Session 1 – Getting to know us and them (250907)

1. Problems encountered:

Since this was the very first session on getting to know the students, timeliness was an issue. Students were streaming into the class room despite the designated time of 7.30a.m. This staggered arrival of students, resulted in disruption as well as a challenge in conducting a get to know sessions with all the participants. Furthermore, participation for this first session was not 100%. This would most likely result in ‘stragglers’ in the next session whom aren’t up to date or familiar with participants.
It could be due to unfamiliarity with the program that the students fail to turn up. Perhaps we can ask Mas about it and evaluate from there? Could it be due to the rush to start that the school was unable to have adequate time to collect back the consent forms and verify.

The facilitators Audrey and Kate, despite their enthusiasm had some problems in getting the attention of some of the overly enthusiastic students. There were times where their voices were drowned out by the chatter, especially from the boys.

2. Any health issues sieved out?
From the first session of ice-breaking games as well as through some projection techniques, there are some possible avenues for greater expansion, that could highlight health issues were discovered.

- Not starting of the day with a good breakfast.
(Discovered in the introduction game of introducing the self and what they ate this morning for breakfast.)

- Generally they seemed pretty active and weren’t overly obsessed with fast foods or computer gaming. There were no clear consensus of what particular health issues might relate to them. More research and information gathering to be conducted on the next session.
(Extrapolated from group drawings of their likes and dislikes.)

- Thus far, it seems to tend towards nutrition issues

However, with the exception of a few, there doesn’t seem to be a serious case of obesity or underweight problems amongst the students.
Perhaps it will work to our advantage as the group demo is not pre-determined by the school...

3. Communication problems
As highlighted in the previous section of problems encountered, facilitator voice projection as well as class control faced some difficulties.

Apart from this, some students were quiet and shy, which made it hard to get them to participate and give information on the group illustration activities.

4. Attitudes, behavior, communication patterns of students towards group
Students were relatively responsive and forth coming in participation. However there needs to be more energy and edge for a response from the class.

The girls however still needs more time to warm up, but the boys were pretty receptive and interacting well amongst themselves as well as with the facilitators.
Observation: The boys were pretty shy to interact with the girls too e.g. dont want to sit with the girls and talk to them.

However, there still remains a divide amongst male and female students, as well as amongst some groups of students, many of which come from different classes within the school.
Need consistent bonding sessions and collective decision making

5. Perceptions, knowledge, behavior of students towards health issues
As of now, the students do not have any idea that this SAAMMMIKY program is related to health issues, being the first session is to make first contact. From the second session onwards, there will be more hints and indication of which the direction of the program is heading towards.
To have them set the objectives to be fulfilled for the next session?

6. Activities that got them most interested / least interested.
The children particularly enjoyed the ice-breaking activities which had lots of movement in it and didn’t take too well to the sit down ones.

The students enjoyed the interaction with facilitators.

7. Learning points
- High energy games are preferred amongst the students.
- The board needs to be explained more and importantly, the program SAAMMMIKY needs to be explained more. The brand named program needs to be established.
- Facilitators need to command the room and speak up to catch the attention of the pupils.
- Have a backup game to fill in for a game that may go down hill.

- Time management is key.

- There needs to be more done by other back-up facilitators to help with room activities and keep energy high.

Hey here are some of the points that I felt were important. But if you’d like to add, please add it under the comments and label the section. E.g. you want to add under learning points, then under comments>
7. Learning Points:
Think we need to keep drawing their attention back to the topic at hand.
Writer team, hope this helps you in consolidating information.
Shaun
Audrey

The last few survivors of the Earthquake, Tsunami and Volcano.

Audry explaining the board

End of session 1 for the team SAAMMMIKY