SPEC Quick Response (18th Up Date)

In this fasting month, SPEC has no special agenda. School limits students’ activities so that they more concentration on their study and religion activities. But, SPEC has agendas for the months after “Lebaran Day”. They are debating exercise, preparation for SPEC’s anniversary, and English Night. Special for debating exercise, SPEC advisors have chosen nine students. They are selected based on their ability in English, activeness in SPEC, and their interest to join and improve their English. The nine students are:

1. Novita Widyatama (was chosen because of her activeness in SPEC)
2. Andi Alicia Fransiska (was chosen because of her activeness in SPEC and her interest to debate) Read more about Andi Alicia Fransiska.
3. Mualim Ibnu (was chosen because of his English teacher’s recommendation)
4. Riana Ika (was chosen because of her English teacher’s recommendation)
5. Fitri Yuliana (was chosen because of her activeness in SPEC. She has an experience in English Debating Championship too, as LO / Liaison Officer)
6. Ambalika (was chosen because of her English teacher’s recommendation)
7. Indah Lestari (was chosen because of her English teacher’s recommendation)
8. Tri Winar (was chosen because of her English teacher’s recommendation)
9. Anisa (was chosen because of her English teacher’s recommendation)

Congratulation for them!

By the way, do you notice that this blog seems different? Yes, of course. Because the interface of this blog had been changed. Hopefully, this new interface will be more beautiful and nicer so that can attract more visitors.
Still like in our previous SQR (SPEC Quick Response), we’d like to respond idea, suggestion, and criticism that left in comment menu under each article or sent to our e-mail: specsmansabuk@gmail.com. Some inputs that left and sent to us:

1. I just want to ask to SPEC committee, SPEC members, or SPEC advisor: why the quality and quantity of articles in this blog are getting down. In the beginning, this blog could serve qualified articles and usually, the number of articles almost more than five. But now, in one week, this blog only could publish 3 articles or less. And, please add more photographs about SPEC activities, ok?
2. Why, today SPEC doesn’t specify the theme of each publication like previous publications? Actually, the idea of specifying theme of every publication will help the visitors know faster the main topic and the purpose of the publication. Through SQR (SPEC Quick Response), information about “Today’s Theme” is very important, because through SQR visitors will know “What’s new today” in this blog.
3. If I’m not mistaken, SPEC is organizing a “comment competition”. For the best and the most constructive comments, suggestions, and criticisms, there will be nice souvenir (written in SQR 10th Up Date). Now, I just want to know, whether SPEC has decided the winner or not. If so, please announce the winner. If it’s possible, add his/her/their photograph.

For every response to this blog, we are really thanks to the people who care with this blog by leaving and or sending comment. But, we are really sorry too, because not all inputs, questions, criticisms, or suggestions can be responded as quick as possible. It is caused by SPEC has no special officer yet, whom he should stay online. So, for every inputs, questions, criticism, or suggestions will be responded maximally in one week, together with up dating content activity.

Then, to respond inputs above we will give you explanations as follow:

1. For several recent publications, SPEC has no too much articles to be published. We are sorry for this. We realize that we are really lack of materials for several recent weeks. So that why, if visitors of this blog has good articles, we don’t mind to receive and publish it. But, please notice that the articles must be suitable for our readers, in English, informative, inspiring, or motivating. If it’s possible, the article can be completed with pictures / photographs.
2. The theme for each publication is related with the content / main articles. When we are lack of materials, it means that we can’t specify the theme. But, don’t worry. Start from this edition, we are trying to re-build the publication that completed by specific theme. Hopefully, we can be better after this. We are really studying.
3. For the “Comment Competition”, we haven’t decided the winner, because we haven’t got “good” comment yet. All comments, suggestions, and criticisms that we received were good, but not constructive enough. We don’t need praise, but we need more constructive idea / suggestions from the visitors. Until now, we haven’t found it. Besides that, most of people who left good suggestion / criticism in our blog didn’t enclose his / her original name. Most of them used nickname. It’s quite difficult to contact them later, if one of them were the winner. So, if you want to leave comment / suggestion / criticism, ensure that you enclose your name. If you are not alumni of SPEC or you are not alumni of SMA N 1 Bukateja, please enclose another ID. Minimally, your e-mail address so that we can contact you later. This “Comment Competition” will be closed on September 30th , 2008. Remember, we have a special gift for the best and the most constructive idea / suggestion / criticism.

Then, in this week publication, we have a theme: Alumni, What's Up? The original article was written by our instructor, Mr. Khadis. He is an alumnus of our school and our beloved SPEC too. Hopefully, through this week publication, we become know more about alumni so that later we can make a good connection each other. Because, actually, keep in touch gives us benefits. By keeping in touch with alumni, we can get information, suggestions, advice, etc. About running club well, about good university / college, about working opportunities, and anything. So, stay connected with us!

ALUMNI, WHAT’S UP?

This year, in November, SPEC will have been running for 5 years. So many students had joined it. In 2003, SPEC only had 21 active members. The next years, SPEC had no less than 40 members. And this year, SPEC has fantastic number of members: more than 100!

So many students had joined SPEC. But, how are they? Where are they now?

Several weeks ago, I tried to find out information about SPEC alumni. Some of them had been contacted successfully through SMS and the others through e-mail. Then I asked them to give information about anything: where they are, what agenda they have, etc. I asked them to send me e-mail that informing their location (current address), agenda, recent phone number, etc. Finally, some alumni who often communicate each other with me wanted to send me information about them. The information about them can be seen as follow:

1. Zakiyah Susanti (was contacted through SMS)
I was the 3rd president of SPEC after Yusni Setiarini (2003 – 2004) and Khadis (2004 – 2005). Now, I’m studying in STIPARI (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pariwisata) Jogja. My sister, Ambar, whom she was the coordinator of Education Department of SPEC (2003 – 2004) also studying in STIPARI.
Zakiyah’s phone number (mobile): 085227762466
Ambar’s phone number (mobile): 085291111213

2. Siti Fatimah (was contacted through e-mail)
Hi, my name is Siti Fatimah. I am the alumni of SPEC, ex-vice president of year 2005 – 2006 who had just been graduated from SMANSABUK (nice nick name of SMA N 1 Bukateja) for about a year. Now, I am a student of Gadjah Mada University and taking Geophysics as my sub-department. Here, I join and participate in some organization that each of them have a different specialization and activities. There is necessary for me and my classmates to join HMGF (Himpunan Mahasiswa GeoFisika) and get participate on it, like other students who have a must to join their students association of sub-department. Every year, each of these organizations has their own business in preparing OSPEK / PMPL for the new students. You could imagine how busy we are in preparing this event, which have to be perfect. I also have to participate in the activities of Ramadhan which is hold by another organization, KMFM (Keluarga Muslim Fakultas MIPA). I am the member and being the professional staff of foreign language department in LSiS (Lingkar Studi Sains). You don't suppose that I will forget English do you. But, we haven't get a regular forum and starting in practicing English again this year. We've just begin the academic year on late August, so now we still in having an Open Recruitment (OR). I have to prepare an event to promote this organization as well, to see that I'm the event coordinator. Do you think it is busy enough? I have one more a new job to be added in my list! I have lately known that I was included in the committee of the anniversary of LSiS. But I'm happy to know that the class had just begin so that there isn't much of task and homework. However, I have to get an adaptation of each teacher so that I could enjoy in attending his or her class. It is a new academic year, with new materials, new teachers, new hope, new target, which all of them must to be better. I wish I could get a better GPA this year without ignoring my organization. What about you?
Siti’s phone number (mobile): 085291016998
Siti’s e-mail address: fsiti11@yahoo.com

3. Susliana Septiani (was contacted through e-mail)
Remember about me, I am Susliana Septiani alumni of year 2007. I was the coordinator of Library Department in year 2005 – 2006. Now I’m working in PT Sanyo Precision Batam, as operator in production department. I have job contract for 2 years. Living in Batam obligated me to survive and adapt with new friends, new environment and new habit when the most of peoples busy with their job.
I want to get the very nice and great opportunity in doing my job as a good worker. But sometimes, I need other activities to kill boredom too.
Lucky to me, I live at Batamindo Industrial Park (BIP) Mukakuning, which provides many organizations to post our talent. It is in Dormitory A5 and guided by Karang Taruna Siaga Yudha and PT Tunaskarya Indoswasta. I have many choices such as PMI, INKAI, Theater, English Club, Scouting, Tailing, Fighting, Writing, Dancing and Band, and Aerobic. It is specially provided for workers from hundreds Company in BIP.
I myself choose to join Siaga Yudha English Convesation Club (SYEC2) and Forum Lingkar Pena (FLP). SYEC2 established on July 4th 1999. I join in November 2007. The program that I can follow is “Regular class” which is held every Sunday and Tuesday at 08.00 pm – 10.00 pm. I get learning English with fun here. Entertainment, moving class, singing, theater and out bond. Other activities are broadcast practice at Rabbani Generation 108,7 FM (Nurul Islam mosque radio), public speaking training, Batam explore, and native speaker discussion. Special for discussion with native speaker make me get understanding communication with foreigners and realize that they don’t much pay attention at the grammar. Just talk as long as our interlocutor understands our word.
And, there is another thing here: STRC, which is stands for Speech Telling Reading Contest. It is the biggest program in every year. Usually it is presented to celebrate SYEC2’s anniversary. In this year will be presented in November 2008 in Panbill mall with other title “Speech and Singing contest”.
Besides SYEC2, I also join with FLP since February 2008. We have program called “bedah buku” and “bedah karya”.
The first members were inaugurated on September 10th, 2006 when “bedah buku” of AAC (Ayat – Ayat Cinta, a book by Habbiburrahman El Shirazy) at community center. With FLP I have opportunity to visit Akar island in “FLP goes to island” to give contribution 1000 books and magazine also give seminar about important of reading a book in our life.
In my spare time, usually I and my friends visit Ponpes and Panti asuhan Daarul Islah Batuaji to visit and help to teach reading and writing, English, and mathematic.
Susliana’s phone number (mobile): 081320484720
Susliana’s e-mail address: pethoenk@yahoo.co.id

4. Stefan Christianto (was contacted through SMS)
After graduated from SMA N 1 Bukateja, I studied in BSI Purwokerto for 1 year and now I’m taking a short course of graphic design in Mitra Aditama Purbalingga. When I joined SPEC, I was the coordinator of Media and Talent Department.
Stefan’s phone number (mobile): 081542959650

I know, the information above isn’t sufficient. Because we know, SPEC has hundreds of alumni. But, it’s impossible to expose them all and their activities in this limited space. Besides that, I couldn’t contact them all since I lost of contact with some of them. But, don’t worry. I think, to know more about alumni, you can contact one or more of the alumni above or more alumni below:

1. Udin (Education Department 2003 – 2004, Mobile Phone: 085726054344)
2. Zuli Musrifah (Member 2003 – 2004, Mobile Phone: 085292101629)
3. Sefurokhman (Education Department 2004 - 2005, Mobile Phone: 085215995553)
4. Mansur Hidayat (Member 2004 - 2005, Mobile Phone: 081327357434)
5. Titik Pancawati (Treasurer 2005 - 2006, Mobile Phone: 085227595128)
6. Riski Kurniawan (Education Department 2005 - 2006, Mobile Phone: 081319601475)
7. Mohammad Soleman (Member 2005 - 2006, Mobile Phone: 08122969780)

Seven alumni above was considered still can be ensured their location. The others, have lost contact with SPEC and school. (Article by: Khadis, rename_myheart@plasa.com).

MID TEST MATERIALS FOR GRADE X

No. 1 - 3

Last week I went to theater. I had a very good seat. The play was interesting. I did not enjoy it.

A young man and a young woman were sitting behind me. They were talking loudly. I got very angry. I could not hear the actors. I turned round. I looked at the man and the woman angrily. They did not pay any attention. In the end, I could not bear it.

I turned around again. “I can’t hear a word!” I said angrily.

“It’s none of your business,” the young man said rudely. “This is a private conversation!”

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No. 4 - 7

Last Sunday, early in the morning, Tina had a bicycle ride to the market.

First, she got into the garage to get her bicycle ready for the ride. Then, she got her bike cleaned up. After that she got on the saddle and started to paddle along the way to the market. When she came to the market she bought some apples. Finally, she rode back home.

She thought it was healthy to cycle around in the morning.

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No. 8 - 10

Early one morning, Umar was walking to the bus stop to catch a bus to school.

A loud, screeching noise suddenly pierced the air. Umar realized that there had been an accident. A small boy was lying unconscious on the road, and the car that had hit him already run away.

Umar was confused and frightened. “Is the boy dead?” Umar asked himself. However, the boy was still breathing. Umar could see that the boy had bruises all over his face and arms.

Umar did not know what to do. Few cars passed along this road at this time of the day. The nearest house which he could go to for help was his own, but it would take ten minutes to walk there. Umar finally decided to stay with they boy until somebody came by.

Time passed very slowly – so it seemed to Umar. The boy was still unconscious, and Umar prayed for the boy to regain consciousness.

Umar sprang to his feet at the sound of an approaching car. He waved frantically at the driver to stop. Umar asked the driver, “You will help this boy, won’t you, sir?” the driver was kind. He carried the injured boy to the car. Umar went them to the hospital. Later, the driver took Umar to the police station to report the accident.

Umar had a lot to tell his friends that day at school. All his friends thought Umar was a very brave boy. “It was an unforgettable incident, wasn’t it?” they asked him.

“Yes, it was,” Umar replied. “It was a terrifying experience, though!”

MID TEST MATERIALS FOR GRADE XI

No. 1 - 3

Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997.
There are many different subtypes of type A flu viruses. These subtypes differ because of certain proteins on the surface of the flu A virus (hem agglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins). There are 16 different HA subtypes and 9 different NA subtypes of flu A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination is a different subtype. All subtypes of flu A viruses can be found in birds. However, when we talk about “bird flu” viruses, we are referring to that flu A subtypes that continue to occur mainly in birds. They do not usually infect humans, even though we know they can do so. When we talk about “human flu viruses” we are referring to those subtypes that occur widely in humans. There are only three known subtypes of human flu viruses (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2); it is likely that some genetic parts of current human flu A viruses came from birds originally. Flu A viruses are constantly changing, and they might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.

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No. 9 - 12

Atmosphere is a gas mixture. Nitrogen is about 4.5 of the air part. Oxygen is more than 1.5, and other gases in small amount are Argon, Neon, Helium, Krypton, Xenon, CO₂, Hydrogen, and Ozone.

It can be found amount of vapour coming from the seas, lakes and rivers as well. The solid substances in the earth control the above gases.

Atmosphere consists of five layers; they are troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

It protects the earth from ultraviolet and other sky materials. It is also used as the communication media.

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No. 20 - 21

One of the most deadly plants in the world is poison hemlock. This plant grows in many parts of the world. It is quite dangerous to humans; people can die if they eat it.

One thing that makes poison hemlock really dangerous is that it looks like some plants that people normally eat. Hemlock belongs to very much like parsley, and its roots look like carrots. People have died when they have made a mistake and have eaten poison hemlock when they thought that they were eating either parsley or carrot.

SPEC Quick Response (17th Up Date)

Firstly, we’d like to say “Happy Fasting” for all students and teachers of SMA N 1 Bukateja. In this holy Ramadhan, let’s improve ourselves – our life by doing useful activities. Both for ourselves and other people. Then, let’s forgive each other for the mistakes that we’ve done to start this holy Ramadhan. Hopefully, we can reach our “Fitrah” in the end of Ramadhan.

Happy Fasting

Ovita (vice president of SPEC, right) and Ika, her friend (left) would like to say "Happy Fasting" for all SPEC committee, SPEC members, and all Moslem around the world.

Sunday Morning #1

Sunday Morning #2

Sunday Morning #3

SPEC Quick Response (16th Up Date)

Since February 2008 SPEC has published more than 80 articles and photographs that describe SPEC’s activities and some information in SMA N 1 Bukateja. Tips and tricks also have been published to add knowledge and help teachers and students in improving English. But, some visitors are often “confuse” when they visit this blog to find tips and tricks because we have so many spread articles. So that why, in this edition we give you links to some tips, tricks, and motivation. Especially for teachers. So they don’t need to scan all articles or seek them one by one in our archive panel.
Links to our tips and tricks pages:

1. Fun English
2. Games
3. Grammar and Structure Excercise
4. Tips For Preparing English Test / TOEIC / TOEFL
5. Writing Material

Then, here, again and again, we want to remind all alumni of SPEC to come in SPEC 5th anniversary that will be held on November 8th, 2008. To all alumni, please contact Khadis via e-mail in rename_myheart@plasa.com or one46_junior@yahoo.com to get further information.

FACTS ABOUT LEARNING ENGLISH

(Recommended For: Teachers)

English as a language that recognized as international language is still considered as a difficult lesson by some students. So many ways and methods have been created by teachers to overcome students’ judgment about English. Teachers apply a game, make an English club, etc. That all are done to help students. Sometimes teachers also need to mix teaching methods to produce qualified result: students are able in English well. But, whatever the technique, without good and provocative motivation, students will keep not interested in English and this condition will make all methods, techniques, tips and tricks are useless. In fact, everyday, people talk about the importance of English in communication. Everyone conscious that without English, it’s impossible to follow globalization era, when all people communicate each other in different languages and from different places. In fact, to unity these differences, English as international language is absolutely needed. Because, only with mastering English we can do communication effectively while we can’t speak Germany, Spain, etc. for examples.

Some Facts:

1. Now, the problem is how to practice English while there’s opinion that if we don’t know the structure and grammar, we can’t speak at all? Actually, this opinion is wrong! The people who emphasize on structure and grammar only, they will never be able to speak. But now, the important thing is our bravery to make mistakes when we practice our English. By making mistakes, we know which sentence isn’t right. By making mistakes, other people will give the right solution. Don’t be shy! Don’t be afraid! And find out your partner to speak English everyday right now! The choice is in your hand. If you want to be able to speak in English, just be brave to practice about what you have known. Because, English is for all.
2. People born without language skill. We don’t know about what language we use. But, while time is running, we can use a language that we get from our environment. We understand about the language because we often listen to people who use that language and we practice it as our habit. If we live in a new environment, we feel strange with their language until we can adapt in the end. That just the same as our skill in English. We will be able to understand about English if we often use it. Generally, we learn English only at school and rarely use it in the daily life. We think that learn English just to get good mark. Out from that, we don’t need it. That is a wrong opinion that make our skill can’t get betterment. In fact, if we take a look at international world, we are included as a kind of people with a low English skill. Sound terrible? That’s right, but that’s the fact! The problem could be our culture. We are lazy, but we wish to get a lot. When we were at school, we learnt English. We learnt about the meaning of every word, how to make sentence, how to choose the right word, etc. But, have we ever thought about when and for what we use English? That’s all never been thought because we always think that English is not important, we don’t need it, and it’s difficult. But, if we think that English is important, we need it, and it’s fun, of course we will be able to use English well. We just need more practice and not lazy. Make English as our habit, like try to say it, listen to the English song, read book with the English as the main language, and get talk with your friends in English. English is just the same as math. More practice makes you better. Don’t be afraid to try!
3. Many countries around the world speak English as mother tongue. The others use English as the language of government, education, trade, tourism, entertainment, broadcasting, etc. There are so many variations about grammar, structure, spelling, and pronunciation. But, they are not a big problem as long as the English still can be understood by other English speakers. Really, you'll find the differences among American English speaker, British English speaker, Australian English speaker, etc. But, the style of your English is yours, whether you'll use American, British, Australian, Singaporean English, or other English style. Your style will show your culture too. Like in Australia, to say "How are you?", the people of Australia pronounce it as sound "Hawaya", not like we usually pronounce normally. So, although foreigners speak English everyday and every time, not all of them speak "correctly". Most of foreigners from different countries have different style, idiom, expressions, etc. So, let's take a conclusion that it doesn't matter to "mix" your English with your own styles in order to make you more comfortable in speaking English. But, don't too excessive. Because, in communication, English and or other languages also should be understood by the interlocutor. A language isn't only yours. English is also not only belongs to the English, but also belongs to world English speaking community around the world.
4. English is not only "a duty" that you must get good mark for it at school. But, English also "a measurement" of competitiveness. By mastering English we can take a part in international association, get more knowledge or information that come in English, and finally contribute something valuable to the world to show that Indonesian people also should be considered because of the ideas, works, and inventions. Means, again and again, English is very important. Difficulties such as tenses, a lot of vocabularies that should be memorized, etc. should be the secondary consideration. We should against "feeling difficult" in learning English to prepare ourselves to take a part in international association.
5. We often hear that the reason of the students learning English is because English regarded as international language and it's very important in globalization era. But it's a different case in some foreign countries where students have different reason in learning languages. Like in Australia, students learn languages to help them developing tolerance and respect to other cultures. It also encourages curiosity about the lives of people from diverse cultural background. That's different with us, right?
6. All people can learn new language easily. The ability of using new language isn’t only owned by genius man, or in the other words, all people are able. But, you must listen the language every day. Do you still remember when you learnt your mother tongue for the first time? Your mother didn’t teach you the language, did she? The answer is so simple: because you listen your mother tongue and use it in your daily, at home, at school, etc. Then, this process of learning a language called as “language achievement” (pemerolehan bahasa). As long as we listen to the language, the achievement will be got. That is the difference between learning language and learning other things.

SPEC Quick Response (15th Up Date)

Unbelievable!
That’s right, we screamed “unbelievable” when we found that a day after registration period for students to enroll in SPEC was closed, still there were so many students who wanted to join SPEC. The last day of registration period to join SPEC, we got 94 students. But, one day later we found that about 60 students wanted to join SPEC too. Thanks for the trust to join SPEC as a pleasure place (read: extracurricular) to study English.
Then, through today’s publication, we would like to invite all alumni of SPEC too, to come in 5th SPEC’s anniversary. The celebration will be held on November 8th, 2008 in SMA N 1 Bukateja. So, for all alumni in all around the world, please come and let’s celebrate our club’s birthday. The invitation letter will be sent maximally a week before the celebration. For further information, please feel free to contact Khadis (rename_myheart@plasa.com or one46_junior@yahoo.com).

Sense of Belonging

There are a lot of students who join an organization, even a student could join in some organization. Unfortunately 'join' is the best word which can describe it because they don't participate, the thing that have to be their responsibility while joining organization. They have a good idea about this, that their main purpose to be there is 'to school' so that they don't want to get a worse at school. They think that active in organization don't give any benefit and attending the activity just waste their time. All that things make they don't have any sense of belonging. Actually, the mistake also be taken by the committee that make them not interest to be active. We have to make the activities give any benefit and even so advantageous that could make them to keep coming in order to get the benefit as we have to remember that 'first time is important'. By active in activities could make them active in organization as well, even it is potential to build 'their sense of belonging'. The 'sense of belonging' is important to all member that make them feel that they are the owner of the organization and they have to give the best for it. If every people had have it, then the organization will easy to grow-up and being improved. The most important thing in organization is the member, so if we want to up-grade the organization, then we have to up-grade the member. And the best member is whose full of sense of belonging. (Article By: Shifa d' alumnus)

School or Organization?

Almost students are confuse about choosing between both of two above, ' School or Organization? '. The main purpose of the students and parents, of course is to school - to study at school. But students almost confuse when they are beginning to interest in an organization. You want to make your parents happy by getting good marks at school but you also want to improve your skill in organization which you think it is important to your future. You are like choosing between 'parents' and 'yourselves'. Actually, school and organization is not like a coin that you have to choose only one face. Both of them support and strengthen each other. You can school and join organization at the same time. Even, it can make the school better when you choose an organization which support your school, such as art community, English club, study club, research activity, etc. Another activity like scouting, nature lover, OSIS, are not disadvantages because it can develop your 'soft skill' which is needed until you have an occupation. While you are managing a project or research in a work or at school, you will be more confident and able to handle because your management had been improved in organization. So it has all benefit, to improve your 'hard skill' which is different for each organization and 'soft skill' which is provided by all organization. Don't be afraid that your mark will go down at school, because if you can manage your time effectively, then you can won't lose your time to study. So how do you manage your time? The answer is 'You will get the lesson in organization'. So don't be too much afraid at all. Join an organization and get the improvement, then. (Article By: Shifa d' alumnus)

Sunday Morning Logo

SUNDAY MORNING: SPEC MOST WANTED

Finally, SPEC successfully held Sunday Morning Activity again! With a theme “SPEC Most Wanted”, this program was held on August 10th 2008 to welcome the new members of SPEC. The activities were so various, but mostly were games. The new members were divided into 10 groups.

“The games are simple games such as jumbled words, guess what I do, etc. But, we want to play them as outdoor activities although they can be played in a room. Because, if we play that games in a room, they will not be too much different with a boring class. So, we try to move the games out of room and out of school yard.” Said Novita Widyatama, the Project Officer of Sunday Morning Activity.

In Sunday Morning Activity, we have 2 main session. They are wide game and art session. In wide game session, new members played games by moving from a post to other posts. Each post has one game that should be completed.

1. Post I
2. Post II
3. Post III (Jumbled Words post, where the new members should re-arrange jumbled words into the right order.)
4. Post IV (Elephant Necklace post, where the new members should make a necklace made from a piece of paper and the necklace should cover all members in the group.)
5. Post V (In this post, new members were asked to discuss a controversial topic given by the instructor. Here, they must give their opinion and arrange structured arguments a if they were facing a debating championship.)

After finishing all games new members and committee had a lunch together in the last post, Post V. Then, after lunch, they went back to school to complete another session: art session, where new members can show their ability in presenting a short drama, singing, etc.

The activity that began at 7 o’clock in the morning was closed at 3 pm. But, as Andi Alicia Fransiska (well known as Chika, the Program Manager of Sunday Morning Activity) said, that SPEC will never stop holding English activities to support students’ English development in SMA N 1 Bukateja.

“SPEC still has so many programs. Start from the end of this month (August) until January 2009, we have 4 agendas: preparing SPEC’s anniversary, English Night, speech and drama contest, and Hunting Tourist. So, we must work hardly. What a challenging job!” Chika said.

Studying, organizing an English club, and managing events (club’s activities) are superb combination, right?

SPEC Quick Response (14th Up Date)

It was so amazing when we opened registration for new students to join SPEC this year. Because, we found that 94 new students were so interested to join. What a great number! In fact, last year we only got for about 30 students! It means, the increasing of the amount of students who join SPEC will be a “homework” for the committee to be better. Better in organizing club, better in events. This year, we have a plan to hold "A Tourist Hunting Program" and any other outdoor activities. Then, With a great number of participants (members), hopefully can make SPEC better and get more achievement. Because, the students who join SPEC this year have good potential. Then, in our pages today, we have several information that maybe useful for you, especially for new students / new comers / new visitors / person which is this time is the first time to access this blog. We also have new tips for teachers to make students be active in speaking plus have fun. So, keep stay tune!

NOTE:
We'd like to say "Welcome to SPEC" to new members of SPEC listed below:

Class XA

1. Ganjar Hendriarto
2. Ali Prabowo
3. Riku Ridwan
4. Taruna Risky
5. Septiono
6. Indah Kartika Sari
7. Dwi Yogiyanti
8. Ema Susilowati
9. Arif Muamah W
10. Prisdiana
11. Hannan Faizal
12. Diyah Nur Aeni
13. Roro Kartika
14. Agus Sugiyanto
15. Andika Siwi P
16. Alfiatin
17. Nur Endah Larasati
18. Lia Anggraeni
19. Luisa
20. Sefina Nur A
21. Fist Fajar K

Class XB

1. Galank Angga P
2. Ganjar
3. Sri Srah
4. Linda Diana
5. Desi
6. Afriani
7. As'ad
8. Hasan
9. Uni
10. Nita
11. Yuda
12. Titi
13. Safika
14. Lili
15. Zahrotun Nisa
16. Dwi Susanti

Class XC

1. Revina Novanti
2. Wantia Hikmah
3. Nurjanah
4. Efiani Purwanti
5. Nur Rodliah
6. Bayu Sakti Wisnu
7. Diah Haryani
8. Dimas Bayu

Class XD

1. Tia Mardani
2. Wilda Nurul H
3. Apri Wulandari
4. Ayun Riana
5. Tri Fiatin
6. Febria Noor S
7. Nova R
8. Tuti Winarsih
9. Indriyani
10. Ita Tri R
11. Safitri Nur R
12. Feni Tri
13. Rizki Febrita
14. Achyat Nur

Class XE

1. Feri Prasetyo
2. Dita Nur Priyanti
3. Ary Luhviati
4. Indah Kurnia
5. Suci Nur Fauziah
6. Fikawati Nur Khabibah
7. Ika Mei
8. Istiyah
9. Tri Winarsih
10. Emi Afitri
11. Mutiara A P
12. Tridiyah Pratiwi

Class XF

1. Esti Sulistiyani
2. Dwi Septiani
3. Solikhatul M
4. Siska R
5. Ristika Oktavina
6. Atina Aulia F
7. Wiwit S
8. Mely M
9. Ria L W
10. Nur Endah
11. Nur Anisa
12. Fadilla N

Class XG

1. Indah Lestari
2. Dina Ayu Puspita Sari
3. Sadriyah Pratiwi
4. Uki Apriani
5. Aditia Rimadani
6. Bara G
7. Kristia Ningsih
8. Marliana Saputri
9. Pratiwi Yuli
10. Anisa Dwi Harfiah
11. Fandi Sudrajat

TONGUE TWISTER

(Recommended For: Teacher)

Let's invite the students to talk and have fun with this game. It's so simple. Ask the students to compete each other by saying sentences below quickly. How long can they pronounce the sentences well?
1. upper roller lower roller upper roller lower roller.
2. A sailor went to sea, to see what he could see. And all he could see was sea.
3. Betty bought butter but the butter was bitter, so Betty bought better butter to make the bitter butter better.
4. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, where is the peck of of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
It's easy, isn't it? But, be careful. Because the sentences are twisting enough your tongue!

HOW MANY “DO” CAN YOU WRITE?

"Recommended For: Mostly Student"

English is still as a language that is recognized as one of difficult lessons (for some students). But, actually, there are so many tips and tricks to make English easier than any other lessons. We have published several tips and tricks in previous editions. And now, new trick is coming to you:
1. Prepare a blank book
2. In page 1, write sentences that started with “Do”. For example: Do you live around here?, Do you like Mendoan?, Etc.Write as much as possible until the page full. You can divide your page into 2 columns: left and right columns.
3. In page 2, write sentences that started with “How”. For example: How many people are there here?, How is your family?, Etc.
4. In page 3, write sentences that started with “Can / could”. For example: Can I call you back later?, Can I take a message?, Etc.
5. In page 4, write sentences that started with “Will / would”. For example: Would you like to come to my birthday party?, Will he accompany her?, Etc.
6. You can make more criteria!

SPEC Quick Response (13th Up Date)

Some new students were excited when we introduced SPEC and its blog. They wanted to know more about SPEC and the contents of the blog. They also said that they need the summary of articles that had been published.

By the way, visitors can see the list of articles in the left archieves panel (blog archieves menu). All articles are categorized based on the month they were published.
Then, we also want to say "Welcome to SMA N 1 Bukateja" to the new students. Hopefully, the new students will join us so that we can proudly say "Welcome to SPEC, and get involve in our blog!".

MAKE YOUR OWN BLOG

(Recommended For: Students)

There are so many reasons about why we need to have a blog nowadays. One of the reasons is through blog, means that we make a documentation. We can learn journalistic too. We can write whatever: news, free articles, tutorials, even literary such as poem or short story without any cencor so we can express ourselves. Blog is the way out if so many times we've tried to send articles or poem oe short story to magazine or newspaper but never been published. So, it's time to publish your work through blog now!

Blog is also a diary. Diary on cyber space. All things that can be added into blog: text, photographs, and video. Blog is totally free and an easy web site. You only have to post your work regularly. You do not need to know about the concept of a web site. Just post your work!

To make a blog, you just need to visit web blog provider such as www.blogger.com and follow the instructions. Usually, there will be 3 steps to have your own blog start from registering account until posting articles or photographs. But, after you have your own blog, please note that you must up date the contents to keep your blog visitors enjoy in visiting your blog. So, feed your blog with fresh news or articles. Minimally, you must up date your blog once a week. Or, if it's possible you can up date your blog everyday. Through blog, you can also get your own pocket money by enclosing Google Addsense. But, your blog must be in English. That's the fundamental requirement.

SPEC QUICK RESPONSE (12th Up Date)

Some students complained that they couldn’t visit the up dated pages of this blog. Why it could happen?

Actually, we have 2 log in pages in this blog. One page entitled A TRUE DEDICATION, and one page entitled LEARNING ENGLISH EASILY. Unfortunately, the last page never been up dated since March 2008 and we more focus in up dating A TRUE DEDICATION page, although, both of pages are the same. Some unlucky students only could visit LEARNING ENGLISH EASILY page. We couldn’t explain about it yet. Technically, we want to delete LEARNING ENGLISH EASILY page through “Dashboard Setting Menu” in our blog. But, we are afraid of deleting all articles, include A TRUE DEDICATION page. So, to prevent students visit “the wrong” page, later, we will up date the content of our 2 pages. Of course, so that the students who only can visit LEARNING ENGLISH EASILY page also can get the latest information from us.

Then, responding the comment about the schedule of up dating this blog that ever been said "inconsistent" (sometimes on Sunday, sometimes on Monday or Tuesday), we could explain it. In Purbalingga, there's a policy of "Pemadaman Bergilir" from PLN. So, when we want to up date this blog, sometimes we can't. Because, for several times, PLN change the schedule of "Pemadaman Bergilir" in our area. So, we are really sorry for the inconvenience.

NEW YEAR TERM BEGINS!

It's time for MOS (Masa Orientasi Siswa) or students orientation time again. Of course, for 3 days, start from Monday to Wednesday (July 14th-16th, 2008), and there will be so many reports about the activities. Moreover, there are still so many agendas in 2 weeks. Because, after MOS, students will hold MKO or Malam Keakraban OSIS and PTA or Penerimaan Tamu Ambalan in the weekend. Not only that, our school will be busier because we will take a part in Salam Ulang Janji in Indonesian Scouts Anniversary (August 14th) and carnival in Indonesian Independence Day (August 17th). What a busy school!

MOS AGAIN
A student orientation in every beginning of year term is obliged to be followed by new students. Orientation program is held to introduce the new students to their new environment at school (school building, teachers and staffs, the way of study, extracurricular), students ethics, and as a forum where they can develop their talent and interest.


Students guidance or orientation itself is a part of national education system in Indonesia. So, usually MOS is held at the same time in both of state and vocational school. Before reformation era, MOS called as Penataran that used Penataran P-4 system and held for 6 days. Then, hopefully, new students can be more discipline, creative, make good adaptation, and more confident.

STUDENT NIGHT
After 3 days MOS, in the weekend school will hold student night called Malam Keakraban OSIS (MKO). In this program, students will be asked to show their abilities on stage. They may perform a short drama, sing a song, read a poem, dance, even a speech.

Student night will be held for twice: by OSIS and Pramuka. Both of student nights are the same: there will be shows on stage and campfire. But, Pramuka has different purpose in handling that student night called PTA. In this program, new students will be established as Pramuka Penegak.

ANDA TAKUT?? ANDA BODOH!!

(Recommended For: Mostly Students)


Only four words, but it's stimulating enough our emotion, isn’t it? Yes! We feel that people uncertain with our capability. They despise us! But, stay calm guys! Don't need to be angry because actually it's only a motivating sentence. You must raise up to prove that you're not afraid, you're not stupid. Except you're true a fainthearted person. So you’ll response nothing.

I got this word from my English club (Siaga Yudha English Conversation Club, Batam). Usually, we use it before the class begin, after the class finish, and every my leader invites one of us to speak in front of the class. Therefore, there isn’t reason to be shy or say “not yet". Finding out reasons means that we’ll hear "Anda Takut??" and we'll be embarrassed because we'll hear "Anda Bodoh!!" then.

I think it's right. I'm joining an English club for 2 year here. If I’m still afraid and not motivated to try it means I get 2 years futile effort.

English is about quantity not quality. The fluency of speaking depends on our frequency to practice our English. If we often practice our English, in the end, we'll reach quality. Remember, English is spoken.

I like this slogan because now I’m encouraged to speak more in front of my friends although they always laugh on me. I get confidence from it. Until I write this article I don't know how many mistake I’ve done, but I think this is just my process. It's part of my improvement. My interlocutor is my teachers.

In addition, what about you? Do you still afraid practicing your English? If so, don't expect that you'll be fluent in English!
(sent by: Susliana, alumni who lives in Batam)

SPEC QUICK RESPONSE (11th Up Date)

The increasing of earth's average temperature called as global warming.

That sentence was written by Ovita, the vice president of SPEC, for her paper (makalah) that will be presented in Lomba Makalah in Semarang, August 10th-14th, 2008. And, for this week she wrote some paragraphs about global warming.

Then, we'd like to say thank you very much to alumni who sent e-mail contained advice, questions, and criticism. Their inputs are very useful for our betterment. Some questions and inputs from them are:

1. Why recently SPEC publish the articles irregularly. Sometimes on Sunday, sometimes on Monday, and sometimes on Tuesday.
2. Please be consistent.

For other readers / visitors, we still invite you to send or leave comments, criticism, advices, and suggestion. For the best (the most constructive) comments, criticism, advices, or suggestion, there will be gift for you. So, why should you just read? Leave your comments or send through our e-mail, specsmansabuk@gmail.com and get gift from us. You may ask questions about everything too. But, please note that the questions must be related with "Learning English".

LET'S SAVE THE PLANET!

(Recommended For: Mostly Students)

Generally, global warming is the increasing of average temperature on earth. It's happened because the increasing of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In fact, carbon dioxide has function too. It protects our earth from cold. Without carbon dioxide, earth can get cold until - 19 degree celcius. Together with water and metan, carbon dioxide keep earth warm.

But, there was something happened since people made Revolusi Industri in 1750. In 250 years, the amount of carbon dioxide increase quickly. Especially caused by the usage of goods that produce carbon dioxide. Finally, more sun heat saved by carbon dioxide. The increasing average temperature can cause global warming although just 1 degree celcius in 100 or 200 years!

Global warming has been happening. So, what can we do then? Save energy such as save electricity, go to school on foot or bike or by bus if usually we go to school by motorcycle, plant some trees around us or in pot, reduce-reuse-recycle things, etc. (By: Ovita Yanuar Lestari Putri, the vice president of SPEC 2007-2008).

LEARN AND LEARN

(Recommended For: Mostly Students)

As we know, learning make us smart. Why can we be clever? Actually, our brain is a superior thing. Even we learn everyday at school, then continued at home, our brain will never be exhausted. This small thing has a very big capacity of storage or memory. It's different with a rubbish bin that will be overflow if it's filled too much thing. Our brain won't!

Some experts said that human's brain has an ability to remember so many things even it's filled by information everyday, even every second! John Griffith, a mathematician said that a normal man could remember 1,000,000,000,000 bits of information. And John von Neumann, an expert of information theory said that a normal man could memorize information up to 280,000,000,000,000,000,000 bits of information! What a great capacity! So, actually, there's no reason to be lazy to keep learning and learning. But, please note that our brain also needs to be refreshed too. Don't force our brain to think and memorize something. Sometimes, we need to entertain ourselves to refresh our brain so that it can be used again later. So that why, we may not learn for along the night to face an exam. Because, in tired condition, our brain can't work well.

So, keep learning. The word "learning" here not always means learning lessons at school. "Learning" can be at school (of course) or get information from newspaper, magazine, radio, internet, etc. The point is keep filling our brain by information so that it won't stop working. You should know that our brain will not work well if it too often "empty" and rarely used to think! So, don't let your brain lack of "food" in three days. Imam Syafi'i, an expert in Muslim law who gives an independent interpretation of the Koran and Hadist said that we must find out more knowledge as hard as a mother who is looking for her missing daughter.

SPEC QUICK RESPONSE (10th Up Date)

It was very nice when we received article sent by Tia. It was made us believe that this blog will be useful for all ages. Yes! This blog, although was built by students of senior high school of Bukateja (SMAN 1 Bukateja) who join SPEC (Students Practice English Club), but the usage of this blog will be for all people: students of elementary school, students of junior high school, students of senior high school, even for teachers. So, whatever you are, if you want to join us in practicing and developing English, just join us. You may give information, share your experience or ideas, etc. And, start from this edition, we hold “Comment Competition”. For the best and the most constructive comments, suggestions, and criticisms, there will be nice souvenir. So, left your comments, suggestions, and criticisms in “Comment Menu” under each article or send to specsmansabuk@gmail.com.

And now, SMAN 1 Bukateja is very busy. Not only because of PSB (Penerimaan Siswa Baru) that is being held on June 30th until July 3rd, but also because of activities after it: MOS (Masa Orientasi Siswa), MKO (Malam Keakraban OSIS), and PTA (Penerimaan Tamu Ambalan). Then, SMAN 1 Bukateja should prepare its Paskibraka team for Tujuh Belasan (Indonesian Independence Day, August 17th), carnival, and Indonesian Scout’s Anniversary. All in one time. What a busy month. So, keep visiting this blog to get the newest and up dated information from our busy school.

LET'S BE KANGGURU'S FRIEND

When my friend who joined SPEC introduced me to KangGuru, I was surprised. Really, he introduced me to “a very light” magazine. Firstly, I was confused when I should read English articles. I didn’t like English news. But, since he asked for me to read KangGuru for awhile, I became so surprised. The magazine was so colorful and attracted me to read more. I got more experience and knowledge from that magazine. Since that, I tried to get KangGuru because my friend told me that KangGuru was free. And I prove it.

Now, I’m studying in a college and be KangGuru subscriber. Because of this magazine, I become braver and braver to practice my English. I want to be brave, as brave as students of junior high school who often get KangGuru magazine and join in its forum. Send a letter, join in KangGuru competition, write an article, etc. So I hope the new members of SPEC will be KangGuru subscriber too. Don’t be left behind, because there are so many youngsters braver than us!
(sent by Iko Agus, igustyawan@yahoo.co.id)

BUSY SCHOOL, LOTS OF ACHIEVEMENT

It is very nice when you can study in SMAN 1 Bukateja. Why?

A good school, of course, has a lot of criteria: has high pass in grade, has good discipline, has good teachers whom they are experts in their field, and has up to date materials for teaching-learning process. Besides that, educate its students to have moral and ethics, build creative and shape the students to be active in seminar, discussion, and observation. And, most of those criteria are owned by SMAN 1 Bukateja.

The students of SMAN 1 Bukateja also have a lot of achievement in many fields. Not only in academic achievement, but also in nonacademic achievement. They could get achievement because they have the ways. They are the extracurricular. Some extracurricular (we commonly call extracurricular as “x-cool”) in SMAN 1 Bukateja:
1. Students Practice English Club (SPEC)
Here, students can learn English more intensive through games, out door activities, drama exhibition, English Night, and debate. Students also will be given a chance to take a part in managing this blog.
SPEC, which was established in 2003, has a room with AC, tape and multimedia desk for listening activity, and also laptop and LCD Projector. These things made the members of SPEC motivated, enjoyed in learning, and finally got so many achievements

2. Chrisda Pala (Christina – Gadjah Mada Pecinta Alam)
Students who like to climb a mountain and want to be a jungle explorer, who can survive in the wild nature, may join PA (Pecinta Alam).

3. Perikanan
Perikanan or fishery made SMAN 1 Bukateja becomes well known as “The School of Fish”. In this x-cool, students will learn about how to look after and spawn fishes.

4. Pramuka
This x-cool is the one of obliged x-cool for students of 1st grade. They must attend Pramuka (Scouting activity) every Friday. Why scouting should be an obliged x-cool? SMAN 1 Bukateja believe that through scouting, students can learn more about ethics, team work, discipline, and other positive behaviors out side of class. Through scouting, students also become healthier. Both of physically and mentally.

Besides students can be active in those extracurricular, they also can be active in OSIS and other extracurricular: PMR (Palang Merah Remaja), Rokhis (Rokhaniawan Islam), Perisai Diri, Basket Ball and Volley Ball, and Paskibraka.

So, SMAN 1 Bukateja gives you much more choices!

SPEC QUICK RESPONSE (9Th Up Date)

Hunting Tourists, was one of SPEC'sprograms since last year. But unfortunately, SPEC hasn’t realized it yet. So, hopefully, in year term 2008 / 2009 SPEC can realize “Hunting Tourists Program” with its new members. And, to help SPEC committee in preparing that program, luckily, some alumni who have visited Jogja for the same program, wanted to share their experience in “hunting” tourists. Hopefully, their experience will be a good teacher for SPEC members.
By the way, talking about Hunting Tourists program, it will remind us to a Cross Culture Understanding (CCU). That is a "basic knowledge" to learn foreigners' culture. Do you know, to start a conversation with a foreigner, we can't do this: suddenly ask his / her name? In CCU, we will learn how to start conversation with foreigners, how to greet them, etc. Look at the sample below:

It's a taboo, asking question to foreigners in the first meeting. But, how can we approach someone if we don't ask? We, Indonesian people always ask a question to start the conversation and then make a friendship. We can suddenly ask: "Mau ke mana mas?" to someone beside us in a bus. But, in foreign countries's culture, asking question(s) in the first meeting means intruding someone's privacy.
Usually, to start a conversation with foreigners we make general comment about something. For example, we are in Borobudur temple. Then, we see a tourist whom he / she is taking photograph of the temple. We walk to approach him / her. Then, if we want to start a conversation with him / her, just make a general comment such as "what a big stupa, right?". After that, we just have to wait for his / her response. If there's no response, means that there will no any conversation. Don't do this: suddenly ask for taking photograph together. By giving general comment, it will give the foreigner a choice, he / she want to talk to us or not. Without felt pressured / forced to answer when he / she doesn't want. Besides that, foreigners also show their respect by respecting other people's privacy. So, before we approach a foreigner, please look at his / her non-verbal language. Is he / she busy at the moment? Can we approach him / her when he / she is enjoying to take photograph with the family? And please be careful with personal questions. Don't ask any personal questions in the first time you meet a foreigner.

HUNTING TOURIST IN JOGJA

June 16th, 2008, we went to Jogja. Our purpose was practicing English with foreigners. So, we went to Borobudur temple and Prambanan temple and started to “hunt” foreigners there. We met foreigners from Holland, America, Belgium, etc. Met foreigners was an unforgettable experience. You should know, that meet and talk to foreigners is different. If you meet and talk to a foreigner, you will find that speaking in English with a native speaker is totally different with speaking in English with our teacher at school. We must listen carefully because foreigner speaks quickly. And, when they speak quickly, it’s little bit hard to catch than when our teacher speaks quickly. But, with one minute adaptation, talking with a foreigner will be easy. Hunting tourists is a good and popular program for English skill development. Some school and universities make this program as an annual program. They visit places where they can find foreigners such as temple and beach and other tourist objects. Hunting tourists is also an alternative for educative picnic. So, organizing a Hunting Tourists Program will be very fun and more educate. But, although it seems fun, hunting tourists needs a good preparation. If we want to “hunt” foreigners in tourist objects, ensure that we have sufficient “basic knowledge” about how to face foreigners. So that why, before we go to “hunt” foreigners, we should have been understood well about Cross Culture Understanding (CCU): how to start a conversation in the first meeting, how to greet, how to respect the foreigner’s privacy, etc. And of course, for a Hunting Tourists program, it’s better for us to have a tour guide or tour leader to connect us to the foreigners (as a “bridge” that connects us to the foreigners). Or, if it’s possible, we bring a tour guide who will give us a chance to be a guide for the foreigners. If so, we also have to be able to explain to the foreigners about the place(s) we visit. It means that we must have sufficient knowledge about the history of places, exact location, distance from or to other cities, facilities, how to reach the place, etc.(By alumni at LP3I: Iko Agus, Khadis, Rizki Purwitasari).

IKO AND FRIENDS AFTER HUNTING TOURIST

RIZKY AND FOREIGNERS

MY GRADUATION

Hallo, my name is Tia. Do you still remember with me? Finally, I can write again for this blog. Now, I want to tell you about my graduation. Finally I can pass the exam with good score. And, I also get the first rank. Besides that, I also get Rp. 15,000 (fifteen thousand rupiah) from my teachers, Mr. Warno and Mr. Mudlofir. Some students also get money from them for their achievement. Teachers promised to give money to students with good score. Although not too much, but it is an extraordinary appreciation. Here is the list of my score:
1. PAI: 8.50
2. PKn: 8.30
3. Bahasa Indonesia: 8.40
4. Matematika: 6.50
5. IPA: 8.25
6. IPS: 7.80
7. Bahasa Jawa: 8.25
8. TTGA (Teknologi Tepat Guna Agrobisnis): 8.50
9. Bahasa Inggris: 9.50

In separation day (Friday, June 20th, 2008) I got chance to speech using English. Here is my text for speech that I read in separation day:

TEKS PIDATO BAHASA INGGRIS

ASSALAMU’ALAIKUM WR. WB.

DEAR MR. NGUDIYONO THE HEADMASTER OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TWO OF KUTAWIS WHOM WE ARE RESPECT. ALL TEACHERS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TWO OF KUTAWIS WHOM WE ARE RESPECT TOO. AND ALL INVITED GUESTS, THE STUDENTS’ PARENT OF SIXTH GRADE THAT WE LOVE.

LET’S PRAY TO GOD, ALLAH SWT WHO GIVE US GRACE AND HAPPINESS. WE ALL THE STUDENTS OF SIXTH GRADE, TOTALLY THIRTY TWO, WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO GOD, ALLAH SWT FOR THE GRADUATION. WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE HEADMASTER AND ALL OF TEACHERS, AFTER TEACH AND GIVE MUCH EDUCATION. WE HOPE THE GOD GIVES REWARD TO THEM. THEN, WE ASK FOR PRAY FROM ALL SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE OUR STUDY TO THE HIGHER SCHOOL. THANK YOU.

WASSALAMU’ALAIKUM WR. WB.

My friends also make a speech using Javanese language and Arabic language. They are Roni and Pegi.
After my graduation, I will continue my study in SMP N 3 Bukateja. The distance is not too far from my house, only meters. Moreover, it is in front of elementary school where I school. SMP N 3 Bukateja also one of favorite schools in sub district where I live.

Thanks for my brother for:
1. lending me his dictionary
2. helping me in translating this article
3. the permission for me to use his e-mail address

SPEC Quick Response (8th Up Date)

What a nice day! When we can provide you information fluently. Every week, like usual, we will up date the content of this blog with interesting stories, experiences, and information. And, this week we will talk about folklore. For teachers, folklore can be used as material in the classroom: ask for the students to present a folklore or legend in his or her village / region, or ask for them to make a drama based on a folklore. We give you the sample of folklore that develop in Purbalingga. The story will be about the beginning of Siwarak village where Gua Lawa tourist object exists. So, don't miss it!

THE LEGEND OF SIWARAK VILLAGE

Now, I'm finishing my final assignment in my campus: building web site for Dishubpar (Dinas Perhubungan dan Pariwisata) Purbalingga. When I was doing a survey, i found that actually, in Purbalingga there are so many legends about the beginning of Purbalingga and some villages. one of the legends is a story about the beginning of Siwarak village. Once upon a time, when Islam was growing up in Java island, in Banyumas region there were 2 mubaligh (teacher of Islam) and their 2 followers. They are Akhmad and Muhamad (mubaligh), and Bangas and Bangis (followers). In expanding Islam, they got obstacle: challenge from Majapahit kingdom. A commander had been sent to block Islam development. He was Ki sutaraga. In his work, Ki Sutaraga was successfull to block Akhmad and Muhamad's effort. So, Akhmad and Muhamad were forced to run away. Luckily, they could hide in Gua Lawa (The Cave of Bats) and asked for guidance from God about how to save their selves and then continue their work (expanding and developing Islam in Banyumas region). In a silence, they got guidance from God so that they change their name. From Akhmad and Muhamad to Taruno and Taruni. After changing their name, they left the cave. Luckily, Ki Sutaraga didn't know Akhmad and Muhamad's face. So, when he met them and asked whether they saw Akhmad and Muhamad, Taruno and Taruni just said that they often see Akhmad and Muhamad. But, 2 days ago, Akhmad and Muhamad dead because of tigers attack. Ki Sutaraga believed in them and announced this news to his soldiers. In the same time, the people whom they were recognized had been dead, walked savely to north to continue their duty: expanding and developing Islam. The news of Akhmad and Muhamad's death heard by Bangas and Bangis. This cause they wanted to do revenge directly. They challenged Ki Sutaraga to fight. But, Ki Sutaraga whom he had divine power didn't care about the challenge. Bangas and Bangis became so curious, and, with anger they attacked Ki Sutaraga. But, Ki Sutaraga just said: "Hey, you! Bangas and Bangis! You are bad mannered! You are like animal!" Because of the divine power he had, included in his words, Ki Sutaraga could change Bangas and Bangis into rhinoceroses or "Warak" in Javanese language. After that, Ki Sutaraga asked for his soldier so that in the future, that place should be named as "Siwarak". Actually, the legend of Siwarak village was so long. Because, in the legend there were other stories that related with the beginning of places around Gua Lawa such as the legend of Gua Ratu Ayu. In the past, in Gua Ratu Ayu, there were 2 beautiful girl: Endang Murdaningsih and Endang Murdaningrum. They had 3 pets: 1 white tiger, 1 black tiger, and 1 yellow tiger. People of Siwarak village said that the tigers ever come to the house of village headman and talked to the village headman, his wife, and some night patrol officers.

THE LEGEND OF CAT

There are so many legends and folklores that growing up in our country. In Java, the story of Batara Kala, Sangkuriang, the story of Roro Jonggrang, are famous. Another famous folklore is Malin Kundang from Sumatera island. In other countries, legends and folklores are growing up too. Like in Japan. There, a cat has its own legend. The legend tells that there is a kind of cat which is actually, it's a monster. The cat is called as Bakaneko. It can speak and change its shape.
Another legend about cat is Maneki Neko, a cat of luck. A statue of Maneki Neko is very popular in Japan because Japanese people are believe that Maneki Neko can "invite" a luck for the owner. There are 2 version of this legend:

1. Maneki Neko is a cat that do a gratitude for its owner's kind.
2. Maneki Neko is the incarnation of Kannon, a god.

Black cat also has its own legend. Japanese and British are believe that people will get good fate if they see a black cat. But, American and mostly European are believe that if they see a black cat, means that they will get bad fate.

ALL PEOPLE CAN SPEAK ENGLISH

Do you want to be able to speak English? Just be confident! All people can learn new language easily. The ability of using new language isn’t only owned by genius man, or in the other words, all people are able. But, you must listen the language every day. Do you still remember when you learnt your mother tongue for the first time? Your mother didn’t teach you the language, did she? The answer is so simple: because you listen your mother tongue and use it in your daily, at home, at school, etc.

Then, this process of learning a language called as “language achievement” (pemerolehan bahasa). As long as we listen to the language, the achievement will be got. That is the difference between learning language and learning other things.

A young learner, especially under 13 has natural ability to achieve more than 1 even 2 language at the same time. But, the learner should listen to the language that used on daily interaction. Scientist said that this ability will be getting down when a learner is going to be adult. In the other words, if you still a young learner, you can be a Multilanguage speaker. Just ensure yourselves that you have potential to master English easily as long as you always try to listen and use English. Listening activities can be watching English movies, listening to English song, listening to English news, and reading “speaking book”. (Freely translated from Yunior, May 4th, 2008 edition. The original article was “Semua Orang Bisa Berbahasa Inggris” by Helena IR Agustien, Universitas Negeri Semarang).

SPEC Quick Response (7th Up Date)

Finally, after more than 1 month did “hibernation”, SPEC publishing articles again through this blog. Some students asked why SPEC stopped publishing the blog. Some alumni that study in other cities and often visit this blog also asked whether SPEC out of materials for articles, or even SPEC was dismissed.
Only one reason to answer the students’ question: there was internal problem that couldn’t be explained here. We’re really sorry. But, we still have spirit to make this blog exist. Longer than people ever guess. We still have spirit to practice and develop our English. We still have spirit to share our experience and give information that (maybe) useful for you. With new spirit, we hope that we’ll never delay or stop publishing articles (write for this blog) again.
People said that usually people filling blog in leisure time only (if they have time and if they want). So, a blog more often seems not serious. But SPEC’s blog is different. With our lack we try to keep our continuity. We’re serious to run this blog because we concern to education.
That’s true. We’re concern in education, so we’ll never to stop in running this blog and share knowledge. And, so that why, we rise up.
Then, for the first articles in this month (June 2008), we have a report from scouting activity in our beloved school, SMA N 1 Bukateja. And, we also serve information about scouting in some countries, the history, and many others. So, keep stay tune!

Opening Ceremony

Members 1

Members 2

7th EKPAT - Gathering

7th EKPAT - Silhouette

7th EKPAT - Crossing River

BOY SCOUT

Not long ago a child fell into a deep irrigation ditch and was washed through a 50-foot culvert. When his cold, limp body was found, most people thought he was dead. But a Boy Scout at the place of the accident began at once to give artificial respiration to the youngster. With no one to encourage him or help him, he worked on and on. At last, as thought by a miracle, the child began to breathe. A life that had seemed lost had been saved.

This is but one of hundreds of real cases in which boy scouts have saved lives as a result of their scout training. They knew what to do in emergencies. They lived up to their scout motto: “Be prepared”.
Boys get much from scouting besides training for emergencies. They find fun and fellowship with other boys and the men who lead them. They find adventure in hiking, camping, boating, and the other outdoor sports. They gain useful knowledge and skills, and have many chances to take part in the life of their community and nation.

THE BEGINNINGS OF SCOUTING

The man who started Scouting was born in England in 1857. His name was Robert Baden Powell. He was one of the 10 children of an Oxford University professor. As a boy, he loved outdoor life, especially camping. His hobby was sketching.
At 19 Baden Powell joined the army and became an officer. His duties took him to the frontiers of India and South Africa. There he spent much of his time training his men for military scouting. They learned to operate on their own in small groups and to remember and report what they saw. Baden Powell made up many training games and contest, which he later described in book called Aids to Scouting.
In 1899 and 1900, during the Boer War in South Africa, Baden Powell led a garrison of 1,250 men that held Mafeking through a 217 day siege. When he returned to England he was a hero. He was surprised to find that some leaders of boys had started using his scouting games and contests. He was asked to work out a program of scouting more directly suited to the needs of boys. He began to think of scouting as a game. But he wanted it to be a game with a goal, so his program was built around the high ideals of the Scout Promise and Law.
In 1907 Baden Powell held a camp on Brownsea Island in southern England, to test his ideas. He then wrote his handbook, Scouting for Boys, published in 1908. With only this handbook to guide them, troops of Boy Scouts began to spring up at once throughout Great Britain and the British Empire, and in many other countries.
Baden Powell was made a knight in 1909. In the following year he retired from the army as a lieutenant general to give all his time to scouting. In 1922 he was made a baronet and in 1929 a baron. Lord Baden Powell, the chief scout of the world died in Kenya in 1941.
Shortly after the Boy Scout movement started in Britain, William D. Boyce, an American publisher, became lost one day in a London fog. An English Scout helped him find the address he was looking for. This led Boyce to become interested in scouting. Upon his return to America he got help from leading citizens, and on February 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was organized. In 1916 Congress gave the organization a federal charter.
Among those who helped found the Boy Scouts of America was Daniel Carter Beard (1850-1941). “Uncle Dan” had formed an earlier outdoor organization for boys, the Sons of Daniel Boone, about 1905. He became the first National Scout Commissioner. James E. West (1876-1948) was the first Chief Scout Executive. When he retired in 1943 the Boy Scouts of America had about 1,600,000 members. By 1973 it had more than 6,500,000 members.
The first scout troop in Canada was formed in 1908. Six years later the Canadian General Council of the Boy Scouts Association was formed by an act of Parliament. In 1961 this name was changed to Boy Scouts of Canada. By that time there were more than 300,000 Canadian Scouts and leaders.

WORLD SCOUTING TODAY

There are about 12,000,000 Scouts and leaders in the world today. They are found in nearly all but the Communist countries. They have different uniforms, badges, and customs, but their aims and ideals are alike. The motto “Be prepared” is known in many languages. The headquarters of the Boy Scouts World Bureau is in Geneva, Switzerland.
World jamborees are held every 4 years. These are huge camps that bring together Scouts from many nations to join hands in friendship. The first world jamboree was held in England in 1920. Many countries also hold national jamborees. The Boy Scouts of America held its first in 1937; Canada its first in 1949.

THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America is made up of men who come from about 500 local councils across the country. This body meets each year. It makes the rules of scouting. The president of the United States is the honorary president of the Boy Scouts of America.
Their home office is at North Brunswick, New Jersey. A full time staff headed by the Chief Scout Executive publishes handbooks and magazines for boys and leaders. It prepares films and other leaders training materials. It controls the manufacture and sale of uniforms and equipment through stores. The staff also aids the local councils in their work.
Each local council is made up of volunteers who offer to help scouting in a city, county, or larger area. The council must, among other things, have a camp for its members. A small group of professional scouts work full time on council tasks.
Scouting reaches boys through churches, schools, and other organizations. Each group that sponsors a troop or any other scout unit offers a meeting place, good leaders, and other needed support. Outstanding men in the community are chosen as scout leaders.
The Boy Scouts of America provides a long term program for a boy from the time he is 8 years old until he is 21. At 8 he may become a Cub, at 11 a Scout, and at 14 an Explorer.

CUBBING—FOR BOYS 8 TO 10

The Boy Scouts of America started Cubbing for younger boys in 1930. At that time the lowest age limit was 9.
The home is the center activity in Cubbing. There a boy learns to do many things with the help and encouragement of his parents or guardians. He starts out as a Bobcat. By completing 12 achievements he can earn his Wolf badge. Then, for earning elective credits in a variety of activities, he receives arrow points to wear under his badge. When he 9 years old he begins to work for the Bear rank. At age 10 he may join a Webelos den and earn the Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouting. Webelos Scouts can also earn activity badges for learning special skills. “Webelos” stands for “We’ll Be Loyal Scouts.”
A Cub belongs to a neighborhood group of boys called a den. The den meets each week at the home of one of the boys, under the guidance of its Den Leader, who is helped by a scout called Den Chief.
Once a month the several dens that make up a Cub pack meet each together. Their leader is a Cub Master. Often the pack meetings take the form of group outings.
The Cub uniform is dark blue with yellow trim. A yellow and blue neckerchief is worn by all Cubs.
Cub Motto: “Do your best.”
Cub Promise: “I, [name], promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the law of the pack.”
Law of the Pack: “The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives good will.” (“Akela” means “good leader”.)

SCOUTING—FOR BOYS 11 AND OLDER

A boy may become a scout any time after he is 11 years old. By understanding the Scout Oath and Law and by passing a few simple test, he may join and be called a Scout. Skill awards and merit badges lead him on to Second Class and then on to First Class. Scouts may earn merit badges in any over 100 different fields. Certain merit badges help him meet the requirements for Star (9 merit badges), Life (15 merit badges), and Eagle (24 badges). Eagle is the highest award in scouting.
A small group of scouts forms a patrol. Several patrols make up a troop. The troop usually meets once a week with its adult leader, Scout Master.
Hiking and camping are parts of the adventure that scout enjoy. They learn how to take care of themselves in the open and how to help others in case of accidents. They also learn to be useful citizens.
The scout uniform is khaki. Neckerchief colors and designs are chosen locally.
Scout Oath: ”On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
Scout Motto: “Be prepared.”
Scout Slogan: “Do a good turn daily.”
Scout Law:

1. A scout is trustworthy
2. A scout is loyal
3. A scout is helpful
4. A scout is friendly
5. A scout is courteous
6. A scout is kind
7. A scout is obedient
8. A scout is cheerful
9. A scout is thrifty
10. A scout is brave
11. A scout is clean
12. A scout is reverent

EXPLORING—FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Exploring is a division of the Boy Scouts of America that meets the needs of young men and women from high school to age 21. Members—and they need not be scouts—may join a general or major interest Explorer Post or Sea Explorer Ship. Exploring offers a choice of activities and a chance for adventure, vocational experience, education, and recreation. Explorers plan their own programs with the help of an adult Advisor or Skipper. Young women became full members in 1971.
Over a third of all posts are organized around a career interest such as law enforcement, medicine, banking, space exploration, computer programming, and other occupations. Explorers have many interesting national events, among which are the Explorer Olympics, the National Safe Driving Road Rally, Exploration Awards, and the National Explorer President’s Congress. (Source: The New Book Of Knowledge, Vol. 2, Grolier inc. (New York), 1974).