Author name: Al Siddiq International

Bekasi – November 2023, Another exciting field activity was organised for our friends, the pupils of Al Siddiq International Kindergarten. In the first week of November, they visited a nearby supermarket to learn how to shop independently. The chosen destination was Tip Top Supermarket, Pondok Gede, Bekasi. This experience was eagerly anticipated by the pupils, who could hardly wait to set off for the location by taking public transport (angkot). Through this journey, they were also taught how to hail a public minibus, sit properly and calmly during the ride, and even pay their own fare. Upon arrival, the pupils, accompanied by the headteacher and teachers, lined up to enter the supermarket and took baskets to place the items they would purchase. Beforehand, they had been given guidance on choosing safe and healthy food and drinks. They were then divided into groups, with each group supervised by teachers. The next stage, after selecting their items, was heading to the cashier to make payment. Using the money they had brought, the children practised paying for their chosen goods themselves. Alhamdulillah, the transactions went smoothly, and the pupils were delighted to bring home their favourite food and drinks after completing the process independently. The return journey was once again made by angkot. Back at school, the pupils sat neatly in class to enjoy the items they had bought. This valuable learning experience left a lasting impression, as the children gained practical knowledge on paying for public transport, proper behaviour while travelling, choosing useful items, making payments at the cashier, and practising discipline while shopping. Good job, kids! [Red]By Esty Indraswariani, S.Sos

Bekasi – October 2023, This October was the turn of Al Siddiq International Kindergarten to hold their Educational Field Trip (EFT). The destination for this trip was the Science Centre (PP IPTEK) and the Freshwater World located at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). Carrying the theme “Explore My World”, the kindergarten pupils were highly enthusiastic about taking part in the excursion. All the children joined without parental accompaniment, with the aim of encouraging and fostering independence. The educational trip proved to be very engaging for the pupils. During the visit, the children explored a variety of exhibits showcasing science and technology. These included the Young Researchers’ Zone, an earthquake simulation, a water rocket demonstration, a science adventure trail, a dinosaur park, and a mini exploration room. The excitement of this educational trip provided an invaluable experience for the pupils of Al Siddiq International Kindergarten. It allowed the children to explore the world of science from an early age, nurturing their curiosity and passion for knowledge, so that one day they may become future experts in science and technology! [Red]By Esty Indraswariani, S.Sos

Bekasi, October 2023, Friends, have you ever created your own piece of writing? Do you enjoy writing short stories, making illustrations, or even drawing your own comics? For those who love writing or drawing, this is certainly nothing new. But for those who are not used to doing such things, it may not be that easy, right? Do you know why it is so important for us to write, even though it may be difficult? Because by writing, we are recording a piece of history—whether it is something we ourselves have experienced or something that has happened to others. Such writing may prove valuable one day if someone needs information about that event. That is why, let’s start creating our own “historical record”, this time in the form of an English dictionary! You may wonder: isn’t a dictionary different from a piece of writing? True, it is not exactly the same. However, in a dictionary you can still express yourself through writing—explaining the meaning of a word. The benefit is not only for yourself but also for others who may find it useful. This is exactly what Year 3 and Year 4 pupils of Al Siddiq International Primary School have done. Their Project Based Learning (PBL) task this time was to create their very own student-version English dictionary. They were free to add pictures, colours, notes, and decorations to make their dictionaries more attractive. The vocabulary chosen for the dictionaries was simple and easy to understand, with words that are often used in beginner English conversations. Designed in the form of a small notebook, the dictionary is easy to carry around. The final products were then presented in front of their teachers for assessment. Through this project, pupils not only learned new English vocabulary and created a product of their own, but also gained confidence by explaining the process and contents of their work. Congratulations to our Year 3 and Year 4 pupils—may your collection of creative works continue to grow. Your own dictionary is your own history![Red]By Esty Indraswariani, S.Sos

Bekasi, September 2023 One of the learning models implemented at Al Siddiq International School is Project Based Learning (PBL). This model uses projects or activities as a medium for learning in order to achieve competencies in attitude, knowledge, and skills for pupils. Here, the teacher acts as a facilitator by providing case studies that are to be solved through projects. In this approach, PBL emphasises pupils’ active participation and collaboration, usually carried out in groups. During the first term, Al Siddiq International School scheduled two PBL programmes for both primary and secondary levels. As this was the pupils’ first PBL experience, it was naturally an engaging one, with pupils showing great enthusiasm. The projects assigned varied according to year groups: Primary Years 1, 3, and 4, as well as Secondary Year 7. For instance, the Year 1 pupils carried out a project themed “Part of My Body”. Each group was given a set of body part illustrations to cut out, paste, and colour on a large sheet of card. These were then labelled in both English and Arabic. Group task allocation was left to the pupils themselves, enabling them to practise group management. Every pupil was required to be actively involved in the process. The teacher then guided pupils in preparing to present their PBL outcomes. During these presentations, pupils were trained to explain their group’s work, using both foreign languages in their delivery. Through this model of learning, pupils gained a variety of skills and experiences, including teamwork, patience, neatness, presentation design, accuracy in writing in two languages, confidence in speaking before the class, unity during group presentations, as well as clarity of expression that could be understood by others. This very first PBL was undoubtedly a valuable lesson in the learning process. What pupils received from their teachers and from reading books could be transformed into a project, allowing them to absorb knowledge more effectively. [Red.]

Bekasi, September 2023, The prolonged dry season of 2023 has affected most regions in Indonesia. “As of early August 2023, 69% of Indonesia has entered the dry season,” quoted from the official Instagram account of BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) on Monday, August 14, 2023. Specifically in Bekasi, West Java, the Bekasi Regency Government declared an emergency drought status from August 31 to September 13, 2023. This situation has stirred our collective concern for those affected by the prolonged drought. The lack of rainfall over several months has caused widespread illness, crop failures, and the drying of groundwater, rivers, and reservoirs that serve as vital water sources for daily community life. As an expression of environmental concern, Al Siddiq International School practiced one of the teachings of Rasulullah (peace be upon him) during extended droughts, namely performing Shalat Istisqa (the prayer for rain). In the Prophet’s biography, it is recorded that this event occurred four years before his passing, when Madinah experienced nearly a year of drought. The people pleaded with Rasulullah to pray for rain, and he led them in performing Shalat Istisqa. At Al Siddiq International School, Shalat Istisqa was performed on Thursday, September 14, 2023, starting at 09:30 AM WIB. The prayer took place at the school field and was attended by teachers, all students, and school staff. The Imam and Khatib was Ustadz Abdullah Haris, Lc., M.Pd., serving as the Director of Education at Al Siddiq International School. In his sermon, Ustadz Haris called upon everyone to increase istighfar, seeking forgiveness from Allah SWT for all sins committed, while also reminding them to remain grateful for Allah’s blessings up to this day. He emphasized that compared to other Muslim communities in different countries who face trials such as flash floods and earthquakes, gratitude must remain at the core of our faith. Furthermore, Ustadz Haris reminded the congregation to protect the environment by using water wisely and only as needed. “Let us cultivate a sense of concern for our brothers and sisters who struggle to access clean water,” he urged. The Shalat Istisqa concluded with supplications for Allah SWT to bestow His mercy in the form of rain, echoed by the collective amin of the congregation. Alhamdulillah, the event was carried out solemnly and successfully.[Red.]