Monday, February 28, 2022
Saturday, February 26, 2022
The Lighthouse Diary # 36: When Language Expands and Limits Our World
There is a favorite quote I have of Unlce Iroh in Avatar: The Last Airbender. He said this to Zuko while teaching him how to bend thunder: It is important to draw wisdom from many places. If we take it only from one place, it becomes rigid and stale. This quote comes to mind at the heels of two teacher trainings and professional growth activities at work and in my learning communities. By the later I mean the BTS fandom known as ARMY.
At the beginning of February, a colleague from work shared her learning from the teacher training she attended where I was a co-facilitator. It was a month of intensive training on language ang literacy teaching for K-12 teachers. This module focused on academic writing and the teaching of language and literacy skills across content areas. Content area teachers teach their subject principles and topics. The language in which a particular subject is taught is a part of the knowledge that students must learn. Reading, writing, listening and speaking skills factor in language learning as tools to navigate and understand knowledge of the subject. It is can be complicated so the best metaphor I can use is that of a twine or a rope that is braided by several threads.
In the elementary level, language teaching and learning happens through vocabulary acquisition and development. As I have shared in last week's training, vocabulary is challenging to teach because it straddles language learning and reading comprehension. However, this presents an opportunity to learn an interdisciplinary approach to teaching as well as flexibility to use methods appropriately for different learners. When to focus on the teaching of skills in isolation? When does integration come in?
This is when Uncle Iroh's quote about wisdom from all places came in. I realized I need to constantly look at multiple views and varied ways of examining, even sensing content and knowledge. If I stick to what I know, I will not be able to gather an understanding of the big picture and how in its entirety, it is made up of small pieces. The learner's profile and learning modalities are a set of knowledge that I too can use to teach language and literacy.
Uncle Iroh knows his student so well. Such is the inspiration I take from a fictional character that looms larger than life.
Below is a short interview that the Tannies had last year in August about language.
There is much to learn from these Bangtan young men about language. They sing in Korean, Japanese and English. And everyone is welcome to enjoy it. Everyone is WELCOME to be a part of it. No exclusivity. It is something all ARMYs must consider when coining terms, inventing words and portmanteaus. Language is knowledge we can all share, grow and develop. What ever happened to Bangtan's message of a generation that welcomes if we keep language, those we use and those we create, at the gates?
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
BA Library Pop Talk: Be a new kind of hero!
Mr. Bautista's session was entertaining as well as enlightening. One Griffin said that comics can be a source of deep insight. Another mentioned that the story arcs of characters in comics, especially the Xmen super heroes, are affected by events in society thereby, shaping their identities and the way they behave in their world, albeit a fictional one.Indeed, there were many takeaways from Mr. Bautista's talk. To begin with, it was interdisciplinary in approach. It was fascinating how Mr. Bautista connected the themes of heroism and villainy in design, in the business of comics and graphic novel publication and in the on-going process of reflection on the heroes we choose and identify with. Most notable (at least for me) is the challenge he posed to us, Griffins. Like Ironman, Batman and the Mentor Heroes in My Hero Academia, the need to ruminate on the use and disposal of the skills, intelligence, influence and privilege we posses must be done constantly.In the end, we gleaned hope and inspiration from Mr. Bautista with these parting words. We can create our heroes. We can be a "new' kind of hero. Virtus et ars, Griffins!
Watch Party: Isang Harding Papel A Martial Law Musical
Augie Rivera on Martial Law and Writing for Children
Interview with Rommel Joson, Illustrator of Isang Harding Papel
Isang Harding Papel: A Martial Law Musical Interview with Nanoy Rafael
Part 2 of the Interview with Nanoy Rafael on Isang Harding Papel: A Martial Law Musical
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Sunday, February 20, 2022
Pilgrim's Pitstop: When Love Live 2 is Lovelier the Second Time Around
Let me begin by telling you a story.
In 2021, the
Prietos invited our BCGG as auxiliaries in the Family Encounter Weekend. Back
then, we were known as BCGG Mt. Olivet. Present as couple auxiliaries were the Macalalads
and the Antonios. The four of us, myself, Domeng, Nico (otherwise known as Val)
and Zoe were tasked to assist particularly in the Music Ministry. This Family Encounter
Weekend was very meaningful to me because of many reasons. One of them is due
to the fact that our children, Nico and Zoe, took part in the singing of praise
and worship songs, as well as the love songs which Tito Eli carefully chose as
opening for the ten sessions of the two-day Family Encounter Weekend. Domeng
and I did not expect our own children to be a part of what we were doing in
Magis Deo. One of God’s many surprises. A given grace to which we accept gratefully.
To this day, I remember this image
of Fr. Reuben Tanseco talking to Nico, his right hand hovering over his head in
blessing. Later on, I learned that Fr. Reuben told him how well he sings and
that it is a gift from God. This is a core memory I keep. It has helped us guide
our children when they make choices and in charting and creating the roads they
can possibly take in life. For the past twenty-two years, the Magis Deo Community
has been our companion in our married life, as well as in our journey as
parents.
So, when the Reantaso’s invited
us to sing again for Love Live 2 a week after our days of isolation were over,
we said yes despite my fear and our limitations. It was one of those leaps of
faith. If last year’s Love Life opened us unto many graces, this year’s run overwhelmed
me with so much more.
Love Live 2 is lovelier the second
time around because it invited me to take courage by singing to an audience,
albeit online.
Love Live 2 is lovelier the
second time around because we were able to express our gratitude to the
community in the manner and in the language we know best.
Love Live 2 is lovelier the second
time around because Domeng and I witnessed how Nico and Zoe have developed
their confidence to communicate and work with the couple leaders of Magis Deo,
particularly the CSM team.
Love Live 2 is lovelier the second
time around because our Magis Youth sang with their friends and family. Their
loved ones, pets included, cheering them on.
Love Live 2 is lovelier the
second time around because it was bread and fish multiplying continuously!
The pandemic is far from over. It
has damaged and disturbed many aspects of our lives. But the human spirit endures.
And in Magis Deo, we remain companions in this journey of love and joy.
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Virtual Author Visit at Lowell Elementary School, Chicago, Illinois
What technology can do!
I had my first Author Meet and Greet this year with the kindergarten class of Ms. Rebecca Cotto and Ms. Genevie De Castro of Lowell Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. It was on Book Giving Day, February 14 in the US and 2am of February 15 Manila Time.
I had a wonderful chat with the students as they all responded eagerly to the stories I told them. My Daddy My One and Only is always a winner for this age group while I am Happy to Be Me opened a lot of insights about the self and the decisions we can make to be a little kinder to ourselves. Even 6 year olds are able to grasp that idea. Amazing 🤩
Thank you Genevie! Thank you Lampara Books! Thank you young readers! This is grace upon grace upon grace! 🙏🏽💜🙏🏽
Friday, February 18, 2022
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Monday, February 14, 2022
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Creative Therapies: Bibliotherapy 101 Day 1 and Day 2
Creative Therapies: Bibliotherapy 101 with Zarah Gagatiga
Finding Grace in Every
Day: Companionship in Days of Rain and Sunshine
Goal: the goal of
the webinar is to understand and gain a working knowledge of Bibliotherapy for
use as self-help and personal empowerment, building agency and the confidence
to take risks, to solve problems and nurturing empathy in the process.
Objectives: At the
end of webinar, participants are able
· * to select
and enjoy reading literature of different genre (personal essay, poetry, short
story, songs and music videos) and media types that address or answer their needs
for growth and development;
· * plan, conduct
and evaluate storytelling sessions/bibliotherapy encounters with a chosen group
or community.
Day 1 – February 5,
2022
Introduction: Concepts
and Framework
·
Stories
are windows, doors and mirrors
·
Clinical
and Developmental Bibliotherapy
·
Theoretical
Underpinnings
o
Brief
History
o
Nell,
Ranganathan and Rosenblatt
·
Research
and Studies
·
Bibliotherapy
In Practice
o
Priming
Activity
o
Encounter
with the Text
o
Identification
and Catharsis
o
Taking
Action
o Follow Through
Day 2 – February 19, 2022
·
Continue
the Bibliotherapy Process
·
Bibliotherapy
Process 2: The Giving Tree
·
·
Friday, February 11, 2022
Thursday, February 10, 2022
The Lighthouse Diary #35: What I Learned from Being an Impresario for the Library
Of course I enjoy organizing literacy and bookish events for the learning community!
These activities and events are in part relevant to school library programming. Last November, we had an Author Visit and this February, we will have a POP Talk. From these experiences, I learned to respect the author's and the content creator's work. One of the things I added in the process of organizing a library event is the Author/Content Creator Agreement.
This is how it looks like.
1. Provide us with
bank account information for the transfer of your honorarium/professional fee.
Upon receipt, you will send back to me a proof of transfer via
email: *****@beaconacademy.ph.
2. Your talk will
be recorded as part of the school's documentation process. Let us know if you
have any questions or concerns about this. If you agree, you will be given a
copy of the video recording.
3. It is advisable
to log in 15 minutes before _____ to test audio and video as well as WiFi connection.
4. Promotion of
book and current projects during the talk and publication of collateral in the Newsletter will be made possible. Please send us your materials, content and
posters.
5. Please provide
us with a 30 min recorded video of your talk three days before the event. This
is when and if we encounter tech problems. On the day of the talk, you may
choose to go live or have the recorded video presented to the community.
6. Rest assured
that the materials and content you made for this event will be respected under
existing academic honesty policies of the school.
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Kuwentong Bangtan: Moon Gazing
In Moon, Kim Seokjin sings about the companionship that BTS will always have with ARMY even in the darkest of times. This stanza from the song is my favorite. A source of comfort.
“You who stand by meIn the dark night and in the dark dayWhen you are sadWhen you are sickJust shining on meI will be by your sideMore brightly in the dark night”
Kim Namjoon on the one hand, sings and melody raps his way into my heart with Moonchild. He right away begins with contradictions moving on to the hurdles we all face in life.
“We're born in the moonlightAin't no fantasyCan't breathe in the sunlightGotta hide your heartWe're born to be sad, sad, sad, sadSuffer to be glad, glad, glad, glad”
Then eases into a reassuring chorus.
“Moonchild you shinewhen moon rise its your time cmon on y’allMoonchild don’t crywhen moon rise it’s your time”
Jin’s Moon and Joon’s Moonchild present the harsh realities of life. A personal battle. A struggle against the pressures of society. A failed relationship. The songs do not hide nor dismiss the dark moments and the shadows of our inner selves and a society that can be apathetic. It coaxes the listener to accept them because, just like the waning and waxing moon that has a dark side, it also goes through phases. We only need to understand this cycle of light and shadow. And BTS just like the moon, through their music and art, will always be with ARMY. Bright and constant in whatever form it takes in the dark sky of our lives.
Moon lyrics taken from Lyric Freak and Moonchild lyrics from Genius.
Monday, February 7, 2022
SPUM Edge's Certificate in Creative Therapies: Bibliotherapy
Last Saturday, February 5 was the first session of the Certificate in Creative Therapies: Bibliotherapy at St. Paul University Manila, EDGE.
The session was an introduction to the 5 days certificate course. The goal of the course is for participants to make use of bibliotherapy for self help and personal empowerment, building agency and the confidence to take risks, to solve problems and nurturing empathy. Session 1, being an introductory session. covered the following topics: definition of Bibliotherapy; brief historical background; theoretical underpinnings and concepts; research and studies; and the Bibliotherapy Process.
This is a new module though I have materials already prepared, I need to look out for changes that participants are bringing into the sessions. This is essential in making the module learner centered.
This is not my first time working alongside Paulinian educators. In the past, I had Author Visits and Talks in St. Paul College Pasig in their Grade School Department. In November 2019, I had the opportunity to take part in the Wholeness-Wellness Week of St. Paul University Manila where I had a face-to-face workshop on Bibliotherapy. Thanks to Dr. Brian Bantugan for pursuing and pushing for this online series of webinar. We can work together for common goals.