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SCHOOL MARKET IN BANYUWANGI
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A "Market" at SDN 2 Jajag
Thematic learning has so far only been identified with teaching in the early years (grades 1 and 2), and people think it will be difficult to implement it in the higher grades. Ibu Endang Suwarsih, teacher of grade 6, SDN 2 Jajag, Gambiran, Banyuwangi has been successful in implementing thematic learning in higher grades. One of the interesting teaching and learning activities that she has introduced is trying to simulate market type activities (buying and selling, communication, ethics, accounting, strategy for attracting buyers, etc.) in the classroom.
Ibu Endang hoped that her students would be able to engage and interact in economic market type activities beginning with how to get fast moving goods to sell in the school, advertising, merchandizing goods, serving customers, making a reasonable profit, some good basic accounting activities and making a summary of all the activities they have performed. One week before starting this activity the students were asked to observe buying and selling activities anywhere they could but especially at the markets.
From these observations, students knew and understood what they should do when the performing their activity. Because the customers were the school stakeholders (principals, teachers, students in grade 1 to 6), they discussed what they would sell. By joint agreement they decided to sell appropriate goods including cakes, fruit, and ices. Each group (there were 3 groups in one class) decided upon the kind of cakes, fruits, and ices that they would sell so as to be different to each other, and they organized themselves to get what they needed.
To attract buyers, they made written advertisements and placed them in eye-catching places around the school. Each group member had their own duties, there were sellers, cashiers, promoters, and security.
KKG and MGMP at the MBE Target Schools.
The Primary School Teacher Working Groups (KKG) and Secondary School Subject Teacher Groups (MGMP) at the target schools both in Banyuwangi and Gambiran have been making progress according to plan. The activities have been conducted in the context of a grouping of MBE target schools.
KKG and MGMP meetings are the main supporting mechanism for teachers to improve their knowledge and skills in facilitating teaching and learning activities (KBM). The activities provide opportunities for teachers to:
Receive further "training" in order to upgrade what they had learned at the sub-district level training.
Create and tryout teaching materials or teaching aids that will be used in their classes.
Formally discuss the problems that arise and that they face in their classes and to receive guidance and advice from other teachers.
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Following up the PAKEM training at Teachers Working Group meetings (KKG and MGMP ) in Banyuwangi and Gambiran sub-districts, including discussing problems faced in class and getting advice from other teachers.
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In general the activities of the KKG and MGMP are to discuss problems associated with teaching, for example teaching preparation, including the development of effective learning activities, develop teaching aids and trying them out, and to exchange views with others including fellow teachers.
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1. Children arranging and recording (name, quantity, buying and selling cost on a bill);
2. Busy making an advertisement to attract buyers;
3. Children about to make purchases reading the advertisements at the entrance to the 'market';
4. Friendly service to the customers;
5. Working out the results of the sales (profit and loss) at the end of the activity;
6. Ibu Endang Suwarsih, grade 6 teacher
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During the meetings there are opportunities for the participants to express and discuss their problems. During the activities of the KKG and MPMG the subject area coordinator's role is significant as both a facilitator and expert. They must perform the role effectively.
Besides explaining issues related to knowledge and skills, they are also expected to encourage the participants to express and discuss any ideas which they have. Besides the teachers, the Sub-District Education Office Head and sub-district level supervisors also attend these meetings.
SMPN 1 Students Learn about Climate at BMG
Students at SMPN 1 Banyuwangi are often invited to learn directly using outside resources. One of these activities consisted of learning about climate and weather at the Geophysics and Meteorology Centre (BMG).
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Official from the meteorology centre showing some of the instruments used
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Ibu Asrika a social science teacher en-couraged her students to ask what influences climate and weather, what kind of instruments are used to observe and measure it, and how to operate them and about the weather reports. This activity was very interesting for both the teacher and the students because they could interact directly with the experts and get to see the actual instruments used, as they are not available at their school.
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