Kenneth Yu, Xavier Alumnus and editor of the Philippine Genre Stories replied to my post via email. I know it will embarass Kyu once again, but I just could not help posting parts of his email here in SLIA simply because, it is a testimony to the wonderful influence that a school library could give a young boy growing up reading.
So, Kyu, I beg your pardon if I have violated your privacy. Accept that you've become a celebrity in your own right. As a Xaverian, you're meant to shine!
Here are some snippets of Kyu's remembrances on the school library he grew up loving so much --
...in your last paragraph you said something about the library. I loved that place, and not just for the aircon (though that played a big part). I could get lost among the books for hours with my friends. Thinking of that place always makes me smile, and I think that early love still shows itself today whenever I go to any library, or any bookstore, or any place where there's a large collection of books... I hope you have boys who like spending time there too. Be patient with them, please, no matter how crazy they become. I have a feeling (that) that's exactly how we were a long time ago. (Just make sure that they're not crazy for craziness' sake, but are also borrowing books to read.)
Thanks for this, Kyu! You made my work sound so significant.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
specta-KYu-lar
It happens all the time. When a teacher learns that his/her former student achieved something, be it big or small, he/she is bound to bask in the glory of the accomplishment. So I was not surprised when Mr. Paco Maramag (who taught English and is now Prefect of Discipline) came to the library one morning looking for a very “old” book.
The book he was looking for was a project made by his former grade 4 students way back in 1980. It was an anthology of Greek Myths written and compiled by Francisco Benitez, Mark Escaler, Joel Trinidad and Kenneth Yu. What prompted him to go to the library was the article written by Ruey de Vera in the Sunday Inquirer about a Man of Many Stories. It so happened that the man featured in De Vera's article was Mr. Maramag's student. He is none other than Kenneth Yu (otherwise known in the LitCritters Open as KYu), publisher/editor of the Philippine Genre Stories.What's more amazing is that, Kenneth Yu is remembered fondly by one of our GS Librarians. Mrs. Rosario "Baby" Alfonso, back then she was Ms. Cahanding to Kenneth and his friends, could attest to KYU's addiction to books and reading. Such boys with an appetite for reading are never forgotten. At that time, Xavier School was still following the Individualized Instruction Approach and Methodology. Students could chart their own learning through the facilitation of the teacher. Mr. Maramag had given KYu's group the liberty to come up with the anthology of Greek Myths.
The book is still in our Filipiniana Collection. It stands proud among the classics written and produced by Filipino writers. Anyone of course can come up with such a project. But teachers and librarians consider this as a milestone in a student's literacy development.
I meet Kyu once in a while during Open Sessions of LitCritters. The last time we met, I mentioned to him his little project in grade school. He was embarassed to bits when I told him about Mr. Maramag's quest. Then again, the Man of Many Stories had to start somewhere. And like his former English teacher and GS librarian, I'm proud that his early beginnings at writing, editing and publishing began in school and nourished in the library.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Back to Teaching
Not many know this, but I taught preschool before becoming a librarian. Bosom friends know that I really wanted to major in English back in college to teach grammar and literature in basic education. Naks! As if my skills in grammar is supercalifragelisticexpialedocious! But, as destiny would have it, I ended up in the Department of Library Science to my mother's great joy. I don't regret the decision, though deep in my heart lies the passion to teach in the classroom.
This coming school year, SY 08-09, I am looking forwrad to going back to the classroom as a Reading teacher. Finally, I can now put into practice the theories I learned from my Reading mentors and professors from UP REGALE. Wink! Wink! to Teacher Portia, Teacher Vic and Dr. H :-) As a librarian, I was able to do collaborative projects and activities on Reading and Information Literacy. In June, I shall be given the chance to stretch my reach further and continue to make connections between students and the love for reading.
I am sure that the adjustment period will not be a walk in the park. There will be great challenges and obstacles to hurdle. Then again, what's teaching without risks? That is the beauty of it all. Teaching is both a science and an art. I feel most significant when I am able to put theory into practice.
It does not mean that I will no longer be a school librarian. I still am. And I think, I will always be.
This coming school year, SY 08-09, I am looking forwrad to going back to the classroom as a Reading teacher. Finally, I can now put into practice the theories I learned from my Reading mentors and professors from UP REGALE. Wink! Wink! to Teacher Portia, Teacher Vic and Dr. H :-) As a librarian, I was able to do collaborative projects and activities on Reading and Information Literacy. In June, I shall be given the chance to stretch my reach further and continue to make connections between students and the love for reading.
I am sure that the adjustment period will not be a walk in the park. There will be great challenges and obstacles to hurdle. Then again, what's teaching without risks? That is the beauty of it all. Teaching is both a science and an art. I feel most significant when I am able to put theory into practice.
It does not mean that I will no longer be a school librarian. I still am. And I think, I will always be.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
PNU LISAA: Keepers of the Flame*
Good morning!
I stand before you today, humbled to be speaking in behalf of the PNU-LISAA, Inc. Among the many qualified and more respected alumni, the association chose someone like me to represent it in this momentous occasion.
The PNU Library Science Department can boast of so many sons and daughters who are more accomplished than I am. In its 50 years of educating and forming future librarians of the nation, it has produced an armada of alumni who are wiser in years of experience. It can be proud of its recent graduates who are sturdier and more resilient in the face of professional challenges and personal trials. Compared to them, I am merely a beginner who is carving a niche in the ever-changing landscape of library and information science. I did not graduate with honors. Nor did I make it to the top 10 of the Librarians’ Licensure Examination. But here I am, nevertheless, tasked to give an inspirational message. Indeed, to be doing this in front of my former mentors and teachers is an honor. I feel that I am now a colleague. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for this recognition. So I take this great opportunity as a way of giving back to PNU in general and to remember the glory, golden and shinning, of the PNU LIS Department in particular.
By looking back and remembering, we can define the future. After all, the past, the present and the future exist in one plane. To lose the connection between the three would mean a loss of direction.
Allow me now to look back. And, I invite you to do the same. Get a pen and a piece of paper and together, let us chart our past so it can propel us to set directions for the future.
Divide your paper in four columns. Each column represents a year in college – Freshman Year; Sophomore Year; Junior Year; and Senior Year. Write them down.
Now, fold your paper lengthwise. On the first row, write the “highs” that you experienced as a student of LIS in PNU. On the second row, write the “lows” that you encountered as a student of LIS in PNU. Your highs and lows can be about the curriculum, the teachers, the class activities and projects, extra-curricular activities, practicum, support from friends and classmates, etc. Let us work on our paper for five to seven minutes and then we will have small buzz groups.
(After five-seven minutes…)
Turn to a seatmate and share. You can also form a group of three people.
(After five minutes…)
Let us now generalize. Try to go back to your paper. Recall things that struck you in your buzz group. At the back of your paper, write down insights you’ve derived from our short activity.
Can we have one or two brave souls to share his or her insight in the big group?
Volunteer 1 –
Volunteer 2 –
(At this point speaker can share her highs and lows…)
Thank you for your generosity and openness in participating in our little activity this morning. The highs and the lows that you wrote on your piece of paper is a constructed meaning of what the PNU LIS was, is and will be. Some of these experiences maybe delightful, relevant, earth- shaking, painful, frustrating, stressful, elating, humbling and life affirming. Whatever these highs and lows are, it should be enough to move the PNU LIS Department into the next 10 to 50 years.
To channel new directions and to establish new paradigms can not be done by one entity alone. It would take a communal effort to achieve this – support from the university administration, a competent faculty and staff (combination of the young and the seasoned), updated and relevant learning resources, a curriculum that empowers and answers the needs of the learner and his environment, the political will and inner strength to change for the better – these are but some of the ingredients necessary to chart pathways for the PNU LIS Department in the next three or five decades. In the process, there will be discussions, discourse, dialogues and even debates. There are factors both internal and external that will affect the structuring or realigning of things. There will be roadblocks too, for how can we face the realities of change when, as Filipinos, we take things always, on a personal matter. Then again, we are Filipinos, and we will endure.
Like many of you, I hope to see the torch light burning bright as the PNU LIS Department continues to guide aspiring librarians to a promising tomorrow. It does not end with hoping and seeing though. As an alumnus, it is my personal responsibility to carry the torch, ablaze and aflame. PNU LISAA as an alumni organization is a keeper of the flame. We all have a part to play. We all have a contribution to make. We all need tough love and sacrifice to nurture the torch’s fire.
I ask you now, how do you keep the torch’s flame from flickering? How can we all keep the torch’s flame alive?
To end, I would like to sing PNU’s Alma Mater song – I will sing it once, but on the second round, please join me.
Oh Alma Mater ko
Sa Mga Guro’y Ina
Dalay Ilaw
Sadyang Tanglaw
Lagi Kang Patnubay
Ng Bayan Ko Kailan Pa man
Lualhati’y suma iyo
Oh Alma Mater ko
*The above speech was delivered during the 50the anniversary of the PNU LIS Department held last Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the PNU Library.
I stand before you today, humbled to be speaking in behalf of the PNU-LISAA, Inc. Among the many qualified and more respected alumni, the association chose someone like me to represent it in this momentous occasion.
The PNU Library Science Department can boast of so many sons and daughters who are more accomplished than I am. In its 50 years of educating and forming future librarians of the nation, it has produced an armada of alumni who are wiser in years of experience. It can be proud of its recent graduates who are sturdier and more resilient in the face of professional challenges and personal trials. Compared to them, I am merely a beginner who is carving a niche in the ever-changing landscape of library and information science. I did not graduate with honors. Nor did I make it to the top 10 of the Librarians’ Licensure Examination. But here I am, nevertheless, tasked to give an inspirational message. Indeed, to be doing this in front of my former mentors and teachers is an honor. I feel that I am now a colleague. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for this recognition. So I take this great opportunity as a way of giving back to PNU in general and to remember the glory, golden and shinning, of the PNU LIS Department in particular.
By looking back and remembering, we can define the future. After all, the past, the present and the future exist in one plane. To lose the connection between the three would mean a loss of direction.
Allow me now to look back. And, I invite you to do the same. Get a pen and a piece of paper and together, let us chart our past so it can propel us to set directions for the future.
Divide your paper in four columns. Each column represents a year in college – Freshman Year; Sophomore Year; Junior Year; and Senior Year. Write them down.
Now, fold your paper lengthwise. On the first row, write the “highs” that you experienced as a student of LIS in PNU. On the second row, write the “lows” that you encountered as a student of LIS in PNU. Your highs and lows can be about the curriculum, the teachers, the class activities and projects, extra-curricular activities, practicum, support from friends and classmates, etc. Let us work on our paper for five to seven minutes and then we will have small buzz groups.
(After five-seven minutes…)
Turn to a seatmate and share. You can also form a group of three people.
(After five minutes…)
Let us now generalize. Try to go back to your paper. Recall things that struck you in your buzz group. At the back of your paper, write down insights you’ve derived from our short activity.
Can we have one or two brave souls to share his or her insight in the big group?
Volunteer 1 –
Volunteer 2 –
(At this point speaker can share her highs and lows…)
Thank you for your generosity and openness in participating in our little activity this morning. The highs and the lows that you wrote on your piece of paper is a constructed meaning of what the PNU LIS was, is and will be. Some of these experiences maybe delightful, relevant, earth- shaking, painful, frustrating, stressful, elating, humbling and life affirming. Whatever these highs and lows are, it should be enough to move the PNU LIS Department into the next 10 to 50 years.
To channel new directions and to establish new paradigms can not be done by one entity alone. It would take a communal effort to achieve this – support from the university administration, a competent faculty and staff (combination of the young and the seasoned), updated and relevant learning resources, a curriculum that empowers and answers the needs of the learner and his environment, the political will and inner strength to change for the better – these are but some of the ingredients necessary to chart pathways for the PNU LIS Department in the next three or five decades. In the process, there will be discussions, discourse, dialogues and even debates. There are factors both internal and external that will affect the structuring or realigning of things. There will be roadblocks too, for how can we face the realities of change when, as Filipinos, we take things always, on a personal matter. Then again, we are Filipinos, and we will endure.
Like many of you, I hope to see the torch light burning bright as the PNU LIS Department continues to guide aspiring librarians to a promising tomorrow. It does not end with hoping and seeing though. As an alumnus, it is my personal responsibility to carry the torch, ablaze and aflame. PNU LISAA as an alumni organization is a keeper of the flame. We all have a part to play. We all have a contribution to make. We all need tough love and sacrifice to nurture the torch’s fire.
I ask you now, how do you keep the torch’s flame from flickering? How can we all keep the torch’s flame alive?
To end, I would like to sing PNU’s Alma Mater song – I will sing it once, but on the second round, please join me.
Oh Alma Mater ko
Sa Mga Guro’y Ina
Dalay Ilaw
Sadyang Tanglaw
Lagi Kang Patnubay
Ng Bayan Ko Kailan Pa man
Lualhati’y suma iyo
Oh Alma Mater ko
*The above speech was delivered during the 50the anniversary of the PNU LIS Department held last Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the PNU Library.
Monday, February 18, 2008
50 Years of PNU LIS
I deliverd an inspirational message during the 50th year anniversary of the Philippine Normal University Library and Information Science Department last February 16, 2008, Saturday at the PNU Library. Madame Cora Nera of the BFL graced the occassion. Mrs. Elnora Conti was awarded Outstanding Alumni while Peachy Limpin, who is based in Australia, was recognized as being the first PNU alumnus to make it to the Top 10 of the Licensure Exam for Librarians.
Here are some pictures from the said event. As usual, I have no photo because I was busy taking pictures using my cell phone. I will post my speech soon.
Here are some pictures from the said event. As usual, I have no photo because I was busy taking pictures using my cell phone. I will post my speech soon.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Summer Events for Librarians
This early, trips, study tours and summer workshops for librarians are being advertised in the egroups. Here are several of them that I have lifted from my inbox.
FROM THE PLAI -
The Philippine Librarians Association,Inc (PLAI) in cooperation with the
CONSAL XIV Executive Board Members from the Philippines is sponsoring
a four(4) day three (3) night Study Visit of libraries, museums and tourist spots
in Ho ChiMinh, Vietnam on April 22-25, 2008. This will coincide with the Second Meeting
of the CONSAL XIV Executive Board hosted by Vietnam
Details of the tour will be furnished to those interested starting second
week of February. Meanwhile,you can call our coordinators, Marianne and Armie
of the National Library, Tel No.5251748 or Malou of PLAI at Tel No.5259401 or
Jeng of Esquire Travel Corporation at Tel Nos. 5256298,5212907,5214193.
FROM THE PAARL
The Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL) is honored to invite you to its Summer Conference on "Finding the Library's Place in the 2.0 Environment: Providing for interactive, collaborative and web-based technologies, resources and services" to be held on April 23-25, 2008 at the St. Ezekiel Moreno Spirituality & Development Center, San Jose, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
This Summer Conference has the following objectives:
1. To take a second look at the trends that will better prepare librarians and other information professionals in the next wave of societal, cultural and technological changes in providing services in libraries and information centers.
2. Make the present day information professional recognize that information culture is changing fast and that there is a need to respond positively to these changes by providing resources and services that users need and want.
3. To present the library as a partner in providing for a socially and emotionally engaging center for learning and experience and the librarian as "strategy guide" for helping users find information and gather new knowledge to create new contents.
This invitation is extended to both professional and library support staff, library managers, information specialists, information managers and researchers who recognize the importance of understanding the ideas of the changing universe of information and the context of collaborative and interactive web based services for libraries and information centers.
Registration fee is PHP 4,500.00 (live-in). This entitles the participant to a 3 days/2 nights stay at the Center with meals and snacks, conference kit, certificates of participation, certificate of attendance, if so required and a half-day tour. For those who will prefer to make arrangements for their accommodations (live-out), fee is PHP 4,000.00 inclusive of the abovementioned entitlements except breakfast and dinner. Payments can be made in cash, check or Postal Money Order payable to Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL) or deposit to any BPI
Family Bank Branches near you with Savings Account No. 5951-0782-06.
Your favorable response to this invitation will be greatly appreciated. It is of utmost importance that you confirm your
reservation on or before April 15, 2008.
We shall be looking forward to welcoming you in Palawan!
FROM THE SMI-IC
The South Manila Inter-Institutional Consortium (SMI-IC) comprised of twelve (12) member academic libraries along Taft Avenue, Manila is
pleased to invite you to a Seminar-Workshop on Archives Management: Principles and Techniques, to be held on March 26-28, 2008, at the College of Public Health Auditorium, UP Manila, Pedro Gil St., Ermita, Manila.
The objectives of the seminar are as follows: (1) to have a greater understanding of the role of archives in fulfilling the mission of an
institution; (2) to introduce basic archival principles and techniques which will guide the librarians/archivists/information professionals in establishing their respective institutional archives, particularly on the organization and arrangement of archival materials; (3) to enable participants to develop and implement an archival collection development program
A seminar fee of Php3, 000.00 to cover registration fee, conference meals and snacks, seminar kits & handouts, and certificate of participation will be charged to the participants.
For inquiries/reservation please contact any of the following:
Erlinda B. Gonzalez
Adamson University
Telefax : 524-8038; 524-2011 loc. 131; Mobile Phone: 0906-4796345
Email: ebgonzalez@adamson.edu.ph
Ana Maria B. Fresnido
De La Salle University-Manila
Telefax.: 524-8835 ; 536-0244
Mobile Phone: 0918-7172959
Email: fresnidoa@dlsu.edu.ph
Rowena R. Pascual
Philippine Christian University
Tel. No.: 523-2186; 524-6671 loc.111
Mobile Phone: 0921-4644358
Email: rwnpscl@yahoo.com
Maria A. Orendain
Philippine Normal University
Tel No.: 302-7717
Marilou S. Salting
Saint Paul University-Manila
Tel No.: 524-5687 loc. 220
Mobile Phone: 0927-3299811
Email: mhallous@yahoo.com
Simeona C. Delfin
St. Scholastica's College-Manila
Tel: 524-7686 loc. 252
Mobile Phone: 0906-2271615
Celedonia Cayaban
De La Salle – College of St. Benilde
Tel No.: 526-7741 loc. 133
Gloria E. Ruzgal
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Tel No.: 521-2710 loc. 5355
Mobile Phone: 0916-2319481
Email: angelo_ray92090@yahoo.com
Corazon M. Nera
Lyceum of the Philippines University
Tel: 527-8251 loc. 129
Email: cmnera@yahoo.com
Dionisia M. Angeles
Philippine Women's University
Tel: 339-2589
Mobile Phone: 0917-8718815
Olga Ong
Technological University of the Philippines
Theresa P. Dugenia
University of the Philippines-Manila
Tel No.:526-4253; 526-5847
FROM THE PLAI -
The Philippine Librarians Association,Inc (PLAI) in cooperation with the
CONSAL XIV Executive Board Members from the Philippines is sponsoring
a four(4) day three (3) night Study Visit of libraries, museums and tourist spots
in Ho ChiMinh, Vietnam on April 22-25, 2008. This will coincide with the Second Meeting
of the CONSAL XIV Executive Board hosted by Vietnam
Details of the tour will be furnished to those interested starting second
week of February. Meanwhile,you can call our coordinators, Marianne and Armie
of the National Library, Tel No.5251748 or Malou of PLAI at Tel No.5259401 or
Jeng of Esquire Travel Corporation at Tel Nos. 5256298,5212907,5214193.
FROM THE PAARL
The Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL) is honored to invite you to its Summer Conference on "Finding the Library's Place in the 2.0 Environment: Providing for interactive, collaborative and web-based technologies, resources and services" to be held on April 23-25, 2008 at the St. Ezekiel Moreno Spirituality & Development Center, San Jose, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
This Summer Conference has the following objectives:
1. To take a second look at the trends that will better prepare librarians and other information professionals in the next wave of societal, cultural and technological changes in providing services in libraries and information centers.
2. Make the present day information professional recognize that information culture is changing fast and that there is a need to respond positively to these changes by providing resources and services that users need and want.
3. To present the library as a partner in providing for a socially and emotionally engaging center for learning and experience and the librarian as "strategy guide" for helping users find information and gather new knowledge to create new contents.
This invitation is extended to both professional and library support staff, library managers, information specialists, information managers and researchers who recognize the importance of understanding the ideas of the changing universe of information and the context of collaborative and interactive web based services for libraries and information centers.
Registration fee is PHP 4,500.00 (live-in). This entitles the participant to a 3 days/2 nights stay at the Center with meals and snacks, conference kit, certificates of participation, certificate of attendance, if so required and a half-day tour. For those who will prefer to make arrangements for their accommodations (live-out), fee is PHP 4,000.00 inclusive of the abovementioned entitlements except breakfast and dinner. Payments can be made in cash, check or Postal Money Order payable to Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL) or deposit to any BPI
Family Bank Branches near you with Savings Account No. 5951-0782-06.
Your favorable response to this invitation will be greatly appreciated. It is of utmost importance that you confirm your
reservation on or before April 15, 2008.
We shall be looking forward to welcoming you in Palawan!
FROM THE SMI-IC
The South Manila Inter-Institutional Consortium (SMI-IC) comprised of twelve (12) member academic libraries along Taft Avenue, Manila is
pleased to invite you to a Seminar-Workshop on Archives Management: Principles and Techniques, to be held on March 26-28, 2008, at the College of Public Health Auditorium, UP Manila, Pedro Gil St., Ermita, Manila.
The objectives of the seminar are as follows: (1) to have a greater understanding of the role of archives in fulfilling the mission of an
institution; (2) to introduce basic archival principles and techniques which will guide the librarians/archivists/information professionals in establishing their respective institutional archives, particularly on the organization and arrangement of archival materials; (3) to enable participants to develop and implement an archival collection development program
A seminar fee of Php3, 000.00 to cover registration fee, conference meals and snacks, seminar kits & handouts, and certificate of participation will be charged to the participants.
For inquiries/reservation please contact any of the following:
Erlinda B. Gonzalez
Adamson University
Telefax : 524-8038; 524-2011 loc. 131; Mobile Phone: 0906-4796345
Email: ebgonzalez@adamson.edu.ph
Ana Maria B. Fresnido
De La Salle University-Manila
Telefax.: 524-8835 ; 536-0244
Mobile Phone: 0918-7172959
Email: fresnidoa@dlsu.edu.ph
Rowena R. Pascual
Philippine Christian University
Tel. No.: 523-2186; 524-6671 loc.111
Mobile Phone: 0921-4644358
Email: rwnpscl@yahoo.com
Maria A. Orendain
Philippine Normal University
Tel No.: 302-7717
Marilou S. Salting
Saint Paul University-Manila
Tel No.: 524-5687 loc. 220
Mobile Phone: 0927-3299811
Email: mhallous@yahoo.com
Simeona C. Delfin
St. Scholastica's College-Manila
Tel: 524-7686 loc. 252
Mobile Phone: 0906-2271615
Celedonia Cayaban
De La Salle – College of St. Benilde
Tel No.: 526-7741 loc. 133
Gloria E. Ruzgal
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Tel No.: 521-2710 loc. 5355
Mobile Phone: 0916-2319481
Email: angelo_ray92090@yahoo.com
Corazon M. Nera
Lyceum of the Philippines University
Tel: 527-8251 loc. 129
Email: cmnera@yahoo.com
Dionisia M. Angeles
Philippine Women's University
Tel: 339-2589
Mobile Phone: 0917-8718815
Olga Ong
Technological University of the Philippines
Theresa P. Dugenia
University of the Philippines-Manila
Tel No.:526-4253; 526-5847
Thursday, February 7, 2008
PAASCU Visit @ SFNPS Library
It was such a pleasant meeting. Ms. Brinas, GS Librarian of the San Felipe Neri Parochial School Library was one of the many reviewers at the librarian licensure review class given by UP SLIS last September 2007. Since I gave the review session for School Library Management, Ms. Brinas remembered me well.Here we are inside her cute little library at San Felipe Neri Parochial School. Ms. Brinas is an alumni of the Philippine Normal University. She was recepient of the Trinidad Albaraccin Scholarship. She recently passed the Licensure Exam for Librarians.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Book Trip
Last Friday January 18, 2008, Baby Alfonso (Acquisitions Librarian) and I went out on official business to Fullybooked Bonifacio High Street. There we selected books for our boys (from preschool to Gr. 7) and DVDs for the content areas. It was Baby's first time to see the 4 storey bookstore while it was my third time around. Being there reminded me of my visit to Singapore's Kinokinuya.
If only Philippine libraries are are as spacious and well stocked as bookstores like Fullybooked and Kinokinuya, then, it will attract readers by the hundreds. But who will risk investing millions on libraries? Wanted: Philantropist!
If only Philippine libraries are are as spacious and well stocked as bookstores like Fullybooked and Kinokinuya, then, it will attract readers by the hundreds. But who will risk investing millions on libraries? Wanted: Philantropist!
Pinoy Edublog Awards
Awards and recognitions are feel good instruments that either blow the ego or humble the spirit to continue doing a job well done. In the Pinoy blogosphere there is the Pinoy Blog Awards, an anual event recognizing the best and the brazen bloggers in the country. Then there is WikiPilipinas who honored some bloggers who made waves and caused an impact in the realm of Pinoy blogopshere last year. And are we (Filipino Blograrians) not proud of Von Totanes whose blog was named as the best in the catageroy of "communities" by WikiPilipinas? Of course we are. But the thing is, Von is still baffled.
What baffles me, on the other hand, is the exclusion of education as a category in the list. Could it be that every blog out there has educational value depending on who the reader/user of the blog is? Or is it because blogs for education, on teaching and instruction and about the academe are complicated to judge since judges would require, in the first place, theoretical knowledge on pedagogy and instructional technology? Blogs for teaching goes beyond the design factor. Besides, blogs used as teaching tools are not set up as popularity portals. Does the education sector have to set up its own blog awards to acknowledge the effective and eficient use of blogs in teaching and instruction?
Such musings led me to check some links via the IASL blog. There I found the edublog awards! The categories range from best teacher blog to best librarian/library blog; best educational wiki to best educational use of social netwroking services. From the list of categories, I have the impression that in the US, bloggers and educators alike have a progressive and advanced perspective on the utility of blogs as educational tools. Can the Pinoy blogsophere come up with something like it?
What baffles me, on the other hand, is the exclusion of education as a category in the list. Could it be that every blog out there has educational value depending on who the reader/user of the blog is? Or is it because blogs for education, on teaching and instruction and about the academe are complicated to judge since judges would require, in the first place, theoretical knowledge on pedagogy and instructional technology? Blogs for teaching goes beyond the design factor. Besides, blogs used as teaching tools are not set up as popularity portals. Does the education sector have to set up its own blog awards to acknowledge the effective and eficient use of blogs in teaching and instruction?
Such musings led me to check some links via the IASL blog. There I found the edublog awards! The categories range from best teacher blog to best librarian/library blog; best educational wiki to best educational use of social netwroking services. From the list of categories, I have the impression that in the US, bloggers and educators alike have a progressive and advanced perspective on the utility of blogs as educational tools. Can the Pinoy blogsophere come up with something like it?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Sta. Maria & Kelly (SMK) Inc.
There is a new book company in town.
Sta. Maria & Kelly , Inc. was launched last December 14, 2007 carrying a variety of tiltes for preschool children to college students and professionals. Librarians were present to grace the occassion and the grand dame of the Board for Librarians, Madame Cora Nera, was there to lend an inspirational message to Mr. Mario St. Maria, the president-owner of SMK, Inc. His family was there to support him in this momentous event.
Mario Sta. Maria started out as an agent of various books, journals and periodicals to schools and libraries. With patience and perseverance, he was able to establish a niche as manager of Library Journal Solutions, Inc. As head honcho of SMK, Inc. he envisions a meaningful partnership with clients. In the future, he plans to help libraries in the province grow into vital learning centers. This initiative to give back is fueled by his humble beginnings as a student of Library Science at the University of the East.
Sta. Maria & Kelly , Inc. was launched last December 14, 2007 carrying a variety of tiltes for preschool children to college students and professionals. Librarians were present to grace the occassion and the grand dame of the Board for Librarians, Madame Cora Nera, was there to lend an inspirational message to Mr. Mario St. Maria, the president-owner of SMK, Inc. His family was there to support him in this momentous event.
Mario Sta. Maria started out as an agent of various books, journals and periodicals to schools and libraries. With patience and perseverance, he was able to establish a niche as manager of Library Journal Solutions, Inc. As head honcho of SMK, Inc. he envisions a meaningful partnership with clients. In the future, he plans to help libraries in the province grow into vital learning centers. This initiative to give back is fueled by his humble beginnings as a student of Library Science at the University of the East.
ANINO Shadowplay Collective
Here's an add from Nono Pardalis, KUTING and writer for ANINO, who sent it via email.
ANINO Shadowplay Collective will be performing at the UP Film Institute (in Diliman) on 25 January 2008, 7 pm.
Videos, live shadowplay and free ice tea and ensaimada while supply lasts ! Admission - P50.00
I've included the link to the website and it will give the reader a comprehensive profile of the group. What struck me was the list of places and venues they have performed so far. They have been to schools, museums, malls, plazas and cafes but not to a school or public library yet. So, librarians in schools and communities, any takers? Check the website now for the group's contact numbers. There are videos to watch and other downloadable stuff for your perusal.
ANINO Shadowplay Collective will be performing at the UP Film Institute (in Diliman) on 25 January 2008, 7 pm.
Videos, live shadowplay and free ice tea and ensaimada while supply lasts ! Admission - P50.00
I've included the link to the website and it will give the reader a comprehensive profile of the group. What struck me was the list of places and venues they have performed so far. They have been to schools, museums, malls, plazas and cafes but not to a school or public library yet. So, librarians in schools and communities, any takers? Check the website now for the group's contact numbers. There are videos to watch and other downloadable stuff for your perusal.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Filipino Librarians In The News
I found this while reading Ruel De Vera's review of Kenneth Yu's Philippine Genre Stories in the PDI. Follow the links to read the names of the Filipino Librarians who will be getting some awards from PAARL.
I hope next time, the press release would include what the awards are for and what accomplishments the awardees have contributed to Philippine and International librarianship. Young librarians like me need models to look up to. Besides, non-librarian readers would be informed of the work that librarians truly do in the academe, in research and in government service. I do not like to think that the motive for giving awards, either in the field of librarianship or another, is given with a political agenda.
But this is the Philippines. We're Filipinos. We're either political or personal.
I hope next time, the press release would include what the awards are for and what accomplishments the awardees have contributed to Philippine and International librarianship. Young librarians like me need models to look up to. Besides, non-librarian readers would be informed of the work that librarians truly do in the academe, in research and in government service. I do not like to think that the motive for giving awards, either in the field of librarianship or another, is given with a political agenda.
But this is the Philippines. We're Filipinos. We're either political or personal.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Future of Reading
I am culling out memorable and relevant posts I made in 2006 and 2007 to file them under the BEST of SLIA - an annual compedium of blog posts that, I deem, contain valuable information for me and my readers. But it seems that going over 200 plus posts for two years could not be done in a week. So here is a reprieve from my scouring -- an editorial by Shiela Williams on Harry Potter and the Future of Reading.
In the article, Williams mentioned of a lovely librarian (envy! envy! envy!) who accepted the Hugo Award on behalf of JK Rowling. Why would a librarian, and take note that she was described as lovely (images of loveliness come to mind- no thick intimidating glasses; gone are the dagger like stares; hair in a bun? go away!), accept the Hugo for JK Rowling? Ah. I am inundated by so many assumptions. But, I must say that I'm contented to think that indeed, librarians are not mere custodians of books. See, they attend events like book awards and book launchings where their presence is very much appreciated. Librarians do have a role on everything books and reading and not just the keeping of such.
The most thrilling bit of information I got from Williams' editorial though, is her belief that the printed word will never die. And proof of this is the phenomenal reception of kids and adults to JK Rowling's seventh Harry Potter. If you think otherwise, I challenge you to shrug off your snottiness on the HP books and read it.
In the article, Williams mentioned of a lovely librarian (envy! envy! envy!) who accepted the Hugo Award on behalf of JK Rowling. Why would a librarian, and take note that she was described as lovely (images of loveliness come to mind- no thick intimidating glasses; gone are the dagger like stares; hair in a bun? go away!), accept the Hugo for JK Rowling? Ah. I am inundated by so many assumptions. But, I must say that I'm contented to think that indeed, librarians are not mere custodians of books. See, they attend events like book awards and book launchings where their presence is very much appreciated. Librarians do have a role on everything books and reading and not just the keeping of such.
The most thrilling bit of information I got from Williams' editorial though, is her belief that the printed word will never die. And proof of this is the phenomenal reception of kids and adults to JK Rowling's seventh Harry Potter. If you think otherwise, I challenge you to shrug off your snottiness on the HP books and read it.
Friday, January 11, 2008
SLIA: Remembering 2007's First Posts
The celebration of the holidays, Christmas and the New Year, is steeped with traditions. For this, I am keeping in line with traditional blog posts in review of the year that was. Here are the first twelve posts I made per month for the year 2007. It's time to look back with expectations straight ahead for 2008. This month of is after all named after Janus, the god of gates and doorways, of endings and beginnings.
December 2007: The Passing of a Magic Weaver
Rene O. Villanueva, writer and playwright passed away last December 5, 2007.
November 2007: A Day With Weavers of Magic (The Repeat!)
“A Day with Weavers of Magic”(The Repeat!)
(Writing, Illustrating, and Telling Stories for Children)
November 24, 2007(Saturday)
Benitez Theater College of Education, UP Diliman
October 2007: On the Blog Trail of Filipino Librarian
Whew! I finally get to squeeze this in or else, be stuck in September. I have several blog posts in line for this week, but Von's recent posts are just too delicious to follow.
September 2007: With Filipino Librarian
There were a good number of Filipino Librarians in my panel discussion last August 30, 2007, Thursday at the Manila International Book Fair.
August 2007: Philippine Publishers Roster of 2007 Books for Children
Ah yes, life goes on after Hary Potter.
July 2007: The State of Philippine Children's Literature
There is this article in PCIJ on the state of children's literature in the country.
June 2007: Misplaced Librarians
There were many insights and issues that surfaced from my seminar-workshop with public and barangay librarians yesterday at the Filipinas Heritage Library.
May 2007: Hudhud Epic for Kids
Two new children's books have been published by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to teach children about the Ifugao epic, Hudhud.
April 2007: Mentor vs. Supervisor
One of the many adjustments I made upon assuming the role of Library Coordinator, was that of a supervisor in charge of evaluating the library staff.
March 2007: The Maningning Miclat Poetry Awards
2007 MANINGNING MICLAT POETRY AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES
February 2007: Tahanan Books Launch Greek Myths
January 2007: 2006 In Retrospect
Happy New Year to you all!
December 2007: The Passing of a Magic Weaver
Rene O. Villanueva, writer and playwright passed away last December 5, 2007.
November 2007: A Day With Weavers of Magic (The Repeat!)
“A Day with Weavers of Magic”(The Repeat!)
(Writing, Illustrating, and Telling Stories for Children)
November 24, 2007(Saturday)
Benitez Theater College of Education, UP Diliman
October 2007: On the Blog Trail of Filipino Librarian
Whew! I finally get to squeeze this in or else, be stuck in September. I have several blog posts in line for this week, but Von's recent posts are just too delicious to follow.
September 2007: With Filipino Librarian
There were a good number of Filipino Librarians in my panel discussion last August 30, 2007, Thursday at the Manila International Book Fair.
August 2007: Philippine Publishers Roster of 2007 Books for Children
Ah yes, life goes on after Hary Potter.
July 2007: The State of Philippine Children's Literature
There is this article in PCIJ on the state of children's literature in the country.
June 2007: Misplaced Librarians
There were many insights and issues that surfaced from my seminar-workshop with public and barangay librarians yesterday at the Filipinas Heritage Library.
May 2007: Hudhud Epic for Kids
Two new children's books have been published by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to teach children about the Ifugao epic, Hudhud.
April 2007: Mentor vs. Supervisor
One of the many adjustments I made upon assuming the role of Library Coordinator, was that of a supervisor in charge of evaluating the library staff.
March 2007: The Maningning Miclat Poetry Awards
2007 MANINGNING MICLAT POETRY AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES
February 2007: Tahanan Books Launch Greek Myths
January 2007: 2006 In Retrospect
Happy New Year to you all!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Blogs & Networking
I delight in knowing that people outside the Philippine borders are discovering my blog. Once in a while I would get emails from people telling me of their discovery of SLIA via the blogosphere. This morning, I got an email from Corrine Robson who runs the Paper Tiger Blog.
She has great interest on multicultural books and events on children's literature in the Philippines that she asked of these in her email. PBBY will be celebrating the 25th National Children's Book Day this July so I made mention about it when I emailed her back. This goes to show how blogs and the Internet can help people from different places bridge gaps and get information. The world is indeed becoming smaller, but all the more richer it's been. Barriers are broken down; new meaning and world views are constructed.
Cheers to an exciting blogging year ahead!
She has great interest on multicultural books and events on children's literature in the Philippines that she asked of these in her email. PBBY will be celebrating the 25th National Children's Book Day this July so I made mention about it when I emailed her back. This goes to show how blogs and the Internet can help people from different places bridge gaps and get information. The world is indeed becoming smaller, but all the more richer it's been. Barriers are broken down; new meaning and world views are constructed.
Cheers to an exciting blogging year ahead!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New Year Greetings!
Of course, greetings and wishes of a happy and prosperous New Year filled my inbox, in email and in mobile phone, yesterday and the other day. Text messages from friends and family were a plenty. Most SMS I got from them contain names of kids and spouse, so I was amused when writer-friends, Augie & Mike Rivera, sent me a New Year greeting bearing the name of all their storybook characters from Benito to Elias, Sibuyan to Ampalaya, Segunda to Lea.
Another amusing SMS came from my mother. It goes like this:
May the fleas of a million dogs infest the butt of the person who spoils your year and may his arms grow too short to scratch his back.
You don't my mom, but I do so the context of the message is beyond humor and a few good laughs. I have always found her to be wielding a magic all her own. Receiving the SMS gave me goosebumps upon complete comprehension of it all. Speaking of magic, Neni SR Cruz, PBBY co-member, sent one fantatsic SMS that she got from writer Neil Gaiman --
May your year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness; I hope you read some fine books; and kiss someone who thinks you are wonderful; and don't forget to make some art - write or draw, or build or sing or live; And I hope, somewhere this year, you surprise yourself!"
I think I will just do all of that for 2008 and the years to come. I never know, really, I might just surprise myself this time around.
Another amusing SMS came from my mother. It goes like this:
May the fleas of a million dogs infest the butt of the person who spoils your year and may his arms grow too short to scratch his back.
You don't my mom, but I do so the context of the message is beyond humor and a few good laughs. I have always found her to be wielding a magic all her own. Receiving the SMS gave me goosebumps upon complete comprehension of it all. Speaking of magic, Neni SR Cruz, PBBY co-member, sent one fantatsic SMS that she got from writer Neil Gaiman --
May your year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness; I hope you read some fine books; and kiss someone who thinks you are wonderful; and don't forget to make some art - write or draw, or build or sing or live; And I hope, somewhere this year, you surprise yourself!"
I think I will just do all of that for 2008 and the years to come. I never know, really, I might just surprise myself this time around.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Cited @ Filipina Soul
Being cited in another blog or website is like a pat on the back, well, if the citation is followed by kind and generous words. SLIA is mentioned in Filipina Soul and it validates the very reason for this blog's being.
I should put back Jonas Diego's YAN ANG PINAY logo.
I should put back Jonas Diego's YAN ANG PINAY logo.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Filipino Child and Filipino Children's Literature
SCBWI Philasis presents --
Lara Saguisag on "The Filipino Child and Filipino Children's Literature"
When : 6 to 8 pm Monday 2008 January 7
Where : Fully Booked, Bonifacio HIgh Street, The Fort At The Forum on the 4th level, right on top of Starbucks
Host : Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
Lara Saguisag will explore notions of childhood and "Filipino-ness" in Philippine literature for children, and will focus on locally published books. She will talk about different elements of the book, such as style, subject choice, book covers, and even cost of books, and see how texts and illustrations reveal our conception of children as subjects and readers.
Bio : Lara Saguisag's most recent book is Children of Two Seasons: Poems for Young People (Anvil). She
also co-edited Nine Supernatural Stories (UP Press) with April Yap. Her poems for children received the 2006 New School Writing Program Chapbook Series Award. She is a Presidential Fellow at Rutgers University, where she is completing her PhD in Childhood Studies. She is a founding member of KUTING (Kwentista ng Mga Tsikiting), a group of writers for children.
This event is open to SCBWI members and non-members, published or unpublished writers or illustrators for children or young adults, and those who have a keen interest in children's literature.
Fee : P100, for SCBWI members P80. Limited seats, first come first served. Come early, browse through the store and immerse yourself in books beforehand!
For details, contact :
Beaulah Taguiwalo or
Dominique Torres (Nikki) < nikkigtorres@ yahoo.com>
Lara Saguisag on "The Filipino Child and Filipino Children's Literature"
When : 6 to 8 pm Monday 2008 January 7
Where : Fully Booked, Bonifacio HIgh Street, The Fort At The Forum on the 4th level, right on top of Starbucks
Host : Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
Lara Saguisag will explore notions of childhood and "Filipino-ness" in Philippine literature for children, and will focus on locally published books. She will talk about different elements of the book, such as style, subject choice, book covers, and even cost of books, and see how texts and illustrations reveal our conception of children as subjects and readers.
Bio : Lara Saguisag's most recent book is Children of Two Seasons: Poems for Young People (Anvil). She
also co-edited Nine Supernatural Stories (UP Press) with April Yap. Her poems for children received the 2006 New School Writing Program Chapbook Series Award. She is a Presidential Fellow at Rutgers University, where she is completing her PhD in Childhood Studies. She is a founding member of KUTING (Kwentista ng Mga Tsikiting), a group of writers for children.
This event is open to SCBWI members and non-members, published or unpublished writers or illustrators for children or young adults, and those who have a keen interest in children's literature.
Fee : P100, for SCBWI members P80. Limited seats, first come first served. Come early, browse through the store and immerse yourself in books beforehand!
For details, contact :
Beaulah Taguiwalo or
Dominique Torres (Nikki) < nikkigtorres@ yahoo.com>
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
KUTING Workshop: The Art of the Magic Weavers.
KUTING Workshop: The Art of the Magic Weavers
Resource persons are: Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Prof. Heidi Abad and Ms. Lara Saguisag. This shall be held on January 12, 2008, at Room 204, College of Education, Benitez Hall at U.P. Diliman.
Workshop Fee: Php1,000. For details, pls. contact AGAY (09178116961) or ZARAH (09209602884) or email them at the ff. addresses: zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com/ allanera@yahoo.com.
Resource persons are: Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Prof. Heidi Abad and Ms. Lara Saguisag. This shall be held on January 12, 2008, at Room 204, College of Education, Benitez Hall at U.P. Diliman.
Workshop Fee: Php1,000. For details, pls. contact AGAY (09178116961) or ZARAH (09209602884) or email them at the ff. addresses: zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com/ allanera@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
My December Daze
December is a month that would leave me confused and crazy. All work and deadlines seem to snowball at the last month of the year and on top of it all is the perfunctory celebration of Christmas. Every year, I find myself dutifully going through the motions of preparing for parties, parties and more parties. At last, on Christams day, I take a sigh of relief to finally have accomplished something far more important. That is, to celebrate Christmas simply and more meaningfully.
I did go Christmas shopping but my budget was so tight, it could rival Scrooge's. No, I did not go around work and home scolding people "Bah! Hambug!". Instead, I greeted them with smiles and cheers inspite of and despite of. So here are pictures from a very busy December. I thank God, why despite of my miseries and problems, I still could manage to be grateful. To read the captions, just lead your cursor to the picture.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I did go Christmas shopping but my budget was so tight, it could rival Scrooge's. No, I did not go around work and home scolding people "Bah! Hambug!". Instead, I greeted them with smiles and cheers inspite of and despite of. So here are pictures from a very busy December. I thank God, why despite of my miseries and problems, I still could manage to be grateful. To read the captions, just lead your cursor to the picture.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Writers as Bloggers
Award winning fictionist and essayist, Ian Casoscot wrote a paper on Literary Blogging. It's a neat feat for Ian who was only given ten minutes to present it during the Philippine Center of International PEN's 50th Anniversary at the National Museum last Saturday, December 8, 2007.
The question now is, what is blogging to Filipino Librarians who blog?
The question now is, what is blogging to Filipino Librarians who blog?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Cited!
Writer Lara Saguisag and I are cited at Web Watching with Zoe. And Von's Filipino Librarian was mentioned too.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Boy Who Touched Heaven
Book Review of The Boy Who Touched Heaven story by Iris Gem Li, illustrations by Serg Bumatay III. Published by CANVAS & Adarna House, Copyright 2007
When Heaven Is Close Enough To Touch
By Zarah Gagatiga
So the saying goes that a picture paints a thousand words.
Last year, CANVAS, a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness in appreciation of Philippine art, culture and the environment, and Ang INK (Ilustrador ng Kabataan ), the first and only organization of Filipino illustrators for children in the country, selected artist and illustrator Sergio Bumatay III to render a painting that would serve as the inspiration for an original children’s story that would celebrate Philippine environment and culture.
Bumatay’s piece was then used to call on writers from all over the Philippines to enter CANVAS’ first Elias Dakila Chidren’s Storywriting Competion on Environment and Culture.
With a little help from the eighth Wonder of the World – the Banaue Rice Terraces Iris Gem Li, a young Business Adminstration student from the University of the Philippines, was adjudged the winner as she shaped a story about an Ifugao boy who dreams of touching heaven. Smitten by the heavenly bodies that adorn the sky during the day and at night, the Ifugao boy thought of ways to make his dream a reality. Li’s telling of the young Ifugao’s adventures and mishap is both funny and ridiculous. Child readers would find this appealing since their natural response to humor is still unblemished by life’s ironies and realities. The young Ifugao is the epitome of every child, curious, daring, irrepressible, unafraid, makulit.
Aptly titled as The Boy Who Touched Heaven, the story goes beyond the fulfillment of a young boy’s whim and fancy. It resonates to older readers as well, particularly to adults because; it carries a theme that bespeak one of life’s many tenets – that what we perceive as an unreachable heaven is right in our very own home. Indeed, finding one’s happiness and rediscovering the simple but lasting joys that family and home can offer is as close to touching heaven.
Apart from the theme, the humor and the plot that is easy to follow, and the storybook is truly a delightful read because of the cultural elements presented in the colorful and playful illustrations of Bumatay. Readers, young and old, need to know and see more of the country’s ethnic tribes, their children and their culture, for they are part of what makes this nation great. Bumatay‘s colors are as vivid as the brave Ifugaos’ woven cloths; as alive as the region’s dangerous, but beautiful landscape. The artwork’s authentic detail further enriches the cultural experience as he included little items that are unique to the Ifugao such as the necklace of beads, the nose flute and the ornament worn on the head by male Ifugaos.
Here’s looking forward to more culturally inspiring stories in the future.
CANVAS, now in its third year of advocating Philippine culture and the arts through books with stories written and illustrated by some of the country’s best young artists and writers, co-published The Boy Who Touched Heaven with Adarna House, the leading publisher of storybooks for children today, and Ang INK. The story may be read online at the CANVAS website (www.canvas.ph), and is available in bookstores nationwide.
Zarah Gagatiga is a school librarian. She is currently the coordinator of the Grade School Learning Resource Center of Xavier School. She is a board member of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) representing the sector for librarians. Visit her blog at http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Tribute to Rene Villanueva
The children's literature industry in the Philippines gave a loving and memorable tribute to Mr. Rene O. Villanueva last night at Sanctuarium. Read Augie Rivera's eulogy here and get a sneak peak of highlights of the tribute here.
Goodbye, Rene! It is now up to us, those you've left behind, to continue your legacy.
Goodbye, Rene! It is now up to us, those you've left behind, to continue your legacy.
Friday, December 7, 2007
The Passing of a Magic Weaver
Rene O. Villanueva, writer and playwright passed away last December 5, 2007. His remains lie in state at the Sanctuarium on Araneta Avenue corner Quezon Avenue. Villanueva has won international awrads and critcal acclaim as Filipino writer of children's literature. He has 20 Palanca Awards to his name; honorary member of KUTING; and a TOYM and TOYP awardee. He was 53 years old.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
SLIA's Blog Reading Level: Genius
Ahaha! I just want to humor myself today. Imagine that, a genius is required to read this blog!
But seriously now, I would want this blog to be more, er, egalitarian.
Cash Advance Loans
But seriously now, I would want this blog to be more, er, egalitarian.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Weavers of Magic (The Repeat!)
Pictures from the Weavers of Magic seminar-workshop at the Benitez Hall, UP Diliman last Saturday, November 24, 2007.
Ace Elgar was not able to join us for the fun, the laughs and the celebration of Teacher Portia Padilla's birthday. Dr. Luis Gatmaitan and Tote de Jesus had a three hour long book signing - the longest I've witnessed, so far! We had more activities and storytelling demos. Just exactly how Storytelling workshops should be. Until next!
Ace Elgar was not able to join us for the fun, the laughs and the celebration of Teacher Portia Padilla's birthday. Dr. Luis Gatmaitan and Tote de Jesus had a three hour long book signing - the longest I've witnessed, so far! We had more activities and storytelling demos. Just exactly how Storytelling workshops should be. Until next!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Online Resources for Teachers
Found some very good online resources for the busy teacher. These website contain free printable worksheets in Math, Reading and the Language Arts. Surfs Up!
RHL School is a free learning reosurce website for ready to use worksheets in Math, Reading and Reserach Skills. A link for answer sheets is provided in the index page as well as a blog feature. The skills covered are the basic comprehension skills, word meaning, inferencing, getting the main idea, etc.
HomeSchool Math is a place for parents and guardians with homeschooling kids. It does help the busy teacher as well through its comprehensive line of online lessons and worksheets. It has other features like a monthly newsletter, a blog (don't they all have it!), reviews and Ebooks.
teAchnology is treasure trove of worksheets, educational games, lesson plans, rubric makers and webquests. While there are freebies in the site, it has also a membership feature that can lead teachers to better and high quality reosurces online.
Till the next batch of online resources!
RHL School is a free learning reosurce website for ready to use worksheets in Math, Reading and Reserach Skills. A link for answer sheets is provided in the index page as well as a blog feature. The skills covered are the basic comprehension skills, word meaning, inferencing, getting the main idea, etc.
HomeSchool Math is a place for parents and guardians with homeschooling kids. It does help the busy teacher as well through its comprehensive line of online lessons and worksheets. It has other features like a monthly newsletter, a blog (don't they all have it!), reviews and Ebooks.
teAchnology is treasure trove of worksheets, educational games, lesson plans, rubric makers and webquests. While there are freebies in the site, it has also a membership feature that can lead teachers to better and high quality reosurces online.
Till the next batch of online resources!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Books for Every One @ Your Library
For my grade 3 library class this quarter, I've embeded this video as Prelection to a lesson on fiction, non-fiction books and the Dewey Decimal System.
Awarding a Community Library
A few months back, Ani Almario, PBBY Secretariat, asked the PBBY Board for concpet papers in relation to the 25th year celebration of National Children'sBook Day (NCBD) in July 2008. As board member representing the library sector, I whipped up something for brainstorming in one PBBY meeting. Below is the rationale for a proposed award in recognition of a community library with a strong and working library services and literacy programs for children and young adults.
Community libraries offer a variety of services and programs to different age groups in the community. By looking into the needs of children and teens in the community, its library can plan and implement services and programs geared towards the development of life long learning skills as well as, an appreciation of literature, culture and the arts. Indeed, the community library of today is no longer a place to store and keep books. It is a laboratory for interactive learning and a venue for the enjoyment of the finer things in life.
In reality, many community libraries in the country lack the support needed to function as an effective agent of literacy. There are, however, resourceful librarians and groups of people who further the cause of library development for children and young adults. These unnamed individuals battle the odds and face challenges that come their way. They continue to provide library services for children despite the limitations in funding and the political support. They seek ways and means to make literacy programs in their community library possible.
Such effort deserves recognition and appreciation. More than that, it is worthy to see, examine and highlight the library services and literacy programs that have an impact for the children and teens that they serve. By doing so, more librarians, NGOs, LGUs, foundations and civic organizations can be motivated to develop community libraries.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Here's hoping that libraries can be recognized as agents of literacy development.
Community libraries offer a variety of services and programs to different age groups in the community. By looking into the needs of children and teens in the community, its library can plan and implement services and programs geared towards the development of life long learning skills as well as, an appreciation of literature, culture and the arts. Indeed, the community library of today is no longer a place to store and keep books. It is a laboratory for interactive learning and a venue for the enjoyment of the finer things in life.
In reality, many community libraries in the country lack the support needed to function as an effective agent of literacy. There are, however, resourceful librarians and groups of people who further the cause of library development for children and young adults. These unnamed individuals battle the odds and face challenges that come their way. They continue to provide library services for children despite the limitations in funding and the political support. They seek ways and means to make literacy programs in their community library possible.
Such effort deserves recognition and appreciation. More than that, it is worthy to see, examine and highlight the library services and literacy programs that have an impact for the children and teens that they serve. By doing so, more librarians, NGOs, LGUs, foundations and civic organizations can be motivated to develop community libraries.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Here's hoping that libraries can be recognized as agents of literacy development.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
IPP & The Teaching of Information Literacy Skills
Below is a recommended Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) lesson plan for the teaching of Information Literacy Skills. The topics are reference resources and the Big 6 Model in Research. The skills covered are research and work-study skills. Take note that the content and skills are integrated in the Reading Program. The context for this IPP lesson plan are grade 6 students.
o Prelection – Quote by Henry Miller ☺
• Since the words encyclopedia and dictionary were given by the students already, teacher-librarian can move to discussion.
o Learning Experience – Present the words: REFERENCE and DICTIONARY
• Questions to ask:
What kinds of books are these?
Where can we find these books in the GS LRC?
How do we call these books?
What makes these books different from non-fiction books?
How are information arranged in an encyclopedia/dictionary?
Are these two reference books the same?
What info does the reference/dictionary provide you?
When do you use an encyclopedia/dictionary?
Can you think of other references?
How can reference sources help you in your studies/academic work?
• Research – Big 6 Model
Present the Big 6 Model – a graphic organizer can help. Use www.big6.com/kids/
In the website, there are three ways to introduce and teach the Big 6. Use the second one, for gr. 3-6.
After presenting the six steps, provide the students an oral drill that shows how the Big 6 can be used.
For example – Your Reading Teacher asked you to research on the parts of a newspaper.
• Step 1 – What should you do?
• Step 2 – What resources can you use to find info on parts of the newspaper?
• Step 3 – Where can you find these resources?
• Step 4 – What information can you use from the resources you identified?
• Step 5 – What can you make to finish the job?
• Step 6 – How will I know that I did my job
The oral drill will help scaffold the skills and concepts on research following the Big 6 Model. It will likewise, provide the boys a working schema on how to do research on their own. In essence, they are actually planning and envisioning what they need to do to finish a simple homework or assignment. This is a strategy in study skills and metacognition. Study skills and metacognition are two important skills taught in the Reading subject. Such skills also aid them in understanding and studying other content areas. Therefore, the Big 6 can be used in other subjects like Science, Social Studies, CLE, even Math.
Since it is a Reading class, a written drill must be given to students.
Written Exercise – Big 6 Worksheet. This can be done through group work.
Group students and distribute the worksheet. Example of Worksheet-
Task – Your Reading Teacher assigned your group to report on the notable accomplishments of Albert Einstein. How do you plan to complete this following the Big 6 Model?
Step 1 – Task Definition
Step 2 – Info Seeking Strategies
Step 3 – Location & Access
Step 4 – Use of Information
Step 5 - Synthesis
Step 6 - Evaluation
After filling up worksheet, do the steps and get ready for a report next meeting. Do not forget to give the references that you used.
Day 2 – Review of the Big 6 Model – Use website again for this exercise
o Ask which group is ready for reporting. Limit the reporting to 3-5 mins.
o Reflection – The Bright Bird Story - http://home.iprimus.com.au/brianga/bribird.htm
Questions:
• How did the Bright Bird used the Big 6 Model?
• Why is it important to follow steps in research and solving a problem?
• What is the advantage of following steps in research and solving problems?
• What difficulty can you encounter when following steps in research?
• How can you find ways to make the difficulty easier to bear?
The answers can be written down in their Reading notebooks
o Action – Application of Big 6 in Reading subject and other content areas. At this point, it is important to articulate the whole plan/methodology to the Reading teacher so that, the instruction of the ILSP becomes a collaborative endeavor indeed.
o Evaluation – Quizzes, included in the QT or Long Test
o Prelection – Quote by Henry Miller ☺
• Since the words encyclopedia and dictionary were given by the students already, teacher-librarian can move to discussion.
o Learning Experience – Present the words: REFERENCE and DICTIONARY
• Questions to ask:
What kinds of books are these?
Where can we find these books in the GS LRC?
How do we call these books?
What makes these books different from non-fiction books?
How are information arranged in an encyclopedia/dictionary?
Are these two reference books the same?
What info does the reference/dictionary provide you?
When do you use an encyclopedia/dictionary?
Can you think of other references?
How can reference sources help you in your studies/academic work?
• Research – Big 6 Model
Present the Big 6 Model – a graphic organizer can help. Use www.big6.com/kids/
In the website, there are three ways to introduce and teach the Big 6. Use the second one, for gr. 3-6.
After presenting the six steps, provide the students an oral drill that shows how the Big 6 can be used.
For example – Your Reading Teacher asked you to research on the parts of a newspaper.
• Step 1 – What should you do?
• Step 2 – What resources can you use to find info on parts of the newspaper?
• Step 3 – Where can you find these resources?
• Step 4 – What information can you use from the resources you identified?
• Step 5 – What can you make to finish the job?
• Step 6 – How will I know that I did my job
The oral drill will help scaffold the skills and concepts on research following the Big 6 Model. It will likewise, provide the boys a working schema on how to do research on their own. In essence, they are actually planning and envisioning what they need to do to finish a simple homework or assignment. This is a strategy in study skills and metacognition. Study skills and metacognition are two important skills taught in the Reading subject. Such skills also aid them in understanding and studying other content areas. Therefore, the Big 6 can be used in other subjects like Science, Social Studies, CLE, even Math.
Since it is a Reading class, a written drill must be given to students.
Written Exercise – Big 6 Worksheet. This can be done through group work.
Group students and distribute the worksheet. Example of Worksheet-
Task – Your Reading Teacher assigned your group to report on the notable accomplishments of Albert Einstein. How do you plan to complete this following the Big 6 Model?
Step 1 – Task Definition
Step 2 – Info Seeking Strategies
Step 3 – Location & Access
Step 4 – Use of Information
Step 5 - Synthesis
Step 6 - Evaluation
After filling up worksheet, do the steps and get ready for a report next meeting. Do not forget to give the references that you used.
Day 2 – Review of the Big 6 Model – Use website again for this exercise
o Ask which group is ready for reporting. Limit the reporting to 3-5 mins.
o Reflection – The Bright Bird Story - http://home.iprimus.com.au/brianga/bribird.htm
Questions:
• How did the Bright Bird used the Big 6 Model?
• Why is it important to follow steps in research and solving a problem?
• What is the advantage of following steps in research and solving problems?
• What difficulty can you encounter when following steps in research?
• How can you find ways to make the difficulty easier to bear?
The answers can be written down in their Reading notebooks
o Action – Application of Big 6 in Reading subject and other content areas. At this point, it is important to articulate the whole plan/methodology to the Reading teacher so that, the instruction of the ILSP becomes a collaborative endeavor indeed.
o Evaluation – Quizzes, included in the QT or Long Test
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
101 Filipino Icons
Got this via email from Adarna House. The book is an interesting reference guide for today's Filipino kid. Just when our children are bombarded with too much of the western world's influences, along comes a homegrown set of icons that may stir the sense of nationalism and pride.Then again, how are Filipinos affected by the changes brought about by globalization? What makes a Filipino icon? How does one become an icon?
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Mobile Library and Library People
Nina Lim Yuson, Director of Museo Pambata and PBBY Board Member provided the PBBY with this information on their Mobile Library via email -
Curtis Lim is our Mobile Library coordinator and has been going to Mindanao for Synergeia doing storytelling workshops for teachers. At this time he and an Alitaptap member are in Camp Abubakar, then on to Upi and another town. You should hear his stories and how the kids love the sessions. One of them was seen copying a storybook word for word! Would any of you like to go with Curt to observe these sessions and write about it? I can ask Nene Guevarra. We need to tell the public what its like there.
We are looking for storytellers/ volunteers to join the mobile library on week ends..areas are around Manila.
I am posting it here in my blog to point out that while book donations are indeed good projects, and providing access to books among children is a great initiative, people who are behind it are just as important. Imagine what the Museo Pambata Mobile LIbrary would be like without Curtis Lim, Alitatap Storytellers and voulunteers?
Take note that Mr. Lim is the library coordinator of the Mobile Library. Whether or not he has a library science degree is beside the point. It would be ideal if he has though. But what matters is the presence of a person to develop and run the programs and the services of the Mobile Library.
Curtis Lim is our Mobile Library coordinator and has been going to Mindanao for Synergeia doing storytelling workshops for teachers. At this time he and an Alitaptap member are in Camp Abubakar, then on to Upi and another town. You should hear his stories and how the kids love the sessions. One of them was seen copying a storybook word for word! Would any of you like to go with Curt to observe these sessions and write about it? I can ask Nene Guevarra. We need to tell the public what its like there.
We are looking for storytellers/ volunteers to join the mobile library on week ends..areas are around Manila.
I am posting it here in my blog to point out that while book donations are indeed good projects, and providing access to books among children is a great initiative, people who are behind it are just as important. Imagine what the Museo Pambata Mobile LIbrary would be like without Curtis Lim, Alitatap Storytellers and voulunteers?
Take note that Mr. Lim is the library coordinator of the Mobile Library. Whether or not he has a library science degree is beside the point. It would be ideal if he has though. But what matters is the presence of a person to develop and run the programs and the services of the Mobile Library.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Books, Women and Lunch @ Abbondanza
My lucnheon with a group of Opus Dei mothers, single women and professionals, and students went well yesterday. I gave a brief talk on what Reading is from the perspective of a teacher-librarian. It also included a great deal of book talking, children's literature and starting off with a book club. I even mentioned Read Or Die as an example of a very active, if not aggressive organization of book lovers.
They will be starting off with Mitch Albom's "For One More Day" on December 1, 2007, where in I am invited to join and moderate. Hopefully, the group can move on to more book discussions in the future. Such endeavor contributes to a growing reading cuture. With the young adults in the group who will be future mothers and aunts of children, the seeds of the reading habit is being sowed.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
“A Day with Weavers of Magic” (The Repeat!)
“A Day with Weavers of Magic”(The Repeat!)
(Writing, Illustrating, and Telling Stories for Children)
November 24, 2007(Saturday)
Benitez Theater
College of Education
UP Diliman
Goal: To develop love for reading among the young
Objective: To appreciate children’s literature by being familiar with the
• process behind the creation of children’s storybooks
• different ways of storytelling that may be used in the classroom
Weavers of Magic:
“Tito Dok” Luis Gatmaitan
Palanca Hall-of-Fame Awardee for Short Story for Children
Member, Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING)
Ruben “Totet” De Jesus
Award-winning illustrator of children’s books
President, Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY)
Founding Member, Ilustrador ng Kabataan (INK)
Faculty, College of Fine Arts (UP Diliman)
Ace Elgar
Vice President, Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING)
Member, ALITAPTAP Storytellers
Teacher, Ateneo Grade School
Zarah Gagatiga
President, Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING)
Member, ALITAPTAP Storytellers
Head Librarian, Xavier Grade School
The registration fee for this activity is P500, which includes morning and afternoon snacks, lunch, a seminar kit, and a certificate of attendance/participation. Only a limited number of participants can be accommodated, through a first come, first served basis. A non-refundable, deductible pre-registration fee of P100 is required to reserve a slot.
For more information, text or call 0917-8581124 / 981-8500 loc 2815, email reading.diliman@gmail.com or visit the Reading Education department in Room 200, UP College of Education (Benitez Hall), Diliman, Quezon City.
(Writing, Illustrating, and Telling Stories for Children)
November 24, 2007(Saturday)
Benitez Theater
College of Education
UP Diliman
Goal: To develop love for reading among the young
Objective: To appreciate children’s literature by being familiar with the
• process behind the creation of children’s storybooks
• different ways of storytelling that may be used in the classroom
Weavers of Magic:
“Tito Dok” Luis Gatmaitan
Palanca Hall-of-Fame Awardee for Short Story for Children
Member, Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING)
Ruben “Totet” De Jesus
Award-winning illustrator of children’s books
President, Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY)
Founding Member, Ilustrador ng Kabataan (INK)
Faculty, College of Fine Arts (UP Diliman)
Ace Elgar
Vice President, Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING)
Member, ALITAPTAP Storytellers
Teacher, Ateneo Grade School
Zarah Gagatiga
President, Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING)
Member, ALITAPTAP Storytellers
Head Librarian, Xavier Grade School
The registration fee for this activity is P500, which includes morning and afternoon snacks, lunch, a seminar kit, and a certificate of attendance/participation. Only a limited number of participants can be accommodated, through a first come, first served basis. A non-refundable, deductible pre-registration fee of P100 is required to reserve a slot.
For more information, text or call 0917-8581124 / 981-8500 loc 2815, email reading.diliman@gmail.com or visit the Reading Education department in Room 200, UP College of Education (Benitez Hall), Diliman, Quezon City.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Wild & Crazy Librarians
Among the many things that struck me from the 3rd Rizal Library Conference, From Classroom to Career: Roadmaps to a Library's Success, it was Anne Riedling's 5 Little Rules With Big Impact that I consider as the most inspiring. She gave these simple rules to live by-
1.Lighten up! ☺
2. Say Thank you ☺
3. Take Care of yourself ☺
4. Do something wild and crazy ☺
5. Make an active choice ☺
Librarians have so much work to finish; so many issues to settle; so many concerns to contend with that often, stereotypes arise from such seriousness. But really, librarians are a lot of fun! Unless a more positive attitude is adapted, people who are outside the circle will always perceive librarians as lifeless, useless and boring. To quote another speaker from the same conference, librarians who do not break the mould run the risk of being categorized as a "non performing asset". Not a good perception of librarians at all.
Days before attending the Rizal Library conference, I've "bullied" my librarians to a chamber theatre style of storytelling for our preschool students in the Early Education Department (EED). At that time, the teachers in the EED were planing Book Week and Pet Week celebrations. They wanted to treat the preschoolers to a week long literacy activities and an awareness for the care of animals. How did the librarians take the "bulying"? There were apprehensions and anxieties, of course, since not all are comfortable telling stories. It does take a lot of guts to tell, besides. But chamber theatre is one technique where everyone has a part to play. Big or small, the task contributes to the overall result. It is a team effort. And yes, it can be fun too!
So, after adapting the script (thanks to Dianne delas Casas)of a well loved and familiar fable, The Ant and The Grasshopper, all four of us sat down and discussed. A new and a more detailed script included the background, music and a video clip. We had no time to practice since I was out for two days. I was assured that even in my absence, the rest of the team delivered. And they did, true enough. They may have had worries and felt the nervousness all over, but I know I can always depend on them. On the day of the performance, everything fell into place. There were little slips in the first session, but in a live perfromance, it is expected. I'm proud at how we all contributed to the work. The boys had fun and I suppose, the teachers had their share of laughs and amusement too.
What wild and crazy things can we do next?
1.Lighten up! ☺
2. Say Thank you ☺
3. Take Care of yourself ☺
4. Do something wild and crazy ☺
5. Make an active choice ☺
Librarians have so much work to finish; so many issues to settle; so many concerns to contend with that often, stereotypes arise from such seriousness. But really, librarians are a lot of fun! Unless a more positive attitude is adapted, people who are outside the circle will always perceive librarians as lifeless, useless and boring. To quote another speaker from the same conference, librarians who do not break the mould run the risk of being categorized as a "non performing asset". Not a good perception of librarians at all.Days before attending the Rizal Library conference, I've "bullied" my librarians to a chamber theatre style of storytelling for our preschool students in the Early Education Department (EED). At that time, the teachers in the EED were planing Book Week and Pet Week celebrations. They wanted to treat the preschoolers to a week long literacy activities and an awareness for the care of animals. How did the librarians take the "bulying"? There were apprehensions and anxieties, of course, since not all are comfortable telling stories. It does take a lot of guts to tell, besides. But chamber theatre is one technique where everyone has a part to play. Big or small, the task contributes to the overall result. It is a team effort. And yes, it can be fun too!
So, after adapting the script (thanks to Dianne delas Casas)of a well loved and familiar fable, The Ant and The Grasshopper, all four of us sat down and discussed. A new and a more detailed script included the background, music and a video clip. We had no time to practice since I was out for two days. I was assured that even in my absence, the rest of the team delivered. And they did, true enough. They may have had worries and felt the nervousness all over, but I know I can always depend on them. On the day of the performance, everything fell into place. There were little slips in the first session, but in a live perfromance, it is expected. I'm proud at how we all contributed to the work. The boys had fun and I suppose, the teachers had their share of laughs and amusement too.What wild and crazy things can we do next?
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Oh yes, Old Dumby is gay!
I promised that I will look around for more information on the Internet regarding Dumblodore's gay-ness. And Google led me to clues and news. So what now?
I can sleep happy. I was shocked at first, but thinking about it, he's one of the best gay characters I've read so far in the area of Young Adult Literature. Maybe now, young readers can look at a gay person beyond stereotypes. Being gay does not make one a lesser person. Rowling is really something.
I can sleep happy. I was shocked at first, but thinking about it, he's one of the best gay characters I've read so far in the area of Young Adult Literature. Maybe now, young readers can look at a gay person beyond stereotypes. Being gay does not make one a lesser person. Rowling is really something.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sights @ the 3rd Rizal Library International Conference
Here are photos from the 3rd Rizal Library International Conference, from Classroom to Career: Roadmaps to A Library's Success. Enjoy the pictures. The inisghts I gathered from the two day conference will be posted soon.
Ateneo High School Educational Media Center
I just came from a two day conference, From Classrooms to Careers : Roadmaps to a Library's Success, at the Rizal Library, Ateneo De Manila Univeristy. The conference featured professional papers and projects of librarians, researchers and scholars from the academe here and abroad. The highlight of today's conference was seeing the the Ateneno High School Educational Media Center for the first time. See the photos I took using my MacBook.
I was impressed at the reader friendly atmosphere of the Ateneo HS EMC. Most of their staff are male and that is very telling of their thrust in educating and forming "men for others". Truly, the growing male teenager has to be surrounded by positive male role models to be. At the counter, boys were assited by a male staff. The librarian who entertained us was Ronald Jess Cabunagan, a UP alum (2001) who happens to be a reader of this blog. Their AV Librarian is male too. I failed to ask Mrs. Beth Peralejo if she has female librarians and staff. From the looks of it, she's the only one and she happens to be the "big boss" too.
They have graphic novels there! Yahoo! They also have computers for their OPAC terminals and CDROM/Internet access. They are celebrating Teen Read Week since October 17, 2007 and as a way to amplify the event, they featured books and reading materials on humor and leisurely reading. To further atract the attention of their students to reading and using the library, they put up a blog and trivia contest.
Attending the conference was like getting a refresher course. It is good to be reminded of these important things in this time and age of integration and IT, but what I really need is to fortify my management skills. I have to muster enough stamina - physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual to last.
I was impressed at the reader friendly atmosphere of the Ateneo HS EMC. Most of their staff are male and that is very telling of their thrust in educating and forming "men for others". Truly, the growing male teenager has to be surrounded by positive male role models to be. At the counter, boys were assited by a male staff. The librarian who entertained us was Ronald Jess Cabunagan, a UP alum (2001) who happens to be a reader of this blog. Their AV Librarian is male too. I failed to ask Mrs. Beth Peralejo if she has female librarians and staff. From the looks of it, she's the only one and she happens to be the "big boss" too.
They have graphic novels there! Yahoo! They also have computers for their OPAC terminals and CDROM/Internet access. They are celebrating Teen Read Week since October 17, 2007 and as a way to amplify the event, they featured books and reading materials on humor and leisurely reading. To further atract the attention of their students to reading and using the library, they put up a blog and trivia contest.
Attending the conference was like getting a refresher course. It is good to be reminded of these important things in this time and age of integration and IT, but what I really need is to fortify my management skills. I have to muster enough stamina - physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual to last.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
So, Dumbledore is gay...
I just got the news via text from a friend who works for Scholastic that JK Rowling announced it so. I will still do a thorough search. HP fans, hold on to your emotions!
Friday, October 19, 2007
INFOLIB Orientation & Demo
It has been a busy day. This morning, I facilitated a workshop on storytelling for parent volunteers. In the afternoon, Chit Olivares and I presented the GS LRC's library information system software, INFOLIB, to the GS MLAs (middle level administrators). There are five modules in the software, but only two are running so far. Mr. Gerry Laroza of the Rizal Library, Ateneo De Manila, software developer, is our consultant. Our GS principal, Mrs. Jane Natividad gave her support by issuing a memo to all MLAs that they must attend the presentation. Academic and Formation middle level coordinators came in full force.
The presentation of INFOLIB is one way to communicate the efforst of the library in its pursuance to automate its services. It is also a user education technique that will lead librarians in assessing and evaluating the project so far. Feedback from the end users will help in the improvement of the project. Next month, the GS LRC will schedule meetings with the different departments to inform tearchers of this project.
Storytelling for Parent Volunteers
Several weeks before Book Week celebration, the Early Education Department invites the GS LRC to give a Storytelling workshop-orientation for parent volunteers. Today, I facilitated the workshop to more or less 30 parents. These parents will tell stories to their son's class for thirty minutes in a given day during Book Week. Most of the parents are eager beavers who are gungho at it. There are also parents who are anxious at the mere thought of facing a room full of five year old boys.
The workshop is very simple, really, since most parent volunteers will be doing this for the first time. I give them the basic, sort of a Storytelling 101. The read aloud technique is very popular and the most easy so I provide them with other ways of telling stories. See the picture of a beagle at the right side? It's the product of a story kniffing technique. One can tell stories while drawing lines, shapes and squiggles. It's fun! Even the parents are at awe. In years past parents would turn out in their best form. I'm excited at how these batch of parents will stand and deliver.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
KULAY at SALAYSAY
Intellectual Property Philippines and Ang INK will launch KULAY at SALAYSAY, an art exhibit, tomorrow, October 19, 2007, 6 PM at the Alab Art Space IPO bldg. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati. There will be a storytelling session for kids age 9-12 on Saturday, October 20, 2007. Call Trina Samaniego for details at 7525450, loc. 610.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
From Classrooms to Carreers
I am attending the 3rd Rizal Library International Conference on October 22 and 23, 2007. Detiails of the conference can be viewed in the Rizal Library website.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
A School Librarian's Pride (and Prejudice)
I have a sliver of memory from my undergraduate years that haunts me to this day.
Me: Good Morning, Prof. B! We’re students of Prof. O and she has assigned us to meet with you and your students on the topic and skill that we will be teaching in the grade 2 class.
Prof. B looked at us with a raised eyebrow. Arms akimbo, she spat these words—
Prof. B: Oh, I see! And what will you teach? Parts of the book? Any teacher in the elementary grades can teach that! We don’t need librarians to teach it!
This happened during my practicum year. I was a fourth year student then completing a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with Library Science as major. The degree meant completing 42 units of Education, plus another 37 units more for Library Science. A heavy course, really. It is only now that I wonder how I survived with extra-curricular activities and a very active social life on the side.
At that time, fulfilling all requirements before graduation entailed two kinds of practicum – the In-Service training and the On-Site training. I do not know how it is called these days, but students need to undergo observations, teaching demos, mentoring and actual practice in the laboratory school of the university and an affiliated elementary school. So it goes that upon receipt of diploma, all must take the board examination for teachers. My university made sure of that. For Library Science majors, there was another board exam to hurdle -- the licensure examination for librarians.
Looking back, it was not the task of teaching and providing library service that made things difficult. My teachers and mentors prepared me well. I had friends to share the pains and burdens of academic work. I had a mentor who guided me in the transition process of theory and practice. I have a mother who is a librarian so the support system was strong (plus, a boyfriend, now my husband, who worked on all my visual aids). What made the practicum experience harrowing was the prejudice on librarians and library science majors imposed by other professionals, classmates from other fields of discipline, and even the teachers and professors who were supposed to be allies. Early on I realized two things - that I must not stick with the traditional work and tasks; and that changing paradigms must be accommodated, adapted and adopted.
Upon my first foray into library work, I knew I would be exposed to the same bias and discrimination. And it is still happening, in fact, I have come to accept this sad reality. Embracing the truth, however, motivated me to assert my role in the community. It was not easy because I appeared very different from my colleagues in the profession. To them, they seem to take it as my natural personality - being proactive, collaborating with teachers, understanding the context of both the users and their environment, experimenting with technology, discovering potentials in spoken and written means of communication, promoting books and reading for the development of literacy among the young, telling stories, raising standards and going beyond theory and practice of the profession.
All these are advocacies I have promised to campaign for and live for right after taking the professional oath. My being a librarian is not merely a job. It is who I am.
Me: Good Morning, Prof. B! We’re students of Prof. O and she has assigned us to meet with you and your students on the topic and skill that we will be teaching in the grade 2 class.
Prof. B looked at us with a raised eyebrow. Arms akimbo, she spat these words—
Prof. B: Oh, I see! And what will you teach? Parts of the book? Any teacher in the elementary grades can teach that! We don’t need librarians to teach it!
This happened during my practicum year. I was a fourth year student then completing a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with Library Science as major. The degree meant completing 42 units of Education, plus another 37 units more for Library Science. A heavy course, really. It is only now that I wonder how I survived with extra-curricular activities and a very active social life on the side.
At that time, fulfilling all requirements before graduation entailed two kinds of practicum – the In-Service training and the On-Site training. I do not know how it is called these days, but students need to undergo observations, teaching demos, mentoring and actual practice in the laboratory school of the university and an affiliated elementary school. So it goes that upon receipt of diploma, all must take the board examination for teachers. My university made sure of that. For Library Science majors, there was another board exam to hurdle -- the licensure examination for librarians.
Looking back, it was not the task of teaching and providing library service that made things difficult. My teachers and mentors prepared me well. I had friends to share the pains and burdens of academic work. I had a mentor who guided me in the transition process of theory and practice. I have a mother who is a librarian so the support system was strong (plus, a boyfriend, now my husband, who worked on all my visual aids). What made the practicum experience harrowing was the prejudice on librarians and library science majors imposed by other professionals, classmates from other fields of discipline, and even the teachers and professors who were supposed to be allies. Early on I realized two things - that I must not stick with the traditional work and tasks; and that changing paradigms must be accommodated, adapted and adopted.
Upon my first foray into library work, I knew I would be exposed to the same bias and discrimination. And it is still happening, in fact, I have come to accept this sad reality. Embracing the truth, however, motivated me to assert my role in the community. It was not easy because I appeared very different from my colleagues in the profession. To them, they seem to take it as my natural personality - being proactive, collaborating with teachers, understanding the context of both the users and their environment, experimenting with technology, discovering potentials in spoken and written means of communication, promoting books and reading for the development of literacy among the young, telling stories, raising standards and going beyond theory and practice of the profession.
All these are advocacies I have promised to campaign for and live for right after taking the professional oath. My being a librarian is not merely a job. It is who I am.
Galing Foundation
Now here comes another foundation in support of the promotion of literacy.
Galing Foundation, US based and run by Filipinos and Fil-Ams in Georgia, is a provider of cultural and artistic experiences that is everything Filipino. Its mission is to fight illiteracy by providing access to books in rural areas in the Philippines, thus, it has donated 51 balikbayan boxes to provinces in the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Its founder, Maritoni Daya-Luetgers, has succesfully touched based with other companies, NGOs, institutions and organizations to realize its objectives.
Like the Library Hub project of Mike Luz and the Read Or Die book donation campaign, I am for this initiative of providing books to indigent children. Reading is a right. Literacy begins with the availability of reading materials and resources besides. However, I will say this again, that book provision is only the beginning of literacy development.
Teachers are needed to facilitate reading instruction. Teachers need a variety of books to be able to develop literacy among young learners. Librarians come into the scene by making sure that donated books are well taken cared for. Books are alive and they must be protected from the heat and the cold; mended when broken; repaired for longevity; stored for posterity. Librarians can enrich the reading experience by setting an environment that is conducive for pleasurable and recreatory reading. School librraies and public libraries create programs and services that make reading a meaningful experience.
Back in 2003, Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation, collaborated with our school library to train school librarians who were in charge of the book donations made by SAS and HSBC. They had basic training and orientation on library routines and services provided for young children. SAS found out that no matter how many the donated books were or how beautiful and spacious the donated library building was, if there are no personnel in charge, efforts and resources will all go to waste. As of present, SAS continues to train public school teachers and librarians towards better literacy instruction via the annual Gurong Kaakbay conference.
I hope that the donations of Galing Foundation are in good hands. I hope that there are teachers who can use the books to teach children how to read them. I hope that recepients of these precious donations land in the hands of a librarian who has the passion for literacy and the political will to battle the odds at setting up reading and resource centers in the provinces. If my hopes fall short of hopefulness, I pray that there are people on the recieveing end who will know what to do with the books given to the children.
Galing Foundation, US based and run by Filipinos and Fil-Ams in Georgia, is a provider of cultural and artistic experiences that is everything Filipino. Its mission is to fight illiteracy by providing access to books in rural areas in the Philippines, thus, it has donated 51 balikbayan boxes to provinces in the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Its founder, Maritoni Daya-Luetgers, has succesfully touched based with other companies, NGOs, institutions and organizations to realize its objectives.
Like the Library Hub project of Mike Luz and the Read Or Die book donation campaign, I am for this initiative of providing books to indigent children. Reading is a right. Literacy begins with the availability of reading materials and resources besides. However, I will say this again, that book provision is only the beginning of literacy development.
Teachers are needed to facilitate reading instruction. Teachers need a variety of books to be able to develop literacy among young learners. Librarians come into the scene by making sure that donated books are well taken cared for. Books are alive and they must be protected from the heat and the cold; mended when broken; repaired for longevity; stored for posterity. Librarians can enrich the reading experience by setting an environment that is conducive for pleasurable and recreatory reading. School librraies and public libraries create programs and services that make reading a meaningful experience.
Back in 2003, Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation, collaborated with our school library to train school librarians who were in charge of the book donations made by SAS and HSBC. They had basic training and orientation on library routines and services provided for young children. SAS found out that no matter how many the donated books were or how beautiful and spacious the donated library building was, if there are no personnel in charge, efforts and resources will all go to waste. As of present, SAS continues to train public school teachers and librarians towards better literacy instruction via the annual Gurong Kaakbay conference.
I hope that the donations of Galing Foundation are in good hands. I hope that there are teachers who can use the books to teach children how to read them. I hope that recepients of these precious donations land in the hands of a librarian who has the passion for literacy and the political will to battle the odds at setting up reading and resource centers in the provinces. If my hopes fall short of hopefulness, I pray that there are people on the recieveing end who will know what to do with the books given to the children.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Books & Idols
The GS LRC has been busy the past few months with its regular programs and services. With PAASCU accreditation hovering a good distance and time away, work is already pouring in buckets. Nevertheless, it takes time to advocate and campaign for the utility of books and the genuine love for reading.Boys Don’t Cry, But They Read
Is reading a passive activity? Is reading only for girls? Think again.
Reading may involve minimal physical movement, but it activates and shapes the mind to think creatively and critically beyond the written text. As opposed to conventional wisdom, reading is enjoyed not only by girls but by boys as well. For the past three months since the conception of the Reading Idol, a reading campaign for books and reading, the GS LRC has featured male faculty members as avid readers. GS Asst. Principal for Unit 3, Dr. Jojo Ng and CLE teacher, Mr. Edwin Pangantijon proved that boys do read. Hopefully, their modeling of the reading habit is one practice that grade school boys can carry on until their high school and college years.
Mr. Pangantijon was the Reading Idol for the month of August. He shares with the boys his stance on reading – that no matter how busy a person can be, one has to find the time read in order to live a full life. The following month, it was Dr. Jojo Ng who graced the “hall of idols” in the Reading Area of the GS LRC. He extends the reading habit to his seven-year old son, Sage. They read together and enjoy the visual metaphors of graphic novels. As an advocate of marine life, scuba diving and care for the environment, Dr. Ng’s bible is the book, Philippine Coral Reefs by Scott D. Tuason.Who could be the next reading idol? Now that is something to watch out for!
Abuzz about Books
Oh yes, to talk about books is such a pleasurable activity!
Last October 9, 2007, the GS LRC offered a book talk session for our Grade School Middle Level Administrators (MLA). GS Librarians picked books from the Teachers' Collection that were deemed appropriate for the busy MLA. These books are new titles purchased last year and early this school year. It was Mr. Oyet Concepcion, GS Librarian who did a fine job at presenting the18 titles of new books. These fall under three topics - Classroom Management, Assessment & Evaluation, Educational Management & Leadership.
The Book Talk session is one way to encourage teachers and staff to borrow from the GS LRC. It is also a strategy to showcase the professional expertise of librarians – that, apart form the routine tasks that they do, they have the product knowledge necessary in recommending resources for instruction and professional enrichment. The GS LRC is open for invitations from department coordinators to conduct book talk sessions. Aside from books, librarians can share new resources in AV and online formats.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
When Books Talk!
This PowerPoint presentation was used by one of our GS librarians in a book talk for Middle Level Administrators.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
An Open Letter to Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao
As of writing, news of Manny Pacquiao's win against Marco Antonio Barrera has crawled the Internet and the Pinoy Blogosphere. This is something I expected, so I'm not surprised. I wonder now what Pacman will do next. And I'm not pertaining to his boxing career, but to his extra-curricular activities. Aside from movies, music, a host of endorsements under his belt would he be thinking of an advocacy to pursue in the future?
The late great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde put up a training center for aspiring young boxers though news of its success or failure has not caught the attention of media. Would Pacquiao venture into something like this? Or would he seriously think of trying his luck in politics (again). Heaven forbid.
So, I'm writing the "Pambansang Kamao" an open letter. I'm not really expecting anything from this but, who knows? Hope springs eternal.
Dear Manny,
Congratulations sayo, aking kababayan!
Your win against Barrerra sealed your future as the boxing great of this generation. Your ascent to boxing supremacy is a product of hard work and perseverance from many trials. Truly, you have earned it - the belt, the rewards, the fame and the fans. At the height of your boxing career, I will not be surprised if you move up and continue sweeping crowns and coins (lots of it!). What's good about all these fortune coming your way is your desire to give back, to help others.
Your political bid as representative for the city of Genaral Santos is proof of your willingness to make a much bigger and deeper impact in the lives of your countrymen. Of course, others have thought differently, but to me, I take it as your way of making a difference. You have proven that in the boxing arena. You just can't wait to try your hands at public service.
But you see, you can help your "kababayans" as you are.
I don't really know what help you're thinking of right now so you can give back to your fellow Filipinos, but I am hoping it is something that will empower and inspire them to better their lives. Perhaps a boxing gym for boxing aspirants. Maybe a scholarship for those who want to finish their education. Or maybe put up a business for the unemployed. And because I'm a librarian, I suggest that you support a community library that will help in the literacy develoment of people in General Santos.
It is really all up to you, Manny. I only hope that whatever charity or advocacy you intend to pursue in the future, it would be for the benefit of the masses - for them to discover their own power and potentials; for them to realize their dreams no matter how simple.
All the best for you, Manny!
Yours,
Zarah C. Gagatiga
School Librarian & Literacy Advocate
The late great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde put up a training center for aspiring young boxers though news of its success or failure has not caught the attention of media. Would Pacquiao venture into something like this? Or would he seriously think of trying his luck in politics (again). Heaven forbid.
So, I'm writing the "Pambansang Kamao" an open letter. I'm not really expecting anything from this but, who knows? Hope springs eternal.
Dear Manny,
Congratulations sayo, aking kababayan!
Your win against Barrerra sealed your future as the boxing great of this generation. Your ascent to boxing supremacy is a product of hard work and perseverance from many trials. Truly, you have earned it - the belt, the rewards, the fame and the fans. At the height of your boxing career, I will not be surprised if you move up and continue sweeping crowns and coins (lots of it!). What's good about all these fortune coming your way is your desire to give back, to help others.
Your political bid as representative for the city of Genaral Santos is proof of your willingness to make a much bigger and deeper impact in the lives of your countrymen. Of course, others have thought differently, but to me, I take it as your way of making a difference. You have proven that in the boxing arena. You just can't wait to try your hands at public service.
But you see, you can help your "kababayans" as you are.
I don't really know what help you're thinking of right now so you can give back to your fellow Filipinos, but I am hoping it is something that will empower and inspire them to better their lives. Perhaps a boxing gym for boxing aspirants. Maybe a scholarship for those who want to finish their education. Or maybe put up a business for the unemployed. And because I'm a librarian, I suggest that you support a community library that will help in the literacy develoment of people in General Santos.
It is really all up to you, Manny. I only hope that whatever charity or advocacy you intend to pursue in the future, it would be for the benefit of the masses - for them to discover their own power and potentials; for them to realize their dreams no matter how simple.
All the best for you, Manny!
Yours,
Zarah C. Gagatiga
School Librarian & Literacy Advocate
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Does Manny Pacquiao Read?
Manny Pacquiao and his family will never go hungry in the next ten, twenty, thirty years. Either he win or lose in his fight tomorrow, his cofers of savings will not run dry. His sons and daughter will surely go to college, if not, secure a better way of establishing their economic standing from the investments he has made as a boxer and, businessman.
Manny Pacquiao has the business smarts and he's made a fortune out of all the endorsements and product promotions. In the midst of all these, I wonder if the "pambansang kamao" has plans of writing his own life story. Thinking about it, does he read in the first place? He does support several charities, even runs some of his own in his native province. But, will he ever endorse reading, books, education and life long learning?
I'm skeptical. But how I wish he would.
The again, I doubt it since no news of his educational background ever came out in the news.
Manny Pacquiao has the business smarts and he's made a fortune out of all the endorsements and product promotions. In the midst of all these, I wonder if the "pambansang kamao" has plans of writing his own life story. Thinking about it, does he read in the first place? He does support several charities, even runs some of his own in his native province. But, will he ever endorse reading, books, education and life long learning?
I'm skeptical. But how I wish he would.
The again, I doubt it since no news of his educational background ever came out in the news.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
On the Blog Trail of (the) Filipino Librarian
Whew! I finally get to squeeze this in or else, be stuck in September. I have several blog posts in line for this week, but Von's recent posts are just too delicious to follow. He hasa post on the Carnival of Infosciences, to which I have a topic brewing for submission. And then, there is the C.S. Canonigo hulaballoo that has become a blog-novella of a sort in the sense that, people who know her are obviously up for her defense. She has apologized and that tells a lot about her intention and integrity.
Moving on to more juicy stuff is his How To Build A Library post. Charles Tan, who is slowly becoming an honorary Pinoy Blograrian, has several responses. There are two, actually, and both are interesting reads. He speculates on the role of librarians as well as the future of libraries in the light of changes that technology wages on librarians and the evolving paradigms of library users on librraies that is affecting the profession in general. Readers of Von's blog has replied via comments and reading them myself prompted me to write this down.
Book donations are grand initiatives. School librraies need them. College libraries need them. Community libraries need them, Yes, even in this age of IT, people need to read books. They must read books and they will continue to read books. Books address a learning style and a way of understanding that differs from electronic formats. Much as online formats are exciting, books offer a more intimate and personal experience.
The idea to increase the literacy rate through access to books is indeed a great strategy. How can children learn to read and appreciate books if they are not given the environment to do so? How can learning be a life long endeavor if adults do not read books continuously? Books are still the basic format to learn how to read. Computers and the Internet are tools to bring the skill of reading several notches up the critical thinking ladder. Thus, we see a rise in foundations and NGOs taking the path towards book donations and library development.
What must be noted is this, that no matter how much and how many books are given and provided to libraries, a librarian must be there to plan and implement programs and services so that users can effectively and meaningfully derive learning and knowledge from acquired and donated books. Will librarians still be needed in virtual environments like digital libraries? Definitely. The role of a librarian becomes even more important because the librarian can render the professional expertise needed to create and communicate information, knowledge and values associated with the application of technology. Sure, IT people are available to manage information and its delivery, but they do it differently from librarians. They are coming in from another context, another paradigm.
Libraries are growing organisms, to quote Dr. Ranganathan. In the changing landscape of IT, we all are witnesses to the growth and the morphing of libraries. To nurture and nourish this development, librarians must be present to do it.
Moving on to more juicy stuff is his How To Build A Library post. Charles Tan, who is slowly becoming an honorary Pinoy Blograrian, has several responses. There are two, actually, and both are interesting reads. He speculates on the role of librarians as well as the future of libraries in the light of changes that technology wages on librarians and the evolving paradigms of library users on librraies that is affecting the profession in general. Readers of Von's blog has replied via comments and reading them myself prompted me to write this down.
Book donations are grand initiatives. School librraies need them. College libraries need them. Community libraries need them, Yes, even in this age of IT, people need to read books. They must read books and they will continue to read books. Books address a learning style and a way of understanding that differs from electronic formats. Much as online formats are exciting, books offer a more intimate and personal experience.
The idea to increase the literacy rate through access to books is indeed a great strategy. How can children learn to read and appreciate books if they are not given the environment to do so? How can learning be a life long endeavor if adults do not read books continuously? Books are still the basic format to learn how to read. Computers and the Internet are tools to bring the skill of reading several notches up the critical thinking ladder. Thus, we see a rise in foundations and NGOs taking the path towards book donations and library development.
What must be noted is this, that no matter how much and how many books are given and provided to libraries, a librarian must be there to plan and implement programs and services so that users can effectively and meaningfully derive learning and knowledge from acquired and donated books. Will librarians still be needed in virtual environments like digital libraries? Definitely. The role of a librarian becomes even more important because the librarian can render the professional expertise needed to create and communicate information, knowledge and values associated with the application of technology. Sure, IT people are available to manage information and its delivery, but they do it differently from librarians. They are coming in from another context, another paradigm.
Libraries are growing organisms, to quote Dr. Ranganathan. In the changing landscape of IT, we all are witnesses to the growth and the morphing of libraries. To nurture and nourish this development, librarians must be present to do it.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
How is the School Librarian Perceived
I met with a good writer friend yesterday and, as friends always do, we had great conversations. Here's a slice of the many things we talked about that made me wonder and struck me as really something relevant.
Writer Friend; Hey, your TLA (top level admnistrator) gave me a call asking me for a resource on ******** for a particular grade level.
Me: Oh.
WF: I wasn't able to recommend one. I was in the middle of something besides. But I will send an email.
Me: Uhum...
WF: Well, shouldn't all elementary schools begin with storytelling and move on to complex oral langauge skills as students move up the grades?
Me: Yes, of course. When did you got the call?
WF: Last week, anyway, you're the librarian. You know what to do. Then again, I need to give my reply anytime soon.
I will not stop my friend from giving her list of resources, definitely I know it will help the person in need. But, as a librarian who knows what to do (thanks to you, my dear writer friend for the confidence), I will also provide a plethora of resources on the topic in question. Again, this is one of those opportunities where in a librarian can showcase both skill and competence on the delivery of information and the knowledge of content. Now, even if the person in need of the resource and the information is a mere teacher or a simple grade school student, I will do the same to assist and lead them.
Writer Friend; Hey, your TLA (top level admnistrator) gave me a call asking me for a resource on ******** for a particular grade level.
Me: Oh.
WF: I wasn't able to recommend one. I was in the middle of something besides. But I will send an email.
Me: Uhum...
WF: Well, shouldn't all elementary schools begin with storytelling and move on to complex oral langauge skills as students move up the grades?
Me: Yes, of course. When did you got the call?
WF: Last week, anyway, you're the librarian. You know what to do. Then again, I need to give my reply anytime soon.
I will not stop my friend from giving her list of resources, definitely I know it will help the person in need. But, as a librarian who knows what to do (thanks to you, my dear writer friend for the confidence), I will also provide a plethora of resources on the topic in question. Again, this is one of those opportunities where in a librarian can showcase both skill and competence on the delivery of information and the knowledge of content. Now, even if the person in need of the resource and the information is a mere teacher or a simple grade school student, I will do the same to assist and lead them.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Parts of a Book
Sometimes, Calliope is just around the corner. Here is a poem I wrote for my grade 2 class this coming week. I will be using the poem for our lesson on the basic parts of a book.
I am a book
I am a book
And I have many parts
A cover to keep me clean
A spine so I can stand
I have a body
With several good pages
Of facts and stories
You can read from start to finish
Open me now
And you will know
The author who wrote
The illustrator who drew
Don’t forget the title
That’s what I ‘m all about
Who put me all together?
Oh, it is the publisher
Source of Image:
Diane Greenseid Clip Art
861 x 1583 - 109k - jpg
www.tsl.state.tx.us
I am a bookI am a book
And I have many parts
A cover to keep me clean
A spine so I can stand
I have a body
With several good pages
Of facts and stories
You can read from start to finish
Open me now
And you will know
The author who wrote
The illustrator who drew
Don’t forget the title
That’s what I ‘m all about
Who put me all together?
Oh, it is the publisher
Source of Image:
Diane Greenseid Clip Art
861 x 1583 - 109k - jpg
www.tsl.state.tx.us
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