Day 4: Teachers' observation

Today, we teachers went for classroom observation in Shimen. Besides checking on our students to make sure that they are well adjusted in class, we would like to find out more about the teaching pedagogies and approaches, thereby enrich ourselves and gain better insights in teaching. This is part of our professional development. We observed an interactive English lesson that engaged students in playing games to help them remember the verbs and grammar structures. There was another meaningful lesson that taught students about the Chinese proverbs. The whole session was very fruitful. The students (including our Kemingnites) were very engaged in the lesson and participated in all the activities. Glad none of our Keming ambassadors fell asleep in class. Phew! What a relief! That was one of our biggest worries actually. Haha... :)

During the pottery lesson, the Art teacher taught our students how to make models of fish and other animals using clay. It was a highly interesting lesson. From the students' expressions, we could tell that they enjoyed their lessons.

Our Wushu and Arts interactional exchange with Shimen was very successful. It was an entertaining evening with a series of performances put up by Shimen and Keming students. We have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Our Keming ambassadors have truly done us proud, winning lots of loud applauses for the exciting wushu performance, interesting fashion parade featuring our traditional costumes as well as an enjoyable skit entitled 'Singapura, the Lion City' with the dance and song on 'Singapore Town'. Wow! All of us had a GREAT TIME!

Chia Yan Li (5 Pearl)
The food was very good! :)

Yang Zhengxue (5 Opal)
The pottery lesson was very fun!

Nur Syarah (5 Emerald)
I got all the Spelling words correct in class today.

Kim Yoon Sung (5 Ruby)
I made a clay fish in my pottery class. I thought it looked very nice.

Ang Han Jie (5 Onyx)
Today, I had a lesson with my buddy. The lesson was quite interesting. I have learnt more things in class. During the performances, I was shivering with fear. I was afraid that I would make mistakes and make a fool of myself, Luckily, the performances was a success. I was relieved.

Cheah Cayyin (5 Onyx)
All of us were excited and nervous about our performances. Our teachers reminded to smile and look good. And best of all, it turned out well. Yeah! Our hardwork has paid off. I am so happy!

Huang Xinshuai (5 Pearl)
My new English teacher praised me in class as I was able to read the English words. The lunch was excellent! I ate almost all the food.

Tan Yen Meng (5 Pearl)
I really enjoyed a lot during class time. I like my buddy and new classmates. They taught me how to draw and play capteh.

Ngoh Yan Fei (5 Pearl)
The Chinese Language was so difficult for us. There were so many words that we did not know how to read.

Poh Chee Wei (5 Emerald)
When my Wushu coaches were teaching the Primary Two Shimen students, I helped to guide the students. They were very good as they were fast learners.

Kwek Zhi Jing (5 Onyx)
The performance was a success. Ms Hing, Mr Ridhwan and Mr Ong were very proud of us.

Herliyana Sarah Pua (5 Pearl)
Today, I had a great time. My buddy's name is Donna. I really like her. She treats me very well. Although I am having a lot of fun here, I still miss my home dearly.

Wu Yizhou (3 Amethyst)
English is really easy for me. However, the Chinese language is the opposite..We had pottery class today. It is very easy. The teacher helped me a little. I think I am the fastest to complete my art work.

Jasmine Lee (5 Emerald)
I had Chinese lesson in class today. The Chinese is so difficult. I can't read some words.

Liew Zhi Jun (5 Onyx)
We had pottery lesson today. The teacher was very experienced. She finished demonstrating in no time. It was like as fast as lightning. Although I finished my masterpiece, a clay fish. It is definitely not as nice as hers. It was fun drawing on the clay, applying water onto it, cutting it out... I enjoyed practically every part of the lesson. I look forward to tomorrow's class with my buddy and classmates.

Day 3: WoW... OuR fiRsT DaY iN sChOOL :)

Wow... today is our first day in school. The students were all very excited about meeting ther new friends. They kept asking, "When are we meeting our new friends?" The welcoming party started at 10 am. The teachers from Shimen introduced our students to their China buddies. Joy and excitement filled the air. Keming teachers were introduced as well. On behalf of the school, Ms Hing presented a special gift, a unique art piece (done by the Kemingnites) to the Vice Principal of our sister school. It was a joyous occasion. :) After that, the Shimen teachers showed us around the school. The facilities here are really impressive. Shimen even has a TV studio, a pottery room, a stadium with indoor basketball courts and swimming pools... Later in the afternoon, we went to visit the Secondary and High schools under the Shimen organisation. It was an educational tour that allowed us to learnt about the schools' history as well as the educational system in China.

At night, we practised our songs, wushu, skit and fashion parade for the upcoming performance tomorrow evening. We hope to put up the best performances for our new friends and give them a good impression of us, the Keming ambassadors. Overall, this is a tiring day but we are all very happy. :)

Bae Jin Woo (5 Opal)
I felt nervous when I was made to introduce myself to all my new classmates in class. Both my buddy and I shared about ourselves and got to know each other better. I visited Shimen Secondary School this afternoon. It is a well established school with a history of seventy-six years.

Lim Ting Yang (5 Ruby)
I played capteh and badminton with my friends today.

Kim Yoon Sung (5 Ruby)
Today was my first day of school in China. The system is similar to that of the schools in Korea. The teachers and students here are very polite and kind to us. I find that it is quite tough to learn Chinese language.

Naguib Hardie (5 Sapphire)
Wow! I did not know that there are so many Shimen schools.

Nur Hazirah (5 Amethyst)
I was happy to meet my buddy. She is taller than me. She is very kind and speaks politely to me even though I do not really understand what she is saying to me. I am happy to make friends with her.

Loo Jie Jun (5 Sapphire)
Today, I met my buddy. We shook hands and talked to each other.

See Zong Heng (4 Amethyst)
My China friends are generous and funny. They took me to the field to catch worms and insects today. We saw a gigantic frog on the grass. To my horror, they kicked the frog high in the sky. Oh no! I told them that they should not do that.

Day2: wE WeNt sIGhtseEiNg!!!!! :)

Today, we visited the different places of interest in Foshan, Nanhai. We went to Mount Xiqiao, a very scenic place with a very huge statue of the Goddness of Mercy (about 61.9m high). We also went to the Ancestral Temple (Foshan Zumiao), Huang Feihong museum (learning about the well-respected late Martial Arts Master, Huang Feihong) and Kang Youwei Old Residence (to find out more about the life of the late Kang Youwei, a great educator and leader of the reform movement in modern China). Wow! Our learning for the day was very enriching indeed. We have definitely benefited a lot from this trip though this is just the second day.


Ang Xiang Yong (5 Opal)
I had a fun time today. We went to Foshan Huang Feihong museum. The lion dance and Wushu performances were very impressive. I wish I could be as good as the performers.

Huang Xin Shuai (5 Pearl)
I bought some fish food and fed the fish in the pond at Mount Xiqiao this afternoon. The fish food was very cheap as it only cost 5 RMB (S$1) I was happy to see the fish swarming towards me. It was a beautiful sight.

Nurhazirah Binte Ahmad (5 Amethyst)
I used to be very scared of the Lion Dance performance. After watching the performances put up by the Huang Feihong Museum, I managed to overcome my fear and I am no longer scared of the Lion Dances.

Cheah Cayyin (5 Onyx)
Today, we went to see many beautiful places and learnt many things about the brave heroes in China. We also went to the Kwan-Yin cultural park and that is one of my favourite place we visited today. We fed the fish and prayed.

Bae Jin Woo (5 Opal)
I have learnt about Kang Youwei, the great politician and Huang Feihong, the great Kungfu master and a medicine doctor today.

Md Shahid (5 Amethyst)
Today, I have learnt how to write Chinese words in Mandarin.

Mindy Boo ( 5 Ruby)
The food is getting better and better. The things here are very interesting. I wish I have a lot of money so that I can buy more things.

Isn't that fun? I hope you guys will join us for the immersion programme next year!!! :)

Day 1: Embarking on the Learning Journey

The children were all very excited about the trip. Everyone reached the airport earlier than the stipulated time. The faces of the little ones gleamed and showed tons of excitement. It was nice to see many people coming to send us off on this beautiful morning and that includes our Principal (Mr Tay) and some of our Keming teachers. It was a mixed feeling of excitement and sadness for most of us. Tears welled up in some students' eyes. Parting with family members was not easy. Nevertheless, the students plucked up their courage and bade their families farewell.

Aditi (5 Pearl)

I feel like running back to my family members at the departure hall. I am going to miss them. I will learn to be independent.

Kim Yoon Sung (5 Ruby)
I enjoyed my flight journey on the SIA plane. The food was fantastic and I could watch TV games and watch movies.

Tan Yen Ming (5 Pearl)
Shimen is very BIG! I love the hostel as the beds are comfortable and there is air conditioning for all the rooms.

Lycia Goh (5 Opal)
Today was super tiring but FUN! I love the plane ride as there were games and movies though the food was not much to my liking.

Hi All!

We've touched down safely, and everything is good here.

Let us just get settled and keep your eyes here for more updates. :)

-Shimen08 Team-