My Students’ Achievements

Saturday, 12 December 2009. Our school went to Safari Park, Bogor to have end term learning journey. It supposed to be a (quite) short trip, but unexpectedly, one bus got trouble on its way home. The other bus has to wait for it, included me as one of the teacher. My bus, number 2, has reached school quite early. Some students being picked up by their parents already, but the other were still around, waiting for their children to be brought home.

I stayed at school to accompany some parents who were ready to pick up their children. My phone went off already. It’s my birthday and a lot of messages and b’day greeting came in from my friends. I replied to most of them and the battery on my phone dropped down so quickly. By the time I need it, it went off So I just spent the time by chit-chatting with some parents. 30 minutes after midnight, bus number 3 arrived, brought the rest of my students, included some of the choir members who will perform in the morning.
Sunday morning, 13 December 2009, around 7 in the morning, the choir team members, 8 primary girls, came to school one by one to prepare their performance. Two teachers plus one parent soon be busy putting some make up on them and set their costumes. They rehearsed the vocal and their movement. I take a part on it actively. Ready or not, they have to perform.
Meanwhile, I have to lead 4 other secondary students, all girls, to participate in painting competition. Actually it’s a competition on decorating traditional umbrella. They consulted with me about some ideas on how to decorate the umbrella. I gave them some ideas and tips, but later on they have to do things by themselves. I know they could.They have the ability and willingness, that’s why I chose them.
We went to location using 2 vans, and get ready for each of our activities. The choir team performed quite well. They are very pretty in their black and yellow costumes. Their performance was not as good as the final rehearsal. I think they had stage fright, so they were not performed on their best capacity. Considering what they had done just hours before, I think they were good enough. They got a trophy as the promising 1 champion. Not bad…
And for the drawing competition, two of 4 from my students got award and prize, with no rank position. Their drawings are included in 10 of the best artworks. Congratulation, my girls. I’m proud of you all. May this achievement become a trigger to reach greater achievements in the future. Insya Allah.

Manasik Hajj and Aidil Qurban

Our school held two events connected to Aidil Adha occasion. The first one is Manasik Hajj, where the students were taking part on that activity. Not every students… just Kindergarten 2 students, Primary 5 & 6, and Secondary 2 & 3.

It was held on Thursday, 5 November 2009 in our school area. The students and some teachers were wearing white clothes which is called ihram garment, just like when they are doing ihram for real. They did all processions of Hajj, starting from shalat sunnah Ihram in school’s mushalla. After that they are heading to “Arafah” while keep reciting talbiyah, continued by mabit (stay) in “Muzdalifah ” and get some pebbles for jamarat activity. Continuing their journey, they did mabit in “Mina ” and throw the stones on jamarat procession. They went to “Makkah,” did thawaf, sa’i, and tahallul qubra (trimming hair).  They also did thawaf wadha before they leave Makkah. All these processions were being led by Ms. Anne, the only teacher who has had perform Hajj before, when she studied in Al Azhar Cairo, Egypt.

It was a great activity. The students were enthusiastic. They were joyfully take part in this activity. The other also being inspired, may someday we would be able to do the real processions of Hajj/pilgrimage, the holy trip to Makkah. Insya Allah.

The other activity being held in our school was the sacrifying of the sheep or cow. Cooperate with other parties under management of Kota Baru Parahyangan (KBPa), the whole process took place in our school area, in the back yard

There were three cows and more than 40 sheeps being slaughtered. School staffs, along with the students and KBPa’s staffs were busy chopping off the meat, bone and fat, also packing it in plastic bags to be distributed to people in need.

This activity was done by 3 PM, made us tired but releaved, that we can do it in our community. May Allah please with us, and draw us closer to His blessing. Amiin.

Australian Souvenir

This term, we have one Australian boy in our school. He takes some subjects in Secondary 3, included Art & Culture. One of the projects we are doing in the classroom is simple sculpturing. Students are encouraged to carve a bar of soap to become 3D object. I want them to calculate the shape, imagine it in their minds and carve it to create one piece of artwork.

They surely thinking of different kind, but none of them think of make something connected to traditional culture –as I have always encouraged them to- . Not even Patrick, the Australian boy. Instead of making a shape of koala bear (ooh… I know it’s a difficult thing) as an Australian icon, he doesn’t make any handmade souvenirs from Australia either. Not even boomerang, as one of aboriginal art and aboriginal symbols (I know that will be too easy ). Then I just leave them make whatever they can.

Browsing for website of Australian souvenir, I found this, http://www.australiasouvenir.com where I can see various kinds of Australian souvenirs and Aboriginal Art being offered online. It’s interesting. One of my favourite is stuffed koala bear, a cute one. Wish I can have it

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Padang, We Care

This year, there are many earthquakes hit Indonesia. One of the biggest was happened in Padang area in West Sumatera province. More than 1000 people died while other thousands are injured. Some other were lost, never been found. Many houses and buildings are ruined and even collapsed, included one of the finest hotel in Padang, Ambacang Hotel.

We held fund-raising event to collect money from students and parents, and teachers as well, and all the money was donated to Padang earthquake’s victim.

Similar with last year’s project, I arranged a student’s project to share our empathy for those victims. We made a simple poster as individual work. It is an introduction to Silk-screen printing concept, and the students make simple artwork based on that skill. The theme for this assignment is “Padang, We Care” while last year’s project was entittled “Love for Gaza“.

Here is some of their best works:

by Nita-Sec 1 0910

by Dina, Sec 1 0910

by Esty-S1 0910

My First Trophy

After the long waiting, finally the dateline met its limit. I managed to maintain another blog to  take a part on a blog writing competition held by Pusat Bahasa, but organized by balaibahasabandung.web.id. The blog must focus on language or literature, and it has to be written in Indonesian. I named the blog bahasamania.blogspot.com. I keep maintain and updated the postings quite regulary, and there are more than 10o postings in it. I wrote some of them, noted/copied from other source, included quote of the day.

At the end of October, the announcement came up. My blog announced as the promising 1 winner from 383 participants. Alhamdulilah. From 6 of the winner, I am the only woman. Does it represents of the amount of blogger women in the cyber world? Maybe not. It might be just a number, anyway.

I got the prize, certain amount of money (in Indonesian currency, surely) plus a trophy. It is my first trophy ever. Really. I won some competitions before, but never get any trophy before. Medal, maybe. Certificate, surely. Prizes too. But this is my first trophy. I hope it will lead to other winnings, prizes, and trophies as well.

From My Lovely Students

My mother passed away on 7th November after hospitalized for more than two weeks, struggled with stroke that paralyzed her. I was off from school for several days, leave my poor students (and colleagues, for sure). Why poor? Because I am the only Art teacher, other teacher could not replacing my work. How would they teach the students to sing when they don’t know the song, yet sing the song “correctly”? How would they teach the students to make such an artwork when they don’t know the method on making the artwork?

Made by Puteri-P5

Well… anyway, my colleagues teacher could find another program so my students still do some activities when I was off from school. They make greeting cards for me and my late mother. Those are such beautiful works. They made it beautifully, and it represent the students’ feeling, their empathy for me, their teacher. Thank you, my dear students (and colleagues, for sure)

Made by Jasmine Nur-P2

Eid Greeting Cards

The last weeks of school days, I set similar assignments for my students. They have to make Eid greeting cards. Ya, this short tem ends at mid-Ramadhan. They will have their Eid holiday soon, and I want them to arrange their own Eid greeting card to send it to their loved ones. I think it will be the best time for them to make their own, hand-made greeting cards. Every level/class surely has its own difficulty.

Primary 1 made a simple card. Each pupil applied colours on to an Islamic image, cut and paste it on a construction paper. Add some short greetings and decoration, and their greeting card are done.

Primary 2 made a similar card with Primary 1. In this level they have to draw their own picture on a piece of paper, cut and paste the drawing on a construction paper. After adding some greetings written inside the card, its ready to be delivered to their loved ones.

Primary 3 have done assignments with textures on surfaces, so they choose one of their best collection of pattern of the texture, cut and paste in on construction paper, and add a simple greeting on the cover using simple collage technique.

Primary 4 were doing alright with pattern and repetition. Their greeting cards are decorated with cut pattern from coloured paper. Additional greetings also written inside the card. Most of their cards are nice.

Primary 5 created a simple pop-up greeting card. Apply the concept of simple origami, they make their card nicely, guided by the teacher.

Primary 6 made a simple greeting card using mix-media to colour/decorate it. First, they have to draw a simple picture on their card using crayon. Finished with that, they have to apply a layer of another colour using poster colour. It will make a beautiful combination for their greeting card.

Secondary 1 just finished with their exploration using pencil to draw the nature. So their greeting cards are decorated with their drawing using pencil on the shade of grey. Combined with simple pop-up art-works inside, they can make very interesting greeting cards of their own.

Secondary 2 were having great time with their calligraphic writing. Some of them have chosen the most beautiful (and quite difficult) style of calligraphic writing to write their Eid greeting. Very nicely done.

Secondary 3 were struggling with detail instruction on how to make an “animated” greeting card. Some of them were only half-done on making it. Well… since they brought the manual home, I hope they can finish it at home. As an additional assignment, I told them to get an internet access and search for a free e-card site. They have to search for one suitable Eid greeting card, add a personal message on it (they can change the font style, background colours etc to personalize it) and send one Eid greeting for me.

Eid Mubarak to you all. May Allah pours His blessings upon us.

BIG Reminder From Allah

We were still at school that day, just a few minutes before 3 PM. Some students have been picked up by their parents, but there are still many students left in the school area and the teachers for sure. Suddenly, the building was shaking, and it keeps on going, even stronger. It was surely a big earthquake. Scared and a bit panic, everybody rushed out to the ground, downstairs, passed the joint of the buildings which was tearing apart. Just some dust and sands, but it was really scary. I’m afraid that the building would fall down. We hold each other, keep our students next to ourselves, some of us keep their most belonging things, and I believe all of us hold to our heart, to remember Allah The Al Mighty. Takbir and tasbih were recited in whispers and out loud. Everybody remember Allah that day.

It was Wednesday, September 2nd 2009, a big earthquake hit Indonesia. The epicentre was offshore, 115 km south-west of Tasikmalaya, with magnitude 7,3 Richter scale. That is huge!!!

The next day, people were doing their business regularly, although still fear of the upcoming (predicted) earthquake. But this BIG reminder of Allah in Ramadhan was just being ‘ignored’ as it has passed by anyway.

In the evening, young people keep doing show of affection in public. I still see people holding hands and hugging to each other on the street or other common room/spaces. And even worse, some of people who are doing this were wearing headscarf!! What a shame. They do it in this holy month Ramadhan, and they do it just after the big warning from Allah through the earthquake.

People back to their habit, eating in the restaurant in midday. And some of them are muslim. Yes… some of them are muslim ladies wearing headscarf, that’s how we know that they are muslim. We know that in a certain period of time, a woman can’t do fasting nor pray, included in Ramadhan month. But that is not an excuse to eat in front of public during the day.

Whoever fasts one day seeking the pleasure of Allâh, if that is the last day of his life, he will enter Paradise. (Reported by Ahmad, 5/391; Sahîh al-Targhîb, 1/412)

Is that what they really want to do if that would be their last day of life? Hmm… I’m not sure.

People, usually children, light fireworks at night, instead of praying tarawih. It could be very noisy at night or after subuh. The youngsters in the neighbourhood are gather and have fun together, lighting fireworks and enjoy the noise of it, while the other are searching for peace. Sometimes I become so impatient and really want to snap at them, telling them to move far away, and let the neighbourhood in silent peace.

Others are keep doing their bad habit, gossiping. People are talking about certain people –mostly celebrities- with their hot gossips which are announced publicly on the newspapers and infotainment.

“Whosoever does not abandon false speech and the acting upon it, Allah is not in need of him leaving off his food and drink.” (Sahîh al-Bukhârî, Abu Dawûd, at-Tirmidhî and Ibn Mâjah)

What a BIG reminder that Allah has given us just a few days ago. May people take a lesson from it, to return and walk in Allah’s path, to get HIS blessings. Allah’s blessing is not far, it lays in our good deeds and sincere intention.

Ramadhan This Year…

Encouraging
As a teacher in lower Primary, I think it is extremely important to be a good motivator and a good model for my students. This year, I was assigned to be Primary 2 form teacher. They are such nice kids. Well… ya… some of them are very energetic and ‘creative’ (if I can’t say disobedient and a bit naughty :p), but the other are so clever, diligent, obedient and smart. They like to hear stories before we pray, and that is the time when I can tell them many many good things as sample in life. They can hear the story, learn from it, and inspired to become a better person. Insya Allah.
I encourage my students to do fasting. Before Ramadhan, I asked them question whether they would like to perform full fasting during Ramadhan month or not. Some of them are very eager to do so, and can’t wait for Ramadhan to come. They want and still need praises, acknowledgement to their achievement. Some of them are not too eager, even doubt themselves, whether they are able to do fasting through the day or not. Still… I encourage them to do fasting, at least until 2 PM, when they are at school. One day, they will be proud of themselves who keep fasting day by day during Ramadhan month, although it must be very hard and challenging. But they will be proud someday, that they are able to do fasting for the whole month during Ramadhan.

Activities During the Day
After subuh, when students are not going to school, it will be good to have many activities. Give them sample that we, the parents, do activities as well, instead of back to sleep after shalat subuh. If helping the parents do house cleaning is too tiring for the children, give them books so they can read quality stories to start the day. It will be even better to recite quran together with the whole family member. When I’m still a little kid back then, I used to play board games with my sisters. It was fun, and not tiring at all. Close to maghrib, I read a lot, play another game, or watch TV. Yeah… yeah… I know sometimes TV stations do not provide qualified TV program for children, what a pity… Then let’s prepare our own dishes for breaking the fast instead.

Perform Break Fasting together
Maghrib is the time when children are very eager to wait for it to come. They (as I did so a long time ago, when I was still a kid) like to prepare many sweet dishes to break their fast. Assorted fruits in sweet cold syrup could be their favourite. It will be very refreshing to have it in the evening to break our fast. Kolak, a special Indonesian dish, will be nice to become appetizer after fasting for a day. Banana or sweet potato, boiled in sweet liquid of mixture of water and brown sugar. Add some coconut milk, hmm… warm or cold, it will be delicious. Waiting for maghrib, will be a pleasant moment when children gather together and playing around so they won’t feel their hunger. Another pleasure for children is when they have a chance to help their parents to prepare the dish for ifthar/break the fasting. Let them prepare the dishes, and help themselves to serve other. Through these activities, they learn how to share and being empathetic as well. What a great reward we can get from these activities.
May this Ramadhan be better than the previous one. May Allah shower us with His blessings throughout the holy month, and be cleaned to embrace Syawal. Let us meet another Ramadhan to get the beauty and all good things we can get during the blessing month. May Allah please us. Amiin.

Run, Forrest, Run!

I received newsletter from Chickensoupforthesoul.com and find this interesting compotition. I guess this is one of the composition in one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Series. Better to share it here in my blog before I buy the book myself.

Forrest Gump and St. Peter When Forrest Gump died, he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter said, “Welcome, Forrest. We’ve heard a lot about you.” He continued, “Unfortunately, it’s getting pretty crowded up here and we find that we now have to give people an entrance examination before we let them in.” “Okay,” said Forrest. “I hope it’s not too hard. I’ve already been through a test. My momma used to say, ‘Life is like a final exam. It’s hard.’ ” “Yes, Forrest, I know. But this test is only three questions. Here they are.” 1) Which two days of the week begin with the letter ‘T’? 2) How many seconds are in a year? 3) What is God’s first name? “Well, sir,” said Forrest, “The first one is easy. Which two days of the week begin with the letter ‘T’? Today and Tomorrow.” St. Peter looked surprised and said, “Well, that wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but you have a point. I give you credit for that answer.” “The next question,” said Forrest, “How many seconds are in a year? Twelve.” “Twelve?” said St. Peter, surprised and confused. “Yes, sir. January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd …” St. Peter interrupted him. “I see what you mean. I’ll have to give you credit for that one, too.” “And the last question,” said Forrest, “What is God’s first name? It’s Andy.” “Andy?” said St. Peter, in shock. “How did you come up with ‘Andy’?” “I learned it in church. We used to sing about it.” Forrest broke into song, “Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am His own.” St. Peter opened the gate to heaven and said, “Run, Forrest, Run!”

Learning from the article, we can see that Forrest Gump has given smart answers to St. Peter, shows that he is a creative person, although he was described as a rather autistic person. He is willing to think out of the box and find other alternatives for certain questions.  Good for you. Run, Forrest, Run…!