Contextual Maths

Pak Andika, a teacher at SDN Songgokerto 03 developed a mathematics lesson about weight. Learning maths competencies about Measuring Your Weight in grade III SDN Sumbergondo went like this: (a) students measured the weight of everyday goods (sugar, rice, peanuts, corn, etc.), (b) they did this in groups and this was followed up by individual tasks, (c) this was linked to earlier topics which include money and (d) they were given an everyday problem to solve, for example the buying and selling of goods.

The evaluation used in this lesson included both the practical activities and theory, namely an evaluation of their competency in measuring weight and their ability to convert equivalent units of weight. During the learning process students were interested and happy, and all students were able to reach the level of competency.

Learning about the "Tsunami"

The tsunami that destroyed Aceh touched the hearts of primary school students in Batu, especially after seeing the suffering of their friends in Aceh. Students in grade 3, SDN Songgokerto 3 expressed their feelings by compiling clippings about the tsunami in Aceh. In the picture (below) Selvyana and Anggita, students in grade 3, SDN Songgokerto 3, Batu are seen displaying their clippings about the tsunami.

Meanwhile students in grade 5, SDN Tulungrejo 1 supported their kin in Aceh by writing a poem.

Accelerating PAKEM by using Master Teachers

The Batu Education Office felt that PAKEM development in target schools needed to be accelerated.

To do this in target schools, Batu Education Office created what are called Master Teachers. In every target school two teachers were chosen to become Master Teachers. The role of the master teacher includes acting as:

1. A driving force for implementing PAKEM in the target schools.

2. A "trainer" for the teachers in their school.

3. A liaison person between the teachers in their school and the district facilitators in communicating about PAKEM.

4. Support for facilitators in PAKEM training.

In order to increase the skills of the master teachers in teaching using PAKEM, a workshop was conducted at the Batu Education and Culture office on the 7 February 2005 for master teachers at primary level, and on the 8 February 2005 for junior secondary master teachers. During the workshop they discussed: (a) problems in implementing PAKEM in schools and problem solving, (b) modeling PAKEM lessons, (c) developing PAKEM in schools. The MBE facilitators ran the workshop.

Non-Target Schools in Batu Don't Want to Be Left Behind

The development of SBM and PAKEM in target primary schools has created a high level of demand in non-target schools who wish to implement SBM and PAKEM in their schools. The non-target primary schools got together to organize training in every sub-district in January 2005 on making school plans (RIPS) budgets (RAPBS), and also PAKEM training for teachers and principals.

The trainers for the development of the RIPS and RAPBS and also for the PAKEM training were the Batu facilitators and they were accompanied by the national consultant Bpk Supriono Koes Handayanto.