SR

Bearings

Finally finished the first chapter of the year with the class. Started on Applications of Trigonometry - Bearings. Was very anxious and considering that I am behind schedule, went straight into the topic: how to identfiy the angle and find the value of the angle. Realised that towards the end of the lesson, most of them could identify the angle to find based on the question but had difficulty finding its value becuase they had forgotten about properties of interior angles, corresponding angles, angles at the centre, etc. So on Fri decided to take a step back and revised properties of the above mentioned angles and gave them a worksheet on it. Gratifying to hear some of them say that the questions were very easy but a handful of them were struggling with it. Got the ones who finished early to peer teach their classmates. Those who became my assistants felt very good about themselves. Going back to 'bearings ' again tomorrow.

Had a very "satisfying" SRP with my 4N1 class on Thurs. It was more of a "drilling" session on the application of SINE rule. Found out that most of them did not have problems applying the formula per se but it was more of a manipulation of the terms to get the final answer that got in their way. Sorted this out with them. Hope to be able to see them this Thurs although some of them will prob be down for Humanities SRP. Will take whoever is available. Giving them a test this Mon on Sine, Cos Rules and Area of a Triangle. Hopefully they will be more independant when doing the test. Also, my 2 VH pupils need lots of individual attention. Tried to match my free periods with theirs to give them a little bit more support but unfortunately, couldn't find common times. CCA time on Fri seems to be the only alternative since one of them is a librarian.

4N1 Maths

Gave a short test to the class this Monday on Area of a non right-angled triangle. Did a quick revision before administering the test. Noticed they could do the very "direct" questions, but once the question needed an extra step, they were lost. So had to give them some tips in spite of the fact that it was supposed to be a test. Marked the test later and was heartened that most of them did well, some even scoring full marks. So decided to reward them with an ang pow contianing some mentos. Hope this will motivate them to do well, althought eventually they should be intrinsically motivated. Happy CNY to everyone in the department.

Regards

Sok Gek

Can't believe that the first week of school just flew past. Only managed to teach my 4N class 3 lessons out of five because was away for sec 1 orientation for the other 2 lessons. Basically it is a very WEAK class, only fewer than 5 passed thier maths exam last year. However, they seemed rather keen to learn. Will have to go very very slow with them, but N levels are in Sept, how?
By hook or by crook, must make them pass Maths, or they will not have a chance to do their O levels. Wish me luck!

Gek