Big Bad Wolf Book Fair is a book utopia for book hunters, parent and children. The children books activity books are in good quality. We are very excited to have the book fair near our area. We visited the book fair to find interesting book for Chen.
Augmented Reality (AR) Children Books
AR are usually related to Pokemon Go game. The Pokemon character become realistic and animated in the phone camera background. However, how does it related to children book?
Chen is listening to the story through Magic Hippo app and book.
For young parent like us, we need some guide. AR books provide us the platform to guide Chen. Rather just give Chen watch Youtube on smartphone. it is better for us to read and interactive with Chen. It is another kind of family bonding time
We guide Chen in counting the number of strawberries.
I spend RM282 on big bad wolf book fair. That include 5 AR books. I look forward to have fun with my zon.
I do enjoy one quote from the Introduction of the book. The authors mentioned that
‘EVERY STUDENTS deserves the opportunity to develop their talents and life skills, which will provide the best opportunity for them to EXCEL in life.’ (Johnson & Sessions, 2015, p.1).
In reality, education values testing and making sure all students act and think alike. Reading and counting do matter a lot for students. However, character is just as important when it comes to being a productive citizen.
The summary of 20 ways to help students to EXCEL:
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1) Promote Leadership
There are 5 traits or talents that are considered as key components of leadership. These include intelligence, integrity, determination, self-confidence and sociability. Teacher need to identify one of the traits in each student. As that traits can be the starting pointing for the student. Teacher need to inform the job expectations for each group member before each project or activities. These will help the group member to develop their skills within the job expectations and become the leader in that task.
2) Allow competition
Personal competition allows students to compete with themselves and to reach personal goals. Renaissance Learning and the Accelerated Reading Program can help students to enhance reading skills. Students have a set of period time to reach their own goal while also being aware of others’ progress.
3) Help Boys Become Reader
Boys claim reading becomes less enjoyable as they become older. Thus, let boys choose their own reading material. Programming coding apps such as Hopscotch, Tynker or Code Academy are encouraged for boys. These apps help boys in problem solving and strategize. While, girls prefer to write their own creative narrative stories using apps such as Scribble Press, Write About This or Book Creator. Who know this can help them to become the next JK Rowling
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4) Inspire Creativity
Incorporate divergent thinking when appropriate. Divergent thinking considers how a learner can use different ways to approach a problem.
5) Encourage Meaningful Engagement
6) Help Students Find Their Voices
Give students a chance to do public speaking. It is a good activity to practice their speech, pronunciation, and body gesture.
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7) Incorporate Edutainment and Pop culture
Edutainment is connecting the learning in the classroom to the real world in a fun and meaningful way. However, the content must be age-appropriate and fits within any regulations the school has developed.
8) Motivate toward Excellence
Challenge students so they feel a sense of accomplishment. Muscle can only grows when it works against resistance.
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9) Hold Students Accountable and Responsible
10) Foster Perseverance and the Ability to Learn from Failure
11) Don’t Childproof Education
A student’s education is a team work between student, parent and teacher. All parties must do their parts and corporate with each other. Parents should not help their children to do their work. Teacher need to be a guidance and mentor, rather than let the chalk do the talking.
12) Instill Vigor
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13) Model Flexibility
Set guidelines for communicating with students, parents and other teachers. This will help them know when you will respond to them. They will feel validated and you will not be aspect to be available at every whim. Flexibility is what enables individuals to generate new ways to solve a problem, adapt to changes in routines and adjust to the unexpected.
14) Create Kids of Character
15) Integrate Technology
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16) Promote Teamwork
Group work and teamwork are two different characteristics and goals. Team building us a skill for the future. Provide feedback and work on team-building skills to help students grow and improves as teammates.
17) Teach effective communication
18) Instruct the Individual
19) Authenticate the Relationships
Relationships are built on respect and communication. Teachers are powerful role models in regards to relationships
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20) Merge the Real World into the classroom
Finding meaningful ways to bring in professionals, guest speakers or incorporate careers into the academic content area. Encourage students to become the best “self” they can be regardless of their interests. Remember if all students are able to develop to their full potential, then they will be happier and more successful in the real world. It is never too early to build the foundation of skills needed for success and the pursuit of excellence.
Conclusion, the different teaching methods are stated in the books with great detail. Some of the methods are applicable in Malaysia education context. Hopefully, with all these methods, teachers and students can improve too.
References
Johnson, B., & Sessions, J. (2015). What schools don’t teach: 20 ways to help students excel in school and life. New York: Routledge.
The yearly book list is inspired by Bill Gates. He has a blog category named “Books”. I wish to be an inspiration person like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Thus, I will start a new blog category too. It has the same category name as Gates Notes. It is named “Book” category.
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Inside Steve’s Brain by Leander Kahney
The author analyses Steve Jobs’s behavior and attitudes toward his career. Apple is a big computer brand in the world. Although I am an Android supporters, I can’t help admire the design detail and user friendliness in Mac product. The book mentioned on the cult of personality that surrounds Jobs to unearth the secrets to his unbelievable results. Key lessons from this book:
Don’t get emotional. Access your company’s problems with a cool, clear head
Get informed; don’t guess. Make a thorough inspection of the company and base your decision on data, not hunches. It’s tough but fair.
Avoid Osborne effect. Keep the new goodies secret until they’re ready to ship, lest customers stop buying the current stuff while wait for the new stuff.
Don’t listen to your customers. They don’t know what they want.
Don’t consciously think of innovation
Be flexible.Jobs dropped a lot of long-cherished traditions that made Apple special and kept it small.
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Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas
A romance genre novel was written by Lisa Kleypas. The story is on the chemistry and struggling between 2 protagonists. The author created a wonderful male character which is masculine, assertive and strong. Yes, I do enjoy fantasy. This book has wake the romantic desire inside of me.
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Disney U: How Disney University Develops the World’s Most Engaged, Loyalty and Customer-Centric Employees by Doug Lipp
Disney theme park is one of the most sought after theme park in the world. I do not have the chance to visit Disneyland yet. However, the services of Disneyland is very engaging and customer-centric. This book mentioned on the training and orientation program invented by Van France. His orientation program focus on 4 values.
Innovate
Support
Educate
Entertain
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Why Study Smart? A Teenager’s Guide to Academic Success by Teo Aik Cher
The book discussed on the different type of learners and study methods. I summarised into a table format.
Types of learners
Common phrases
Strategies
Visual Learners
· Let’s see how this works
· I can picture it clearly
· Let’s look at it from another point of view
· Organize the information you require in tables and diagrams to help you understand and remember them
· Mind mapping will be useful for you.
· When it comes to note –taking, make sure that the important points are highlighted or made obvious to you
Auditory Learners
· That does ring a bell
· That sounds right
· I get it loud and clear
· Read aloud the information that is found in your notes or books because you learn best through listening
· Try to engage in meaningful discussions in class or in study groups
· Auditory stimulation helps. The important thing is that the music should aid in learning and not DISTRACT.
Kinaesthetic Learner
· I need to get a grip on this
· That feels about right to me
· I do have a good feeling about this
· Instead of sitting down, stand and move around when studying. Of course, try to stay on a room when you do this.
· Give yourself stretch breaks to keep your mind active.
· Make your notes using different coloured pens and highlighters to keep your hands busy.
Logical learners
· That seems logical
· Let’s follow the process and procedure
· Let’s see if there’s a pattern
· Use mind maps
· Use flow charts
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This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas
A romantic with some fantasy leisure read for married couple. In my opinion, the story will spice up your marriage life. On the other hand, Mr. Ang was shock with the content. He was not able to read finish. He mentioned that man prefer visual effect over reading.
Conclusion, I hope to apply the knowledge in my daily life.
PS: I learn more English vocabulary from romance genre novel,
