How to teach English effectively.

PMR Strategic Plan

for

Form 3 Beta and 3 Delta for

September 2011

  ________________________________________

Combined timetable (Jadual Anjal)

First week:

1. Tuesday (6^th/09/2011)

Duration:2 hours

Contents:

                This slot is meant for self-reflection on two sets of previous papers (SBP and JPN). I call upon the students who did well for paper 1 to share their strategies on how to get A continuously no matter how difficult the paper was. I also give solutions on how to face this coming PMR. I talked a lot about the importance of having the positive characters before they sit for PMR.

_________________________________________________________________

Findings:

            Throughout the two hour session, the students who did well for paper one shared a lot of effective strategies on how to do well in paper 1. The most important part is, they applied all the tips that I have shared with them repeatedly before they sit for an exam.

            The first tip is to circle all the clues in the text. Then, create a bridge between the answer and the question in order to help them to fully understand the question, text or words. The bridge represents a unique connection between the answer and the questions even though the students don’t really understand the words used in the text. Last but not least, the students must possess a solid determination in the process of searching for the best answer as I do not want the students to give up easily when they come across any words which are new to them. Blind judgment can be very destructive if they choose not to think.

            The second tip is, they must write a list of grammar notes that they have learned in class such as subject –verb-agreement, modal verbs, prepositional verbs and tenses on the question paper as a reminder that will guide them throughout the exam. These notes will definitely help them to think critically while choosing the best answer.

            The third tip is, think of anything that makes them happy before they sit for the exam particularly before they enter the hall. As the matter of fact, most SM SAINS STUDENTS panic when they are given pressure. Obviously, they are mentally weak. Therefore, I told them to think of anything that makes them happy when they sit for the exam because when they panic, they will forget everything that they have learned. A student who did very well in the previous exam claimed that she sang to herself throughout the exam in order to calm herself. Being in control of one’s state of mind is crucial in order to help them pass the exam with flying colours.

            The fourth tip is the power of belief. A student who did well constantly in the previous exam claimed that she gave herself to God before, during and after the exam after giving her best in every little thing she does as long as English language is concerned. Some students did not pray properly as they believed that God will not guide them. This mindset is very wrong as it could jeopardize the student’s result. The main concern is the students must always believe in God’s presence in everything that they go through in life.

            In conclusion, the sharing session was a success as they students are aware of having the correct and positive mindset before this coming PMR. I hope the sharing session will trigger their desire to do well in the next exam.

           

PMR Strategic Plan

for

Form 3 Beta and 3 Delta for

September 2011

  ________________________________________

Combined timetable (Jadual Anjal)

First week:

1. Wednesday (7^th/09/2011)

Duration:2 hours

Contents:

                This slot is meant for mentor-mentee programme (list of editors is attached). I also talked about some tips on how to do well for paper 2.

_________________________________________________________________

Findings:

            For Section A, they must come up with at least 5 paragraphs (Introduction, first point, second third point, third point, and conclusion). The students must apply the rules that I always mentioned before they sit for the exam. They must write at least 250 words as the Grade A school will not be able to enjoy any mercy from the examiner if compared to Grade B and Grade C schools. Writing 250 words is not a problem if they students read a lot before the exam. A student who does not read a lot will always write rubbish and immature essay. I continuously remind them about the golden rule which is “Speak good English, write good English. Speak broken English, write rubbish.”They must also spend at least 5 minutes to edit they essay. I also shared with them the importance of creating a mind map while working on the blueprint of the essay. Examples are attached. Mind map is a part of brainstorming session that a student must go through before they could write a well-organized and well-written essay. The students are also reminded to write a list of grammatical errors on a foolscap paper which includes critical errors on subject-verb-agreement, modal verbs, prepositional verb, tenses and spelling. The students are also reminded not to make their own English words as they will lose at least 2 marks for that very stupid error (e.g. make:maked/). Last but not least, the students MUST include all the MAIN POINTS given. If they fail to include all of the main points, getting 24/30 will always be a sweet dream that WILL NEVER COME TRUE. Therefore, do not miss all the MAIN POINTS if you wish to enjoy the tears of success at the end of this year.

            For Section B, they must understand what they are writing. I understand the students are trying to change the active sentences into passive sentences. However, they must be careful as they might miss the verb. If they miss the verb, it is impossible for them to get 8/10. The rule of writing a summary is the summary has to be short, simple and clear. The students do not have to include unnecessary words such as “therefore”, “also”, “too”, “moreover”, “apart from that”, “other than that”, “in addition to”, “furthermore” and etc because they might write more than 60 words or write meaningless summary. The students must also highlight all the relevant points in the text. The most important rule is they must always refer to the instruction as the students always fail to follow the instruction. They must fully understand the instruction by circling the important keywords in the instruction. Failing to do so will prevent them to get at least 5/10. Therefore, please follow the instruction.

            For Section C, I don’t really have to worry about it because I have prepared them with excellent notes and how to answer the literature questions flawlessly as I designed the answers and the notes by myself. The only thing that worries me is that some students fail to understand the question and the instruction. They allow themselves to be confused by the tricky but easy question. The solution is the students must read the question repeatedly and think critically. The question may sound tricky, but if you do not panic, you will be able to understand the question. On the other hand, the students must write at least 150 words to show their depth understanding about the novel. They have to come up with 4 paragraphs. (Introduction, point 1, point2, point 3 and conclusion (self-reflection on the novel has to be included)). Writing 50 words will not help them to get 7/10 as 50 words are the standard for Grade B and C schools. They have no choice but to think out of the box and give beyond expectation. Last but not least, they have to edit their essays repeatedly in order to get at least 8/10.

            In conclusion, I deeply hope that this sharing and editors programme will help them to get A for English. May God bless each of us and this target.

ATTACTMENTS

List of editors and their mentees.

	Mentors (editors)	mentees
1	Ivory Yiu Ai Lee	Erna
2	Soffiya Az-Zahra	Hanim
3	Syafiqah	Nazwa
4	Nur Farahzatul Zaharah	Haziq
5	Nur Syazwani	Luqman & Atiqah
6	Nur Aizureen	Haziqah
7	Nur Azizi	Gibson
8	Ainul Hayat	Fazira
9	Louis	Hafizah Haratono
10	Ahmad Ridzwan	Abbul Al-Alim
11	Rashidah	Shirley
12	Nabil	Faiz
13	Stefan	Wan Zuhri
14	Eileen	Syafisan
15	Nur Aiman	Syafiqah
16	Fatin Nazurah	Saffa
17	Syafina	Aziah
18	Hafizah Kamal	Hafsah
19	Atiqahtul Aida	Izzul
20	Nurul Khairunisa	Qayyum
21	Romeo	Awang & Fariz
22	Izza	Kevin
23	Rufiela	Sofjoe & Zakwan
24	Rashidah Umar	Fakrullah
25	Dayang Nur Ain	Khairunnisa
26	Noor Asriq	Syafiq and Fikri

Examples of mind mapping.

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Section A:

You are advised to give a talk on “How to stay mentally and physically healthy. With the help of the notes below, give your friends some tips on how to stay physically and mentally healthy.

Your talk should be more than 120 words.

·         balanced diet-avoid oily food-reduce sugar intake

·         enough sleep-rest-concentration-

·         personal hygiene-teeth-bath-clean

·         exercise-games-hobby-fit

·         share problems-reduce stress

·         time management- schedule

                PMR Strategic Plan

for

Form 3 Beta and 3 Delta for

September 2011

  ________________________________________

Combined timetable (Jadual Anjal)

Second Week:

1. Wednesday (7^th/09/2011)

Duration:2 hours

Contents:

                This slot is meant for mentor-mentee programme (list of editors is attached). I also talked about some tips on how to do well for paper 2.