Given its remarkable progress and achievements, it is now a municipal-level model school in the whole of Beijing.
PS: Due to the extremely slow uploading of videos, for the 2nd half of my attachment, i am hosting my blog at the following URL:
Sunday, May 17, 2009
ZhongGuan-Cun Sec Sch(11): Sch Achievements
Friday, May 15, 2009
ZhongGuan-Cun Sec Sch(10): Staff & Student Profile
Currently, the school has a total of 87 classes (middle and high school), 320 teachers and over 3,400 students!
ZhongGuan-Cun(09): Chinese Language Lesson Observation
This is another district-level lesson observation (Chinese Language Lesson on Song Dynasty Poem) in the school's Recording Studio.
ZhongGuan-Cun(07): Wild Animals Exhibition Centre
This is perhaps the only exhibition hall of wild animals samples amongst schools in Beijing.
ZhongGuan-Cun Sec Sch(06): 1st-class facilities
A school with a conducive environment with first-class facilities (such as a recording studio, weather satellite, and various thematic exhibition centres for the school's history, and on values education, geography, science, maths etc).
Thursday, May 14, 2009
ZhongGuan-Cun Sec Sch(04): Parents' expertises
Harnessing on the parents' talents and expertises: most of the parents in the school are involved in scientific research. Hence, the school strategically taps on these parents' expertises and embarks on research projects for the students. In this way, in the process of assisting their children in their projects, the parents would contribute indirectly to the standard of such research projects.
ZhongGuan-Cun Sec Sch(03): niche programmes
With the understanding that the school could not compete with the students' intake (in terms of academic results) with these branded-schools, the school leaders strategically developed other niche areas of the school. Over the years, with more resources and effort channelled to these areas, the school has performed well in 3 areas, namely, Info-communication Technology & Science Research, Sports Education, as well as Arts Education.
This video features the Technology Exhibition Centre.
ZhongGuan-Cun Sec Sch(02): SWOT Analysis?
Yet, with a larger number of students, the school was not satisfied with that situation then. The school is located near a few prestigious feeder secondary schools (for Beijing and Qinghua Universities). Hence, with the understanding that the school could not compete with the students' intake (in terms of academic results) with these branded-schools, the school leaders strategically developed other niche areas of the school.
ZhongGuan-Cun Sec Sch(01)中关村中学: Sch History
1-day Visit to ZhongGuan-Cun Secondary (Middle and High) School中关村中学
The school was founded in the 1980s. It started as a relatively small school. In the 90s, 2 other schools (with decreasing intake of students) were closed down, and their students joined this school, hence increased the population of the school.
In this video, the Principal gave a presentation to us on the school's history and programme.
Music Lesson(06): Health-awareness Reminder
As seen in these few videos, instead of singing their folk songs, all of them sang those Hong Kong/Taiwan pop songs. A slight disappointment. But other than that, most of them were spontaneous, and can sing quite well. Their peers gave them support too.
At the end of the concert, the teacher facilitated by asking the student-representatives (from each row) to vote for their choice. As a result, the champion was selected. The prize? A piece of fragrant soap, as prepared and explained by the teacher, was to also remind them of the importance of maintaining good hygiene habits, especially in the light of the H1N1 flu. A timely reminder to all students. It is no wonder that the school is also recognised for it effort in Health Education.
Music Lesson(05): Classroom-Setting
In terms of the classroom-setting, though this so-called classroom converted music room does not come with any sound-proof walls, the basic facilities serve the needs of such lessons very well. These include microphones, multi-media players (as seen here in this video - girl singing using karaoke MP4), and surround speakers!
Music Lesson(04): Singapore Music
Contestant 2: a duet singing a love song, an original song by our very Singaporean singer Lin Junjie.
Humm... I felt quite proud being a Singaporean, for Singapore music is highly acclaimed here in China, especially in Beijing!
The quote by Beethoven (written on the board) is meaningful - the school believes that music (together with art) is also one important aspect of a holistic education.
Music Lesson(03): "The Moon Represents My Heart"
In this class-level mini-concert cum competition, student-participants stood in front of the class to sing the song they have selected.
Contestant 1: singing the all-time evergreen song "The Moon Represents My Heart".
Music Lesson(02): Student Emcee (student leadership & involvement in lesson)
To make the use of such skills practical, these students are given the opportunity to showcase what they have learnt in the previous lessons. This was done in the form of a class-level Mini-concert cum competition. A student emcee was identified to host and organised the event. This is another example where there is an conscious effort to create opportunities for students involvement in lessons as well as for student-leadership development.
Music Lesson(01): formal curriculum in high school
At high school, music is still part of the formal curriculum (1 period per week). The school believes that music (together with art) is also one aspect of the holistic education. During music lesson, the students learn basic music techniques/skills. In this lesson (Grade 10= Sec 4), the teacher started with some basic warming-up exercises.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
12May: Sichuan Earthquake(12/5/2008)
Today (12 May 2009), exactly one year after the Sichuan Earthquake, the school has commemorated this event, through some activities, so as to remind students of the important lessons that they can learn from this natural disaster.
Art Lesson(09)- Lesson Closure & Feedback
Towards the end of the lesson (last 3 minutes), selected students were called upon to display their posters.
Feedback was given by the school leader immediately after the lesson. In this case, the teacher was encouraged to improve on his time management (to give students more time for the assigned work, as well as more air-time for the selected students to showcase their work).
Art Lesson(07)- Use of Analogy
The use of analogy- "the gentle moonlight symbolises the gentle love of a mother."
How true!!!
Art Lesson(06)- Use of Contrast
The use of the Contrast technique: with the cultural background of the Chinese traditional tale of Chang'er (who resides in the Moon Palace) and her rabbit, the future space-man takes the form of a rabbit as well!
Art Lesson(05)- Use of Exaggeration
Student Interview: this student uses the technique of exaggeration- giving a total change of the outlook & structure of the rocket that we are used to know!
Art Lesson(04)- Assignment
Then came the assignment. The title given was a to design a poster about "China's first rocket to the moon".
Art Lesson(03): Ways to communicate a message in a poster
Sequence of the lesson (continued):
After giving a mini-lecture on "definition of a 'poster' as well as ways to communicate a message in poster design (eg using analogy, humour, exaggeration, contrast etc), the teacher got students to be involved in group discussion & presentation on their preferred way(s) to communicate a message in a poster.
Art Lesson(02): Poster Samples to Trigger Thinking
Sequence of the lesson: immediately after stating the lesson objectives, the teacher showed a series of good posters to trigger the students' thinking...
Monday, May 11, 2009
Management Committee Meeting(03)- Objectives of Progress Report
A chat with the Overall Party Secretary reveals that such Termly Progress Report Meetings is not just for the various programme owners to give a progress report. It is also part of assessment as well as for training and development!
In short, such progress report meetings serve the following purposes:
(1)a timely stage for programme owners (including the Principals -overseeing either the primary school and middle school sections) to give a report on their progress
(2) assessment of 'quality of thinking' based on the progress report presented
(3) platform for department heads to learn from the seniors (Principal and Secretary on management strategies and beliefs (related to the Party)
Management Committee Meeting(02)- Flow of Progress Report
This meeting was known as the Mid-Term Progress Report Meeting. It started with the Middle School Principal giving a progress report (reading word-for-word from her speech in the powerpoint slides) of the term (as seen in the video). This was followed by the rest, namely the Middle Sch Party's Secretary, and then the rest of the other HODs. The progress report, though it may seemed that there was no prescribed format, it consists of the following components:
(1) Singing praises and thanking the guidance of the overall Principal and the Overall Party's Secretary,
(2) Progress Report (management strategies, key achievements and progress of programmes under own charge), as well as
(3) Personal Reflections (personal thoughts, areas not done well, challenges, future plans, certain staff performance etc)
Management Committee Meeting(01) - Organisational Structure
Attended the weekly middle school's 'Management Committee' meeting, which is made up of the Middle School Principal,VP, the Party's Secretary and the HODs. The meeting is actually chaired by the Overall Principal and the Overall Party's Secretary (equal in rank with the Principal).
The Party's Secretary provides a connection between the Party and the school. Though the Principals in China schools are supposed to run the school, it is not unusual that they have some 'background' (connections) with the Party. In the case of this Overall Principal of Yuying School (Mr Ma Junyi), before he assume the role of Principal-ship, he was actually the former Overall Party's Secretary of the school!
Assembly(08)- Conducted by Student-Leader
The entire ceremony was conducted by a student-leader, giving command (to stand at attention or at ease) and instructions (assemble and dismissal). This is all about creating real opportunities for development of student leadership!
Assembly(07)- Announcement by Student Rep
Announcements during assembly are made entirely by student. In this video, this announcement concerning a community project in aid of the Si-chuan earthquake. Hence, the announcement was made by a student representative of this community project. Of course, selection of the right candidate (students who are able to speak clearly and confidently) is critical.
Assembly(06)- Speech by HOD Character Education
After the School Song, it was followed by a speech by the HOD Character Education. In conjunction with the one-year anniversary of the Sichuan Earthquake, she spoke emotionally about lessons to be learnt after this earthquake. Indeed, it is important to seize such teachable moments to talk about real life issues, as well as values and perspectives that shape the way we view life and death. That is how they make Character & Value Education comes alive!
Assembly(04)- National Anthem
The National Anthem (played on CD) was conducted by a student conductor. Generally, the staff and students sing their national song proudly (though there was a concern raised at the level coordinators' meeting that certain teachers are not showing the right example).
Assembly(02)- Flag Party march pass
Nope! This is not their National Day parade!
This is the school's weekly (every Monday morning) Assembly-cum-Flag Raising ceremony!
I was impressed by the Flag Party (comprises of only girls) who did the march pass (across the stage at the field, to the flag poles) in a proudly and smartly manner!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Assembly(01)- Getting Ready & Introduction
11May (Mon), during today's weekly morning assembly-cum-flag-raising, I was introduced to the entire school. Standing on stage (in front of the field) were, 3 other Principals from XinJiang. The lady in red is the Principal of the Middle School (secondary school) segment.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
This photo was taken at a MacDonald's restaurant during today's lunch.Wishing my mother: Happy Mother's Day!
09May-Shop(03)
This is the 'Beijing Book Complex', a huge building (5-6 levels) that sells all kinds of reading materials!
09May-Shop(02)
This shopping mall one is more... 'high-class', and it leads to a wide-bridge, which connects together all the major shopping centres! Amazing!
09May-Shop(01)
Shopping at one of the shopping centres. This one has numerous mini-stores at every level...
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Maths Lesson Observation(02)
Reflections on this Maths Lesson & the Lesson Observation:
Heavy emphasis on the understanding of the concept, including giving a definition of the equation, and going into the details of characteristics/features of such equations. In the process, the teacher does not reveal the definition/characteristics of such equations directly. Instead, students are guided to make their own deductions, through showing a few similar such equations, and subsequently contrasting them with other types of equations. In addition, beyond the right answers provided by the students, they are also asked to verbalise their rationale for their answers (to check deep understanding).
I was told that that was a normal lesson observation. Hence, the teacher did not print her lesson plan (unlike the previous one who printed and distributed to us at the doorway before the lesson). However, a chat with the VP reveals that amongst the observers of that lesson, there was a curriculum advisor serving the schools in the same district. Her role is to help teachers improve in their teaching of the subject in the schools. Yet, as such observations by curriculum advisors has been a very common practise of the schools (probably the better schools in Beijing), both teachers and students are used to such arrangement and the existence of external parties present within the classroom.
Maths Lesson- equation(1) 数学课－常规视学
This is a Grade 8 Maths lesson.
[pardon me, I have long forgotten all my Maths terms and knowledge, since… my Sec 4! In addition, the entire Maths lesson is conducted in Chinese, so my understanding of the content of the lesson is really minimal]
Beyond the terminologies and the complex content/formulae involved, my observations were simply based on my understanding of the flow of the lesson:
Step 1: show common samples of the same kind of questions/equations
Step 2: guide students to deduce the common features in those equations, eg in this case, all equations come with 1 unknown, and that unknown comes is to the power of 2.
Step 3: ask students to verbalise their understanding of the above
Step 4: get students to differentiate the difference between such equations with other types of equations
Step 5: show more complex questions, and get students to simplify the equation (not solving the equation) and deduce if they are of the similar form
Step 6: conclusion – summary of the lesson (features of such equation), and ask students to complete the assignments (solving such equations) at home.
Normal Classroom Setting课室环境
Observation 1
In a normal classroom setting, the classroom has an average 30 pupils. In fact, there is still sufficient space for teachers to sit in for lesson observations. There are additional desks/chairs placed in the classroom for this purpose. In this particular classroom, there are over 10 additional stools placed at the back of the classroom. While that do not take up much space, it is convenient for a good number of teachers to come into the class to observe lessons. I believe, such arrangement definitely promotes the culture of sharing and peer observation.
Observation 2
Metal storage cabinets for every pupil in the classroom - a standard feature in all classrooms. In this way, students do not have to move to the lockers (in our case, situated outside their classrooms, and may not be even on the same level/block) to take materials that they require, thereby cutting down movement time. Within the classroom, when everything is kept in their storage cabinets, the room is seen to be neat and tidy.
Friday Breakfast周五早餐－小笼包和馄饨汤
酒店旁的一条小巷子，有许多小吃店。今早吃了一笼现做现蒸的杭州小笼包（共十个，人民币４元，约新币$0.90），以及一碗现包现煮的馄饨汤（汤内有江鱼仔、青菜、紫菜，和十个小馄饨，人民币２元，约新币$0.45）。加起来，是新币$1.35!!!
Mini-mart's entry迷你超市的另一入口
From this entry to the mini-mart (where there's really heavy traffic after school hours), it is a pharmacy, then some mini-stores selling food... as well as a dry-clean/laundary counter.
Mini-mart outside school学校外的迷你超市
A mini-mart, just located outside the school that I am attached to. Hence, as expected, it is frequently & heavily patronised by the students, esp after school!
Level Coordinators' Meeting(03) 年级组长会议
Issues shared during this meeting/seminar are quite basic. They are basically the role & duties of a level coordinator. No wonder some of them looked quite... 'disengaged'.
:)
Level Coordinators' Meeting(02) 年级组长会议
This so-called meeting took a similar form (like those sharing session), where the head of the level coordinator gave an introduction, then followed by one/two pre-identified person(s) to conduct the sharing. The rest? They play their role as audience very well!
:)
Level Coordinators' Meeting(01)
Level Coordinators' Meeting: obviously, this was attended by all the level coordinators. However, other than the level coordinators, the meeting was also 'observed' by not just external parties like us (a few of us on attachment), the other observers are... their school leaders (taking a 'back seat') such as their Principal and the Secretary. But they do not participate in the meeting at all! They are purely 'observers', taking down notes of who says what.
Enrichment Forum02
My reflection: such "Enrichment Forum" (conducted immediately after lunch) is indeed a good platform that serves a few purposes; for teachers to have ownership to conduct such talks based on their own interests/expertises, & for students to gain a better understanding of the richness of the Chinese culture!
Enrichment Forum 教师讲坛：对联
Such enrichment forum is a regular feature of the curriculum conducted by teachers for pupils of the entire level. This one that I attended was on 'duilian'. The speaker (a CL teacher) gave a comprehensive talk which covers the history of this Chinese form of writing to the 'practical aspect' of this art form (past years' examination questions on duilian). Relevant samples of duilian were shared, indicating different writing styles. During the second segment of the forum, the speaker invited pupils to think on the spot to complete the duilian given. Hence, there was pupils' involvement and good interaction with the speaker. A few students were spontaneous to give their answers. The rest of the others were generally supportive.
This video shows the students reciting the duilian together.
Same school attachment: Educators from Xinjiang与新疆教师一同考察
Attended an Enrichment Forum in their Reading Room (which can accomodate pupils of the same level, of more than 300 pupils). Apart from me, there are teachers from Xinjiang who are here in this school for attachment as well! See, the ladies besides me, are from Xinjiang! Told her that Xinjiang is one of the places in China that I have not been to and would love to be there. Then she said "pls come & visit us!"
:)
Maths Dept Sharing 03: Consolidation by Master Teacher
Subsequently (following the report done by the 3 Maths teachers), a Master Teacher (serving several schools depending on the needs of the schools, as well as individual schools' request) consolidated some common points (strengths and AFIs) based on her prior interaction (observation & discussion) with these 3 teachers. While most of her comments are affirmative (such as the efforts put into developing strategies in the design of the lesson, and the ability to guide pupils to analyse and answer the questions), she highlighted several key issues on assessment:
(a) The rationale of assessment review (Post-CA) lessons: to reinforce knowledge learnt, to correct misunderstanding, as well as to deepen the level of understanding and application.
(b) The time-factor in assessment review lesson: sufficient effort required in lesson design & preparation, and sufficient time to be given to pupils in reflection of their assessment, as well as
(c) Content of lesson: guiding principles for selection of the content (assessment questions to go through) in such lesson.
Before she ended her sharing, the Master Teacher highlighted the following points:
(1) Principles/processes involved in from getting pupils to "answer", to "answer correctly", and then to "answer all similar questions correctly",
(2) The importance of going beyond the mistakes made by pupils in the assessment paper, and(3)The importance of going beyond that particular (post-CA) lesson: so as to further check pupils' new/higher level understanding of the topics tested!
Maths Dept Sharing02: Sharings by teachers from different grades
This Maths Dept Sharing Session (after the HOD's introduction) was followed by report-sharing by 3 teachers who are teaching the 3 different levels (grades 7, 8 & 9). Common strategies used by these teachers when they went through the assessment paper include:
(a) Highlighting common mistakes made by most pupils,
(b) Showing sample answer scripts to all pupils (to generate open discussion), &
(c) Getting students to verbalise their rationale for giving a certain solution for a particular question in the assessment paper (to check their understanding).
All 3 teachers ended their sharing with a personal reflection of the lesson that they had conducted. Such reflections were largely self-evaluative. However, one particular teacher went beyond that. His reflection was based on students' feedback of the lesson, as well as students' performance in a subsequent assessment paper after that lesson!
Maths Dept Sharing: Post-CA Lesson(01) Objectives 数学分享会
Attended a sharing session conducted by the middle school Maths Department. The topic is on "How to conduct a Post-CA Lesson". Prior to this sharing, all pupils across all grades had sat for a mid-term assessment paper (just before the 1st-4th May Golden Week break). Immediately after the holiday break, the teachers returned the marked scripts to the students, and went through the answers with them during lessons. The nature of this sharing was to discuss about the do's and don'ts when conducting the Post-CA lesson.
The session commenced with the head of the middle school Maths Department establishing the rationale of this sharing session, and highlighted the importance of going through the assessment paper properly with the pupils so that quality feedback can be given and all pupils learn from their mistakes.
数学分享会：如何进行试卷讲评
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
EL Dept Term-Report Meeting 英文部门期末报告会议
Attended the English Language Department Termly-Report Meeting. The nature of this meeting was for teachers from the EL Dept teaching Grades 7, 8 & 9 to come together to do a work progress report and discussion. The scope of the report (by the 3 level coordinators) covers the following areas:
(1) Resource preparation
(2) Programme (eg enrichment programme) progress, including preparation of pupils for competitions
(3) Pedagogy research progress (by small teams of teachers)
(4) Announcement of teachers having attended pedagogy/content-based seminars
(5) Exam papers setting
(6) Class progress based on assessment grades (MSG)
(7) Individual pupil's progress, esp pupils that require special attention (behavioural/learning difficulties), as well as
(8) Challenges faced in any of the above mentioned areas
The entire meeting as well as the report of the level coordinators was conducted in Chinese. Perhaps this serves as a reminder for our schools that language-learning should not deviate from its practical use, especially the spoken language. The awareness of creating an environment, as well as leveraging on any opportunity for the use of the language is essential as well, especially for language teachers who are the role-models of pupils learning the same language.
Post-Lesson Forum课后研讨会
Immediately after that Chinese Language lesson, all of us (teacher-observers) moved over to another room for a Post-mortem Forum with the CL teacher. This forum is facilitated by a Master Teacher of the school. The forum began with the Master Teacher giving the background of the lesson (eg prior knowledge of the pupils for that particular lesson: techniques in descriptive essay-writing). This was followed by the CL teacher sharing her thoughts on the rationale of having her lesson designed in such a manner. Then the floor was opened for teacher-observers to give feedback on her lesson. Most of them were very forthcoming and frank in giving their views. It was a good balance of both affirmative comments (such as the variety of classroom activities planned), as well as suggestions for improvement (eg the need to provide further guidance in helping pupils to see from different perspectives, thereby allowing deeper understanding and appreciation of the objects that they observe and describe/write about). The CL teacher was open to feedback, and acknowledged instantly to most of the relevant suggestions. The focus of the entire discussion has been on the learning impact at the pupils' end. The Master Teacher further invited teacher-observers who did not speak up to contribute to the discussion. Attention was also given to teachers who are from the other 8 schools and had not contributed to the discussion. As a result, the discussion was, to a large extent, an in-depth one, due to the wealth of experience of teachers, from the different schools and various background of students that they are teaching.
District-level CL Lesson Observation海淀区视学
A regular Lesson Demonstration-cum-Observation platform established at the district level (within Haidian district). This is a Chinese Lesson, conducted by a relatively young teacher, attended by about 30 students, and observed by more than 20 teachers from 9 middle (secondary) schools [including Yuying School] within Haidian district, in the same classroom! Noticed that video-camera! Must be stressful for the teacher!
Mass PE for whole school全校一起做早操！
Over 2000 pupils and staff doing mass PE together, everyday, for about 30minutes in the morning. The school has won numerous First Grade Award in this mass PE competition!
School Mission 学校愿景
School Mission: Aiming at the development of the students, the school offers quality education; aiming the development of the school, the school cultivates competent people for the country
学校愿景：以学生发展为本，培养服务社会的合格人才；以学校发展为本，提供社会需求的优质教育
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
In the VP's room在副校长室内
在副校长室内：这张白色的小桌子就是我的办公桌
In the VP's room: the white desk is my working station :)
毛泽东毛主席在５０年代为该校题字（“好好学习”）
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
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