In Retrospect of 2023: 1st Day of the Month Blog Post

Keeping a blog tradition of curating a the month's 1st post for the year 2023. 

January - 2022 in Pictures -  2022 was the year of bouncing back. 

February - World Read Aloud Day 2023 - Today is World Read Aloud Day!

March - Kuwentong Bangtan: Let Go (Song Review) - “Let Go” is a track in BTS’ third Japanese album, Face Yourself that was released in April 4, 2018.

April - Book Review: Letters to A Young Poet - Letter to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke, Penguin Classics, 2013 I had a very romantic view of art, especially writing in my college days.

May - PBBY & PASLI Panel @ the PH Book Festival: Aklatan Ko'y Kanlungan - As learning communities ease back into a relatively new environment, out of their homes and back into society, libraries are systems of support offering services and programs that are empathetic to the learning child and the family.

June - Abstract Submission to the BTS Global Interdisciplinary Conference 2023 -  Fangirling at 14 and 40: A Correlation Study of Filipino Teenage Girls and Middle-Aged Women Fangirls of BTS By Zarah Gagatiga, 48-year-old female and Pearl ARMY

July - Book Talks: Beyond the Story 10 Year Record of BTS - The global release of Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS is on Sunday, July 9, 2023. This is the first official book of BTS. As we wait in excitement, here are "book talks" focusing on topics that amplify the books relevance.

August - Fangirling @ 14 and 40: A Witnessing of the Lived Experience of Filipino Teenagers and Middle Age Women ARMY - The 4th BTS Global Interdisciplinary Conference is only two weeks away. I am excited to go and partake in the sharing of research by Bangtan Scholars and aca-fans on BTS, ARMY and our impact on the world today. 

September - PBBY x PASLI Panel on Safe Space in Libraries - The PBBY and PASLI panel on Safe Space in Libraries with the title Aklatan Ko’y Kanlungan is inspired by the stories of children and young people growing up in the post COVID19 era. It is a time when changes happen so fast; when advancements in technology are at an accelerating speed; when the quest to balance wellbeing and health are at a threat of uncertain phenomena like plagues, natural disasters caused by climate change as well as human fallacies and frailties. 

October - Masaya Ang Maging Ako Is Translated in Hindi - Masayang balita! Ang “Masaya Ang Maging Ako” ay may salin na sa wikang Hindi!

November - Thank you so much, Ouie - Dear dear Ouie, With your passing, I have a sense of renewed hope. Strange, isn’t it?

December - For Ouie -I was with Ouie the day before he died. 

Of Mothers and Mentors

 My mother, being a librarian, unrelentingly gave me vocational advice during my teenage years. Study Library Science in college, she admonished. I never appreciated it back then but, I obeyed.

Being a school librarian was never my dream. I have always wanted to be a teacher or a writer. As the saying goes, mothers know best. She probably had a vision of how the profession would take shape in the future. What I did not expect was to discover that a career in librarianship would lead me to the two things I love – teaching and writing.

Teaching has been my vehicle to reach children and young people. Connecting them to books, literacy and language learning, as well as research instruction. My interaction with them afforded me the joy to tell, share and write my own stories for children. In time, I became a published author. I cannot imagine myself doing anything else. I am grateful.

In Philippine Librarianship, I consider Mrs. Lourdes David and Dr. Mary Orendain as my mothers in the profession. I knew them at a time when I was desperately looking for role models. They are both instrumental in shaping my belief on the influence we hold in our learning community. We, librarians, can bridge gaps and break barriers.

At this point in my career, I strive to be as inspiring as they are and as persevering and tenacious as my biological mother. We all need a mother, if not, a mentor we can aspire to become.

Step by Step With Teacher Zee: Lesson Sampler on Tech Integration, Collaborative Teaching & Learning and Direct & Explicit Instruction

This is part 1 of my answers to the interview questions of the Music teacher in the family, also known as Teacher Val.

a.       Can you describe a lesson or unit where you effectively integrated technology to enhance student learning, and what impact did it have on student engagement and achievement?

Go to these links

-> https://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2017/05/teacher-and-school-librarian.html

-> https://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2017/05/teacher-and-school-librarian_24.html

b.       b. How do you handle diverse learning needs and abilities within your high school classroom, ensuring that all students are challenged and supported appropriately?

Addressing diverse learning needs begin with assessment – both clinical and pedagogical.

 Clinical assessments can inform teachers of students’ special and unique learning modalities. However, even without a formal and clinical assessment, classroom teachers can use strategies and approaches that foster inclusion, accommodation and diverse learning. Teaching methods are employed with the principle of meeting learning objectives as evidenced in formative and summative assessments, as well as aptitude tests. Another way to look at teaching that is proactive is to consider methods as on-going assessments of current progress.

 The Collaborative Teaching and Learning Approach is one approach that can address inclusion, accommodation and diverse learning needs. Strategies and techniques specific to collaborative learning can be deigned.

 To structure a collaborative learning activity, here are some recommendations.

Set roles before or after presenting a task, a problem or a project.  Roles can be: facilitator, scribe, reporter, gopher, time-keeper, devil's advocate, cheer leader, researcher, and analyst. These roles may change depending on the collaborative task or project. Identifying each role and the contribution he or she can bring to the table help facilitate the process of completing the project.

Think-Pair-Share is a strategy for collaborative learning. Students think through on their own the task or the project assigned to them. Working individually in gathering data to solve a problem or initially identifying steps to complete the project. A student finds a partner or work with one as assigned by the teacher. They share their data, findings, discuss the better course of action, plan and then solve the problem or perform the task.

Another strategy is the Jigsaw Puzzle. More cooperative learning in approach, but can be adapted into a collaborative learning experience, the Jigsaw Puzzle is aimed at allowing students to work on tasks and projects from their context and cultural backgrounds. These students are then grouped together to share and partake in a discussion of their output and how it fits in a bigger piece. The literary circles are one example of a Jigsaw Puzzle, I think.

The Fish Bowl technique can be used as well but for a specific task like discussions on topics of ethical and moral issues. A group inside the fishbowl discuss the topics. A group outside of it records the discussion and take notes of the dynamics in the smaller group. It can be a pre-writing activity that allow students to think in a group. Both groups, the one in the fishbowl and the one outside of it will benefit from the discussion. This technique can be a research strategy as well. Good to use in gathering of data, documentation, valuation and evaluation of information generated in the discussion groups.

Direct and Explicit Instruction

 As teacher use these widely popular strategies, it is important to note that collaboration takes     time especially in building trust with the teacher and among students. It is highly likely that teachers establish rapport at the beginning of the school year and build on this as the days progress.

 Another strategy that is proven to be effective is the Direct and Explicit Instruction (DEI) and the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GPR).  DEI works well with students who are in the spectrum and those who have ADHD. DEI is focused on a specific skill for mastery wherein the teacher models, directs and explains the content and the skills to be learned. The teacher then guides the student/s in the process of applying the skills with an awareness of criteria or guides, standards and progress charts. Once the skills are completed showing a level of competence and the content is understood as reflected in the output, the teacher allows the student/s for independent practice. Here is where the GPR is applied. To close the teaching and learning experience, student/s and teacher discuss the experience and the process before formal or summative assessments.

Step by Step With Teacher Zee: Technology Integration, Inclusion and Classroom Management

I often get requests for interviews on teaching and learning, librarianship, storytelling and bibliotherapy, my writing life and the book I authored. Most of them come from students in college level, some in graduate level, others are from peers and colleagues. And then, there is the occasional media and TV-Radio-Online guest appearances.

Recently, I received a request for an interview from the Music teacher of the family. The questions are not easy to answer.

a. Can you describe a lesson or unit where you effectively integrated technology to enhance student learning, and what impact did it have on student engagement and achievement?

b. How do you handle diverse learning needs and abilities within your high school classroom, ensuring that all students are challenged and supported appropriately?

c. Could you share a specific experience where you successfully managed a challenging classroom situation, and what strategies did you employ to maintain a positive and productive learning environment?

I will be posting my responses on the blog very soon!

Storytelling and Hand Built Pottery: Tracing My Roots

This turtle is my first ceramic project. I made this during a clay and pottery session back in 2018 with Teacher Maui of @ili.likhaan.

This turtle is inspired by a folk tale I enjoy telling and sharing from the oral tradition. It is a story of resilience and facing the truth no matter how difficult or dark.

We often fear the truth. We refuse to seek the truth. But there is a turtle who sought and accepted her own truths and that of the universe’s. In so doing her shell was broken and she experienced pain. In time, she healed and her broken shell bore scars that are so unique it is beautiful and wonderful to behold.

Clay and ceramic art is storytelling too. And as I go back to this art, I am creating and making; and telling and sharing new stories fashioned from years of experiences living, loving and learning to be.

I will be opening sessions on storytelling and hand building pottery. You are welcome to join in the circle!

Special thanks to Mari the Potter at Studio Mari for glazing and firing my projects. Her expertise and services complete the story of every pot and ceramic’s journey.

Head on to @silver_linings_t.zee for details and registration link.

#artheals #storytellingforgrowthandhealing2023#handbuiltpottery #creativewriting

Silver Linings: Art and Pottery with Teacher Zee is Up!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@the.readingarmy)

Namjooning at Van Gogh Live

Van Gogh’s body of work is deeply inspirational most especially in his manner of pursuing what must be normal and acceptable in the era he lived and creatively flourished. The irony is, it is his passionate drive to fit in the norms of the times that drove him to madness. His creative genius cannot be contained.

@titazeeh7 Van Gogh’s remarkable genius continous to amaze and haunt us. #Van Gogh Alive #vangogh ♬ Vincent - Sohyang

Step by Step with Teacher Zee: Teaching a Library and Reading Skill Using Direct Instruction

Library Display and Activity Corner: Decompression and Destressing Table

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@zarahgeeh)

NBW 2023: Reading Campaign of DepEd Maltana National High School

NBW 2023: Reading Campaign of Our Lady of Peace School

NBW 2023: Reading Campaign from the University of Eastern Pangasinan Library

Post Activity: National Book Week 2023 Learning Session on Library Engagement in Reading and Literacy Strategies

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@zarahgeeh)

11th Magiting Conference: Magturo at Manuri

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@zarahgeeh)

For Ouie

I was with Ouie the day before he died. We had dinner at the 60s Diner in SM Sta. Rosa. We talked about a lot of things from the mundane to the profound: how to pronounce “Randy” when we are in a good mood or otherwise to the calm and quiet demeanor of T. Vic. His mere presence would make him feel safe. Randy is the name I gave his BMW, btw. We had a good meal. Nabusog kami sa bulalo, chicken tenders, salad, mojos and rice. Of course. We had a good time. 

When he brought me home, my daughter, Zoe, immediately got dressed to catch her former VA teacher for a hello-goodbye-take care greeting. She makes it a point to do this every time Ouie drops me off at our place. And when she visits BA, she would run to him with a blazing smile on her face. That Saturday night, the last time Ouie brought me safely home, she held the same radiance as always. I was in awe at the sparkle in my daughter’s eyes waving goodbye at Ouie. I never failed to thank him for giving my stoic,  Nietzsche-esque daughter reason to shine and shimmer. 

Ouie is very good at it. He knows how to bring out the charisma, energy and effervescent qualities hidden or long forgotten in people whom he loves and cares for. He even manages to see the unique strengths and abilities of people he finds difficult to deal with. It doesn’t mean that he is a pushover or dismissive of the frailties and flaws of human nature. He recognizes and acknowledges them. At the end of the day, he chooses to be proactive and constructive. 

Hindi ko naman pinagtatakhan kung saan niya nakuha at natutunan ang ganitong katangian. Matagal na kaming magkakilala ni Ouie, pero sa BA kami naging close na parang magkapatid. Noong ibinahagi ni Ouie sa akin ang sanaysay na sinulat niya para sa kanyang pumanaw ng ina, nasabi ko na lang sa sarili ko, ah! kaya naman pala maaruga si Ouie sa mga tao at hayop na mahal niya at malapit sa kanyang puso.

Mayroong isang talata sa sanaysay na gustong gusto ko dahil nakita ko si Ouie sa ikinuwento niyang gawain ng kanyang ina. Babasahin ko ang talata na hango sa kanyang sanaysay na may pamagat na “The Light in the Kitchen”

“In the silent hours of the morning, she flicks on the light switches to light her way as she moves from her bedroom, down the stairs, to the dining area and finally to the kitchen. From the open door of my bedroom, I would wake up and see the light cast from the kitchen. I breathe in deeply and say, “Oh, fried chicken!” or “tortang talong” or whatever would be my packed lunch at school”.

Ouie loves to cook. Ouie loves to eat. Ouie can flick on the light switches for himself so he can find his way in the dark - with a bit of a struggle in recent times because he has been grappling with entropy physically and metaphorically; best of all, he turns on light switches for others to find their own way and eventually, they glimmer and glow.

To see the goodness in people. To seek beauty in adversity. To create something useful or noble from all of these life experiences is art. ART as a pathway to goodness. The formation of goodness is through the ARTS. Virtus et Ars. Virtue in the Arts.

When I told him I want to draw using charcoal and graphite, he taught me warm ups and sketching exercises. Then he wrote on my sketch book, explore your lights and your darks. In October, a few days before that fateful Sunday, I showed him my drawings of a plant and some foliage. He said, it’s time to learn about space— the positive and the negative. He made me a view finder and demonstrated how to use it. I didn’t know then that it was our final art lesson. 

I learned many things from Ouie about art and living creatively. At the end of every work week, he would remind me to never forget to go on an artist’s date with myself. It is self care. It kept me sane and happy. His mentoring gave me the confidence to draw, to paint and to make clay pots again. He inspired me to take courage in navigating the uncertain landscapes of midlife on my own but with the knowledge that I am never alone. 

This is how I will remember Ouie.   Lamp lighter; Star polisher; A lighthouse. A beacon of light that is beaming and shinning for ships at sea that they may push on to greater adventures and unto the completion of journeys and that, in the end, they will always find their way safely back home.

There is an exhibit of his art at the gallery. As you visit and view his works, please remember how Ouie made you smile and laugh. How did he motivate you to pick yourself up from a fall? What did he say or do that inspired you to risk or to take that extra mile and discover a talent, an inner strength or the simple ability to laugh at oneself over a silly mistake? What was the best moment you had in his class that you can carry with you when you leave the Academy? I do hope that when you have thought about it, it will move you to do acts of kindness, in big and small ways, or to work on something good, true and beautiful.

Go Griffins!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by zoe gagatiga (@zoetg)