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Bio Talk -SEMASHUR -Here i come

It was on Sunday..the day which everybody should be at home resting? or going for a trip wif family? or going shopping and marketting? ..and yet...i was at SEMASHUR...giving Bio Talk. SEMASHUR is Sekolah menengah sains Hulu Selangor which is located somewhere near Ulu Yam, a popular place for a picnic.. A fully residential school wif all gud, bright, intelligent students occupying that school.

Tis is my third year of coming here. It looks like its gonna be a yearly event...Wif Liza (SEMASHUR Bio teacher) around how could i reject the invitation!!!

It was abt 2.40 pm when i reached there, students were already in the hall. They still looked motivated and prepared to hear the Talk despite of having Chemistry Talk earlier in the morning..My first impression when i met them of course that i'm going to get a good audience..

(Whenever i'm giving Bio Talk, i'm very particular abt my audience..). My audience surely wld affect my mood and the flow of Talk...

To start with, i explained abt Paper 3 Biology-The questions and The marks allocated. Next was the technique of answering Question 1 - especially How to write an observation, an inference, hypothesis, variables, technique, apparatus and materials...bla..bla...bla..By quoting examples from past years papers...giving them time to write the answer and ask questions. Then How to go abt wif Question 2 which ask to design an experiment..

there were Questions to try out..And when those who managed to answer were given tokens, more seemed to volunteer to answer..(Blame me for not preparing more tokens..ingatkan tak dapat sambutan..)

The Talk lasted until 5.45 pm..gone fast, unnoticed..More than 3 hours hatrick definitely cld drive them crazy, but they didnt..still maintained and full of energy, well motivated. They shouted ' Score A Biology 'and of course followed by 'doa'. Girls lined up to shake hands wif me..boys expressed thanks.

Well,..i felt so gud to be able to give tips and guidance as how to go abt wif Bio paper 3..How i wish all of them ve became clear and finally wld be able to make it (I mean score A Bio)..

Deep down...i'm thinking of my SESERI girls..i've came all the way for SEMASHUR students..yet back at SESERI..they have me wif them every other day..wat a waste if they dont grab all the chances!!!..Typical people..Always take for granted!

To all SEMASHUR students..Gud Luck for ur SPM and Score A Biology :-)

*Thanks for paying attention to my Talk..All of u are indeed a great bunch. May Allah bless U all.

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Central Nervous System..Alzheimer's and Parkinson

When Lesson: Central nervous system is introduced they seemed familiar with it. They claimed they ve learnt a bit abt it..They cld name cerebrum, cerebellum and medula oblongata but they were blurred abt spinal cord..The location of spinal cord has to be pointed again..The labelling of brain with the added structures of hypothalamus, thalamus and pituitary gland..

Then the cross section of spinal cord

What happen if your spinal cord injured? Pls read the suggested link.
http://www.google.com.my/imgres?imgurl=http://www.spinal-injury.net/spinal-injury-network/images/vertebra-cross-section.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.spinal-injury.net/what-is-a-spinal-cord-

When i talk abt spinal cord i relate it with reflex arc and reflex action..and they got confused between involuntary action and reflex action..after giving examples after examples finally they were cleared abt that.

VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY ACTION

Publish at Scribd or explore others: School Work action VOLUNTARY

Then we were discussing abt the impaired of nervous system which might lead to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson. Kathy voluntered to present abt Alzheimer's using chart prepared by 5 Helpilia girls whereas Syaza presented abt Parkinson. So both of them presented confidently as if they knew the matter very well but when their friends asked this and that, they finally turned to me asking for help...Well..students still need teachers around!!!

They were interested to know more abt the two diseases. They asked a lot. It just happened that the day when that lesson was conducted, i lost 50% of my voice. So i'm hoping they cld do further reading abt it later. Actually there are so many info they can get from the net: The simple ones of course from wikipedia..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer's_disease

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_disease

So with that the lesson abt nervous system is done. Coming soon is Endocrine system..

The Competition day..

On thursday 9th ,we went to TKC (Kolej Tunku Kurshiah ),Seremban for the competition: 'Pertandingan Reka cipta & Inovasi Sains Kejuruteraan ke 11 SBP " ...I, teacher advisor; Zara (the participant) and Ain (the assistant ). En Lan, the school driver drove us there. It took abt an hour to reach TKC and it was 1.00pm then. Upon arrival we were welcomed by the students and teachers, then brought us to our place to stay. I was given a dorm to share with 14 other teachers from various SBP in Malaysia..No comment because it is SBP culture..when there is any program involving teachers and students, all will be 'camping' together at the hostel..regardless of race, titles, post, seniority etc..etc..(I'm not sure whether i like it..at this age! )..But for once (and not again...) I follow suit...(bcoz i ve prepared mentally for this)

In the evening all participants were in the hall to prepare their booths..It lasted until 11.30 pm.There wre abt 100 projects taking parts and the judging wld be on Friday..Among the projects were: Tissue Culture and Artificial seeds of Oryza sativa (SESERI), Natural oil boom from lalang (TKC), Stevia: an alternative sweetener, a revolution in malaysia ice cream (STF), Cossava-ol (SASER), the usage latex to overcome landslide (ASIS), Banana pith Bio-coagulant, Algae as a biodiesel producer, Durian husk- As effective filtration media for waste water treatment...many more.....

On Friday nite 20 projects were shortlisted to present 'viva' on Saturday before the winner wld be announced..We were glad that our projects were chosen for the final..

On Saturday, one by one student presented their research..infront of 12 panel judges..and everyone wanted to convince the judges..most of the participants presented in English and they did it well..Just that i was a bit surprised to see boys from MCKK and KISAS used BM to present their research.. ^..^

As for Zara, she did well. She spoke out loud with confidence..Just that luck was not at our side..I'm proud of her..and of course Ain too..They made up a good team.They ve sacrificed their time to do this project..and of course to represent SESERI..Wat an experience and exposure for them. I know this event wld surely become another memorable event in their school life..wat more, i cld see that they met many new friends there..

And the nite when the result was announced, both of them ve to accept the fact that there r others who r better than us..so they deserved to win.. Adat pertandingan, mesti ada kalah dan menang..accept it with pride..may be we will win some other time..Try again....next year in Perlis...

Preparation for Competition

It took three months to prepare materials for 'Pertandingan Rekacipta & Inovasi Sains-SBP' scheduled 9th april 2009. Once a week they went to Tissue Culture Lab at Institut Biologi UM to observe the progress of the research..And they are Nurzahara Atikah and Nurul Ain and of course I as a Teacher advisor. Well, with so many other tasks to be done, this additional activity somehow have taken a lot of my time but do i have a choice?

When we first met with Prof Dr Rosnah Mat Taha (My former STF smate, and happen to be Zara's aunt), specialised in Tissue Culture, we've discussed and finally agreed to the research on 'Tissue Culture and artficial seeds of Oryza sativa'..And we visited her Tissue Culture Lab..and it was amusing to see so many cultured plants..for commercialise or preservation.

The two girls get very much involved in this research. They r guided by the Research assistants in the lab until they finally managed to do all the necessary steps in culturing the plants tissue..And a week before the competition, they ve prepared all the materials which we r supposed to bring for the competition: It includes the samples, the banner, the log book and the project paper.

On behalf of my school, I would like to express my heartiest thanks to Prof Dr and all her lab staff for being so kind, helpful and supportive throughout our research at their lab..My girls enjoyed and loved every minutes being in the Lab and they definitely learnt a lot from them..It has also cultivated interest in doing future research..

Not all students get a chance to experience it and Zara and Ain are the lucky ones..Maybe more SESERIANS should be given a chance to experience the beauty to be a researcher...

Transpiration-PeKA Bio experiment

After quite some time there is no experiment conducted in Bio Lab..so last week, for two periods of T&L, one xperiment was done, where students wanna investigate the effect of air movement on the rate of transpiration. I used Teaching Courseware to browse briefly the setup of the experiment so that they wld be able to visualise what they r supposed to do..I could have asked them to just read the procedures from the text book or any reference book but it seemed that procedures shown in teaching courseware are quite simple and easy to follow...Since this experiment is meant for evaluation students were more serious about it.

The problem with the apparatus (we call it 'potometer') is that the risk of more bubbles trapped in the capillary tube at the start of the experiment. As a result, it has to be repeated. Unless the students follow closely and careful enough when they set up the apparatus, the experiment will turn out fine..So they were using cuttings from Bougainvilla shoot which r found around school compound.

Some of the groups managed to get the result while others failed due to technical errors..And in the end, they exchange results between groups and later came out with the most appropriate result to be shared with everybody..As usual i reminded them the format of writing Report as required by LPM, which starts with Aim, Problem Statement, Hypothesis, Variables, apparatus and materials, technique, procedures, result and finally Conclusion.

Of course Aim start with 'To investigate...', ' To determine...''To study...' Problem Statement starts with 'How does.......' or 'What.....' and ending with Question mark (?????????)

In Problem Statement include 'manipulated variable' and responding variable'.To construct hypothesis , student must construct a sentence which relate the manipulated variable and responding variable..And then, the listing of variables preferable one from each type. As for apparatus and materials i asked them to combine the list. and of course to write Technique is to write the words such as: To measure and RECORD...by using STOP WATCH (apparatus must be included)..then the procedures..Result..Conclusion..

So an experiment was done and i'm waiting for their Lab Report to be submitted.Meanwhile this morning i've got a bundle from 5 Gastisia (The first class to submit )..Another 3 classes please...

When talk abt experiments...students like it..They r using their motor, kinestatic skills.Hardly cld see any 'doze-offff' during the experiment........I'm glad they like it.

Introduction to Chapter 3:Coordination & Response

At last..i managed to get it started..at least for an introduction. It was a perfect day. Two classes combined in one Lab..Its 5 Bakerara and 5 Helpilia. Total up 54 of them..again...Lecture method..the difference was that: it was conducted for both classes, combined! We/ I did that in SESERI. If there is no teacher in the class, i will offer them to join T&L in my class..and most of the time, they will accept the invitation..(That's what i like abt them..they never resist extra lessons..)

So..they hurriedly search for stools (Mind u, it's a Lab chair :-> ) from the adjacent lab..And then the greeting, the doa..

My induction set was to start asking the meaning of terms : stimulus: examples of external stimuli, internal stimuli, a response and coordination..They answered in chorus, i didnt like it, i asked for a 'hand-up'..they giggled.....One thing abt the girls, they like to answer in chorus..(may be due to, too much of choral speaking in English ???)......a bit difficult to get their 'hands-up'. May be lack of confidence to give answers too.

Then we revised together the parts of Central Nervous System. There were Q&A session: Parts of the brain: Cerebrum,Cerebellum, Medulla Oblongata..I asked them to take note of the locations of each structure and the functions too. They claimed they ve learnt in Science Form 2. So it was a refresher for them..They asked me what is sympathetic NS and Parasympathetic NS..they asked me what is voluntary action and involuntary actions and examples..I asked them back : asking them to refer to Bio Module, text book and reference book..They asked me whether 'coughing' is involuntary action or not? I said 'coughing real' is involuntary action but 'coughing berdehem-dehem' tu voluntary action...They asked me "sleepy' is involuntary or voluntary? I said sleeping is supposed to be voluntary, U can choose whether u want to sleep or not..they said involuntary..because they said they cldnt stop being sleepy, especially in class!! So check it out : Sleeping is voluntary or Involuntary..SESERIANS out there..Wat is the answer?

I reminded them to pay more attention to the structures of: hypothalamus, thalamus and pituitary glands..and take note of their functions!!

Well, that's for an introduction of the Nervous system..I was so happy with that day's lesson. Because all them were awake..Mungkin sebab bila dua kelas sekaligus, masing-masing nak tunjuk mereka tak mengantuk? or because i was holding my camera handphone to sneakingly snap their actions..So to end the lesson, they happily posed so that i cld post this photo into my Blog...

Appreciating Teachers..

Well..if they scored straight A's in examination (SPM), its because they studied hard for it, because they managed their time well, their parents inspired them, they are born intelligent,,,etc..etc...etc...last in the list...if they cld ever remember....perhaps, may be because teachers inspired them..

When they didnt score A..The first thing their parent would say: teachers didnt teach them well, teachers are not commited, teachers this..teachers that...

Some wldn't agree wif wat i'm saying, but the truth revealed. That is the fate of teachers.. especially SBP (Sekolah Berasrama Penuh) teachers..I'm sure SBP teachers agree wif wat i'm writing. What is SBP? Pls go this link for details: http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekolah_berasrama_penuh

I was once a daily school teacher. It was in 2003, when i was transfered to SESERI. Not that i applied for transfer but it was a directive from KPM. As a government servant, of course 'saya yang menurut perintah'......I enjoyed teaching in daily schools : SMK Tun Telanai (KT), SMK Jinjang (KL), SMK Raja Abdullah (KL) . i ve a lot of memories wif my students; they came from variaties of 'everything'..Not so much of stress, not so much of expectations..but i gave them my fullest..

And above all, they knew how to appreciate teachers..even if they gained little from us.

**SIGH**Not complaining, just sharing wat i feel..Hectic and frustration..sometimes it upset me..At times, i feel like going back to daily school again.

May be the tension and stress are not due to the students here..(because they r all good and lovable)..but it is from the KPM part. They want this, they want that..They want SBP to excell in everything, everything ON EARTH..and pressuring teachers to deliver..They want us to compete with MRSM, they want us to compete and to compete with each other..Wat a life!! I'm not sure whether the target is to 'membina modal insan' or to satisfy the need to show off...Who is the best!..The best among the best..My God..haywire!

Back to appreciating teachers..some SESERIANS know how to appreciate teachers too. Dont get me wrong. Appreciate doesnt mean by giving expensive presents..it can be done by writing sweet words and thanks..and definitely u will make ur teachers thousand times happier..(Am i demanding???)

When i got back to school, a day after SPM result, i found a small packet of chocolate on my Table..from Nor Amalina Berhan with short notes of thanks..(She scored A1Bio). I was not surprised, coz i know her well..the girl who knows how to appreciate..Itu pun dah cukup..make me happy the whole day!

And of course, some of Zenithians showed appreciation by writing word of thanks and sweet words by emails and through blog..which inspire me..And there are a few to share with all of you..(Its from Farhana Aini & Fatin Liyana and Aleena )

The word "appreciation" means to be thankful and express admiration, approval, or gratitude. It also means to grow or appreciate in value. As you appreciate life, you become more valuable—both to yourself and others- Quoted .

Till then...

Locomotion in Animals

Last week seemed to be ‘the presentation week’ for the girls. They learnt Locomotion in different types of animals. At first i thought of making it fast by just explaining through ‘Lecture method’ simply bcoz i couldn’t wait to start the new topic..But..when i entered most of the classes, they didnt look promising (? ?) to me. So i grouped them and spared 15 minutes for them to prepare the presentation.

Well, during the preparation for the presentation they were discussing, referring text book and reference books, exchanging ideas and of course exchanging laughters..at least for a while, they didn’t have time to doze off..
And i was conducting lesson for both classes at the same time (so happen that both classes are next to each other)...when time’s up, its time for presentation...Its gud to see that they put all effort to explain to their friends..once a while i interrupted to do corrections to the facts given..The two-periods lesson gone unnoticed..maybe bcoz everybody seemed to focus on wat their friends were presenting..But one girl came to me..’Teacher, i don’t quite like presentation method..bcoz i don’t understand wat my friends explained..one more thing is that we only remember more the topic that we presented but not the rest of the topic’..Well..at least she speaks out her opinion!...So what do u think, Biology teachers of Malaysia? ???? (..wakaka...as if all Bio teachers in Malaysia read my Blog..)Or perhaps...”What do u think, ex SESERIANS yg pernah belajar Bio wif me???”

Lecture method is ‘Teacher Centred’ whereas ‘Presentation method’ is ‘Student Centred’...Out of two, the later is more recommended...But teachers have no choice if they want to complete the syllabus fast..the advantage of lecture method..

Well, i almost end up the chapter Locomotion & Support. By next week should start the next chapter..I was struggling to complete the chapter bcoz from Wednesday until Friday i was not in school again. Have to attend mesyuarat Ketua Pentaksir Kawasan at PD for PBS (Penilaian berasaskan sekolah), PEKA Biology..(That’s one of my contribution as GC too).

Well..again..its not that easy to be a teacher nowadays..u have to sacrifice ur time, energy and money too....Siapa kata jadi Guru senang, they are oudateddddd....or may be jealous of teachers..wakakaka...I enjoy being a teacher..and I’m teaching with passion...