Sunday, January 28, 2007
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Howdy people! How was your last week of January? Can you believe it, February is finally here.. Time passes by sooo fast these days... Yeah! =)
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I'm rushing for time to complete my assignments! They are driving me peanuts. Reading, highlighting, taking down notes and rephrasing them in my own words, coming out with integrated lessons based on sooo many freaking theories and yada yada yada.. Let me give u an insight on what i'm learning and struggling with in school.. Most of these are the assignments that i have yet to complete~! Bluek... =(
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- designing a 'music listening' area (ECH-ians, do u still remember Suzuki, Orff and Kodaly? pening, pening~)
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- search for a list of music composers and titles suitable for children's listening (well does Britney's "hit me baby one more time" acceptable? hah~)
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- The Development of Imagination is often misunderstood. Discuss....
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- Lessons on 'Grace and Courtesy' that helps children's social development(haiya! sungguh susah leh..)
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- Temper tantrums often result from over-fatigue, hunger, and stresses on the nervous system of young children. Describe how these can be prevented. (hunny, u got to learn that too.. hehe!)
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- How to inspire children's interest in the world around them . Give an example of how a teacher might do this and the resources available for student research for each of the following areas: geography, history, biology and physical science. (Now you know why students who graduated from a Montessori classroom are way advanced than the rest. It's all because of the exposure and skills taught to help them before they enter elementary schools. It has been proved that children aged 3 to 6 have a greater enthusiasm and capacity of perserverence. So parents, QUICK!!! Reading, writing and arithmetic are the few basic subjects you should start with now!)
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- 'Normalized Child' What features of a Montessori classroom contribute to this normalization? (huh??)
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- Montessori prepared environment Vs. traditional environment
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- Montessori speaks of the fact that it is the adult who must change, in order for the child to grow as nature intended. What are the essential aspects of this change that must take place, and how does Montessori propose to bring it about? Explain this in the context of her statement that the teacher must be trained as "servant, scientist and saint." (Kan so chim.. i read the question 10x also i still dun get it! haha.. dun worry, i'm still trying!)
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- Suggest types of cooperative games, dancing and large motor activities suitable for chn ages five to seven. (chicken la! all ECH-ians expert in this.. Especially the meanies who always volunteer for games and nonsense stuffs right in front of the whole class! hehe..)
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- Montessori builds purposeful movement into her curriculum. Detail some of the areas in which this movement helps the child to focus attention and perfect skills. (why ask me? Ask Maria Montessori la..)
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- The very last question for my entire course- In a Montessori classroom, how does one balance freedom against the aim of the teacher to bring each child to his highest performance in all that he does? (Confusing? tak pe.. Tu lagi lama! nanti2 baru boleh pening..)
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- And many many many many many more... All related to stages of development, sensitive periods, sensorial materials, freedom of the child and yada yada yada..
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So wad do you think? For me, i have to admit that all this ain't easy especially when you are working on all of these alone. I missed Poly days.. Spoon fed by the teachers, but we still complain BIG time that it was too confusing and difficult. Too much readings la, so many project meetings, so many pages to type, so many presentations (up till today, i still love to do presentations.. hehehe)
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But now i'm all alone with a pile of Montessori books, notes, and research articles.. At least last time when it's done in a group, we could have divided the readings! We can share ideas and work together.. For my assignments here, i will get a line or 4 lines long question and den worked on it.. I dun have teachers to chase for when i have problems with it. I just have to submit my completed work with references. The mentor do not grade assignments but give comments in order to help me have a better understanding of the Montessori Philosophy. Sometimes she will write a question or two regarding some parts of my written work that she doesn't understand or questions abt my perspective on some related issues. And you may even be asked to resubmit another written work if they find them unsatisfactory. (pray hard, wun happen to me...)
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Don't worry, I'm trying really really hard la.. Jangan Takut, kalau awak takut, Yana lagi Takut! hehehe.. I prepare myself well just like how i prepare for a late night movie in my room. I have a bottle of drink and some snacks (ok la, not some but many many..) on the left side of my table.. books piled high on the right, lots and lots of lined papers in front of me and my highlighted and written notes on my lap. Ready to conquer Maria Montessori's philosophies...
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Wish me luck... =)
1:52 PM