Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Sejarah (History) for SPM

Since Sejarah is a compulsory subject for SPM, I need to motivate Fauzan to love Sejarah. But, before that I need to understand what is in the syllibus. There is a blog by Cikgu Zamri - Cikgu Sejarah. I found useful information on syllibus, trial SPM exam etc. http://cikgusejarah.blogspot.com/2008/12/download-huraian-sukatan-pelajaran.html

I am now reading and try to understand what is required for SPM including the exam scheme. At the same time, I required Fauzan to read at least two chapters a day and tell me the story in the two chapters. It was difficult at first because he tends to tell general story but later he started to explain in detail. Not bad, he understand the story and what he read, but why cant he answer the exam? I went through his final exam answers. Now, I know that he failed to answer properly and the word that he used for answers are mostly inappropriate. He also could not answer the objective part properly. Hmm.. because of that my next strategies are to get sample questions of SPM and ask him to practice as much as possible. But how to persuade him doing that with full of interest?

Monday, November 15, 2010

Honda Service Center Sri Kembangan

I'm still at Honda Service Centre since 10am. Long que. Now is 12.43 and my accord still not being serviced. Some pics at Honda Service Centre:




While waiting, my head is busy thinking about my son's exam result - how to improve his grade??? The analogy is like servicing a car. I have to service my son's mind, remind him that his focus is now is SPM 2011. I have to ensure that his mind and body is in good condition and ready for the exam. Nothing else. The objective is that to ensure that he has a smooth journey to his future. Similar to a car. In order to ensure a smooth driving or journey, you have to make sure that the car is in good condition.

I've contacted Cikgu Fauzi, expert in Add Math and Physics. Recommended by a friend. He arranged intensive class for Add Math, Chemistry and Physics this school holiday. Lucky, only two places available. Registered Fauzan for the class. Settle! He is going to attend 6 weeks intensive class with cikgu Fauzi from 8am to 5.30pm every Mon - Fri. No rest for him during weekdays.

Next prob is how to make Fauzan attend this class? I called him just now and explain that he has to attend the intensive class. The respondS I received: WHY?? ITS TOO LONG.. 8-5??? WHEN CAN I GO OUT WITH FRIENDS"?? Argh.. he really need a good service (motivation) before start driving to his destination ( 9 As SPM 2011). A motivation camp? Definitely no! I am not going to ask other people to do that. I'm going to do it myself!

Well then, after few negotiation he agreed. I've to compromise and let him free on weekends. Ya, dealing with a teenager like him is not easy. There will always be a give and take. Somehow, the intensive class is only for three subjects. How about the other 6 subjects? How to make him work on that subjects this holiday? Am I too harsh??

Final Exam Result

He got number 22 in his class! He smiled when he told me his number. His smiles is wider when he told me that he got A- for his Math. Well done, I said. But, when asked about other subjects... the smiles gone. He had 2 Gs - add math and History. G means failed. I was not shocked. It was expected. He didn't like history and add maths and the results reflect that. When asked about his friends result, he said that he is doing better than them. Again, I'm not shocked! They were spending time together almost everyday and of course studies are not their priorities.



What shall I do now? I need to set strategies but this week is a holiday week. I cannot do much. I will let him have a good rest this week and will start drilling him next week. Wait n see!




About SPM

What is SPM?

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), or the Malaysian Certificate of Education, is a national examination taken by all fifth-year secondary school students in Malaysia. It is set and examined by the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate (Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia).SPM is equivalent to the O-Level and is the second last public examination at the secondary school level before the entry into a first bachelor degree course at a university.

The SPM is equivalent to the British GCSE, and provides the opportunity for Malaysians to continue their studies to pre-university level. Up to 1978, the examination was handled by UCLES, which still advises the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate on standards. The English paper is separately graded by the national examination board and UCLES, and both grades will be displayed on the statement slip. On the real certificate, only the national examination board's grade is listed. The minimum requirement to get a certificate is a pass in Bahasa Malaysia. Generally, the SPM is taken at the age of 17, though students who attended pre-secondary school class would take it at the age of 18. Previously, students who successfully passed their Penilaian Tahap Satu (PTS) examination at Primary Three and chose to skip a year of primary school education would take their SPM a year earlier, at the age of 16. This was discontinued in 2000. Students who are taught at home generally take the SPM at some point at the end of their secondary education as well.


What are the required subjects?
My son is a Science Stream student. Below are the list of subjects that he should take:


1103 Bahasa Malaysia (Malay Language)
1119 Bahasa Inggeris (English Language)
1223 Pendidikan Islam (Islam Education)
1249 Sejarah (History)
1449 Mathematics
3742 Additional Mathematics
4531 Physics
4541 Chemistry
4551 Biology









































Sunday, November 14, 2010

Day 1

My son woke up late this morning. Not only today, almost every day since he started his form 4. He didnt take his breakfast. He watched HBO before go to school. He only go to school at 7.15am which is only 10 mins left before class starts. He forgot what he should do everyday. He forgot what I had trained him when he was in form 3 - sleep early, wake up early, take breakfast and go to school early. Its my fault for not continue monitoring him this year. I thought that he could manage himself well this year. I thought that he could arrange his own time. I thought that he know what he should do. I was wrong. He is still a boy. He still needs attention and guidance.

From today onwards, I'll make sure that he change his habit. I am going to monitor him from the time he wake up until the time he sleep. I'm going to be his best friend and his alarm clock! :)

Inspire

I promise my self that from today onwards, I should only say positive things, words or what so ever. Ok, only positive words. But sorry, I couldnt hide them. I am actually very frustrated with his results. Final exam result for form 4. Of course, there were some improvement compared to his mid-term, but still not to the standard that I set for. He had all the alphabet from B to F. Only one B and none is A. The grades were like a slap on my face!

One year.. that is all he has to ensure his place in university, his future and what he will be in the next 20 years. He must do well in his SPM! no failures! he must get lots of As! I want As!

So, from today, I will focus all my time and energy just to make sure that he could achieve good results in his SPM 2011. I told him, I want him to get 9As for his SPM. His answer was: IMPOSSIBLE. I replied: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! I tried to tell him that, if he really want As, he will get it. He just need to develop his self-confidence. He just need to work and study extra hard. He just have to focus on studies. Forget about friends, girlfriends or what so ever. Forget about games, basketball etc.. only for one year. ONE year. Just concentrate on studies and focus. FOCUS FOCUS and FOCUS. Is it too much to ask?

I am expressing my expectation which for him is not realistic. He feels that it is too much and too high for him to achieve. I remind him about his PMR. He was not confident to get 8As. I remembered that it was though at that time to make him to work for 8As. Days and night, with tears in his eyes. I pushed to his maximum. I remembered that his yearly results in form 1, 2 and 3 were not that good and he never had any As. With full support and self-believing, he got As on the subjects he hate the most. At the end of the day, he didnt actually get 8As, he got 5As and 3B. Through hardwork and lots and lots of revision, he managed to get that As. At least 5As and not 5Es. Alhamdulillah.

He had done that before and I believe he can easily repeat that. I will make sure that he allocate his 100% effort on his SPM 2011. Hence, this blog will capture my effort to prepare my eldest son for his SPM in 2011. I know it will never be easy. He is now matured than before, his needs is different. He think differently. More rebellious. Always try to get his way on things he want to do or say. His interest has grown from just PS2 to outing with friends. His friends seem more influential than me. Or can I say that he loves his friend more than me? But, mother will always do what she need to do. And that is me! I will make sure he get his As in his SPM. Wish me luck!