Form 5 Novel "Jungle of Hope"

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[William P Nojey]

Hi, this is my second year teaching Form 5 English. Last year was totally new for me as the last time I taught Form 5 English was in the mid-90s! There was no literature component then. So, last year was a challenge for me, not only with the novel (my school is doing "Jungle of Hope"), but also with my batch of Form 5 students who were mostly academically challenged. They didn't even read the short stories and poems in Form 4. Fortunately, I had the teaching courseware to help me out. This year, I have a better group of Form 5 students, but they are still reluctant to read the novel. I am presently cracking my head thinking of interesting ways to motivate them to read the novel, which is longer and thicker than 'The Pearl'. Any ideas are most welcome. Thank you in advance.

[Lester Kalum]

We've did literature during our college days and "Jungle of Hope" was one of them. I don't really know how to make literature interesting to others because personally i like reading them. You may ask them do do a mini-play or asking them to act as characters in the story.......

[William P Nojey]

We've did literature during our college days and "Jungle of Hope" was one of them. I don't really know how to make literature interesting to others because personally i like reading them. You may ask them do do a mini-play or asking them to act as characters in the story.......

Thank you for your suggestions, Cikgu Lester. I could try that.

[Lester Kalum]

You are most welcome Mr William. I'm sorry that i could not come with more ideas on making literature fun. I am still new in the world of teaching. I hope others may help you.

[Helena Hon Wai Leng]

Cikgu,
I taught Jungle of Hope when I was teaching in SMK Green Road. Even though the book is thicker than 'The Pearl', you will find that the students can relate better to this novel as they can understand the social background very well. More so your students are from the rural area. They will be able to identify with the floods in Ketari (Did we not just go through floods?).

Highlight to them the important events in the novel such as Karim being taken out of the school by Pak Kia as he is needed to help to open up the land in Janda Baik. Your students will definitely be able to empathise with Karim who is in a situation not to his liking (Here you can even have a debate on the importance of education).

Don't forget the Rahimah's love for the Penghulu's son but he is out of her reach because they are deemed to be of different status.

Of course, every student will be able to remember the Wild Boar incident which shows that Karim has matured and has undergone a great deal of change from the reluctant schoolboy who first arrived in Janda Baik.

Students can be asked to draw the characters and to describe them in short notes around the picture. These pictures then can be exhibited for other students to admire and learn and don't forget it will help in "Keceriaan Kelas"!

All the best!

Helena Hon

[Lester Kalum]

Thank you for the tips madam.

[Duane Anak Reggie]

I have second thoughts about "Jungle of Hope".  To me "The pearl" is easier for students to answer in the examinations.  Even though you may like "Jungle of Hope" as a novel, you have to consider the students' level of understanding.  I have been teaching "The Pearl" for the past 5 years ... and I still would recommend "The Pearl" for the sake of answering examinations.

[William P Nojey]

Thank you for your opinions, Cikgu Helena and Cikgu Duane.

[Adeline Ong]

i'd think that Jungle of Hope is easier in the sense that there is no culture difference in terms of setting.  I taught Jungle of hope in my previous school. In the pearl, the plus point would be the length of the novel and the setting is distantly related unless the students watch a lot of Mexican/ Latin shows.

The challenge remains - getting the students to read the book. The synopsis and summary do not ensure the students get in depth analysis for the novel. 

think of the students.  Both are teachable.

[William P Nojey]

The challenge remains - getting the students to read the book. The synopsis and summary do not ensure the students get in depth analysis for the novel. 

think of the students.  Both are teachable.

I agree with you that the challenge is getting the students to read the book. I have been lending my own storybooks (thick ones, too) to some of my better students and they usually finish reading the books in a few days and ask for new ones. When I asked whether they have finished reading 'Jungle of Hope', their answers are ... notchet teacher  . But them, I'm not too worried about.
I have a whole class of average and weak students who didn't finish reading the short stories on their own last year. Fortunately, we have the software to help in ensuring that they understand the SS and poems.
However, I'm not giving up hope. My school is close to the jungle, so there's always hope ... 

[Lester Kalum]

However, I'm not giving up hope. My school is close to the jungle, so there's always hope ...

That's the spirit ya Sir. You'll never walk alone as they say at Anfield(ikhlas dari saya...MU fan)
.I hope your students will be able to make it. You did mention about a software to help right? I hope ypu can share it.....

[William P Nojey]

However, I'm not giving up hope. My school is close to the jungle, so there's always hope ...

That's the spirit ya Sir. You'll never walk alone as they say at Anfield(ikhlas dari saya...MU fan)
.I hope your students will be able to make it. You did mention about a software to help right? I hope ypu can share it.....

Thanks. The software I was refering to is the Form 4 English CDs given by Pusat Perkembangan Kurikulum. It contains complete lessons for all the F4 English Literature Component (short stories and poems). I think every school is supplied with that software.

[Adeline Ong]

But it doesn't have the form 5 novels.  the form 4 and 3 ones have been helpful.

[William P Nojey]

But it doesn't have the form 5 novels.  the form 4 and 3 ones have been helpful.

That's right. I wonder why they don't have the software for that. The Form 4 CDs definitely improved the students' understanding of the poems and short stories.

[Adeline Ong]

CD 1 & 2 form 5 containing the novel is out! Make sure your school has got the copies. 

[William P Nojey]

CD 1 & 2 form 5 containing the novel is out! Make sure your school has got the copies. 

Finally!!! But I'll believe it when I see the Cds.

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