeatedly (I used to teach at a community school in Bukit Merah).

Why am I so firm in class? As teacher, I am the authourity figure. My role is to set and enforce a proper boundary so that the students know know what are the acceptable behaviours and what are not. By doing so, we can then have a proper environment to study where learning can take place.

Of course, sometimes we feel that the rules are too strict and tight. But we must understand that having 40 students in one class means there are 40 different people with different needs and expectation. They will also behave differently at different times under different moods. It is impossible to have rules to satisfy the needs and personalities of all 40 students. Therefore, it is easily for a standard and general set of rules so that all 40 students can work towards aligning to rather.

But I must admit that there are times when I have reacted sternly out of anger and and become unreasonable or have not shown grace when it is to be shown. =( Guess I am still a human and learning to be a teacher. That is why I am always reflecting on the classes I taught and the way handle my class to improve!

Dream Weaver

Dream Weaver Part 1

I am currently teaching a lesson where the main teaching point is :

Stay focus on your DREAM! Do not be addicted to internet.

I told the students that dreams are very important as it keeps us focused and give us direction. Even as I was pondering, I started to remember some of the dreams I had in the past and the reaons I had for them.

When I was in primary school, my dream was to be a scientist. Becuase I like to watch science fiction cartoons. One of my fav was TRANSFORMERS. I was excited by the advance weapons and the state of the art technology. I got inspired to become a scientist to come up with new creations.

When I was in secondary school, I grew out of that dream and become more practical. I wanted to be a engineer. My family was poor. Somehow I got this notion that there always be be jobs for an enginner. Therefore, I can always find a job to support my family and my family.

Why are dreams so important? I thank God that I had dreams when I was young. They kept me hopeful for my future and excited about life has to offer me years ahead.

Life is not a bed of roses. There are times when we may face difficulites or go through problems. During these times, our dreams can help us stayed focused and perserve on during the tough times.

I remember the dream of being an engineer kept me focused and I studied diligently even though there was distractions and hardship along the way. In the end, I fulfilled my dream and graduated with 2nd Class Honours in Electrical Engineering from National University of Singapore.

The funny things is that in the end, I did not become a Enginner. I beame a teacher.

That was another of my dream that was birthed forth in times of crisis. I will share more in next entry =)

So my friend, go and dream a dream for yourself!

SMILE!!! You are the real MAGIC!!!

SMILE!!! You are the real MAGIC!!!

I just finished Project CRuSH with a class at a school and as part of the last lesson we will take a class photo.

Class 1U :
Thanks God for all of you! You are all very special!!!
Each of you had blessed me with your smile, care and love!
You are the REAL MAGIC!So continue to being a SMILE to people around u!

I really enjoyed teaching this class becos they bring so much joy, laughter and fun to me whenever I stepped into their class =)

But guess what, when I first taught them, I shouted at them becos they were too noisy and took a long time to settle down. =( Can say things do not start on the right foot. But I reflected and aplogised to them for shouting at them. Yet I told them I have to becos they were all quite noisy and did not follow instructions. That broke the ice and from then on, we have been on good terms!

Well, when we have misunderstanding or conflicts with others, it is always easier to insists on our stand or to get upsets and become negative. Problems are not solved. In fact, they will gett bigger.

Why don't we just take the 1st step to think of what we are responsible for and apologise. That will break the ice and make the other party steps down and apologise for his or her part.

Remember in all of us lies the MAGIC to bring a =)!
Let the MAGIC begins!

Staring Incident => eye ball to eye ball

Staring Incident 0-0 <=> 0-0

Few days ago, I was walking around this long corridor..........

I had just finished my lunch and was just thinking of something. And as near the end of the corridor......

Suddenly, I got a SHOCK of my life!!!!!! A man was staring at me!!!!!!

After recovering from the shock, I went to take a closer look =) Guess what??? It was just a figurine... Haha look quite scary rite =)

PLANETSHAKERS!!!!!

Never 2 Old to B a PLANETSHAKERS!!!!!

Today, when I came out of my house, 2 primary school students came up to me and ask me,"Uncle, what time is it? Haha it is quite a dent on my ego. Am I that old?

My X-student WenHao asked me a similar question last Saturday,"Mr Lam. Don't you feel old around so many youths?"

I was with him when I attended the PLANETSHAKERS concert at Expo. The whole hall was filled to the max (7000 people). They opened up the whole floor for people to dance.

It was was a sight to see 3000 youths at the front dancing, jumping, screaming and clapping!

And guess what this old man was doing??? I was dancing, jumping, screaming and clapping with the whole lot!

It is not how young you are on the outside but how young you are in your heart! You can never be too old to be a planet-shakers!

CHOCLATE DELIGHT & COMFORT!

I always thought I was not a foodie. I eat to live than live to eat. In other words, I am more of a functional eater and will eat anything.

However, after my trip to Shanghai, I found out actually I am picky about food. For example, there are some food that i wil not eat.

I also found that that I have certain COMFORT food that I will eat when I am stressed. These food helps me to de-stress =)

One of my comfort food is chocolate. I can finish at one go one whole box of Roche... Btw I mean the larger box of at least 20-30 Roche.

Anyway, one of my friend emailed something interesting. From you eating pattern of chocolates, you can find out your age! Try it our and be amazed!

YOUR AGE WITH CHOCOLATES
1. How many times a week do you fancy eating chocolate? (Choose between 1 and 9)
2. Multiply that number by 2

3. Add 5

4. Multiply by 50 – go on, get that calculator out!
5. If you have had your birthday in 2006, add 1756. If your birthday is still to come, add 1755.
6. Now take away the year you were born.

You should have a three digit number.

The first is the number of time you fancy eating chocolate in a week.

The other two digits are ... YOUR AGE!!!

2006 IS THE ONLY YEAR IN ALL ETERNITY WHEN THIS WORKS.