This morning, she knocked her head on the floor. Wk tried to poke fun at her by saying "有种病没药医，你知道是什么吗？ What wk is trying to say is "笨＂but of course Lynn doesn't know. She answered "撞头"! We had a good laugh, and I told wk that with that answer we really can't say she is "笨".
Saturday, June 22, 2013
什么病没药医?
Quite often, Lynn will bang herself on some furniture when she's playing n not looking. I will laugh at her "是你自己 笨hor...". And she will be embarrass and a little angry.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Report book (III) - parents meet teacher 31 May
While I sat her writing this, I was thinking why I feel excited about attending this PMT, because I had attended many from her childcare before. First reason could be that this is still a "first", from her Primary school. Secondly, I really wanted to finally meet Mdm Ong (form teacher/english and Math).
We reached her school and Lynn lead the way to her classroom. She told me we shall take the shortest route using the stairway right at the end. When we reached her class, there were about 2-3 sets of student/parents there talking to either Mdm Ong or Chen LaoShi. We sat at her usual sit, which is the 3rd row, to wait. The empty seat to her left in the pic below belongs to her partner Remos.
We talked to Chen LaoShi (Chinese teacher) first. She started off with saying that Lynn's Chinese is ok/not bad or one of the better ones in class (ie not much concern). Then she went on to another topic which is that recently Lynn show sign of playfulness and will play or chat with her classmate/partner while doing work. She quickly said that Lynn behaved very well when the year started, that's why they picked her as the class monitor. I just smiled, almost like pretending to agree. Cos I'm a bit bewildered. On one hand I can understand that it is not easy to control a class of 30 and thus teachers will like to have obedient students. On the other hand, I can't imaging children behaving too "well". Lynn is still a P1 kid, monitor or no monitor. Anyway, Lynn as there while we talked (so I'm sure she understood totally) and we talked about it too. I just told her to concentrate and finish her work before engaging in other activities with her classmates.
I managed to discuss some areas of concern with Chen LaoShi too. Firstly, I confirmed that she marked Lynn's 朗读能力only as satisfactory and that is true. She said that Lynn pause very often in her speech. So although Lynn's Chinese s "ok/not bad", there are really lots of areas for improvement. She commented that my Mandarin sounds good, and that I should spend a hour a day with her speaking Chinese.
Secondly we discussed the extensive use of 汉语拼音 in the P1 syllabus nowadays. I have cousins who are in upper secondary now, who are very bad at the language. They ever commented (when asked to read a short passage) that "there is no 汉语拼音 ，how to read?". Chen LaoShi explained that the purpose of the extensive use is to aid P1/P2 students in self reading, because there are too many words that they can't read now. She said that they should be able to read Chinese books by themselves come P3/P4. I agreed with her, because this is what I suspect was the reason too. My own aim, before this PMT session, is also that Lynn should be able to read independently when she reaches P3. One difference is however, i'm building her Chinese words vocabulary myself. Lynn is someone who enjoys reading, so if she has 2 different tools (hanyupinyin and good basic vocab), she should be able to handle Chinese in times to come.
Here are 2 pics, which Lynn explained that the more smilie that one gets, the more she is 好宝宝
Then after a long wait, cos Mdm Ong spent a lot of time with each set of parents, it was finally our turn. Mdm Ong likes Lynn a lot, as Lynn behaves well and is good at her work. She commented that Lynn would concentrate and finish her work before she played with her classmate. Instead of telling me that Lynn had change recently, she actually asked Lynn directly (in front of me) if her partner Ramos is disturbing her, to which Lynn immediately said yes. Then Mdm Ong said that when they come back from the break she will change some of the seating arrangements. She said that she will put the talkative ones with the quiet ones so that when one talks and the other don't reply, the conversation will stop there. Hah, I'm still a bit amused by the views and observations by these 2 teachers. But seriously, with such caring teachers who doted on her, I'm really counting my good luck and blessings with gratitude.
I discussed with Mdm Ong about her show and tell assignment, which I helped a lot in writing the speech. i'm concerned that Lynn's not the one who contributed most of the ideas and points in this speech, but Mdm Ong said that it's ok, because they wanted the parent's active involvement so that the speech can be more "meaty". I'm glad to hear that, but I will still want to start her on generating thoughts and ideas of her own.
Mdm Ong's main complain is that recently Lynn's getting too obsess with pretending to be a cat. So much so that we will lick her friends and lick her watch! I told her that I don't usually stop her from play acting, but agree that I will watch out.
We discussed the "late" incident too. At the end of the session, I thanked her for being so caring, which she said is part of her job. I think Mdm Ong is a dedicated teacher. She said something which the K2 teacher said before, that they wished that here were more of "Lynn" in their class. I think our school system would be fantastic if there were more of Mdm Ong as teachers.
Here's some other photos of the exhibits around the classroom.
We reached her school and Lynn lead the way to her classroom. She told me we shall take the shortest route using the stairway right at the end. When we reached her class, there were about 2-3 sets of student/parents there talking to either Mdm Ong or Chen LaoShi. We sat at her usual sit, which is the 3rd row, to wait. The empty seat to her left in the pic below belongs to her partner Remos.
We talked to Chen LaoShi (Chinese teacher) first. She started off with saying that Lynn's Chinese is ok/not bad or one of the better ones in class (ie not much concern). Then she went on to another topic which is that recently Lynn show sign of playfulness and will play or chat with her classmate/partner while doing work. She quickly said that Lynn behaved very well when the year started, that's why they picked her as the class monitor. I just smiled, almost like pretending to agree. Cos I'm a bit bewildered. On one hand I can understand that it is not easy to control a class of 30 and thus teachers will like to have obedient students. On the other hand, I can't imaging children behaving too "well". Lynn is still a P1 kid, monitor or no monitor. Anyway, Lynn as there while we talked (so I'm sure she understood totally) and we talked about it too. I just told her to concentrate and finish her work before engaging in other activities with her classmates.
I managed to discuss some areas of concern with Chen LaoShi too. Firstly, I confirmed that she marked Lynn's 朗读能力only as satisfactory and that is true. She said that Lynn pause very often in her speech. So although Lynn's Chinese s "ok/not bad", there are really lots of areas for improvement. She commented that my Mandarin sounds good, and that I should spend a hour a day with her speaking Chinese.
Secondly we discussed the extensive use of 汉语拼音 in the P1 syllabus nowadays. I have cousins who are in upper secondary now, who are very bad at the language. They ever commented (when asked to read a short passage) that "there is no 汉语拼音 ，how to read?". Chen LaoShi explained that the purpose of the extensive use is to aid P1/P2 students in self reading, because there are too many words that they can't read now. She said that they should be able to read Chinese books by themselves come P3/P4. I agreed with her, because this is what I suspect was the reason too. My own aim, before this PMT session, is also that Lynn should be able to read independently when she reaches P3. One difference is however, i'm building her Chinese words vocabulary myself. Lynn is someone who enjoys reading, so if she has 2 different tools (hanyupinyin and good basic vocab), she should be able to handle Chinese in times to come.
Here are 2 pics, which Lynn explained that the more smilie that one gets, the more she is 好宝宝
Then after a long wait, cos Mdm Ong spent a lot of time with each set of parents, it was finally our turn. Mdm Ong likes Lynn a lot, as Lynn behaves well and is good at her work. She commented that Lynn would concentrate and finish her work before she played with her classmate. Instead of telling me that Lynn had change recently, she actually asked Lynn directly (in front of me) if her partner Ramos is disturbing her, to which Lynn immediately said yes. Then Mdm Ong said that when they come back from the break she will change some of the seating arrangements. She said that she will put the talkative ones with the quiet ones so that when one talks and the other don't reply, the conversation will stop there. Hah, I'm still a bit amused by the views and observations by these 2 teachers. But seriously, with such caring teachers who doted on her, I'm really counting my good luck and blessings with gratitude.
I discussed with Mdm Ong about her show and tell assignment, which I helped a lot in writing the speech. i'm concerned that Lynn's not the one who contributed most of the ideas and points in this speech, but Mdm Ong said that it's ok, because they wanted the parent's active involvement so that the speech can be more "meaty". I'm glad to hear that, but I will still want to start her on generating thoughts and ideas of her own.
Mdm Ong's main complain is that recently Lynn's getting too obsess with pretending to be a cat. So much so that we will lick her friends and lick her watch! I told her that I don't usually stop her from play acting, but agree that I will watch out.
We discussed the "late" incident too. At the end of the session, I thanked her for being so caring, which she said is part of her job. I think Mdm Ong is a dedicated teacher. She said something which the K2 teacher said before, that they wished that here were more of "Lynn" in their class. I think our school system would be fantastic if there were more of Mdm Ong as teachers.
Here's some other photos of the exhibits around the classroom.
Report book (II)
After going through Lynn's report book, I told her that I will show her mine. These are what I digged from my "treasure chest" - PAP Kindergarten report card (1979-1980), Membina Primary School report book (1981-1986) and Crescent Girls' Secondary report book (1987-1990). And Lynn read through all of them thoroughly..
There were no photos in the first 2 report book/card. When Lynn opened the 3rd one (Crescent Girls'), she exclaimed very loudly: "Hi! You ...
"Hi! You looked like ME!!!!!".... Wahahah! Me and MIL had a good laugh!
There were no photos in the first 2 report book/card. When Lynn opened the 3rd one (Crescent Girls'), she exclaimed very loudly: "Hi! You ...
"Hi! You looked like ME!!!!!".... Wahahah! Me and MIL had a good laugh!
Report book - part 1
In my current job, I quite stern to my accountant, and the planning executive (who handles customer PO) in charge of the accounts that we I am handling. Both of them are young and rather under - experienced, so there were cases when they would make an error when I didn't watch closely. Thus I am usually quite stern to them and I know they are quite scared of me. But of course we are still friends, and do chit-chat.
On Thursday night (30/May), I said bye-bye to my accountant when I'm going home. I stopped to chat with her for awhile, telling her that I'm quite excited because it is the first time that Lynn is getting her report card form Primary school. I told her how Lynn's my only one, so all "first experience" is also the "last experience", so I treasure them a lot. When I was moving off, she said to me "Don't scold her ok??". Hah! So in her heart I am that fierce!
When I reached home, Lynn excitedly showed me her report book. I'm not sure about P3 onwards, but for P1, there are no marks, only grade (Lynn got As for all the subjects), and there is no class position. It felt weird, but I hope MOE knows what they are doing..
Friday, May 31, 2013
BFF
When I came home from my Shenzhen trip, Lynn told me that she was "mummy-sick". It's heart warming. Not sure where she learn this term, maybe from school. Then she ask me if she is my "BFF", hah! I asked her who her BFF are (me - yes; Ramos - no; Mabel-yes). The following day, I asked her again, and I am no longer her BFF, hah!
Mdm Ong and Daddy
I went Shenzhen for work for a week. This is the first work trip this year, after a long half year break from travelling.
On that Monday morning, I got a call from WK at 730am in the morning, saying that Lynn's throwing tantrum (says that she's feeling unwell) and didn't want to go to school. I told WK that she doesn't have a track record of throwing tantrum, that is usually the start of a fever but doesn't know how to express the discomfort whenever she complain of "unwell". And that weekend before, she had more than once told me that she felt like vomiting and giddy. Still I ask WK to handle as deem fit, because both of us hold very strong view that she cannot miss school for no good reason. We ensure that she understand this concept.
Eventually Lynn went to school. Then WK forwarded the series of email between him and the form teacher Mdm Ong. He is impressed (with her and the school system), and I am very impressed by the 2 of them.
Here's the email:
I sent him an sms after reading the emails, telling him it was great handling, and thanked him! I just want him to know that I appreciate it greatly since I have to travel occasionally, and it gives me great confidence that my darling is in good hands.
Some sharing from dear friends on this episode.
On that Monday morning, I got a call from WK at 730am in the morning, saying that Lynn's throwing tantrum (says that she's feeling unwell) and didn't want to go to school. I told WK that she doesn't have a track record of throwing tantrum, that is usually the start of a fever but doesn't know how to express the discomfort whenever she complain of "unwell". And that weekend before, she had more than once told me that she felt like vomiting and giddy. Still I ask WK to handle as deem fit, because both of us hold very strong view that she cannot miss school for no good reason. We ensure that she understand this concept.
Eventually Lynn went to school. Then WK forwarded the series of email between him and the form teacher Mdm Ong. He is impressed (with her and the school system), and I am very impressed by the 2 of them.
Here's the email:
Lynn is in good hand.
Regards,
Regards,
Yap
Begin forwarded message:
From: Ong>
Date: 20 May, 2013 11:04:26 AM GMT+08:00
To: >
Subject: Re: Lynnette 1.8
Noted your comments.Lynnette just misses her mum for this time round.Sometimes we have to be sensitive to her feelings too.A mother's presence means alot to the child.You need not beat her.Ok. I know how to talk to her later when I have the time.Thanks for the information.regardsMdm OngOn Mon, May 20, 2013 at 9:55 AM, Yap > wrote:
Thanks Madam Ong.
Lynnette is a bit sensitive, being the only kid in the family. I tried all means including scolding and beating - just to show her not going to school is really not an option without a good reason.Thanks for your support.Regards, Yap
On 20 May, 2013, at 9:47 AM, Ong wrote:
Dear Mr YapIt is alright for Lynnette to be late. We are still taking our temperature and lessons have not begun.Lynnette is my capable monitor in class. She is always keeping herself very busy in class doing her own work which really helpsto stretch her learning after she has completed all my class work.She was crying when she enters the class. I comforted her saying that I will not punish her at all and told her not to beworried. She settled down quickly and started chatting with her partner.No worries, Mr Yap. I will see to it that Lynnette is not unduly stressed due to no reason at all.regardsMdm OngOn Mon, May 20, 2013 at 7:56 AM, Yap> wrote:
Dear Mdm Ong,
I apologize for Lynn's lateness today.
She claimed to be unwell and it took me a while to convince her to go to school; there were no symptoms but she did say the same things on weekend.
Her mum is not in town this week so she may find it unusual in her daily routine. Sorry and thanks for your support as always.
Regards,
Yap Wee-Kwong
I sent him an sms after reading the emails, telling him it was great handling, and thanked him! I just want him to know that I appreciate it greatly since I have to travel occasionally, and it gives me great confidence that my darling is in good hands.
Some sharing from dear friends on this episode.
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