Dances by the Little ones !

The teacher led her young pupils in a dance routine. Children learn best by imitating. Thus a good teacher has to be a good demonstrator first. Notice how keenly the kids were following her every movement and posture. Sometimes even subtle nuances such as eye movements can be picked up.

The kids then performed a lively song and dance for us. They were really enjoying it and not merely going through the motions for us.

Another teacher got them ready for yet a different routine for the girls only....while the boys sat down quietly to watch and observe.

Music came from a sound system at the click of a finger.

The floors are easy on the little feet as they are of parquet wood slabs.

As soon as the music began they started dancing.

No wonder the kids from China are so good in the performing arts and sports like dance, acrobatics, contortion, juggling, gymnastic, rhythmic dance, ballet, etc....

So no need to wonder any more.

They start them young in most things.

The Hubei Province #2 Kindergarten

D2 had prior to our arrival in Wuhan, indicated that she would like to visit a kindergarten if at all possible. So arrangements were made and we were on our way to visit the Hubei Province # 2 Kindergarten. It was located just behind our hotel. We walked there led by Principal Zheng and Mr Fu. Our GSPS trio came along too.
The Principal of the Kindergarten met us at the entrance and introductions were made.
I became the cameraman as soon as I saw the little children and the interior layout. The Kids were really cute and had the most infectious smiles.
I got a nice feeling that this must be one happy place for the kids and the staff.
Top Photo:
D2 being greeted by the P


The rooms were spacious, brightly coloured, well-lit, and adorned with

art works by the kids themselves. The teacher of this class in an orange outfit was very lively in her interaction with the kids. She seems to have a good chemistry with them. Behind her from L to R: D2, Melissa, the Principal, Jessica and a staff.
We learnt that many of kids from here will later hope to continue their primary education at P Zheng's school, just across the road.
In fact, a couple of the teachers here were also his former students at their Teacher Training College.
Our presence was announced to the kids by the teacher who told them we were from Singapore. Later she asked them, " How many of you would like to visit Singapore? " All hands went

up. As I've said they were so cute...all aged between 3-5 years old.


Jessica, D2 and a staff member huddled together in discussion.
In the background, the girls were performing a dance to music for us.

The kids were disiplined and very well-behaved and responded to their teachers speedily and happily.
Here, they were told to sit to get ready for a game of " Chinese Whispers".

The faces of the children were radiant, contented and obviously happy.
This will always be to me an important yardstick of the measure of such a school.

Inculcating Right Values

The 1st day we visited the school, we used the connecting underpass which was specially made just for the school, to go across the main road [from underneath]. D2 and I were surprised by the kids who were prefects on duty near the exit. As any staff or teacher pass by them, they would greet these teachers in a most cheery manner. It was something I have not seen nor experience in Singapore. It certainly made me smile and gave me a positive uplift!

School begins at a civilised time of 8.30 am and continues to 12.30pm. There is a long lunch break until 2.30pm. Students are allowed to leave the school, go home to have their lunch or eat outside.I noticed many parents do come to pick up their kids during the lunch break. There is no need for a school canteen. Lessons continue after 2.30pm.

After each period or so, there is a 10 minute interval where pupils can go to the open areas to play, shoot ball, rest etc...

Here you can see some of the kids letting off steam between periods, at the basketball courts.

A Maths lesson in Wuhan

After the English lesson ended, a class of primary 3 kids came into the same lecture room. They looked as eager and lively as their older counterparts. We stayed where we were behind the last row of the class to observe the lesson.

The teacher came in and there was a pleasant, formal greeting between the pupils and herself.
In the meantime, the Technical assistant was trying his level best to set up the IT portion of her lesson for her but appeared to have encountered an unplanned problem.

I was observing how the teacher would handle such an unplanned obstacle.

If it happens to a trainee teacher under official observation during practical teaching assessment...the trainee usually panics. Profuse sweating is sure evidence of signs of fear and panic.

But wonder of wonders, I did not notice this teacher sweating or panicking at all. The little kids became restless and anxious in front of us. But like a Magician with a Magic Wand that always work, she was instantly aware of their rising fretfulness and immediately used her hands to beat out a couple of special claps. The response by the class was immediate as can be seen in

the centre picture. Every kid tilted his or her head and took a nap/rest.

When the technical problem was fixed, the lesson began.
There was disipline, order and respect shown by the young pupils for their teacher.



This lesson was carried out in Mandarin and was lively as well.

Again, I was impressed overall.

More pictures of the English Lesson

A long time ago, in the mid 60's, I started on my 2nd career as a teacher. Had to attend lectures on a range of professional subjects like Educational psychology, Principles of Education, Teaching Methods and Practice etc. etc...and then teach the other half of the day.
What I saw Julie, the English Teacher doing, jolted my memory of what I remembered learning during my early teaching years.
With young pupils, you need to inject some movement and activity into your lessons.
So, getting them to come forward is part of the technique of a good teacher. This is engaging them making the lesson come alive.
The others will not dare go to sleep knowing that at any time the teacher may call upon him or her to come forward to the board and provide some answers. Simple and brilliant ! Hey, any of you reading this think I must have forgotten my Principles of Teaching since it is more than 4 decades ago....better think again!

To get the children excited and animated about the lesson....the teacher MUST herself be similarly

excited and lively. Right?

Absolutely!

It was once said that a GOOD teacher is most likely a GOOD Entertainer, MAGICIAN, and SALESMAN all rolled into one.

So...WELL DONE JULIE !

We observe an English Lesson in Wuhan

After formally being introduced to the school at the morning assembly, we dropped in at Principal Zheng's main office and his 2 VPs to extend our greetings.
The school had prepared a programme for our visit. The 1st was a lesson observation of an English lesson in their lecture room.
This was conducted by Ms Julie to the combined group of exchange students.
The topic was ..."At The Circus".
What a lively teacher she was ! She got the children responding animatedly as she skillfully build on the topic. Not only did they learn names of animals but the difference between the word" Can" and " Can't ". It was an excellent lesson overall and we were all impressed.


I was even more impressed by the way and manner in which the Wuhan pupils answered and spoke English in response to their teacher Julie.

They were confident, lively and obviously very bright.

They were also eager learners and enthusiastic participants in the lesson throughout.

Julie, the teacher was standing closes to the screen. The other staff member was making an announcement...just before the lesson began.

Morning Assembly at the School

A typical morning at the #1 School. Parents dropped off their kids at the school entrance by cars, motor bikes, or bicycles while many walked on their own. Staff on duty helped out at that busy hour. I saw Principal Zheng busily supervising at the entrance..setting an excellent example!

I have decided to add as many snapshots as possible as I continue my blogs on the Singapore - Wuhan Student Immersion Exchange Programme 2008. The bilateral programme between GSPS and SGH #1 Primary School has been ongoing since its inception in 2005 and has been featured in Wuhan's local mass media/TV eversince.

Not surprising at all since both the schools involved are among the top schools in their respective country. The atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed and easy-going, the kids showing good disipline and order.