Powerful Inspirational true story...Don't give up!

Satisfaction and Happiness

These are the reasons why I'm enjoying my job !!!

V3SK Model

This is the V3SK model that places children in the center of our teacher education mission. There are the lists of values, skills and knowledge that are important and will shape our teachers development. A well-rounded and quality 21st century teacher will provide our children with the best possible education and guidance so as to nurture them to become responsible citizen to the nation.

Volleyball

Teaching volleyball to Youths

Making Lessons Fun and Practical

In the past, we have placed too much emphasis on the learning of individual skills and not enough of learning how to play skillfully - which is important in competition.

Games Concept Approach let children discover what to do in the game, not telling them, but by experiencing it. It is a guided discovery method of teaching that empowers young students to solve problems that arise in the game, which is part of fun in learning. 

Four steps process to teaching game:

1) Play a modified game (2 v 2 or 3 v 3)
2) Guide and help them to discover what they need to do to play the game successfully. (i.e. how to get the ball over the net, who should be the setter).
3) Teach them the skill of the game
4) Practice the skills in another modified game. 

Game - Practice - Game - Practice -Game

Hockey

Hockey as game involves both individual skills and team play and has many similarities to other sports. (invasion game) Through this module, we learn the game of hockey in a fun manner, focusing mainly on the basic skills such as push pass, slap hit, close dribble, open dribble, Indian dribble, tacking and beating an opponent.

We learnt to appreciate the game of hockey and understand the rules of the game. Through skill-based practice routines and small-sided games, we picked up the skills and strategies in the game. I believe It will be an interesting and fun sport for the students to learn. 

Foundation of Psychology and Motor Learning

In this module, we examined the psychological aspects in physical education and sports. We identified some factors that might affect performance: anxiety, stress, motivation, achievement needs, individual personality and etc. 

I also picked a skill novel to me and learnt it over the next few weeks and documented a learning progression video. - skill acquisition report

Track and Field

In this module, we are introduced to the various events in Track and Field - running, sprinting, hurdling, triple jump, high jump, long jump, discus, shot put, and etc. We had the opportunities to learn each T&F event in a systematic, step-by-step progression. Furthermore, we are taught how to analyse the performance of the athletes and provide relevant feedback and guidance for further improvement. 

Dance

This is a module that we had great fun! Dance plays a significant role in the development of a total child. In nursery school and kindergarten, dance provides experiences which contribute directly to a child's physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth. It is important to provide a continued opportunity for a child to dance in Primary school environment. 

Creative dance opens up avenues for problem solving, self-awareness, concentration, acceptance and respect for others, and cognitive development. The problem solving experiences help to stimulate thinking and also enhance self-esteem. 

The lively, physical nature of creative dance is particularly valuable to our children especially in today's context, as a growing number experience weight and health issues

Tag Rugby

Rugby seems like a violent game with all the tackling, pushing, dragging one another and piling up on each other. However, Rugby is a game that can be safe and really develop a student's character and teamwork.

Studying under Dr. Tom Browne, a well respected man in the international Rugby scene, we didn’t just learn to play the game, but we learnt how to teach it to students of young age.We learnt both the pedagogical approaches and technical practice of the game. 

We learnt to play mostly Tag Rugby and not Touch Rugby, and this sport can be safe when students abide to the rules of the game

* Grid Setting game Play 

Instructional Methods (Juying Primary)

For the last 12 weeks, it has being a meaningful and enriching experience for me. Instructional Method (IM) has given me a better understanding on the roles and responsibilities of a PE teacher in the Primary school setting. 

 

Working with a buddy in small groups, we have learnt to design age-appropriate unit and lesson plans, performance objectives and task progression. 

During the micro-teaching, we have learnt to present a learning task effectively and efficiently. The activities have to cater to the pupils’ abilities, so that they can have fun and experience success in their PE lessons. 

Furthermore, it is important for us to accept that last minutes changes due to space, weather, or equipments constraints are common in schools

Introduction to PE and Sports

This is module that I had enjoyed a lot. 

We had the opportunities to think critically on roles of physical education and sports in education and society. 

We also discuss and examine the roles and responsibilities of a PE teacher. 

Debate about the problems and issues in physical education in 21st century and explore the future directions of PE and sports. 

Principles of Games

It was an eye-opening experience and beneficial module for me. 

As a student myself, concepts in PE (i.e. Games Concept Approach (GCA), Teaching Game for Understanding (TGFU) were never being introduced to me at such a detailed level. I thought PE was all about games, running around,  catching one another, and maybe some common sense. It was only in NIE where I learnt about these important concepts.

We were taught about the basics of the individual, space, shapes, locomotion, and pathways. All of it was an eye opener! I’d never thought that PE could be so complicated. 

Subsequently, we learn about the different categories of games.

In general, games are grouped into 4 categories:

- Invasion (Football, Rugby, Netball)

- Net/Wall (Tennis, Volleyball, Badminton)

- Fielding (Softball, Cricket, Rounders)

- Target (Archery, Shooting, Golf)

Target games, though not included in the syllabus, are a means for children to hone their games skills. Taking for example, placing a target on the wall, and using only the skill of overhead throwing to throw a ball. That would be a target game, There are concepts to be learnt in target games, to improve accuracy and even strategy for games like Bocce. For the most part, Target games involve the individual and the environment, and require concentration and thinking.

Fielding games like baseball and cricket are usually a challenge to teach. When attempting to teach the roles of fielding, the waiting time tends to cause a wavering of attention and eventually lose engagement of students. Hence the need to create game-like situations involving all students and allow for maximum participation.

Net/wall games are more commonly played in Singapore with readily available facilities for sports like Badminton and Tennis. Such games do not require much space and not as many players.

Finally, there’s invasion games, providing excitement and engagement. Almost everyone is involved, regardless of the roles. Though invasion games tend to viewed as 'dangerous' due to bodily contact, primary school children can be taught to emphasize on safety, personal spaces, compassion and fair-play during these games. 

My Teaching Philosophies

Physical Education is important to the physical, social and emotional development of our young students. Physical - Improved fitness, personal healthcare, knowledge and abilities about own coordinated movements. Social - Interaction and socialization with classmates. Emotion - To establish confidence and to release vent-up emotions.  It also has the potential to inculcate Moral values and Character Development through sport and games settings. My 5Ps in teaching: (1) Play - Enjoy the lessons, have fun, and play hard.   (2) Practice - Practice makes you a more skilled person.   (3) Praise - Good performance, behaviors, attitudes, helping one another.    (4) Punish - Misbehavior in class will be punished. (Rewards and Punishment system)   (5) Put in your best effort - Your best effort during every lessons.

My Profile

Shen Weixiong

Academic Background

BA (Hons) in Sociology (NTU)
Diploma in Information Technology (SP)
Currently pursuing Post-Graduate Diploma in Educaction (Primary) - Specializing in Physical Education. (NIE) 

Working Experience 

Contract Teaching in ACS Junior (2010 - 2011)
Central Singapore Community Development Council - Comcare Local Network (2010)

Achievements:

1) Participated in numerous endurance events including 5 full marathons. 

2) Active volunteer in Kreta Ayer estate (Chinatown) for several years.

3) Torch-Bearer for YOG in 2010. 

4) Awarded research grant by MCYS in 2009.

Interests: 

1) Running

2) Swimming 

3) Community Services

4) Watching Movies.

Educational Goals: 

To create an enjoyable learning experience for the pupils. To motivate them to try our new sports/games and learn important life values (i.e. sportsmanship perseverance, teamwork). 

Most Memorable Learning Experience(s): 

Coming out with new ideas in PE lessons and which the students had enjoyed (i.e. using paper toss game to teach target skills, monkey warm-up activities). 


Why Teach?

Initially, I thought this is good job that is very 'secure' and also pays quite well. However, after my 9 months of Contract Teaching experience, i realized that this is not just a job to me, it is becoming part of my life. I gained so much satisfaction and pleasure from this job. 

It was tough for me, having to teach EMS, sailing CCA and form-teachership in my first few months. There were tons of work for me to do everyday: teaching, lesson preparation, remedial lessons, classroom decorations, CCA, meeting the parents, counseling the students, various committee works as well as setting and marking exam papers. 

It was all hard work, but seeing the smiles and a little morning greeting from my students will rejuvenate me and gave me more strength for the new day. Seeing improvement in their studies and characters over the semesters reinforce that whatever i'm doing in school are meaningful and worthwhile.