Into P3

As IZ enters P3, I'm very excited for him. It's a whole new world waiting for him to explore.

Science Subject
First weeks have been interesting. Pretty hands-on instead of boring textbook lesson I must say. I'm so glad there is Science Lab period!

Chinese Chess
To promote interest and authentic use of the Chinese Language for all P3 students, the school organised an immersion programme to introduce the basics of Chinese Chess.

1st lesson

Swimsafer
While he knows how to swim, we've never taken any swim test. I would also like him to join his school friends in the programme, afterall hanging out together is a good bonding opportunity.

Calligraphy

Learning calligraphy in school this term, came home with this on his school bag..

The Central Fire Station: 23rd Jan'16

This term topic: Community Helper

We were asked to bring them to the fire station or library for their show and tell. 

I then know fire station open house is held on every Saturday from 9 to 11am. Free admission to all. There's a list of fire stations in the website listed below this post.

His buddy's mom and I chose Central Fire Station as it is located next to the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery. Admission to both premise was free of charge!

Mr Tan who actively, passionately encouraging visitors to sign up to volunteer with the Civil
Defence. "Training is provided" he says.

Trying out the equipment for continuous resuscitation. IZ says "painful".
That's how strong. You need to press 5cm into the chest, even if it means breaking a few ribs.
Maintain the right size. Too skinny, this equipment will not work for you.

The brave girl volunteered to be wheeled into the ambulance.

Family member to touch the end of the stretcher. For comfort I supposed.

Introducing some common gears..

how to carry the hose..

how to activate..

How to put on their uniform..

in split seconds!

Thermal gauge

Kiddos' idol!

While we were there for a mere 1.5 hours, there were already 2 ambulances and 4 fire engines off to rescue.
That's how busy the fire station is..

Demonstrating how firemen gets to fire engines real quick when they are upstairs.

Stacking

The RT111 - unfortunately automatic equipment were not available for demo

Showtime at 10am

Live demo

Once done at the fire station, we moved next door to the heritage gallery.

We could see how fire fighting / rescue work evolve from 1800s to today. Not that the kids cared, but it was a learning experience for all of us.

It is really interesting that they have interactive activities there for the children to learn more in a fun way.

Then I asked Teacher Xinyi if she could guide IZ to draw something for his Chinese show and tell.

I was really impressed that she actually prepared something in advance.

But she said IZ already had an idea in his mind on what he wanted to draw.

Colouring in progress..

The morning of the Chinese show and tell

Related information:

1) http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/scdf_247/others/visit_our_fire_stations.html

2) http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/general/about-us/cd-heritage-gallery/introduction.html

Learning Progress

I was away for 11 days.. one of the longest since I could hold proper conversations with IZ.

He told me he missed me, and asked for video call on the 2nd week. Something he has never done before. And he also talked to me properly on the 3 times video conference we had during the trip.

I was really impressed, when I reached home, of how he has progressed over the last 11 days. There were a pang of disappointment that I was not around during the progress, but I strongly believe it is for our good.

I came back re-charge, and have better patience, for now (2nd day home).

English Spelling

So while I was away, school gave a notice that they will be holding spelling English and Chinese on alternate week basis. I felt sad I was not around to practise with him for the very first spelling he would have in his life.

The words were: people, that, from, with

I was surprised really. I was expecting something easier for the first one. But he did it.

Chinese Spelling

Also known as Ting Xie. I can't tell you how surprised I was to see the list of words.

I was certainly expecting words like "wo", "ni", "ba ba" or "ma ma" or that sort.

I couldn't even read 2 out of 3 that were listed for the first spelling. Hahaha!

But I decided I can't contaminate and influence IZ on Chinese. I decided to charge my Creative tablet once again and try to use it.

IZ knows the hang of it. He can even write properly, I nearly cried.

He's so much better in Chinese compared to his mummy.

Music

Edvox teacher told daddy the previous books were too easy for IZ. So she personally chose this Grade 2 book. 

I took a look at the book. It's boring and not easy. But I also know kids do wonders. You can throw anything at them and they can take it.

2 days ago, he told me he wanted to learn piano. He said violin is too difficult. I told him I'll teach him some at home. He asked me to put dots on the keyboard coz that's what KDL do.

Last PTM for K1

We went to the last PTM for the year yesterday.

Ms Fizah says IZ has no issue with learning, but she's concerned about his inability to have clear pronunciation for certain sound. She asked if we are still working on it. Fact is, I have slacked for a while, not correcting him much as I thought it doesn't call for concern.

Fact is, I thought it's only bad habit of his, since he could speak Chinese really well.

But Li Laoshi also feedback the same. That his pronunciation is not accurate.

So it was a wake up call for me, to continue to work on his speeches.

Li Laoshi says he is a confident boy, very proactive and engaging in her class. He asks questions when he's unsure and dare to voice out his opinions.

Ms Fizah commented IZ has one of the best writing among his peers.

All is well, he is on par with teachers' expectations... well done, IZ!

Coming up to K2 real soon!

Updated on 19th Nov'15:

Comments from Chinese Immersion Class teacher was nowhere near the above. Daddy used the term "far from satisfactory". Teacher commented IZ is easily distracted, didn't concentrate in class and not able to write properly.

Oh well, he's not even 5 yet, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Most importantly this year, the objective is to cultivate such that he embraces the language and not switch off like previously.

Still, I say, job well done, IZ.

Daddy begs to differ although in the end, I managed to convince him there's no call for concern. He kept quiet, means points accepted.

Hopefully daddy can change his mindset before the next negative feedback came about.

Dear IZ,

It's never about the result, it's always about your attitude and your effort. Jia you!

IZ writes Chinese..

One fine day.. he wanted to write his Chinese name. Being Chinese illiterate (or in a better non-intimidating way, I don't read/write Chinese), I was at lost. Daddy is not good in Chinese too.

As he asked his daddy one day, if he ever learnt Chinese. Daddy said yes. IZ said "if you learnt Chinese how come your Chinese is not good?" (Gotcha daddy!)

Back to his Chinese name, so I couldn't just tell him I don't write Chinese, although he knew that much. He has never came to me with a Chinese book, not that he likes Chinese that much anyway.

How did I solve the problem?

I took his Chinese reader book and copied. I was not very confident coz I do not know the strokes and the sequence. I couldn't describe the strokes either. I let be, let him write however he wants. I can't tell anyway, you get what I mean?

You can imagine how proud I was, when he could produce below, without referring to anything. He got it within 2 days and I thought he wrote really well. Phew!

At 3y9m:

His Chinese name - I think he did really well!

Parents Teachers Meeting: 27th May'14

Hubby and I went to Kinderland this morning for PTM. Last term PTM post here.

Time flies, IZ has been under Ms Fizah and Xu Laoshi for 6 terms already.

As Ms Fizah was with other parents, we started with Xu Laoshi.

Xu Laoshi said IZ's Chinese has improved. He converse more and sing along too. He has turned playful this term, being aware he's grown. He disturbed his classmates during class too! My guess is, he is no longer afraid of Xu Laoshi. Haha!

Ms Fizah told us he did the show and tell of the stove we made all by himself without much prompting. I'm so proud of him! As usual, he'll be nonchalant about anything we tried to ask about school. I won't know how he's doing except through these PTMs.

IZ is also said to be pretty persistent in demanding apology from his friends when they hit him (intentionally and not). He kept asking his friends to apologise and would complain to the teacher (something I taught him to do). Unfortunately teacher's response to his complaint was "they are just playing". Probably teacher could first acknowledge his feelings, that he was upset that his friend hit him instead of brushing his feelings aside.

In the portfolio, I read that IZ could express his feelings well. He would cross his arms and show an angry face. When asked why, he would tell the teacher that he was angry with so and so because she came late. Teacher wrote that he could express his feelings through words and body language.

Nothing much to catch up this term it seems, all is well.

Parents Teachers Meeting: 13th Mar'14

Daddy and I went to IZ's school today to catch up on his development in Nursery (Term 1).

It was heartening to know from Ms Fizah that he has developed socially. Instead of mingling with only a selection of peers like he did last year, this term, he mingled with all his classmates, addressed them by their names and was very helpful.

He appeared to be the only one in the class to be able to write his own name, granted he only writes it in capital letters.

He also invited everybody (teachers included) to go to his house. No wonder he always tell me one of his classmates wants to come to our house.

Teacher also noticed he has difficulty pronouncing the sound of F. I've talked to Ms Fizah before, whether does it call for concern on his not clear pronunciation. She said at 3 yo, it doesn't call for concern. Most importantly is we try to correct him every time he does it.

He has some difficulty cutting using a pair of scissors as he goes round the paper instead. I think he has improved a lot in this, thus, I'm sure he'll be there someday.

When asked if he throws tantrum in the school, teacher said he has never showed any tantrums in the school. Lately he want to pass urine very frequently, like every 15mins. Not always urgent, sometimes, he could wait for 5 mins and then not needing to go. I wonder what's the reason behind. Is it because he was nervous? Is it because he wants to leave the class? Is it because he wants to see the outside?

Chinese teacher, Xu Laoshi feedback that IZ's Chinese improved tremendously. He began to speak mostly Chinese, although he finds difficulty in expressing some. He understands what the teacher was saying, and thus makes an effort to respond accordingly. We thanked Xu Laoshi, for her effort, as for Chinese, we dare say, it's 95% her effort that his Chinese improved so much.

He also started singing Chinese songs at home, although none of us know what he's singing, we were very encouraging.

She also emphasized that they are currently taught to recognise strokes, and words instead of writing. 

As like previous terms, IZ will flair "poorly" in terms of household items or chores. I should really reflect on this and do something about it.

All in all, we are happy with his development. Good job, IZ!

Added on 14th Mar'14:

Oh ya, I just recalled Xu Laoshi complimented that he can recognise some Chinese words too!

He would be able to group them together, in categories, he would not mix them cross-categories:

1) 爸爸 and 爷爷
2) 妹妹, 姐姐, 妈妈 and 奶奶 (see the confusion? they all have 女 at their side)

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3) 弟弟 and 哥哥

So he'll never guessed 爷爷 as  奶奶 or 哥哥 as 姐姐.

Given more time, I'm sure he'll be able to recognise them accurately. Good job, IZ!

Chinese Lernen-Reise

Chinese worksheet my bro gotten for IZ

Daily Chinese lesson with Daddy

Few days later.. his first "phrase"
Written on his own, I'm not sure about the strokes though,
it was a super good effort!

Trying Creative tablet for tracing