ENERGIZERS FOR STUDENTS

ACTIVITY 1

TONGUE TWISTERS

A tongue-twister is a phrase that is designed to be difficult to articulate properly, and can be used as a type of spoken (or sung) word game. Some tongue-twisters produce results which are humorous when they are mispronounced, while others simply rely on the confusion and mistakes of the speaker for their amusement value.

Tongue twisters can be extremely interesting energizers and can be very tempting, provided that the teacher knows how to make them interesting enough. Saying aloud tongue twisters is fun enough! Why not try singing it?! Here we've provided you with a tongue twister song that will surely twist you tongue to no ending! Are you ready? Let's sing!

OCTO THE OCTOPO by BRYANT ODENT

Octo the Octopo was driving in Morocco
Down a busy roado in his purple turbo
he had one armo on the steering wheelo
he had 7 armos left

One was picking up a cup of cocoa mocha
One had a big ol’ loco burrito
One was in the back picking up a pack of gumo
One was at the radio searching for a songo
One was on his phono texting Marco Polo
One was making sureo his hairo was perfecto
one was at his noseo scratchingo an itcho

I guess you knowo what happened to Octo
And his purple turbo in Morocco
He wasn’t payingo enougho attentiono
His turbo hito phono polo
He has no armos left
He has no armos left
One was on his phono texting Marco Polo

ACTIVITY 2

PEER COMMAND

Peer Command is a game conducted similar to how the game "Simon Says" is conducted. This game is especially effective when teachers intend to gather students' attention towards him/her by making the students listen to his/her command in a fun and physical way. Only in this case, teachers are not going to give command, but instead, students will have the opportunity to give command to their peers. 

Students know what best and most fun for them. So, by letting them choose their command, teachers will help them to feel like they have at least a little control over the situation. Teachers do not have to be the people in charge all the time, right? 

This is how Peer Command is conducted:

1. Divide students into few big groups.

2. Elect a leader. The leader will give commands.

3. Once everybody is ready, start the game.

4. Whoever fails to follow the chain of commands given by the leader will be eliminated.

5. The person standing until the end of the game will be the winner.

*Note: This doesn't have to be long. Three to four minutes would be enough. The primary aim is to get the students energized and get them ready for the lesson. 

ACTIVITY 3

SOUL TREATMENT (RECITING A JAZZ CHANT)

Building the spiritual side of a student is a part of the teacher's responsibility. Every teachers have their own creative ways of giving soul treatments to their students. Some might instill the religious part in a form of prayer reciting, others might do the same thing by using songs and poems. Any ways are encouraged. 

Here, we suggest teachers to conduct a jazz chant recitation for energizers. Jazz chant is a poem that use jazz rhythms to illustrate the natural stress and intonation patterns of conversational American English. Jazz Chants provide an innovative and exciting way to improve your student's speaking and listening comprehension skills while reinforcing the language structures of everyday situation. Poems meant for jazz chants are usually written with lots of repetition in it. Children likes repetition and repetition is proven to be helpful in memory retention. 

Here, we have provided you with a fruit poem, written specially for the purpose of introducing children to different types of fruits and to eventually be grateful to their Creator for such beautiful and beneficial gifts. This is a way of teaching children to be grateful for what they have in life.

Just remember teachers, REPETITION is the key to success in memorizing. And don't just teach them to memorize by heart, but teach them to PRACTICE by heart as well. Knowing without practicing results to nothing.

WHO AM I?

Poem written by Dayang Khairunnisha binti Abang Mohammad

Who am I? (2x)

I’m a MANGO (2x)

So sweet and yellow

So soft you can just swallow

Who am I? (2x)

I’m a PEAR (2x)

With a flesh so fair

Eat me with the skin or bare

Who am I? (2x)

I’m an APPLE (2x)

As sweet as your dimple

Always red, sometimes green, but never purple

Who am I? (2x)

I’m a CASHEW (2x)

I might be something new

My fruit and my seed? Both are useful to you

Remember friends,

Before you eat us, say Bismillah (Bismillah)

After you eat us, say Alhamdullilah (Alhamdulillah)

Remember us, remember Allah

*Note : the poem can always be adapted to students' needs.

Alhamdullillah.... Those are the 3 activities we suggest teachers bring into their class, not just for the purpose of energizing the students, but also for the other element of them that will surely help with the holistic development of the students. Please do try them. May Allah bless us all...

I WISH I AM A TREE

I wish I am a tree,

With roots holding strong, even though it's windy.

I wish I am a tree,

With flowers so beautiful, the eyes can see.

I wish I am a tree,

With fruits to give, to someone hungry.

I wish I am a tree,

With leaves to cover, when it's hot and rainy.

I wish I am a tree,

With branches that can hold, even though it's heavy.

I wish I am a tree,

With memories to leave, no matter how old I maybe.

But we are not trees....

We are teachers-to-be.....

Teachers are like trees, though....

They are strong, their manners are beautiful, with lots to give to their students and the people around them, the one who protects the students like they are their own children, and with memories to leave to those they taught.....

We are trees, indeed!

Poem written by:

Dayang Khairunnisha binti Abang Mohammad

Butterfly's Dream

Choices

Poem written by: Maymoonah MS Adly

I see you doing wrong, 
You say you're not so strong, 
To fight against shaytan. 
Your evil desires drag you along. 

Mankind and jinn have one thing in common. 
They differ from Allah's other creation. 
The animals, trees, birds, bees and everything existing, 
fallow Allah's decree. 
As people you and I should agree, 

That we all have the ability ,to choose. 

Allah show us right. 
Allah shows us wrong. 
He gives us a brain, a mind. 
Now its up to us to choose, 
what we have to do. 

If we choose to do right, 
Allah will give us guidance, 
And bring us into the light. 
He would grant us everlasting paradise and delight. 

If we chose to do wrong, 
Evil will turn us down a road of darkness ,confusion, and frustration. 
A road that leads to a terrible destination. 
The fires of hell are wicked and mercyless. 
Only you could put your self in this. 

The choices you make, 
The things you choose, 
must not be taken lightly, must not be abused. 
Everyday every hour every minute of your life, You're making choices. 

What will I wear? 
What will I say? 
Should I say anything? 
Should I sit here? 
Or talk to them? 
Or eat this? 
Or buy that? 

Allah will ask us: what did we sing,learn,watch,say and do? 
"Why did you lie?" "Why did you curse?"
"Why did you wear that tight skirt and shirt?" 

Did Allah not give you all all that you need? 
So that you must commit sins and bad deeds? 
There is no excuse for the evil you do. 
Do not talk foolishness when you know the truth. 

You cannot lie to Allah. 
He knows all that you do. 
If you love Allah fully and true, 
Try your up most to please him, 
and pray for him to be pleased with you.

No One but Allah

Poem written by : Khurram Malik

Who filled the world with light? 
Who raised the mountain high? 
Who raises us when we die? 
No one but Allah.

Who sees inside your soul?
Who hears you when you call?
Who helps you when you fall?
No one but Allah.

Who fashioned us of clay?
Who showed us the right way?
Who hears us when we pray?
No one but Allah.

Who made the rivers flow?
Who thought the stars to glow?
Who sends the winds that blow?
No one but Allah.

All praise is to Allah,
All galore is to Allah,
We worship Allah and, 
No one but Allah.

What is Islam ?

Poem written by : Maymoonah MS Adly

"What is Islam?” is the question you ask.
Answering this question is every Muslims task.

Describing Islam can be a lot, 
But first I’ll tell you what Islam is not.

Islam is not Faraqan and terrorism.
Nor is it oppressing women and racism.

Islam doesn’t teach these things.
On the contrary it forbids them.

Islam isn’t focused on selling news papers and bean pies.
It’s not about drinking goats milk and having many wives.

Most people think Islam is just a religion.
But, it is actually a detailed way of living, prescribed by Allah, the merciful, the forgiving.

Peace, submission, and morality,Respect, kindness and charity.
And worshipping one God, the All Mighty, This is Islam.

It demolishes the cloudiness and confusion in our brains.
Faith in God is one thing Islam sustains.

It makes clear our purpose of life, beginning and end.
People take our wealth and freedom, but our faith we must defend.

The Admins

PISMP 3.09

Assalamualaikum W.B.T....... Peace be upon Rasullullah S.A.W.....

Alhamdulillah.... All praise to Allah S.W.T.

It was for His mercy that we managed to design and develop this blog, which would be our first blog as a group. This is actually our project for the Classroom Management subject, which we are taking this semester. 

Developing a blog is never easy. But thanks to Allah, for He has given us the strength and courage to just go with what we believe would be useful for us and also for the use and benefit of others. This blog is not just developed for the purpose of adhering to the requirements of the project, but hopefully, also for the use of other educators in the future, and of course, in the mean time.

As portrayed and introduced by the picture, we are Teslians from PISMP 3.09, united by fate and has been close friends ever since. We have been working together for quite some time now and have been quite successful as a group. 

Well, that should be enough about us, for now. There's nothing much to say actually. All the best to other groups and may Allah S.W.T. bless all of us with barakah in anything we are doing. Not to forget, our beloved lecturer, Madam Norani Mansor, may Allah S.W.T. bless her and her family with happiness in this world and the world hereafter. She has been very helpful and dedicated in guiding us through this whole project. 

We believe that everyone can achieve a successful life. Open your heart, free yourself from  the 'negative you',  and grab the chance given to you. You have to make the first step. Those who never succeed are those who are afraid of changes!

"For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect."

(Sura ar-Ra'd:11)

The Best Teacher

Written by:

Amatul Wadood.

Posted on:

March, 18, 2008.

Bismillah.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur’an,

Translation: It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom although they were before in clear error. [Suratul Jumu'ah, verse 2]

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) sent Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) to do four things:

1. Recite the verses
2. Teach the Qur’an
3. Teach the Wisdom (sunnah)
4. Purify his followers.

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) nurtured the sahaba and taught them in such a way that the whole of Arabia drastically changed in a matter of 23 years. He had six amazing qualities of teaching that inshaAllah we can implement and follow as teachers, parents, siblings, and any other roles we have in our communities.

Mu’awiyah ibn Al-Hakam said, “I have never seen a teacher before him (Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) or after him better in teaching than he.”

The attributes of a good teacher:

• Desire and keen for goodness for students: In surah At-Tawbah, Allah says, in the translation of ayah 128, “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.” Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) also advised Abu Dhar (رضي الله عنه‏), “I see that you are weak, and I love for you like I love for myself, so if someone gives you a position of leadership, don’t take it."

• Kindness. Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “Allah is Kind (Rafeeq) and He loves kindness, and confers upon kindness which He does not confer upon severity, and does not confer upon any thing besides it (kindness).” [Muslim] We see his kindness throughout his life (صلى الله عليه و سلم), when he would pass by children in the street he would play with them–unlike nowadays, where people think it is righteousness to never smile. Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه‏) narrated that whenever the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) would pass by children he would smile fondly and greet them. [Bukhari and Muslim].
• Anas also narrated, “I served him for ten years, and he never said “uff” (an expression of disgust) to me. He never said, ‘why did you do that?’ for something I had done, nor did he ever say ‘why did you not do such and such’ for something I had not done.” [Bukhari and Muslim].

• Hikmah (wisdom). Hikmah is defined as saying the right thing at the right time to the right people in the right manner. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed.” A man inquired: “O Messenger of Allah! I help him when he is oppressed, but how can I help him when he is an oppressor?” He (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “You can keep him from committing oppression. That will be your help to him.” [Bukhari]. Another example is the story of the bedoin who urinated in the masjid. SubhanAllah, while all of the sahaba ran to admonition him and beat him, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) simply said, “Leave him alone and pour a bucket of water over it. You have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult.” [Bukhari].

• Humilty and humbleness. Abu Rifa’a (رضي الله عنه‏) narrated that, “I came towards the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) while he was giving the khutba. I said ‘O Messenger of Allah, an estranged man has come asking about his religion, he does not know what his religion is.’ The Messenger of Allah came towards me and left his khutba until he reached me, and was brought a chair, I thought the legs were made of iron. The Prophet sat on it and started teaching me from what Allah had taught him. Then he returned to his khutba and completed it.” [Bukhari]

• Saying “I don’t know” if you don’t know the answer. Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) would only answer a question if Qur’an had been revealed answering it, or he would wait for revelation. Once, Jaabir ibn Abdillah (رضي الله عنه‏) came and asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سل) about inheritance, and Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) stayed quiet until Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) revealed the ayah in Surah an-Nisaa.

• Speaking slowly. ‘Aishah (رضي الله عنها‏) reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) did not summarize his speech, and he spoke in such a way that if one were to count his words, they could be counted. [Bukhari] Anas ibn Malik also reported that Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) would repeat his words three times.

These are only a few of the qualities of Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) as a teacher, indeed in him we have an excellent pattern–as Allah himself says:

Translation: There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. [Surah Ahzab, verse 21].

Reference:

AbdulBary Yahya. Lecture. Al Maghrib Institute,

Chain Of Command: Hadeeth Sciences,

University of Maryland, Rockville. July 2007.

Read more:

http://www.ilmfruits.com/2008/the-best-teacher/

Characteristics Of An Effective Teacher

Are you an effective teacher? See for yourself!

1. An effective teacher loves to teach!

The single most important quality that every teacher should possess is a love and passion for teaching young people. Unfortunately there are teachers who do not love what they do. This single factor can destroy a teacher’s effectiveness quicker than anything else. Teachers who do not enjoy their job cannot possibly be effective day in and day out. There are too many discouraging factors associated with teaching that is difficult enough on a teacher who absolutely loves what they do, much less on one who doesn't have the drive, passion, or enthusiasm for it. On top of that, kids are smarter than what we give them credit for. They will spot a phony quicker than anyone and thus destroy any credibility that teacher may have.

2. An effective teacher demonstrates a caring attitude!

Even teachers who love their job can struggle in this area, not because they don’t care, but because they get caught up so much in the day to day routine of teaching that they can forget that their students have lives outside of school. Taking the time to get to know a student on a personal level takes a lot of time and dedication. There is also a line that no teacher wants to cross where their relationship becomes too personal. Elite teachers know how to balance this without crossing that line and once a student believes the teacher truly cares for them, then there is no limit to what that student can achieve.

3. An effective teacher can relate to his/her students!

The best teachers go out of their way to find ways to relate to each of their students. Common interest can be hard to find, but good teachers will find a way to connect with their students even if they have to fake it. For instance, you may have a student who is a Lego fanatic. You can relate to that student if you do something as simple as ordering a Lego catalog and then going through it and discussing it with that student. Even if you have no actual interest in Lego’s, the student will think you do and thus naturally create a connection.

4. An effective teacher is willing to think outside the box!

There is no one set cookie cutter way to teach. If there was, teachers and students would both be bored. What makes teaching so exciting is that kids learn differently and we have to find and utilize different strategies and differentiated learning to reach every student. What works for one student, will not work for every student. Teachers have to be willing to be creative and adaptive in their lessons, thinking outside the box on a continual basis. If you try to teach every concept in the same manner, there will be students who miss out on key factors because they aren't wired to learn that way.

5. An effective teacher is a good communicator!

To be the best possible teacher you must be an effective communicator. However, in this area you are not just limited to being a good communicator to your students although that is a must. You must also be a great communicator with parents of your students as well as your faculty/staff team within or in your building. If you have a difficulty communicating with any of these three groups, then you limit your overall effectiveness as a teacher.

6. An effective teacher is proactive rather than reactive!

This can be one of most difficult aspects for a teacher to conquer. Intense planning and organization can ultimately make your job all the more less difficult. Teachers who plan ahead, looking for aspects that they might have issues with, and proactively looking for solutions to solve those problems will have less stress on them, then those teachers who wait until a problem arises and then tries to address it. Being proactive does not replace being adaptive. No matter how well you plan, there will be surprises. However, being proactive can cut down on these surprises tremendously, thus making you more effective overall.

7. An effective teacher works to be better!

A teacher who has grown complacent in what they do is the most ineffective kind of teacher. Any teacher who is not looking for new and better teaching strategies isn’t being an effective teacher. No matter how long you have taught, you should always want to grow as a teacher. Every year there is new research, new technology, and new educational tools that could make you a better teacher. Seek out professional development opportunities and try to apply something new to your class every year.

8. An effective teacher uses a variety of media in his/her lessons!

Like it or not we are in the 21st century and this generation of students was born in the digital age. These students have been bombarded by technological advances unlike any other generation. They have embraced it and if we as teachers do not, then we are falling behind. This is not to say that we should eliminate textbooks and worksheets completely, but effective teachers are not afraid to implement other forms of media within their lessons.

9. An effective teacher challenges his/her students!

The most effective teachers are often the ones that many students consider to be their most difficult. This is because they challenge their students and push them harder than the average teacher does. These are the teachers who are often students’ least favorite teachers at the time, but then later on in life they are the ones that we all remember and want to thank, because of how well they prepared us for life after our time with them. Being an effective teacher does not mean you are easy. It means that you challenge every one of your students and maximize your time with them so that they learn more than they ever thought possible.

10. An effective teacher understands the content that they teach and knows how to explain that content in a manner that their students understand!

There are teachers who do not know the content well enough to effectively teach it. There are teachers who are truly experts on the content, but struggle to effectively explain it to their students. The highly effective teacher both understands the content and explains it on level. This can be a difficult skill to accomplish, but the teachers who can, maximize their effectiveness as a teacher.

Read more: 

Effective Teacher-Qualities of an Effective Teacher

Teddy Stoddard (A Teacher's Story)

Teddy Stoddard

There is a story from many years ago of a primary school teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.

But that was impossible because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last.

However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise, Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful paper and tied with pretty ribbons, except for Teddy's. His present which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.

Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."

After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead she began to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer - the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course Mrs. Thompson did.

And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

Teacher's Quotes

Teacher's Quotes

“There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail shot that you can't move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies.”  (Robert Frost)

“Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.” (Aristotle)

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”  (William Arthur Ward)

“When you study great teachers... you will learn much more from their caring and hard work than from their style.” (William Glasser)

“The real heroes are the librarians and teachers who at no small risk to themselves refuse to lie down and play dead for censors.” (Bruce Coville)

“The great teachers fill you up with hope and shower you with a thousand reasons to embrace all aspects of life. I wanted to follow Mr. Monte around for the rest of my life, learning everything he wished to share of impart, but I didn't know how to ask.” (Pat Conroy)

“You can't stop a teacher when they want to do something. They just do it.” (J.D. Salinger)

“The effects you will have on your students are infinite and currently unknown; you will possibly shape the way they proceed in their careers, the way they will vote, the way they will behave as partners and spouses, the way they will raise their kids.” (Donna Quesada)

“Do not believe anything merely because you are told it is so, because others believe it, because it comes from Tradition, or because you have imagined it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect. Believe, take for your doctrine, and hold true to that, which, after serious investigation, seems to you to further the welfare of all beings." (Jean-Yves Leloup)

“One of the first things we learn from our teachers is discernment: the ability to tell truth from fiction, to know when we have lost our center and how to find it again. Discernment is also one of the last things we learn, when we feel our paths diverge and we must separate from our mentors in order to stay true to ourselves.”  (Anne Hill)

“The educator has the duty of not being neutral.”  (Paulo Freire)

“We need teachers. We need to be teachers. Knowing when for each, is wisdom." (Rick Beneteau)

“The best teachers become the best teachers by being their own best students.” (Laurie Gray)