Thursday, February 24, 2005
Classroom Managment in practice
Finally...classroom management in practice! Had to relief classes yesterday and today. Had quite a difficult time controlling the EM3 students yesterday, although it was only 1 period. The boys were rowdy and bullied another boy in the class, who ended up crying. At the same time, they were spilling water on the desk and floor. One boy was rocking his chair and fell backwards. He refused to stand up and sit on his chair. I had no choice but to shout really LOUD!
It was another battle today when I went to my P5 class. They were restless too and I seriously don't think they are afraid of me. It was only when I shouted really LOUD that all eyes were on me. Thankfully, some of them are reacted positively to me, and commented that I look kind and are glad to have me in the 'Getting to know you" form which I asked them to fill in. A fellow trainee teacher had a tough time with this class too. Looks like it's going to be real challenge in the weeks to come!
It was another battle today when I went to my P5 class. They were restless too and I seriously don't think they are afraid of me. It was only when I shouted really LOUD that all eyes were on me. Thankfully, some of them are reacted positively to me, and commented that I look kind and are glad to have me in the 'Getting to know you" form which I asked them to fill in. A fellow trainee teacher had a tough time with this class too. Looks like it's going to be real challenge in the weeks to come!
Friday, February 18, 2005
入得了厨房，出得了天堂？！
忘了跟大家分享一则笑话。有一位学生既然将“入得了厨房，出得了厅堂”搞错，说成“入得了厨房，出得了天堂”天阿！！
Work piling up
Just confirmed yesterday that I'll start teaching next week, which is one week before the stipulated timeline given by NIE. Getting bored by just observing and doing nothing. ;p Won't start teaching my P5 class till 7 March though cos my CT wants to do revision for CA. Quite excited that I'm teaching soon..but that also means I have lots to do, meaning to complete draft lessons plans for 12 periods (30mins each) for the whole of next week by tomorrow, so that my CT can look through and give her comments. There's a lot to do in one week: 生词，朗读，习字，听写，好公民，《新天地》，作业和复习。Learning from the teachers how to space out everything. :)
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
1st 2 days of Practicum
I'm in school now..No, I'm not lazing around. ;p in fact, all the other trainee teachers have left. I'm in the AM session but staying back to discuss my lesson observation scedules with my CT. Thought I might as well make use of the time now. hee.. Thank God that this desktop computer in my cubicle works and has internet connection. :) Sharing it with the rest. There's 6 of us and I heard that 3 more PGDE students will be joining us next week! That means 3 people to one cubicle. It's still alright, considering that we are taking the HOD's cubicle. hee...at least we are away from the battlefield upstairs (staffroom). The first two days of Practicum have been quite enjoyable, especially today. Just after recess, I went up to my P3 class for observation and saw one girl bleeding from her nose. It was quite bad, but thankfully, the chinese teacher was with her. In the end, we brought her to the General Office and gave her mum a call. She was very calm, and I think it is because she is used to recent bouts of nose bleed. Soon after, her nose stopped bleeding and things were back to normal. By then, 20 mins have passed.
When we got back to class, one P3 student actually remembered that I went to his class last year! He even doodled something for me. Still trying to decipher what it is. He drew waves and wrote: "This is a maze. If you teach us, you can tell me." Hmm..Hope my rapport with the class can be built up over the weeks. The kids in this P3 class are lovely and warm up to me quite easily. I guess joining in their group work just now helped a bit. Looking forward to teaching them! My CTs turned out to be more approachable that I expected, and they are generally easy to work with (my gauge at this point in time). :)
When we got back to class, one P3 student actually remembered that I went to his class last year! He even doodled something for me. Still trying to decipher what it is. He drew waves and wrote: "This is a maze. If you teach us, you can tell me." Hmm..Hope my rapport with the class can be built up over the weeks. The kids in this P3 class are lovely and warm up to me quite easily. I guess joining in their group work just now helped a bit. Looking forward to teaching them! My CTs turned out to be more approachable that I expected, and they are generally easy to work with (my gauge at this point in time). :)
Sunday, February 13, 2005
先甜后苦
若你不能理解这则网上日记，请多多包涵。我突然灵机一动，想尝试新点子。哈哈。。。请放心，我不会从此单以华语与你们分享我生活中的点点滴滴。今年的农历新年还算不错，至少有机会和多时没见面的亲戚聚一聚。相信大家都和我一样，一直吃喝玩乐。哈哈。。。对我来说，这是先甜后苦。一旦实习开始，恐怕没这样的机会，悠哉闲哉地放松心情。或许你认为我很悲观，但我想我应该现实一点。哈哈。。。盼望不高，失望也不会太大。昨天，我终于到学校（康柏小学Compassvale Pri)与校长和协导老师（Cooperating Teachers)见面。果然不出我所料，主任换了。新主任是我的Chief Cooperating Teacher，挺友善的。当我获知另两名协导老师的名字，我的心顿时沉了一下。哈哈。。。我最不想“中”的老师果然都“中”了。根据上一次观摩（observation) 的经验，她们并不是很友善(初步印象）。其中一名来自中国，另一名是老一辈传统的华文老师。而我的教育学院的督导讲师则是一名强调创新，“活动要有趣”的老师。看来，我将面对一向艰巨的挑战。我就像是夹心饼中间的cream。不过，我还是很期待接下来8个星期的实习。希望会是一个充实的学习机会！不过，就如一名弟兄所说的，最重要的是敬虔（godliness)，以基督的心为心。
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Ministry Matters! Part II
Setting Hearts on Fire III– John Chapman
What is Apostolic Ministry: Acts 20:17ff
Taking a look at Paul and his ministry...
(17)Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. (18)And when they came to him, he said to them:
"You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, (19)serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; (20)how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, (21)testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (22)And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by[a] the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, (23)except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. (24)But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (25)And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. (26)Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, (27)for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (28)Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[b] which he obtained with his own blood.[c] (29)I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; (30)and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (31)Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. (32)And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (33)I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. (34)You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. (35)In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
1) Paul's way of life was transparent (v17-21)
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the day that I set foot in Asia.” Paul reminds the Ephesians elders that they have seen how he lived his life; he was humble in serving the Lord despite trials that he suffered as a result of the plots of the Jews; he did not shrink from declaring to them anything that was profitable, and teaching both in public and houses, testifying to both Jews and to Greeks of repentance towards God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. What he did publicly and one to one is the same, teaching the Bible.
2) Paul's perseverance in ministry (v22-24)
In spite of imprisonment and afflictions that await Paul, he perseveres in ministry by testifying to the gospel of the grace of God, which came to him by revelation at the road of Damascus. The message of repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ goes hand in hand. It is a way of life.
3) Same Lord-Same gospel (v25-27)
Paul goes about proclaiming the kingdom, and did not shrink from declaring to the people the whole counsel of God.
Ministry is about the proclamation of the gospel and not holding back anything that is profitable. What do we want people to repent of and to trust? As we go through new circumstances, new temptations, we keep repenting and trust in what God has done for us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we can say that Christianity “goes backwards” – looking at the gospel. Note that Paul repeats the idea here.
20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
24But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
4) The Challenge (v28-30)
We are to keep watch over ourselves and our flock, and care for them for they have been purchased with his own blood. What do we do? We are to watch our doctrine and watch our lives. Sniff out error and sins in our lives and guard our flock! Significance doesn't come from by what you can do but what God has made of you. On the other hand, false teachers make us dissatisfied with our Christian life, that we need to do things to improve it or to be made right with God.
5) The Persistent Pastor (v31-35)
With the above challenge, we need to guard ourselves against false teachers, and be faithful in proclaiming the gospel plainly, renouncing any disgraceful, underhanded ways. We are to admonish others faithfully and constantly, building them up in God's Word.
Each time I look at Paul's way of life and ministry, I feel ashamed of myself. His life of devotion to preaching the gospel faithfully and loving others is a model for me and all fellow believers. The priority of godliness and maturity in Christ marks the content of his prayers, and he presses on in ministry despite all the afflictions he goes through. How can our inconvenience in traveling and sacrifices in time and money for the gospel work ever compare to what he went through? May we be encouraged and continue to spur each other on as partners in the gospel.
Acts 20:24
24But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
What is Apostolic Ministry: Acts 20:17ff
Taking a look at Paul and his ministry...
(17)Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. (18)And when they came to him, he said to them:
"You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, (19)serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; (20)how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, (21)testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (22)And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by[a] the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, (23)except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. (24)But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (25)And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. (26)Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, (27)for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (28)Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[b] which he obtained with his own blood.[c] (29)I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; (30)and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (31)Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. (32)And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (33)I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. (34)You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. (35)In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
1) Paul's way of life was transparent (v17-21)
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the day that I set foot in Asia.” Paul reminds the Ephesians elders that they have seen how he lived his life; he was humble in serving the Lord despite trials that he suffered as a result of the plots of the Jews; he did not shrink from declaring to them anything that was profitable, and teaching both in public and houses, testifying to both Jews and to Greeks of repentance towards God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. What he did publicly and one to one is the same, teaching the Bible.
2) Paul's perseverance in ministry (v22-24)
In spite of imprisonment and afflictions that await Paul, he perseveres in ministry by testifying to the gospel of the grace of God, which came to him by revelation at the road of Damascus. The message of repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ goes hand in hand. It is a way of life.
3) Same Lord-Same gospel (v25-27)
Paul goes about proclaiming the kingdom, and did not shrink from declaring to the people the whole counsel of God.
Ministry is about the proclamation of the gospel and not holding back anything that is profitable. What do we want people to repent of and to trust? As we go through new circumstances, new temptations, we keep repenting and trust in what God has done for us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we can say that Christianity “goes backwards” – looking at the gospel. Note that Paul repeats the idea here.
20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
24But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
4) The Challenge (v28-30)
We are to keep watch over ourselves and our flock, and care for them for they have been purchased with his own blood. What do we do? We are to watch our doctrine and watch our lives. Sniff out error and sins in our lives and guard our flock! Significance doesn't come from by what you can do but what God has made of you. On the other hand, false teachers make us dissatisfied with our Christian life, that we need to do things to improve it or to be made right with God.
5) The Persistent Pastor (v31-35)
With the above challenge, we need to guard ourselves against false teachers, and be faithful in proclaiming the gospel plainly, renouncing any disgraceful, underhanded ways. We are to admonish others faithfully and constantly, building them up in God's Word.
Each time I look at Paul's way of life and ministry, I feel ashamed of myself. His life of devotion to preaching the gospel faithfully and loving others is a model for me and all fellow believers. The priority of godliness and maturity in Christ marks the content of his prayers, and he presses on in ministry despite all the afflictions he goes through. How can our inconvenience in traveling and sacrifices in time and money for the gospel work ever compare to what he went through? May we be encouraged and continue to spur each other on as partners in the gospel.
Acts 20:24
24But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
If I've made any mistakes, please feel free to correct me. Thanks! :) Any other suggestions are welcomed too!
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Ministry Matters! Part I
It was a good weekend learning God's Word and building relationships with like-minded Christians. Just like to share some lessons I've learnt and some personal thoughts. Although I must say that my sharing here won't be as in-depth as some of my friends'. Do check out Adrian's if you are interested, since he has mentioned in his blog about outlines to come.
Although it's my third time attending MM, I'm still very much refreshed and encouraged by the lessons learnt, not to forget the meaningful friendships and gospel partnerships formed and strengthened. I strongly encourage everyone to attend in the future, regardless of whether you are considering full-time paid Christian ministry. What's more important is being clear about what Christian ministry is, and how we should go about doing it as revealed to us through the Bible.
Lessons which I've learnt:
Setting Hearts on Fire I &II – John Chapman
The Nature and Content of Christian Ministry: 2Cor 4:1-6
1) We do not lose heart in ministry because it is by God's mercy that we have this gospel ministry. Therefore, losing heart is also a temptation which we will face especially when the going gets tough.
2) Preach the gospel faithfully; set the truth plainly without any shameful, disgraceful and underhanded ways. Example, by working people's emotions over.
3) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Only God can open their blind eyes. Thus, we are to be in total dependence on God for results.
As John Chapman puts it, the best and succinct message of Christian ministry – 2 Cor 4:5
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.”
4) If we are to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, let us be clear of who he is! Jesus is Ruler, Judge and Saviour. Our response to this is to live a life of repentance and faith. To repent means to turn over to a new way of living under God's rule. We can repent but may not have much feeling about it. Unfortunately, sometimes we may have much feeling about the things we have done wrong, but we do not repent of our ways.
5) Since we are servants (slaves) for Christ sake, we are to love his people too. Do we see ourselves as slaves of other Christians? One example is to make our teaching/ sermon as easy as possible for them to understand, making it a pleasure for them to listen and learn.
As for personal thoughts, I thank God for His mercy that I can be saved, and now being part of this gospel ministry. It is a good reminder to me to proclaim the gospel faithfully, not with any underhanded ways, but simply setting the truth plainly. May God have mercy on those who still reject Him, that He may unveil their blinded minds.
Will continue sharing after I've sort out my notes. :)
Although it's my third time attending MM, I'm still very much refreshed and encouraged by the lessons learnt, not to forget the meaningful friendships and gospel partnerships formed and strengthened. I strongly encourage everyone to attend in the future, regardless of whether you are considering full-time paid Christian ministry. What's more important is being clear about what Christian ministry is, and how we should go about doing it as revealed to us through the Bible.
Lessons which I've learnt:
Setting Hearts on Fire I &II – John Chapman
The Nature and Content of Christian Ministry: 2Cor 4:1-6
1) We do not lose heart in ministry because it is by God's mercy that we have this gospel ministry. Therefore, losing heart is also a temptation which we will face especially when the going gets tough.
2) Preach the gospel faithfully; set the truth plainly without any shameful, disgraceful and underhanded ways. Example, by working people's emotions over.
3) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Only God can open their blind eyes. Thus, we are to be in total dependence on God for results.
As John Chapman puts it, the best and succinct message of Christian ministry – 2 Cor 4:5
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.”
4) If we are to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, let us be clear of who he is! Jesus is Ruler, Judge and Saviour. Our response to this is to live a life of repentance and faith. To repent means to turn over to a new way of living under God's rule. We can repent but may not have much feeling about it. Unfortunately, sometimes we may have much feeling about the things we have done wrong, but we do not repent of our ways.
5) Since we are servants (slaves) for Christ sake, we are to love his people too. Do we see ourselves as slaves of other Christians? One example is to make our teaching/ sermon as easy as possible for them to understand, making it a pleasure for them to listen and learn.
As for personal thoughts, I thank God for His mercy that I can be saved, and now being part of this gospel ministry. It is a good reminder to me to proclaim the gospel faithfully, not with any underhanded ways, but simply setting the truth plainly. May God have mercy on those who still reject Him, that He may unveil their blinded minds.
Will continue sharing after I've sort out my notes. :)
