Showing posts with label Zoe Gagatiga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zoe Gagatiga. Show all posts
Saturday, March 5, 2022
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
World Read Aloud Day 2014: Zoe's Book Talk
I am re-posting this today, World Read Aloud Day, to celebrate not only the power of words in reading them aloud but also for the empowered child when he/she reads aloud.
When my daughter was 10 years old, she had difficulty reading. Her love for learning pushed her to go beyond her difficulties. Here is a recorded video which she took using my iPod back in 2010. She book talked an I Spy book and walked the listener through the end. English is her second language, thus the numerous grammar mistakes in her telling. Proof that she is learning a language foreign to her.
When my daughter was 10 years old, she had difficulty reading. Her love for learning pushed her to go beyond her difficulties. Here is a recorded video which she took using my iPod back in 2010. She book talked an I Spy book and walked the listener through the end. English is her second language, thus the numerous grammar mistakes in her telling. Proof that she is learning a language foreign to her.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Information Literacy Skills Instruction at Home - Part 2
When I looked at the text she was reading online, the word radius is mentioned as a part of the bone structure of the hand and the arm. There was no definition of the word. So, logging in World Book Online, I told Zoe to go to World Book Kids. Being in grade five, World Book Student is too advanced for her to use.
The simple design of World Book Kids makes it easy for Zoe to navigate the site. Her familiarity with search boxes prompted her to type the word radius. Results came back with definitions that was not related to her search.
"Try radius, plus sign, arm, plus sign, hand." I said.
Information on the arm and hand came up. No radius.
"Let's think of related words." I said.
"Bones?" She guessed.
"Ok!"
She typed in radius, plus sign, bones. Viola! A radius is one of two bones of the forearm.
Zoe smiled knowingly at me. She said, "Hay. Salamat at may mama akong librarian na katulad mo!"
Translation: Sigh. Good thing I have a mother who is a librarian!
The simple design of World Book Kids makes it easy for Zoe to navigate the site. Her familiarity with search boxes prompted her to type the word radius. Results came back with definitions that was not related to her search.
"Try radius, plus sign, arm, plus sign, hand." I said.
Information on the arm and hand came up. No radius.
"Let's think of related words." I said.
"Bones?" She guessed.
"Ok!"
She typed in radius, plus sign, bones. Viola! A radius is one of two bones of the forearm.
 |
| Photo source: World Book Online for Kids |
Zoe smiled knowingly at me. She said, "Hay. Salamat at may mama akong librarian na katulad mo!"
Translation: Sigh. Good thing I have a mother who is a librarian!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Information Literacy Skills Instruction at Home - Part 1
Charity begins at home. The same goes with Information Literacy.
When my eleven year old daughter, Zoe asked permission if she can go online to search for information on the weak points of the human body, I allowed her. She knows how to turn the laptop on and connect online via broadband. Google is the search engine of choice. Over the years, she has acquired the habit of thinking aloud, especially when she's unsure of her thoughts or when the ideas in her head are all a clutter. Saying the words aloud helps her think.
I have not taught her yet that writing ideas down will help in finding clarity. That would be the next lesson.
So, when she blurted out, what are the weak points or weaknesses of the body, I knew she's using her brain to access information from Google. I stepped in.
I told her, "You don't type the whole question on Google. What is it that you want to know?"
She replied, "I want to know the weak points of the human body."
"OK. I can identify two phrases that you can use to search in Google. Weak points and human body. That's all you need to type in Google." I said.
"Oh. Thanks, Ma!"
In less than a minute, Google gave her hits.
"See," I said. "Weak points and human body are key words to help you search faster online."
She clicked a link and started reading. I was amused at how amused she was learning the different weak points. I learned too that many weak points are found in the face. It was interesting stuff. She got her notebook and took notes. Luckily for her, the site she was on had text that was easy to read. When stumped with a difficult word, she paused and asked, "Ma, I need to check the dictionary."
She used the dictionary app in my MacBook. When it did not give her the meaning of the word, she called again for me.
"It's not in the dictionary."
"Use World Book Online. Your word must be a difficult one."
"Yeah. The word is radius but it's not about the topic I'm reading on the human body. Look here."
--To be continued--
When my eleven year old daughter, Zoe asked permission if she can go online to search for information on the weak points of the human body, I allowed her. She knows how to turn the laptop on and connect online via broadband. Google is the search engine of choice. Over the years, she has acquired the habit of thinking aloud, especially when she's unsure of her thoughts or when the ideas in her head are all a clutter. Saying the words aloud helps her think.
I have not taught her yet that writing ideas down will help in finding clarity. That would be the next lesson.
So, when she blurted out, what are the weak points or weaknesses of the body, I knew she's using her brain to access information from Google. I stepped in.
I told her, "You don't type the whole question on Google. What is it that you want to know?"
She replied, "I want to know the weak points of the human body."
"OK. I can identify two phrases that you can use to search in Google. Weak points and human body. That's all you need to type in Google." I said.
"Oh. Thanks, Ma!"
In less than a minute, Google gave her hits.
"See," I said. "Weak points and human body are key words to help you search faster online."
She clicked a link and started reading. I was amused at how amused she was learning the different weak points. I learned too that many weak points are found in the face. It was interesting stuff. She got her notebook and took notes. Luckily for her, the site she was on had text that was easy to read. When stumped with a difficult word, she paused and asked, "Ma, I need to check the dictionary."
She used the dictionary app in my MacBook. When it did not give her the meaning of the word, she called again for me.
"It's not in the dictionary."
"Use World Book Online. Your word must be a difficult one."
"Yeah. The word is radius but it's not about the topic I'm reading on the human body. Look here."
--To be continued--
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
When Librarians Love (2 of 2)
I have said before in many workshops and seminars how my mother, herself a librarian, instilled in me a love for books and reading. She modeled the reading habit and built an environment that was print rich. I am doing the same for my two kids aged 14 and 11 years old.
Nico, the eldest, moved towards music but has nonetheless maintained a reading culture about him. Laid back and creative, he has shown strategies in understanding the world around him and efforts at comprehending difficult tasks in school. I still bring home books I think would interest him. It has been a hit and miss situation. His favorites are graphic novels - Budjette Tan's Trese, Arnold Arre's Mythology Class, The Amulet Series and The Best of Chico and Delamar's The Morning Rush: Top Ten.
One time when in the bookstore, he wandered to the graphic novels section. Turned off by the price, he went to the music section and picked song books of his choice. I let him be. Then again, I worry (the typical mom) when he needs to do tedious and longer reading tasks for academic work, he might not have the stamina to stay on track and follow through when necessary.
Zoe, on the other hand, has started reading chapter books by Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl. She attempted to read Gaiman and, viola! She finished Coraline in three weeks time. She's the one who writes a lot too. And draws pictures if words are hard to come by. Above is her floor plan for a school library.
Below is the annex of the school library she designed. There was this one time when she told me she wants to be a librarian when she grows up. I would like to think that I am too strong an influence on her choice. I want her to grow up as her own person.
For the meantime, I will continue to bridge them to books that they think and feel confident in reading. Like the typical school librarian, I will guide them in their reading choices and habits.
Nico, the eldest, moved towards music but has nonetheless maintained a reading culture about him. Laid back and creative, he has shown strategies in understanding the world around him and efforts at comprehending difficult tasks in school. I still bring home books I think would interest him. It has been a hit and miss situation. His favorites are graphic novels - Budjette Tan's Trese, Arnold Arre's Mythology Class, The Amulet Series and The Best of Chico and Delamar's The Morning Rush: Top Ten.
One time when in the bookstore, he wandered to the graphic novels section. Turned off by the price, he went to the music section and picked song books of his choice. I let him be. Then again, I worry (the typical mom) when he needs to do tedious and longer reading tasks for academic work, he might not have the stamina to stay on track and follow through when necessary.
Zoe, on the other hand, has started reading chapter books by Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl. She attempted to read Gaiman and, viola! She finished Coraline in three weeks time. She's the one who writes a lot too. And draws pictures if words are hard to come by. Above is her floor plan for a school library.
Below is the annex of the school library she designed. There was this one time when she told me she wants to be a librarian when she grows up. I would like to think that I am too strong an influence on her choice. I want her to grow up as her own person.
For the meantime, I will continue to bridge them to books that they think and feel confident in reading. Like the typical school librarian, I will guide them in their reading choices and habits.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
2010 MIBF Highlights
Despite the fury of flu and other viral infections, Zoe and I went to the Manila International Book Fair for pleasure and yes, business. She had fun and so did I.
Zoe met one of her favorite writers, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan. The good doctor gave her a free copy of his new book, Aha! May Allergy Ka Aala! (Aha! So, You Have Allergies!). She truly appreciated the gift. She was cradling and hugging the book till she got home that night. She particularly loved the special dedication for which Dr. Gatmaitan is known for doing to fans, family and friends. It read --
Earlier that afternoon, I met with the PBBY board for a viewing of rare Rizaliana at the National Library of the Philippines. Zoe tagged along. There she met Dr. Gatmaitan. She was starstruck! What she remembered so well was Dr. Gatmaitan's dedication for them, she and her older sibling, Nico, on the book I bought for them by the good doctor a few years back. That book was Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Raquel (Raquel's Amazing Hair) where Dr. Gatmaitan wrote that like Raquel's amazing hair, she and Nico have an amazing mother! How sweet!
Zoe also showed her comic books and stories with drawings to Dr. Gatmaitan. Thus his dedication to keep writing and drawing.
On that same day, I went to the Anvil booth to get a complimentary copy of After the Storm: Stories on Ondoy. Now I have something to give away as Christmas gifts to friends and family.
This year's book fair was indeed a delight to us, common folks. Yet, I could not help but comment how commercial it has all become. I discovered books so expensive I can get them at 100% less online! There were so many book launches as well for writers new and old! Vee Press and C&E Logic launched their eBooks. Seminars and lectures were all well attended and everyone, book lovers, readers and dreamers, vendors and sellers had their fill.
Congrats to one and all! Until next year! See you at the fair!
Zoe met one of her favorite writers, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan. The good doctor gave her a free copy of his new book, Aha! May Allergy Ka Aala! (Aha! So, You Have Allergies!). She truly appreciated the gift. She was cradling and hugging the book till she got home that night. She particularly loved the special dedication for which Dr. Gatmaitan is known for doing to fans, family and friends. It read --
Bawal magka-allergy ang cute na kagaya mo. Kailan ko ulti mababasa ang bago mong kwento? Please write (and draw) some more.
With love, Tito Dok
Earlier that afternoon, I met with the PBBY board for a viewing of rare Rizaliana at the National Library of the Philippines. Zoe tagged along. There she met Dr. Gatmaitan. She was starstruck! What she remembered so well was Dr. Gatmaitan's dedication for them, she and her older sibling, Nico, on the book I bought for them by the good doctor a few years back. That book was Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Raquel (Raquel's Amazing Hair) where Dr. Gatmaitan wrote that like Raquel's amazing hair, she and Nico have an amazing mother! How sweet!
Zoe also showed her comic books and stories with drawings to Dr. Gatmaitan. Thus his dedication to keep writing and drawing.
On that same day, I went to the Anvil booth to get a complimentary copy of After the Storm: Stories on Ondoy. Now I have something to give away as Christmas gifts to friends and family.
This year's book fair was indeed a delight to us, common folks. Yet, I could not help but comment how commercial it has all become. I discovered books so expensive I can get them at 100% less online! There were so many book launches as well for writers new and old! Vee Press and C&E Logic launched their eBooks. Seminars and lectures were all well attended and everyone, book lovers, readers and dreamers, vendors and sellers had their fill.
Congrats to one and all! Until next year! See you at the fair!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
