某日和今年3F的學生Amy談起今年最印象深刻的一課，她記得的是探討「悲情城市」、關於貧窮的那堂，影片中每月十元零用的男孩令生活無憂的她瞠目結舌。
我的選擇就快樂得多，最記得母親節那天我要他們用五分鐘即興寫英詩。不知道他們的作品最終有無獻給媽媽，黑板上某些無厘頭、為押韻而亂作的詩倒是令我笑得死去活來，快樂了好久。
其中一句經典是 My okaasan is you. （這是我強調不能過度重復使用 my mother 後學生們的創意對策。）
小學的紀念冊上，大概很多人都寫過 My pen is blue. My friend is you. 雖說是陳腔濫調，想像意境倒是不錯。所謂口誅筆伐，讀書人的筆是武器，筆和朋友都是闖難關的戰友。上課窮極無聊時，學生們可以把任何一支筆在指間轉得出神入化，筆和朋友一樣是殺掉時間的伴侶。
記得前一篇「愛是」我出了一條填充題。
愛是______
Love is _______
歡迎英文作答，示范如下。
My room is for two. My love is you.
嘻嘻，老套之極，甜蜜無兩。
2008年6月5日 星期四
夏日長
《山亭夏日》
綠樹蔭濃夏日長，樓台倒影入池塘。
水晶簾動微風起，滿架薔盛一院香。
水晶簾動微風起，滿架薔盛一院香。
不知不覺和3E的日子今天走到 last day，這是我們最後一個正常上學日。也是我教學生涯最後一班學生的最後一個 teaching day.。日子總過得忙碌，也不察覺，早會升旗禮時才發現。8點20分我在305課室如常點名。原子筆一直往下劃啊劃，這些熟悉的名字，這些孩子今天在不在... 我的眼眶濕潤了，不敢望向他們。坐在講台前的嘉陽第一個看見了，他問我：「Miss, 你喊（哭）啊？」
懂事的旨峰和上課總發呆的凱俊走出來，他們說：「老師，我們去打電話給澤坤，叫他返來！」坤是常常缺課的學生，今天他的出席卻對這一班「齊齊整整」、「好頭好尾」極重要。貼心的兩個男孩讓「眼淺」的我真是忍不住了。
走進教員室，電話提示響了。彬彬傳來短訊：「老師，別哭了吧！最後一天我們開心地過！」又窩心又懊惱 －－ 這個不守規則的家伙！又違例在教室使用電話了！
最後的一堂英文課，我如常地遲到入教室。一出電梯，空曠的走廊上3E的男生、女生們擠成一堆，排成兩行。見到我困惑走近，他們把雙臂舉起，搭出了中間一條窄窄的山洞。我明白過來，低下頭從他們的手臂下「轟隆轟隆」穿過去，他們興奮地叫著！淚水又在我的眼眶滾動了。
3E在墨綠的黑板上寫滿了他們的心聲，字字句句讓我感觸不已。平時總是自閉的美茵居然也寫下「今天是返學最後一天，謝謝各位老師這一年的悉心教導」。作為老師，我們常覺得自己做得不夠多、不夠好；這些懂得感恩的孩子是我們的工作可以繼續下去的原動力。
他們大聲地唱著Today：
「別了依然相信 以後有緣再聚 未曾重遇以前 要珍惜愛自己
在最好時刻分離不要流眼淚 就承諾在某年 某一天某地點 再見」
我記住了這一刻，和我一樣眼淺的還有不少男生、女生。「高佬」可証、喜歡「窒」我、口齒伶俐的致翹、熱情的Fish、總要見訓輔的遲到三姐妹、留堂總是最後走的女班長、酷酷地擺出「愛」手語的國樺、歌聲動人的Purple、畫了靚靚壁報的敏恩...
最讓我意外的是嘉陽，他平日常因為頑皮被我狠狠教訓，今天卻是眼淚止不住，他一邊擦拭眼角滲出的淚，一邊拿著手機拍攝我的一舉一動。對著他的手機鏡頭微笑，我紅紅的眼中是他同樣紅的眼睛。這些花樣少年少女恐怕多年後也會記得今天吧？管他甚麼「男兒有淚不輕彈」！今天淚水可以無拘無束，誰說不是一件樂事！
晚上，電話短訊還是不斷傳來：
19:07
雪穎： Miss我地真的捨不得你，請記緊所有屬於3e班既回憶，請記緊我們每一個人既面孔，請記緊我們每一個都是你最好的學生，請記緊我們永遠都是你的支柱。不論分開多遠多久，我們還是心連心。即使分開多久都請不要缺席我們的以後。我們是不可以少了你這個明燈的。有了你，我們的世界便不再黑暗，請留住最好回憶比3e 我們永遠結伴同行。記住不要哭 要笑著地離開 Miss Chau we love you very much 記住一定要笑
23:23
Toby: 親愛的周旦 : )
老師：點啊（甚麼事）？
Toby: 沒有。（就是）叫下你^_^
老師: ... (心甜中)
3E的小魔怪加小天使們，老師想永遠牢牢記住你們的名字。
你們每一個都讓我心中酸甜地想：將來，就生這樣一個可愛的小孩吧！
2008年3月19日 星期三
回友人信 之 關於這一代
元朗有兩間泰國菜館都不錯，一家在西菁街，叫「金泰釧」，
老板是校董，所以常常和同事光顧她的新派泰菜，我去還有折扣；
另一家有點異國風情，叫「泰屋」Sawadee Thai。
不知道你去的哪家？下次再來可以試試我的推薦。
洪水橋也有一家私房泰國菜，不過環境實在一般，估計你興趣不會大。
今天下午打開郵箱看到你的email時，我剛經過書店， 買了一本
龍應台與21歲兒子Andreas Walther合著的《親愛的安德烈》。
這本書最初吸引我的是封面上年輕的Andreas寧靜深沉的眼神；
翻閱了幾頁後，這對母子的對話便吸引了我。
讓人有點毛骨悚然的是，
我發現自己更貼近龍應台這位57歲母親的敘事角度；
也和她一樣，對18歲年青人的觀點與視角充滿好奇。
我對年青人的看法可能因為自己的職業和接觸面而帶有偏頗。
90年代出生的孩子物質充裕，成長的土壤卻滿是荊棘：
他們似乎都出生在不完整的家庭，不是少了父/母就是缺乏關愛；
他們被菲傭或電視/遊戲機/上網養育成長；
心理學家說他們渴望被聆聽，事實是連他們自己都忘記了這種渴望。
他們的視覺、聽覺在資訊爆炸的年代提早成熟，
表達和思維能力卻發展遲緩。
年青人以為自己可以做成年人的事，殊不知
成年人做事講「理由」，不是憑「感受」。
不過，我在生活和工作上都常常因為年青人閃光的瞬間得到無限鼓舞；
雖然對他們的「天真」、「很傻」、
缺乏責任感、不懂得易地而處深惡痛絕，
但也有好幾次微笑想著 ──「如果能再年輕一次，該有多好」。
作為老師，我會把他們的問題更多地歸咎於
情緒功能不健全的家庭和誘惑太多、保護太少的社會，
期望能透過自己的小小力量幫他們分辨是非、隱惡揚善。
復活節我會在三藩市渡過，和弟弟敘舊，還要寫論文。
星期三晚上十點上機，今晚挑燈回信給你，也正好提前訓練適應時差。
除了《安德烈》，我也帶了其它書，不知道你平時有沒有時間閱讀？
今年其中一個我有興趣的閱讀主題是關於如何領導(leadership skills)，
有心得分享嗎？
老板是校董，所以常常和同事光顧她的新派泰菜，我去還有折扣；
另一家有點異國風情，叫「泰屋」Sawadee Thai。
不知道你去的哪家？下次再來可以試試我的推薦。
洪水橋也有一家私房泰國菜，不過環境實在一般，估計你興趣不會大。
今天下午打開郵箱看到你的email時，我剛經過書店， 買了一本
龍應台與21歲兒子Andreas Walther合著的《親愛的安德烈》。
這本書最初吸引我的是封面上年輕的Andreas寧靜深沉的眼神；
翻閱了幾頁後，這對母子的對話便吸引了我。
讓人有點毛骨悚然的是，
我發現自己更貼近龍應台這位57歲母親的敘事角度；
也和她一樣，對18歲年青人的觀點與視角充滿好奇。
我對年青人的看法可能因為自己的職業和接觸面而帶有偏頗。
90年代出生的孩子物質充裕，成長的土壤卻滿是荊棘：
他們似乎都出生在不完整的家庭，不是少了父/母就是缺乏關愛；
他們被菲傭或電視/遊戲機/上網養育成長；
心理學家說他們渴望被聆聽，事實是連他們自己都忘記了這種渴望。
他們的視覺、聽覺在資訊爆炸的年代提早成熟，
表達和思維能力卻發展遲緩。
年青人以為自己可以做成年人的事，殊不知
成年人做事講「理由」，不是憑「感受」。
不過，我在生活和工作上都常常因為年青人閃光的瞬間得到無限鼓舞；
雖然對他們的「天真」、「很傻」、
缺乏責任感、不懂得易地而處深惡痛絕，
但也有好幾次微笑想著 ──「如果能再年輕一次，該有多好」。
作為老師，我會把他們的問題更多地歸咎於
情緒功能不健全的家庭和誘惑太多、保護太少的社會，
期望能透過自己的小小力量幫他們分辨是非、隱惡揚善。
復活節我會在三藩市渡過，和弟弟敘舊，還要寫論文。
星期三晚上十點上機，今晚挑燈回信給你，也正好提前訓練適應時差。
除了《安德烈》，我也帶了其它書，不知道你平時有沒有時間閱讀？
今年其中一個我有興趣的閱讀主題是關於如何領導(leadership skills)，
有心得分享嗎？
2007年11月22日 星期四
How to PREACH...
... when many are wearied with the word?
Be a "gospel-teller" instead of a “preacher”.
You know how marvelously and beautifully and authentically we speak in an unguarded moment.
That's what we are, by the Holy Spirit, summoned to offer.
Then, and only then, will we be any good at all.
Then, and only then, will preaching or whatever you want to call it, will be any fun or joy or sense of that wondrous mystery God's intended it to be.
Countdown to Sunday (By Chris Erdman)
Be a "gospel-teller" instead of a “preacher”.
You know how marvelously and beautifully and authentically we speak in an unguarded moment.
That's what we are, by the Holy Spirit, summoned to offer.
Then, and only then, will we be any good at all.
Then, and only then, will preaching or whatever you want to call it, will be any fun or joy or sense of that wondrous mystery God's intended it to be.
Countdown to Sunday (By Chris Erdman)
2007年11月16日 星期五
You know you're a teacher when...
Tea and Coffee are your life.
The staffroom is your sanctuary.
Packed lunches are a part of daily life.
A social life was a thing you used to have.
The sound of the photocopier haunts you in your sleep.
You dread calls from parents.
You dream of decorating displays.
You automatically say "oh, that's interesting" when something goes wrong.
You say things once, then repeat them, then ask if everyone understands what you are saying, before repeating again.
Although school hours are 8.30-3.30, your day begins at 6am and finishes at 10pm.
Weekends are spent planning for next week, holidays are spent writing reports.
You don't know whether to laugh or cry when someone says "Teaching? That's a 9-4 job! You're so lucky!"
You want to choke a person when they say "Oh, you have so many holidays."
You also want to stab any person who says the following with a compass "Teaching? That's just about learning how to write, right?"
You can maintain a straight face in ANY situation.
You can spot incorrect grammar and spelling a mile off.
You can sense misbehaviour without actually seeing it.
You can make up games on the spot.
You realise there are never enough pencils/gluesticks/scissors in the world.
You see a child misbehaving in the supermarket you automatically give them "the glare".
You have perfected "the glare" which turns any child to stone.
The word INSPECTION or OBSERVATION sends blind panic through your system.
You get fed up with different news reports every day from politicians telling you how to do your job - why don't they spend a day in a school for a change?
You find yourself using cliche teacher phrases that you swore to yourself you would never use - e.g. "pens down, arms folded, eyes front." "I'm sorry Rick, you clearly have something more important to say/be doing than concentrating on my lesson" "tuck your shirt in" etc etc.
You start the beginning of each new term with a full set of stationery, only for it to go missing within a week. Therefore next time you write "MR/MS X" on everything, only to find this doesn't work either.
When you are out shopping in the town of your school you are greeted with at least five cries of "Hi Miss/Mr!!"
...
[MORE FROM http://www.facebook.com/]
The staffroom is your sanctuary.
Packed lunches are a part of daily life.
A social life was a thing you used to have.
The sound of the photocopier haunts you in your sleep.
You dread calls from parents.
You dream of decorating displays.
You automatically say "oh, that's interesting" when something goes wrong.
You say things once, then repeat them, then ask if everyone understands what you are saying, before repeating again.
Although school hours are 8.30-3.30, your day begins at 6am and finishes at 10pm.
Weekends are spent planning for next week, holidays are spent writing reports.
You don't know whether to laugh or cry when someone says "Teaching? That's a 9-4 job! You're so lucky!"
You want to choke a person when they say "Oh, you have so many holidays."
You also want to stab any person who says the following with a compass "Teaching? That's just about learning how to write, right?"
You can maintain a straight face in ANY situation.
You can spot incorrect grammar and spelling a mile off.
You can sense misbehaviour without actually seeing it.
You can make up games on the spot.
You realise there are never enough pencils/gluesticks/scissors in the world.
You see a child misbehaving in the supermarket you automatically give them "the glare".
You have perfected "the glare" which turns any child to stone.
The word INSPECTION or OBSERVATION sends blind panic through your system.
You get fed up with different news reports every day from politicians telling you how to do your job - why don't they spend a day in a school for a change?
You find yourself using cliche teacher phrases that you swore to yourself you would never use - e.g. "pens down, arms folded, eyes front." "I'm sorry Rick, you clearly have something more important to say/be doing than concentrating on my lesson" "tuck your shirt in" etc etc.
You start the beginning of each new term with a full set of stationery, only for it to go missing within a week. Therefore next time you write "MR/MS X" on everything, only to find this doesn't work either.
When you are out shopping in the town of your school you are greeted with at least five cries of "Hi Miss/Mr!!"
...
[MORE FROM http://www.facebook.com/]
2007年7月19日 星期四
Our Limericks
By Echo:
-
There was a young girl from Wan Chai
who never ceased to sigh.
She murmured, 'So sad!'
and grumbled, 'Too bad!'
That difficult young girl from Wan Chai.
-
There was an old man from Mongkok
who had to work around the clock.
He wore torn jeans
and collected old tins
That lonely old man from Mongkok.
-
By Carolyn and Olivia:
-
There was an old snake from Tsing Yi
that claimed it had been to the sea.
It faintly slithered
and dizzily quivered.
That sickly old snake from Tsing Yi.
-
There was a stray cat from Mei Foo
who always slept next to the loo.
It lost its smell
and could not tell.
That stinky stray cat from Mei Foo.
-
There was a caged bird from Kowloon
who wished to fly like a balloon.
He dreamed of the sea
and longed to be free.
That pathetic caged bird from Kowloon.
-
There was a young boy from Shek O
who always drove his own limo.
He had no license
and got no patience.
That reckless young boy of Shek O.
-
2007年7月18日 星期三
My Haiku
-
HK flag flying
PRC flag waving
The show never ends
-
Turning left and right
Going up and down still
No MTR exit
-
Waiting for a girl
In the tickling summer heat
The sight of her soothes
-
Jack and Jill
In their grey school uniform
Hand in hand
-
-
PRC flag waving
The show never ends
-
Turning left and right
Going up and down still
No MTR exit
-
Waiting for a girl
In the tickling summer heat
The sight of her soothes
-
Jack and Jill
In their grey school uniform
Hand in hand
-
-
The cat is alone
Purring in the moonlight
A silent home
-
Birds flying
Above the empty playground
School break
-
Raindrops falling
On a leafless tree
Bitter spring dew
-
Clean, clear, cool
Kiss the clouds
At the Peak
-
Purring in the moonlight
A silent home
-
Birds flying
Above the empty playground
School break
-
Raindrops falling
On a leafless tree
Bitter spring dew
-
Clean, clear, cool
Kiss the clouds
At the Peak
-
2007年7月10日 星期二
Jimmy Jet and His TV Set
STORYBOARD
Jimmy Jet lives in Happy Valley.
His father is an accountant and his mother is a pianist. They are both very successful and extremely busy.
Jimmy is 4 years old and he is raised by the Filipino maid, Marina, who is always talking on phone or reading a Filipino novel when no one is at home.
Every morning, Jimmy wakes up when his parents say goodbye to Marina.
He listens carefully when they shut the door. He moves his lips but produces no sound. He has no audience anyway.
Marina dresses up Jimmy at 8 o’clock, puts him in front of the breakfast and turns on the TV.
Then, Marina starts doing house chores and talking on phone with her friends.
Jimmy sits in the armchair and is surrounded by drinks and snacks.
Jimmy sets his eyes upon the TV screen, with the spoon in his left hand and the remote control in his right hand.
He plays with every button until he can control each and every one.
When he is full or hungry or thirsty, he hits the table and Marina comes over.
Whenever he is in need, he hits again and Marina attends to it.
The only noise heard in the room is the sound of TV and Marina talking in Filipino.
Jimmy is crying loudly as he just spills some hot milk on his leg. But no one is here as Marina has gone to the wet market to prepare for the dinner party that night.
Jimmy cries and cries. Finally, he stops and continues watching TV. From that day on, no one has ever seen Jimmy cry again.
But Jimmy screams extremely loudly when you take him away from the TV.
Once, his father says, ‘Our little boy eats so little.’
His mother says, ‘He loves watching the concert so much’.
The guests say, ‘Your little boy must grow up to be a knowledgeable person. See, he is already watching 20/20.’
Day after day, month after month, Jimmy grows bigger and fatter but is still very quiet.
In a stormy night, Jimmy's father steps on the remote control and breaks it. Jimmy cannot control the TV any more. The father covers his ears quickly and sneaks into his study. Jimmy's mother immediately puts on her headset and her fingers start dancing in the air.
Later at midnight, when Marina walks out of the bedroom, she finds Jimmy still sitting in the armchair in the dark and smiling secretly to the mirror.
The TV in the dining room is off but there is another TV in the mirror, which has replaced Jimmy’s whole body.
The next morning, the ambulance comes and takes Jimmy, the TV boy, and his parents who have gone crazy, all to the hospital.
Now the only sound heard at home is from Marina, who is still talking excitedly on phone.
His father is an accountant and his mother is a pianist. They are both very successful and extremely busy.
Jimmy is 4 years old and he is raised by the Filipino maid, Marina, who is always talking on phone or reading a Filipino novel when no one is at home.
Every morning, Jimmy wakes up when his parents say goodbye to Marina.
He listens carefully when they shut the door. He moves his lips but produces no sound. He has no audience anyway.
Marina dresses up Jimmy at 8 o’clock, puts him in front of the breakfast and turns on the TV.
Then, Marina starts doing house chores and talking on phone with her friends.
Jimmy sits in the armchair and is surrounded by drinks and snacks.
Jimmy sets his eyes upon the TV screen, with the spoon in his left hand and the remote control in his right hand.
He plays with every button until he can control each and every one.
When he is full or hungry or thirsty, he hits the table and Marina comes over.
Whenever he is in need, he hits again and Marina attends to it.
The only noise heard in the room is the sound of TV and Marina talking in Filipino.
Jimmy is crying loudly as he just spills some hot milk on his leg. But no one is here as Marina has gone to the wet market to prepare for the dinner party that night.
Jimmy cries and cries. Finally, he stops and continues watching TV. From that day on, no one has ever seen Jimmy cry again.
But Jimmy screams extremely loudly when you take him away from the TV.
Once, his father says, ‘Our little boy eats so little.’
His mother says, ‘He loves watching the concert so much’.
The guests say, ‘Your little boy must grow up to be a knowledgeable person. See, he is already watching 20/20.’
Day after day, month after month, Jimmy grows bigger and fatter but is still very quiet.
In a stormy night, Jimmy's father steps on the remote control and breaks it. Jimmy cannot control the TV any more. The father covers his ears quickly and sneaks into his study. Jimmy's mother immediately puts on her headset and her fingers start dancing in the air.
Later at midnight, when Marina walks out of the bedroom, she finds Jimmy still sitting in the armchair in the dark and smiling secretly to the mirror.
The TV in the dining room is off but there is another TV in the mirror, which has replaced Jimmy’s whole body.
The next morning, the ambulance comes and takes Jimmy, the TV boy, and his parents who have gone crazy, all to the hospital.
Now the only sound heard at home is from Marina, who is still talking excitedly on phone.
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I'll tell you the story of Jimmy Jet
And you know what I tell you is true.
He loved to watch his TV set
Almost as much as you.
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He watched all day, he watched all night
Till he grew pale and lean,
From "The Early Show" to "The Late Late Show"
And all the shows between.
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He watched till his eyes were frozen wide,
And his bottom grew into this chair,
And his chin turned into a turning dial,
And antennae grew out of his hair.
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And his brain turned into TV tubes,
And his face to a TV screen.
And two knobs saying "VERT." and "HORIZ."
Grew where his ears had been.
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And he grew a plug that looked like a tail
So we plugged in little Jim.
And now instead of him watching TV
We all sit around and watch him.
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Jimmy Jet and His TV Set
BY Shel Silverstein
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