Weekly Reflection T2WW05

This is the last second week to the Mid-Year examinations. Already preparation for the Mid-year revisions has began for both E-math and A-math. For E-math, the syllabus has been completed, as hence, revision is proceeding smoothly. However, for A-math, as there are still topics yet to finish, both revision and lessons are happening simultaneously. Some students find it hard to cope, especially for those weaker students.

I have arranged with the students to come back in June for lessons for A-math classes for both 4E2 and 4E3. I hope to do likewise with my E-math classes. I will check my schedule and time.

Weekly Reflection T2WW04 - Math Project

The Mid-year project list was submitted early in 2009 as compared to last year. The idea is to provide all the students ample time for preparation. Most of them have many questions pertaining to such projects, not knowing where to start and what to do, which material to use to make the model, why pyramid was chosen. This way, some of these questions may be addressed and so a more fruitful learning can be achieved. I intend to come out with a proper feedback system so that all the students may learn from one another or either learn among themselves. Students I think may have a better answers to some of these questions.

Weekly Reflection - T2W03

AFL, I attempted on this feedback system for my classes starting last week. For a particular chapter, I will select one or two topics to test their understanding immediately after teaching the topic. Marks are given and the students immediately complete any corrections with the solution shown to them when I return the papers. This way, I concentrate on finding out which area the students do not know.

I agree that marks more than one mark provide a good feedback to our students, indicating to them if the workings are as important. Statements I am now asking my students to include.

Weekly Reflection T2W - WW02 A Math

The class test results on differentation on first derivative and second derivative confirmed my thoughts. Students in one class did much better than in other. However, the students in other class are found to be motivated as well. Only that they need slightly more time to learn.

"I do not want to do badly. You want to study my notes or not?" granted one student to other. The other student had just borrowed her notes and was not reading. Many others were asking each other on how to solve the problems.

I will try my utmost to find ways to enable these students to learn better.

Weekly Reflection T2- WW01 E Math

This week we started with Distance Time graph. Most students are able to do such questions as they had done this topic during Science lesson. We practised on graph paper so that the students are able to better understood what is expected for the Math paper.

The class showed urgency in wanting to learn and are focused during lesson. I hope that this is due to the fact that they realised that Mid-Year is approaching and they will be doing their Prelims soon.

Weekly Reflection T2 - WW01 A Math

Started with the Differentiation using the first derivative test, most pupils was able to perform the differentiation. However, there was confusion with regard to sketching of graph as some students mixed up with which equation to substitute values. Hence, I asked the class to practise during lesson and I modelled teach to explain confusion and misunderstanding. I am glad that they could now do such questions.

As I am teaching two classes for A Math, it seemed to me that students in one class are able to grasp the concepts better. I found that these students are more motivated as they revised the concepts on their own as well. I hope to encourage the other class of students.

Weekly Reflection WW10 - A Math

Many students find proving of identities hard to do. Upon further questioning, I realised the following issues the students faced: 1. Many of them need the formula sheet in front of them to be able to apply 2. Some does not know where to start, LHS? RHS? 3. Some like to expand the expressions and so it becomes more complicated.

I intend to resolve this by going through with them using examples on the different apporaches to solve such identities, which will be given to the students before the Term End.

Weekly Reflection WW10 - 4E5

I started teaching the topic on standard deviation and mean this week. The students were taught to use calculators to compute the value of standard deviation and mean. The students were also taught to use tables to compute the standard deviation using the formulae. I require them to know both methods.

I intend to provide the students with worksheets for them to start practising during the March Holiday. The reponse from the students were positive, even there are students who asked if I were to conduct holiday lessons. I really hope that the students start their preparation for the O Level exams.

Weekly Reflection WW09 - 4E5

The results of the class test showed that they did better in Properties of Circle rather than Probability. I wonder if other classes performed the same? The reason the students mentioned was that they could not understand the Probability questions as most of these are Word problems. I hope to work on this in the next Term.

The topic on Standard Deviation includes questions that asked students to compare and comment. Generally our students are relatively weak in answering such questions. I will need to show them how they might attempt such questions.

Weekly Reflection WW09 - 4E2

Some students have weak foundations and are facing difficulties catching up. I am helping them by making them starting revisions practises on their own. They are to complete topic 1 and 2 over the weekend and show me what they had done on Tuesday.

It is a tough call. I am very concerned about not been able to finish for the examinations and yet often some students showed signs of needing me to slow down. I think it is a balanced which I hope to manage well. The students themselves understood and were supportive.

Weekly Reflection WW08 - 2E4

The students performed better in algebra as compared to proportion and scale map which is surprising. However, I believe that some of them may face difficulties when faced with problems involving algebraic fractions and manipulations. The class test displayed such trend.

I intend to use the math workbook which the students had bought to practise on more questions. I believe that practise is a key. The focus of the practise is on proportion and scale map. Revision of sec 1 topics should also be done to help students recap.

Weekly Reflection WW08 - 4E5

This week I started a short revision on algebra with the class 4E5. I am very glad to see them all concentrating and attempting the revision. Even those who were talking were actually discussing about the revision questions. The response from the class was positive. I wonder if the short talk I had with the class previously?

I hope to motivate the class to do better and I believe that it is possible. As the foundation of the class is weak, the class may need to work harder to achieve the best they can be.

Weekly Reflection WW07 - A Math

Time is really precious to me to teach A Math. The O levels are approaching and I wondered if all topics could be taught well to my students. This is especially so for the weaker students who are struggling to catch up. Already I have utilised outside classroom time to teach the students.
I had also gotten peer-teaching as one other alternative for my weaker students. One-on one, I hope will provide them the extra push to understand and the students need to understand the topic fast.

The last test showed many students doing better in Trigonometrcial ratios. This serves as the basics for them and with this fundamentals right. I hope that they will be able to understand the sequence topic better.

Weekly Reflection WW07 - E Math

I started on the Culumulative Frequency curve. Initially I thought that everyone would have some problem with drawing of the curve. Surprising, the progress of learning for this topic is much better than I expected for both 4E5 and 4N2. I think that the students understood better the topic after teacher modeling using the graph paper than the usual classroom teach and talk.

I ended the lesson with hands-on, where we discussed many issues commonly faced by students. I had hoped that they would perform better on this, which after telling them seemed to have helped make them more eager to do better. I will use the class test next week to confirm if they had attained the expectations set for them.

Weekly Reflection WW06 - 4E5

The students are active but are willing to learn during lesson. They showed interest but we need to extend their attention span through various approaches. I re-assigned the class with different seating arrangement to enable learning environment for my class.

We have finished the topic Probability, completing the revision papers provided. The students did better using the tree diagram while some find it harder for possibility diagram. The main issue for the students is the understanding the question. Some of them feedback "This is more like understanding of English word problem".

Weekly Reflection WW06 - Additional Mathematics

What is most heartening is to see my students willing to stay back and learn! This is the sort of thing that provided me the added energy to work harder for my students. Nevertheless, the sudents know of the time limitation needed for revision and so are willing to help by attending the extra lessons.

The class test on further trigonmetrical identities for one class showed that most students understood with 3 students failed. The other class results showed that many were careless and did not do that well. These students were made to do peer learning and drill and practise. They are expected to attempt another test to ascertain that they know this topic.

Weekly Reflection WW05 - 2E4

The students are generally able to do the linear scale with some finding it hard to do the area scale. I need to concentrate on drill and practise them. The inverse proportional portion showed the students are careless in reading of qeustions, leaving out information in the equations. I hope to show through this test the mistakes the students had done. I think it is important for them to know their mistakes.

All Sec Two teachers had mentioned that presently they will be able to complete the syllabus according to SOW. I intend to follow up with this closely as in Term 2/3 there will be additional topics from Sec 1 such as Volume and surface area, number patterns, data handling etc

Weekly Reflection WW05 - Additional Math

This week started additional lesson for both classes 4E2 and 4E3. It is indeed not easy to find a venue for both classes. Some students still have issue with when solving trigonometrical equations of 2x, 3x form. They are unsure of the number of revolution needed for these. Others are confused with the basic angles being positive and acute. These are important points which I intend to emphasize and ensure that they understand. I will conduct a test on these questions to knee jerk the students to learning these points.

Weekly Reflection WW04 - 4E Additional Math

The students are still on the topic of Trigonometrical Ratio. The topic was to end last week WW03 according to the SOW. I am worried about the timeline. At the same time, I do not want to compromise on their understanding by rushing through. I believe extra lessons are needed for the students. I have informed the students and working out on the available date for such lesson.

Weekly Reflection WW04 - 2E4

Started on Algebraic expansion using identities. Surprising, they are able to understand these 3 identities easily. The visual portion helped to think through the concept. Some exclaimed it to be easy. I will check this next week using class test.

The timelime for the completion of the syllabus for this year Sec Two is tighter, having the additional topics from Sec One. It is important to monitor the progress against the SOW.

Weekly Reflection WW03 - 4N2

The students showed much interest during lessons, having understood the basic properties of circle. However, some though knowing the properties was unable to state the property correctly. I have to address this in the next few lessons. Another is that the students on seeing the many lines on the circle, gets "turned off" by the question. I hope to remove such fear by showing the students a standardised way to deal with such questions.

Weekly Reflection WW03 - 2E4

We started on algbera expansion this week, starting with the basic idea of what constitute linear and quadratic expressions. The students were able to identify and do basic expansion using algebric tiles concept. Results from the short test showed the students having learnt these basic skills. However, I worry about students been careless in expansion especially of negative terms. I will next proceed to teach about algebraic identities.

Weekly Reflection WW03 - 4E3

The class mentioned having difficulites in sketching of abolute value functions. I gave them a brief sequences of steps to follow, which helped as observed from the short test I conducted. I intend to keep highlighting the important concepts when doing such sketches. Students are keen to learn but at times, they are careless and indifferent to cetain points as they sketch which would enable them to do better.

Weekly Reflection WW02 - 4E5

The students are able to understand the properties of circle, as they are able to recite the properties when asked. However, when faced with the circle diagram with many lines, many of them do not know when to start. I got them first to focus on the finding those angles which used the basic properties. Once they start solving for one angle, then they can proceed on with the rest of the angles. For this topic, I intend to go through the worksheet as guided examples. Any one got more ideas on how to help students for this circle property question?

Weekly Reflection WW02 - 4E3

The students are learning about Trigonomterical Ratios. With relation to sketching of curves, I highlighted to them the important points to note when doing such sketch. Walking around, I noticed that most of them are able to do so. However, some questioned why the solution of cos2x=sinx need two curves. I brought them back to the topic on graphical solution. They understod better the concept. Class test next week will help confirm this.

Weekly Reflection WW02 - 2E4

The topic on proportion consist of maps and scales as well as direct and inverse proportion. Most students are able to solve map and scales problem. But I think they may be slightly too complacent and may face some issues esp in coversion between units. However, some of them find inverse proportion slightly challenging. I tried using tables with real life data to illustrate the concept and this seemed to enable they to understand better.

Weekly Reflection WW01

I dedicated some time to outline my expectation to the class for the first lesson. From their reactions, this seemed to help students better know what they are expected and so be prepared for their learning in class.