SK Jengka 4 Utilizes Computer Lab

Year 1 students at SK Jengka 4 are currently finishing Unit 7, which means they have been studying emotions and they are 'happy and they know it'.  To conclude the unit, Suhaiza BT Asiran, a TELL2 Teacher, wanted to do something different in class.  Her students enjoyed "Head Shoulders Knees & Toes" so much, she wanted to do something equally fun with "If You're Happy and You Know It".  We set about lesson planning a fun day that used the computer lab and what they have been learning.  We came up with an activity we are calling "Ask Your Friend". After review phonics, we practiced the greeting, "How are you?/I am fine, thank you." We arranged the students into pairs then used a PowerPoint Presentation to show different emotions.  The students then asked their friend, "How are you?" to elicit the response "I am __, thank you."  After "Ask Your Friend", we moved into the song component of class.  The students quickly picked up on the lyrics and rhythm of "If You're Happy and You Know It" and we played a sing-along youtube video to help them sing together.  Then we were able to change the actions in the song to "stomp your feet", "touch your nose", etc.  Next time, we might modify the emotions of the song using the same PowerPoint we used for "Ask Your Friend".  It was a great success, and I am proud to have worked with Suhaiza with this class!

-Sarah Higgs, Jempol

SK Jengka 5 Prepares for Oration Competition

Students and teachers are working hard at SK Jengka 5 to prepare for the Storytelling, Public Speaking and Choral Speaking competition for Jempol.  They are utilizing the computer lab to hopefully help the students perform well in the competition.  Suzani Binti Awang and Noraziah Binti Jelani, TELL2 teachers at SK Jengka 5, invited me to participate in their first round of student auditions.  I demonstrated the choral speaking script and observed students auditioning for a chance to represent SK Jengka 5 in the upcoming competition.  I enjoyed visiting with the students and appreciated the invitation from the TELL2 teachers at SK Jengka 5.

-Sarah Higgs, Jempol

SK Jengka 4 Awards Ceremony

SK Jengka 4 Awards Ceremony

This morning SK Jengka 4 presented it's students with awards for first, second and third prize by school subject.  I was impressed with the students' focus and determination to achieve so many high scores.  I was equally honoured when the Headmaster invited me to join him on stage and present the awards to Year 2 students.  Unfortunately, I was unable to photo my own participation in this morning's Awards Ceremony, however, here you can see Mazni Binti Daud, a TELL2 teacher presenting awards to Year 1 students.

-Sarah Higgs, Jempol

SK Jengka 3 Hopes and Prays for MH370

Teachers and students at SK Jengka 3 are praying for MH370.  The messages on the board shown here are from students and teachers, and are written in Bahasa Melayu, Arabic and English.  The Maran Mentors are keeping the crew and passengers of MH370 in our hearts, and I am thankful that SK Jengka 3 is doing the same.  I am truly touched that I was invited to post my feelings and hopes on the MH370 Prayer Board, and I hope more schools will be inspired to make something similar.

-Sarah Higgs, Jempol 

SK Jengka 3's Prayer Board for MH370

Brighton Kids English Club I

You should see THEIR faces. I told them I was 147 years old.

The first Kids English Club was a success! We had fifteen fantastic kids aged 7 to 12.
Everyone learned basic introductions, and had fun introducing themselves as their favorite characters (Spiderman, Shrek, Thor, Kamen Rider, and Hello Kitty etc.).
We also had fun playing bingo with numbers 1 to 25, and listened to a great story called Tujal and the Wind, complete with sound effects and a blow-dart gun! Finally, we enjoyed balloons, juice, and homemade brownies!

SUPER introductions!

Next month we'll focus more on some songs and TPR as well as some of the games we had planned, but we had a lot of fun, and will definitely planned for today, but we're all looking forward to the next Kids English Club!

Mr Marshall IS Harry Potter!

Tell us what YOU think!

Yes, Nurul, that tree makes a beeping sound.

The narrator has even managed to frighten himself

Those tiny faces are desperate to learn what happens to Tujal. Or maybe just waiting for the next sound effect

Anti-smoking and Drug Assembly

Students and teachers at SK Jengka 2 participated in an Anti-smoking & drug assembly on Monday, 10th March, 2014.  They showed commitment to breaking bad habits by breaking giant cigarettes in half.  Afterwards, the teachers at SK Jengka 2 explained to me the importance having regular seminars like this to help students understand the negative effects of substance abuse.  By learning good habits young, they can live longer and fuller lives.  I was very impressed with the assembly and hope to see many more.

-Sarah Higgs, Jempol

Today Maran's Luit sub-cluster had its first CPD (Continuing Professional Development) session at SJKC in Maran. We welcomed English teachers from SK New Zealand, SJKC, SK Sentosa, SK Bukit Tajau, and SK Chedong Jaya!






For two hours the teachers participated in classroom activity demonstrations, group planning, and reflections. Additionally, the TELL2 Programme was discussed in finer detail, and the teachers were able to ask questions and receive clarification on several topics. We discussed administrative issues, classroom and CPD scheduling, and English programme initiatives.

Finally, and this is very important to note, the ELC and the headmistress of SJKC Maran provided a variety of food and drinks (hot and cold!) to all of the very tired and well-deserving teachers who set aside their fatigue to engage in professional development this afternoon! We all very much enjoyed the food and feel deeply grateful for the hospitality of SJKC Maran and its excellent staff! Thank you to all the participants, and good luck to you in your English classrooms!

Maran Cluster Begins!

Maran Cluster is now officially operating to the MAX! 

Mentee Ms Tan Poh Ling

ELC Marshall Peck (US) arrived in early February to begin work in Maran and the Luit sub-cluster, and we have just recently welcomed our new ELPs Sarah Higgs (US) and Tom James (UK)! All schools in the Chenor and Jompol sub-clusters have been introduced to the TELL2 Programme, and mentoring is underway at all schools. And most importantly, the mentees (MTPs) headmasters, staff, and pupils have all been extremely receptive and kind, and we are all making excellent progress together!

Even in these first few weeks, excitement and expansion are developing rapidly! Sarah and Tom are participating in the Temerloh International Rotary Club, and they expect to start volunteering later in March to aid disadvantaged students. Additionally, Sarah joined Jengka 5’s first round of student auditions for the District English Oration Competition. Students compete in Public Speaking, Storytelling and Choral Reading. She demonstrated the Choral Reading for the students and encouraged them in their practice.

Jengka 5 pupils welcome Ms Sarah

Marshall is also doing well having met all of his primary (and secondary) English classes, participated in loads of co-teaching, and has begun working with teachers on the development of new activities and materials for the classroom.

Additionally, he has created a local neighborhood Kids English Club with the purpose of providing free English fun to children in the form of English stories, games, and songs! The first meeting will be held on the 17th of March, and everyone is very excited!