Day 5

This week has been so awesome and I really have to admit that, I have taken always so so much from this work experience program. Not only did I get to observe in a classroom where some amazing pedagogy has taken place, I was also blessed with the opportunity to work with SK students and bring to them a variety of musical experiences. Many thanks to Ms. Sara Billey, the teacher whom I worked with for letting such an inspiring teaching experience happen. I have learnt so much from classroom management to the art of story-telling, from resolving children’s conflicts to how to talk so kids will listen, and was even reminded the importance of being kind and responsible individuals, no matter how old you are. The opportunity to lead an activity on Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals”as well as musical performance and games percussion instruments are incredibly meaningful to someone like me aspiring to enter the field of Music Education. – Vivian Ng, with SK-6

This was my second year being a home room helper, during this week it made me realise again just how innocent and fun kids are. Almost all of them would run up to me or hug me in the morning when I went to pick them up downstairs in the playground. The best part about this week was going to recess with them. During recess the kids would all run up to me and start playing tag with me and would ask me to carry them. Overall this week was very valuable and worth it! – Kenny Lau, with SK-3

This experience week was very special and memorable being that it would be my last trip at TIS. Being in grade 12 and going down many grades reminds me of the time when I was in kindergarten. The kids embraced me with enthusiasm and interest and aside from the constant tugging and pulling, the kids were great. I am grateful for the opportunity to observe the kids and see how their day to day lives are like at TIS. Playing games like tag, Simon says and hide and seek really excited them and it was amazing to see how energetic and happy they were and honestly if I had the opportunity to do it again, I would. – Henry Lau, with SK-5

In my time this week helping out the PK 3, I noticed they are really energetic, enthusiastic, and obedient. Although sometimes they may be naughty and impatient, but with a little help from their teachers they perform perfectly. In today’s activities the PK showed their best attitude and behavior towards us. That really helped us a lot because we expected a chaotic situation, but it turned out well and controllable. The students all had fun and at the same time my partner and I also had a great time hosting the soccer activity. Overall I really enjoyed this week and I hope to do this again. – Brian Shea, with PK-3

As a grade twelve student, this would be the last time for me to attend to the school’s experience week program. Overall, this week was a really interesting experience. As I walked into the classroom on Monday, the students willingly approached towards me and asked me a lot of questions. With me being a total stranger towards them, they kindly offered to play with me during recess and to even sit with me during lunch. As amiable as they are, they reminded me of myself from about eleven years ago, when I was once a grade one student too. While interacting with the kids, I noticed how simple the kids are compare to us right now. Thus I was reminded of a quote that was famously said by Jean-Jacque Rousseau, “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.” When we were young, all we cared about was to do the right thing and to simply be happy. But as we grow up, we are exposed to many more things which changed our perspectives and it “chained” us to become more greedy and to be less caring about others. They say that the older you grow, the wiser you become. Ironically, whereas the adults keep the secrets and hatred to themselves, the grade ones are willing to express their feelings and will attempt to solve the problems. In the span of five days with the grade ones, I’ve learnt a lot from them. Their positivity have definitely transformed me in some way. – Penny Lei, with Grade 1-5

I remember how the week started with the kids whispering to each other and shooting me weird glances, feeling confounded by my presence. Yet today, I was attacked by hugs, “I love you’s”, drawings, and requests for me to “stay with them forever”. It is rewarding to witness a bond form between the kids and myself as I did put heart into teaching, playing, and taking care of them. I am grateful to have worked with SK-4 as they gave me a chance to return to a time when things were just simpler, purer, and everyone happier. – Nikki Ip, with SK-4

TIS Travel

Day 5

Macao, Macau