The Earthquake

15/05/2008 (Thursday)

a) Individual Assessment
The kids have now a new game at the field. It’s the football sport........Gol!! They were very excited to hit the ball into the net. Thus, instead of running, they now prefer football.
In the classroom, they hid themselves everywhere as to wait for me…hmmm! They chose to either do corner playing or to write a worksheet of “Alphabet letters”. Meanwhile, I assessed the kids individually on writing. It is to assess their abilities to hold the pencil well and to write with proper strokes. Today, JS, EG, ZYg, XR, SJ were involved. JS was more focused than his usual self. XR needed encouragement but she is willing to try harder.

b) Story-telling: Keeping Fit
Next, I gathered the kids and shared with them on a story of ‘Keeping Fit”. They realized that eating healthily as well as exercising is important to make our heart and body healthy. Games such as badminton and cycling is good. WY, M cycle often. Sports such as swimming and jogging is good. JS, EG, YZ, YW and ZY sometimes do jogging. They also learnt that enough sleep will make us grow healthily. Next, I asked the kids to think of the new thematic they are interested in. Some children are already calling out: “Sports car, Space, Water and Plants”.

c) The China Earthquake
After tea break, the kids gathered to look at some newspaper cuttings. JN was excited and kept saying “Earthquake”. JS joined in too! JH, J and ZJ asked why there is earthquake.
So, I drew the earth and its 5 layers. I briefed them that the top layer is the ground and grass we can see and feel. The inner layers get harder and even hotter. Then, I drew some countries. They asked the meaning of countries. I showed them some gestures and drawing pictures of these people fom Japan, India, Africa, Singapore and China.
I asked them, ‘Which is the best country on earth?” Thay said, “Pason….which is Klang in Malaysia.”. Then, they learnt that some counties like Malaysia are located on the “sleeping” piece of earth while some countries like China, Japan and Indonesia are located on the “active” piece of earth. Thus, Malaysia hasno earthquake. They saw many children buried under the buildings and the “air” helped them to survive.
The 30-second Earthquake had clamed to date 15,000 lives. They looked at the clock and calculated the 30 seconds quietly. We talk of ways to help them. Then, we closed our eyes to say a little prayer. Next, I told them that the school is collecting donations for them in China. Donations could be in the form of money or food. They can discuss about this at home.