2nd, February - It was in the midst of dawn at 5.30 a.m. when I heard voices outside the room talking and laughing like there’s no tomorrow. I got up and could see Cipah and Mak Et were busy cutting the pieces of backdrops and I felt sorry for not helping her from the start. So, I just grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the pieces seeing that there were quiet a lot. We actually realised that we’ve made a call to this pakcik on fetching us to FAB at 6.30 a.m. I guessed we just need an hour to finish up the cutting and get fully dressed before 6.30 a.m. However, the next thing we knew, we were absolutely late for the 6.30 a.m bus with the hustle and bustle of getting readied and done. Sorry to Mr. G and especially to Zarim who had been calling several times asking us to be hurry. We realised that the bus finally moved, a little late, but we just prayed we could reach the destination on time. Less than 45 minutes, we finally arrived at SK Air Manis where all the young students had already gathered at the school compound as if they were welcoming us with warm smiles and happy faces. It was totally anticipating and exhilirating how the camp’s going to be. We moved all of our stuffs in the school’s computer room next to the library. We placed them together with the materials for the students’ activities and then we went to the school’s hall to meet the students. I myself tried to help Mak Et to put up the backdrop while the students register their names at the registration desk in charged by Cipah among others. Before I forgot, I was actually placed under the “duck” group together with Mone and Puh Yih. To make things short, we the facilitators got into our group after the ice-breaking session (included the sing-along session and a student’s activity). We introduced ourselves to the students and trying our best to recognize and memorize their names as they were 11 of them. For the first activity, we were meant to do a motto and a logo which describes best about our group. It was quiet hard at the first place since the students either were too shy or had no idea of what we were trying to convey. But, I know it wouldn’t be the latter reason why they were so passive. It could be the medium of communication that wasn’t too familiar to them. Anyhow, we still got the warm response from them since there was someone who is good in art doing the logo and they were students, Iza and Naflizan who’re good in pointing out opinions. We were satisfied of what they’d performed through the motto and the logo and we even had our own chant. At 11 am, we started to have the first activity which was the Word Scavenger Hunt followed by Wordstem. It’s pretty hard to follow the whole lesson plan provided by the game planners. Since we had already figured out the ability of the students, we tried to simplify the whole lesson plan which could suit their competency of English. It was sure hard for them but I guess they might need a little more time to readjust with this kind of activity since language game is all about doing activities in group. The same thing was done in the following games that were Bingo and Win,Lose and Draw. They were pretty excited about the Bingo but I could see they had difficulties in understanding the whole passage. Again, we altered the whole lesson plan. Instead of having past-present tenses, we changed them into difficult words that they don’t understand. Believe me, they did have a hard time to do it individually compared in groups since it could lead to a better discussion. Then, I was so afraid that the way I taught the students didn’t live up to what’s been expected since I got too nervous to see Mr G coming back and fro checking all the groups (hi, hi). I actually quickly passed my role to Mone or Puh Yih everytime I sees him. hur, hur. For one thing, the treasure hunt excites the students very much. Kids will be kids! It surely because of the idea running around the school instead of staying in the classroom makes the learning more approachable. Well, I dunno cause I was one of them who got excited myself as well!!!LOL! Puh yih was in charge with the checkpoint while mone and I tried my best to explain the idea of the treasure hunt cause they’d be language points that they need to solve together. The best part of this game was we, ducks merged as the winner of the game! The okapi was pretty fun too because we got the most marks for the clay shaping. We were so proud of them that I couldn’t help smiling but just wondered how they used the language points. Well, never mind that! I just let Mr. G judges the way how the activity went. Hur, hur! It was actually the final activity for that very nite and they went to bed at about 12 after having some snacks at the canteen. Funny to see Banchee, cipah, ana and the others ran around making sure the students were put into bed. It simply reminds me a lot when I was in primary where there was this teacher shouting here and there asking us to get into bed and turn off the lights. To all the girls, you guys oozed the idea of being strict and firm teachers. Hur, hur. Well, I went to bed pretty late and surely got up late. Hearing the voice of the aerobic instructors, I moved quickly (don’t tell anyone that some of us didn’t have a real bath on that morning. What? U already knew. Never mind!believe me, it was just rumours). Poor mone as she didn’t feel too well on that day Right after the aerobic session, we are needed to come up with a theme song for each group. It was a rip-off of Old Mc Donald where Puh Yih changed it into different lyrics. At first, the students sang it at the top of their lungs but just faded away as soon as they were in front of their friends. LOL! We were suppose to do the Pyramid Game but it was changed into Great Minds Think Alike (if I’m not mistaken). For one thing, they could do it really fine since we’d finally divided them equally. Those who are much smarter could actually help their friends and so forth. And then, we had the Drama thing which we discussed with the students carefully how we were going to do it. they were having so much fun, I guess despite the stern voices from us asking them to be serious while practicing. With all the additional costumes and make up, we were just hoping that the students could perform at their best and I heard that they came to second. Not bad , I suppose. Well, the language camp at SK Air Manis gives me such a memorable experiences that I could never forget. I just wish that I could involve in such camp again. Being a teacher is surely as tough as nail but without determination, it won’t be happening. I learned a lot from this camp even though deep down in my heart, I’m not that confident enough with my own performance as an educator. I hope I can do better in the near future. Thanks to Mr. G, Farhana, fellow friends and especially the students of Air Manis. Kalau ada sumur di ladang….Adios!
2nd, February - It was in the midst of dawn at 5.30 a.m. when I heard voices outside the room talking and laughing like there’s no tomorrow. I got up and could see Cipah and Mak Et were busy cutting the pieces of backdrops and I felt sorry for not helping her from the start. So, I just grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the pieces seeing that there were quiet a lot. We actually realised that we’ve made a call to this pakcik on fetching us to FAB at 6.30 a.m. I guessed we just need an hour to finish up the cutting and get fully dressed before 6.30 a.m. However, the next thing we knew, we were absolutely late for the 6.30 a.m bus with the hustle and bustle of getting readied and done. Sorry to Mr. G and especially to Zarim who had been calling several times asking us to be hurry. We realised that the bus finally moved, a little late, but we just prayed we could reach the destination on time. Less than 45 minutes, we finally arrived at SK Air Manis where all the young students had already gathered at the school compound as if they were welcoming us with warm smiles and happy faces. It was totally anticipating and exhilirating how the camp’s going to be. We moved all of our stuffs in the school’s computer room next to the library. We placed them together with the materials for the students’ activities and then we went to the school’s hall to meet the students. I myself tried to help Mak Et to put up the backdrop while the students register their names at the registration desk in charged by Cipah among others. Before I forgot, I was actually placed under the “duck” group together with Mone and Puh Yih. To make things short, we the facilitators got into our group after the ice-breaking session (included the sing-along session and a student’s activity). We introduced ourselves to the students and trying our best to recognize and memorize their names as they were 11 of them. For the first activity, we were meant to do a motto and a logo which describes best about our group. It was quiet hard at the first place since the students either were too shy or had no idea of what we were trying to convey. But, I know it wouldn’t be the latter reason why they were so passive. It could be the medium of communication that wasn’t too familiar to them. Anyhow, we still got the warm response from them since there was someone who is good in art doing the logo and they were students, Iza and Naflizan who’re good in pointing out opinions. We were satisfied of what they’d performed through the motto and the logo and we even had our own chant. At 11 am, we started to have the first activity which was the Word Scavenger Hunt followed by Wordstem. It’s pretty hard to follow the whole lesson plan provided by the game planners. Since we had already figured out the ability of the students, we tried to simplify the whole lesson plan which could suit their competency of English. It was sure hard for them but I guess they might need a little more time to readjust with this kind of activity since language game is all about doing activities in group. The same thing was done in the following games that were Bingo and Win,Lose and Draw. They were pretty excited about the Bingo but I could see they had difficulties in understanding the whole passage. Again, we altered the whole lesson plan. Instead of having past-present tenses, we changed them into difficult words that they don’t understand. Believe me, they did have a hard time to do it individually compared in groups since it could lead to a better discussion. Then, I was so afraid that the way I teached the students didn’t live up to what’s been expected since I got too nervous to see Mr G coming back and fro checking all the groups (hi, hi). I actually quickly passed my role to Mone or Puh Yih everytime I sees him. hur, hur. For one thing, the treasure hunt excites the students very much. Kids will be kids! It surely because of the idea running around the school instead of staying in the classroom makes the learning more approachable. Well, I dunno cause I was one of them who got excited myself as well!!!LOL! Puh yih was in charge with the checkpoint while mone and I tried my best to explain the purpose of the treasure hunt cause they’d be language points that they need to solve together. The best part of this game was we, ducks merged as the winner of the game! The okapi was pretty fun too because we got the most marks for the clay shaping. We were so proud of them that I couldn’t help smiling but just wondered how they used the language points. Well, never mind that! I just let Mr. G judges the way how the activity went. Hur, hur! It was actually the final activity for that very nite and they went to bed at about 12 after having some snacks at the canteen. Funny to see Banchee, cipah, ana and the others ran around making sure the students were put into bed. It simply reminds me a lot when I was in primary where there was this teacher shouting here and there asking us to get into bed and turn off the lights. To all the girls, you guys oozed the idea of being strict and firm teachers. Hur, hur. Well, I went to bed pretty late and surely got up late. Hearing the voice of the aerobic instructors, I moved quickly (don’t tell anyone that some of us didn’t have a real bath on that morning. What? U already knew. Never mind!believe me, it was just rumours). Poor mone as she didn’t feel too well on that day Right after the aerobic session, we are needed to come up with a theme song for each group. It was a rip-off of Old Mc Donald where Puh Yih changed it into different lyrics. At first, the students sang it at the top of their lungs but just faded away as soon as they were in front of their friends. LOL! We were suppose to do the Pyramid Game but it was changed into Great Minds Think Alike (if I’m not mistaken). For one thing, they could do it really fine since we’d finally divided them equally. Those who are much smarter could actually help their friends and so forth. And then, we had the Drama thing which we discussed with the students carefully how we were going to do it. they were having so much fun, I guess despite the stern voices from us asking them to be serious while practicing. With all the additional costumes and make up, we were just hoping that the students could perform at their best and I heard that they came to second. Not bad , I suppose. Well, the language camp at SK Air Manis gives me such a memorable experiences that I could never forget. I just wish that I could involve in such camp again. Being a teacher is surely as tough as nail but without determination, it won’t be happening. I learned a lot from this camp even though deep down in my heart, I’m not that confident enough with my own performance as an educator. I hope I can do better in the near future. Thanks to Mr. G, Farhana, fellow friends and especially the students of Air Manis. Kalau ada sumur di ladang….Adios!

Posted by: Hanimarlia bt. Hassan (Username: mikewazoesky) using Sharifah’s file (Username:howsh)