A Teacher's Hangout

A Dose of Inspiration

2009-10-14T14:06:00.007+08:00

Inspiration is what many people need right now - a push, a cheer, a word of encouragement to dream and to make it real.

I would like to share with you another inspiring video entitled Leading Out Loud. I trust that you and your students will find a great dose of inspiration from this one. Watch, enjoy and be moved to lead out loud!

LIFE HANDBOOK

2009-08-21T18:46:00.014+08:00

A colleague of mine, Alice, shared with me this handout entitled Life Handbook. Let me share with you an excerpt from this handout. You may want to share this with your students. Most of what's in the list are things we already know, but are worth reviewing.

HEALTH

Drink plenty of water.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured.
Make time for prayer.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a beggar.

PERSONALITY

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Dream more while you are awake.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Don't compare your life to others. You don't have an idea what their journey is all about.
Smile and laugh more.

SOCIETY

Each day give something good to others.
Spend more people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What others think of you is none of your business.
Your job won't take care of you when you get sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

LIFE

Do the right thing...always!
Always think, "The best is yet to come."
When you wake up in the morning, thank GOD for it.
Get rid of anything that isn't joyful, beautiful or joyful.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that will be solved eventually.

LASTLY

Always remember, GOD LOVES YOU!

Science Teachers, Take Note!

2009-06-12T09:10:00.015+08:00

To all Chemistry teachers out there, read this news article from Yahoo! News and Reuters about the new element that will soon be added to the periodic table.

Here goes the article...

New, Superheavy Element to Enter Periodic Table

Thu Jun 11, 9:36 am ET
BERLIN (Reuters) – A new, superheavy chemical element numbered 112 will soon be officially included in the periodic table, German researchers said.

A team in the southwest German city of Darmstadt first produced 112 in 1996 by firing charged zinc atoms through a 120-meter-long particle accelerator to hit a lead target.

"The new element is approximately 277 times heavier than hydrogen, making it the heaviest element in the periodic table," the scientists at the GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research said in a statement late on Wednesday.

The zinc and lead nuclei were fused to form the nucleus of the new element, also known as Ununbium, Latin for 112.

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), confirmed the discovery of 112 by the team led by Sigurd Hofmann at the Helmholtz Center. IUPAC has asked for an official name for the element to be submitted.

John Jost, executive director of IUPAC in North Carolina, told Reuters that creating new elements helped researchers to understand how nuclear power plants and atomic bombs function.

The atomic number 112 refers to the sum of the atomic numbers of zinc, which has 30, and lead, which has 82. Atomic numbers denote how many protons are found in the atom's nucleus.

Scientists at the Helmholtz Center have discovered six chemical elements, numbered 107-112, since 1981. The remaining five elements have already been recognized and named.

In 1925, scientists discovered the last naturally occurring element on the periodic table. Since then researchers have sought to create new, heavier elements.

Proving the existence of atoms with such a high mass, the so-called superheavy elements, is a complex procedure because they exist for only tiny fractions of a second and then decay radioactively into other elements.

(Reporting by Jacob Comenetz, editing by Philippa Fletcher; periodic table image from scs.une.edu.au )

Creative Opening and Powerful Ending

2009-05-18T21:05:00.012+08:00

Motivation and synthesis are two familiar terms among us, teachers. However, not many of us realize the true value of having an effective motivation and synthesis to every lesson.

The opening and ending are considered positions of power in any presentation, be it a lesson or business presentation. By this, we mean, we can maximize the opening and the ending to make our lessons truly meaningful and memorable to our students.

The opening is governed by a rule in Psychology known as the Rule of Primacy, which states "first things heard and first things seen are considered very important; thus well-remembered by any audience."

It is, therefore, a must that we start our lesson with a very good motivational activity, a very good opening. Below are some guidelines that you should consider when thinking of a lesson opening.

Open creatively. Use Games, Anecdotes or Stories, Quotations, Rhetorical Questions, Demonstrations, Video or Audio Clips, Pictures or Sketches, Songs, Poems, etc. to introduce the topic or the lesson. This should involve everyone in the class to become truly effective.
Transition from the creative opening to the lesson smoothly. The students should be able to see the connection of the game, picture, or the video to the topic of the day. This will make the students better appreciate the motivational activity and see it as truly relevant.
Include part of the opening the objectives for the day's lesson. This way, students would know what needs to be accomplished for the day and how they would contribute to achieving these objectives.

The closure, known as synthesis, is also governed by a rule in Psychology, known as the Rule of Recency. This states that "Last things heard, last things seen are best remembered." Often we get victimized by the syndrome known as LSS or Last Song Syndrome. We keep on singing the entire day the last song we heard before alighting from our car early that day. This, indeed, a proof to such a rule.

This should also hold true for our lesson. Therefore, you also have to maximize it. Observe the following guidelines.

Inform your students that you are about to end the lesson. Literally tell them, "Let me end the day's lesson..." or "As a way to conclude today's discussion..." This would wake our students up and have them pay more attention. If ever, their attention is with something else, you are able to get it back on track.
Include a summary, a list or an enumeration of the most important parts of the lesson. This will make the students see what they have learned, recall certain items they missed and have a greater sense of fulfillment knowing they have accomplished a lot. Also, for those who didn't listen during the discussion, at least you can have them bring with them when they get out of the room the most significant parts of the day's activity.
Leave the students with an idea to remember or something to look forward to. You may want to give them an enrichment activity to be done at home and/or a preview of tomorrow's lesson to get them excited to be in your next class. This will formally synthesize and conclude the day for them.

As teachers, we need to find ways and means to make our lessons truly fun, exciting and full of learning for our student's better understanding, retention and appreciation. So, don't forget to plan for that truly creative opening and powerful ending in your next lesson.

The Secret: Be Empowered

2009-05-04T20:53:00.017+08:00

"Thoughts become things."

"You have the power to create the kind of life you dream to have."

"The law of attraction is always at work for you: like attracts like."

These and many more are the beautiful ideas shared to us by the book, "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. This has been one of my preoccupations lately. I have been into experimenting how to apply these principles in making my every day truly abundant and rich with blessings from the universe (from God!). I'm just starting to really be serious with this and I know that wonderful things are coming my way really soon. This I can feel and this I believe with faith and gratitude!

Wouldn't you want to share the same kind of motivation to your students? Wouldn't this uplift their spirits and empower them to be the best of who they can be? Help them do this by sharing with them the book or the movie (if that format will interest them more).

You can start by letting them watch the short video clip I have below, and let your students feel and unleash the power they have within to creating the life they dream of having.

Enjoy and be empowered!

Linguistic Equation: An IQ Test

2009-02-08T11:38:00.020+08:00

I'm back this week with a new set of brain teasers for you. This was passed on to me by my husband (Well, he wanted to find out if I'll do better than him), and later I learned from one site that this is actually an IQ test called "Linguistic Equation".

And same as in the previous entry, Brain Teaser For You and Your Students to Try (which I know many have liked!), this one is as interesting and as useful in the classroom. You may use it as a motivational activity to a related topic, as a group game, as an energizer to sustain attention, or simply as bonus questions for extra points.

All you have to do is to come up with the common phrase that is being referred to by the initials given in each item. Let me give you an example:

24 H in a D = 24 Hours in a Day

No time limit but no cheating as well. Use your common sense. It's that simple. If you get all 25, then I must say, you're a genius! Wow! Ready to show how much of a genius you are? Well, what are you waiting for? Ready, set, go...

7 D a W
12 M in a Y
2 W of a B
9 L of a C
3 H of a C
7 D S
9 M of P
8 T of an O
7 C of the W
10 Y in a D
28 D in F
6 S of a H
10 C in a M
7 W of the W
5 T in a F
366 D in a L Y
7 C in a R
60 S in a M
26 L of the A
4 C of a S
2 S of a C
4 H of the A
3 W M
12 I in a F
1001 T of the A N

You've reached the end of this test. Are you now ready now to find out how well you've fared in this test?

1. 7 Days in a Week 2.12 Months in a Year 3. 2 Wheels of a Bicycle 4. 9 Lives of a Cat 5. 3 Hands of a Clock 6. 7 Deadly Sins 7. 9 Months of Pregnancy 8. Tentacles of an Octopus 9. 7 Continents of the World 10. 10 Years in a Decade 11. 28 Days in February 12. 6 Sides of a Hexagon 13. 10 Centuries in a Millennium 14. 7 Wonders of the World 15. 5 Toes in a Foot 16. 366 Days in a Leap Year 17. 7 Colors in a Rainbow 18. 60 Seconds in a Minute 19. 26 letters of the Alphabet 20. 4 Corners of a Square 21. 2 Sides of a Coin 22. 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse 23. 3 Wise Men 24. 12 Inches in a Foot 25. 1001 Tales of the Arabian Nights

Thank You, Teacher!

2009-01-31T19:47:00.006+08:00

"Teaching is a vocation; not a profession." Often we hear this from teachers, like us, and sometimes those who get to hear us never really understand what we mean.

It is only when we get to be teachers that we realize the truth to this assertion. Yes, being a teacher does not only entail great talent and skills but great patience and understanding; does not only demand much of our time but much of our love; does not only require us to simply teach concepts but to educate for life.

And always remember, if you are seeking personal gain and happiness as a teacher, you may never find it until you get to focus on those little achievements your students are having and those sparkling eyes telling you of the happiness they are experiencing.

The following video clip entitled "Thank You, Teacher" is meant to inspire all of us, teachers, so that in moments we get frustrated and think of giving up, we just remember how blessed we are to have been given the chance to touch someone else's life... and make the world a better place!

Teach Your Students a Lesson on Gratitude

2008-11-09T11:27:00.010+08:00

One very important lesson that a teacher should be able to teach their students especially at a young age is to be grateful for who they are and what they have. This doesn't mean teaching them to be content with what they have and never anymore strive to be better; instead making them see and truly appreciate the good things they now possess. This will then lead to becoming more positive and optimistic, which will result to enjoying life to the fullest and becoming truly happy.

The book I am enjoying right now entitled "Find Real Happiness" by Filipino author William Gracian devoted a section on this topic. Let me then share with you how he reminds us of how blessed we are by enumerating some simple facts in life which we tend to overlook.

If you wake up on a Monday morning feeling strong, healthy and alert... then you are luckier than approximately one million others who will not be alive by the end of the week.
If you will sit down for breakfast with your parents or other family members... you are one of the shrinking few who eats regularly with their families.
If you have food on the table and clothes to wear to work or school... you are part of only 25% in this world who can afford such things.
If you can read the newspaper on the way out... you are far better off than over two billion people in the world who are classified as illiterate.
If you have money to withdraw from an ATM or change with which to buy some snacks or other luxuries... you belong to the select 10% humanity who have enough money for their daily needs.
If you can bring out your cellphone and text your friends or family memebrs while at work or somehere else.. you are one of the lucky few who can afford electronic gadgets; it's estimated that up to 70% of the world's population still has no access to the latst telecommunication facilities.
If you are able to hold your loved ones' hands, hug them or even touch them on the shouldre when you get home... you are lucky because so many people don't have a home of their own.
And on weekends, if you go to a house of worship freely... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world who cannot.

I'm sure that after reading this, you, my dear teachers, feel truly blessed. Therefore, share such wonderful feeling by letting your students also know how truly blessed they have been.

HOW TO SELL YOUR IDEAS TO YOUR STUDENTS

2008-10-12T18:58:00.012+08:00

Teachers are sales people. They may not sell tangibles but they definitely sell ideas. And often the challenge many teachers face is that they find it difficult to persuade their students to listen to them and eventually buy the ideas and/or activities they sell.

It is imperative, therefore, that every teacher be equipped with the needed persuasion skills to win students' attention and support and cooperation.

Here are five very simple steps to achieving this.

1. What's In It For Me? Always speak using the language of benefits. Present to your students the benefit/s they can earn out of listening to you, following your instruction and learning the concepts you teach. They will more likely to follow if they know exactly what's in it for them. Concentrate on their needs and wants and tie up your lessons and/or activities to that. One very good example is that after discussing a lesson on the four basic mathematical operation, ask your students to organize a classroom mini-fair where they can engage themselves in a buy and sell activity. This way, they will be able to make use of the math skills they've just learned.

2. Provide proof or evidences. Show your students that there are a number of people who became successful using the concepts you are teaching them. Speak from your and other people's experiences, provide testimonials, share biographies and other evidences that will convince them that you've gotten the best idea which they need to be successful in their endeavors.

3. Speak their language and act their way. Yes, students prefer to listen to teachers with whom they can relate. And they can only relate with you if you know their world: their language and their ways. Use terms that would be appealing to them and act as if you're one with them in spirit and in deed. Students do not want someone whom they can't reach, who is on a pedestal and a distant away. Reach out to your students so that they, too, will reach out to you by doing exactly what you tell them to do.

4. Be sincerely nice and concern. Don't be stingy when it comes to complimenting. Learn to sincerely compliment your students rather than criticize them a lot. Also, show how sincere you are in extending help to your students by the lessons you teach and the activities you're asking them to perform. When your students see these positive actions, they will be swayed to listen more and work harder.

5. Wear a beautiful smile. Don't forget to begin your lesson (selling) presentation with a smile on your face. This simple act goes a long way. It truly brightens up the day of your students, setting a more conducive atmosphere for interaction and learning. Remember, buyers will more like to buy from a sales person who appears friendly rather than from one who appears grumpy.

There you have it, the five real simple ways of selling your ideas to your students. What are you waiting for? Plan tomorrow's selling presentation now!

Top 10 Reasons Why to Teach

2008-09-28T22:52:00.009+08:00

This beautiful article by Melissa Kelly which appeared in about.com summarizes the beauty there is in becoming a teacher.

For many, becoming a teacher is one boring and unrewarding career. However, we, teachers think otherwise. Read along and see the unparalled rewards of becoming a teacher.

Enjoy the article and if you are one great guy, consider becoming one of us --- a TEACHER, and reap the benefits of this great career (for many teachers, not just a career but a calling) !

Teaching is a special calling. It is not a job well-suited to everyone. In fact, many new teachers leave within the first 3-5 years of teaching. However, there are many rewards that come with this oft maligned career. Here are my top ten reasons why teaching can be a great profession.

1. Student Potential
Unfortunately, not every student will succeed in your class. However, this fact should not keep you from believing that every student has the potential for success. This potential is so exciting - each new year presents new challenges and new potential successes.

2. Student Successes
Closely related to the previous pick, student success is what drives teachers to continue. Each student who didn't understand a concept and then learned it through your help can be exhilarating. And when you actually reach that student that others have written off as being unteachable, this can truly be worth all the headaches that do come with the job.

3. Teaching a Subject Helps You Learn a Subject
You will never learn a topic better than when you start teaching it. I remember my first year teaching AP Government. I had taken Political Science courses in college and thought I knew what I was doing. However, the student questions just made me dig deeper and learn more. There is an old adage that it takes three years of teaching to truly master a subject and in my experience this is the truth.

4. Daily Humor
If you have a positive attitude and a sense of humor, you will find things to laugh about each day. Sometimes it will be silly jokes you will make up as you teach that might get a laugh from your students. Sometimes it will be jokes that kids share with you. And sometimes students will come out with the funniest statements without realizing what they've said. Find the fun and enjoy it!

5. Affecting the Future
Yes it might be trite, but it is true. Teachers mold the future each day in class. In fact, it is a sad fact that you will see some of these students more consistently day-to-day than their parents will.

6. Staying Younger
Being around young people everyday will help you remain knowledgeable about current trends and ideas. It also helps break down barriers.

7. Autonomy in the Classroom
Once a teacher closes that door each day and begins teaching, they really are the ones who decide what's going to happen. Not many jobs provide an individual with so much room to be creative and autonomous each day.

8. Conducive to Family LifeIf you have children, the school calendar will typically allow you to have the same days off as your kids. Further, while you might bring work home with you to grade, you will probably be getting home close to the same time as your children.

9. Job Security
In many communities, teachers are a scarce commodity. It is fairly certain that you will be able to find a job as a teacher, though you might have to wait until the start of a new school year and be willing to travel within your county/school district. While requirements might be different from state to state, once you have proven yourself a successful teacher, it is relatively easy to move around and find a new job.

10. Summers Off
Unless you work in a district that has a year-round-education system, you will have a couple of months off in the summer where you can choose to get another job, teach summer school, or just relax and vacation. Further, you typically get two weeks off during Christmas/Winter Holidays and one week for Spring Break which can really be a huge benefit and provide much needed rest time.

A Teacher's Story

2008-09-21T11:23:00.040+08:00

"When I die, there is just one word that I want people to place in my tombstone... not my name, but just the word TEACHER. I want to be remembered by many only for one thing, that I am a teacher and forever I will be a teacher."

I was in a career exploration seminar in UP (University of the Philippines)many years ago when I heard one of the speakers delivered these lines. And I did wonder then what made this teacher say that. What she said struck me so much that even if many years had passed, I can still remember her lines (though I can't remember anymore her name nor the details to her story).

I believe what made her say that is actually embedded in this fictional story about a teacher who died and was sent to heaven (Some of you might have encountered this already.). For the many who haven't heard of this yet, let me then share with you this teacher's beautiful story.

There was this teacher who died and so was sent to heaven. Upon arriving at the gates of heaven, there were three other men who had been waiting for their turns to be interviewed by St. Peter (known as heaven's gatekeeper) and eventually be allowed entrance to heaven.

The teacher sat beside the three other men. He smiled at them and they smiled in return. A few moments passed, and St. Peter came out.

The first man was called and was asked by St. Peter, "What did you do with the life God had lent you?" The man said, "I was an engineer and built bridges and roads and buildings and homes, so that men may have shelter and means to be connected even if they live far from each other." "Very good," said St. Peter. You were a great man; therefore, enter the kingdom of God."

The second man was called and asked the same question. The man excitedly shared, "I was a doctor. I cured people of their illnesses and save thousands of lives." "Well done, Doctor. You were a great man; go and enter God's kingdom."

The third man was called and was asked the same question. This time, the man said with utmost enthusiasm, "I was a lawyer. And as a lawyer, I rendered my services for free to the poor ones and I won their battles in court." "Excellent. You were also a great man. Go and enter God's kingdom," said St. Peter.

While all the interviews were being conducted, the teacher was just quiet, but on his lips one would notice the beautiful smile which seemed to be coming from his fondness of the three men being interviewed and the answers they had in response to what St. Peter asked.

Now, it was the teacher's turn. He was called by St. Peter and was asked the same question. "Old man, what did you do with the life that God had lent you?" The old man smiled at St. Peter, and with great excitement, enthusiam and pride, he said, "I made no bridges or homes; I cured no man of any illness; and I won no case for any poor man in court. But if there was one thing I was truly proud of... I made them three (referring to the engineer, the doctor and the lawyer). I was their teacher!" "Excellent work, old man. You were indeed noble and worthy of honor. Go, enter the kingdom, and sit at God's right hand at the banquet He had long prepared for His noble children."

The three men were in awe hearing what the old man had said, and all together recognized their old teacher. They honored him and gave him thanks for making them the great men that they were.

The old man entered the gates of heaven with so much gladness in his heart, as his former students held him by the hand.

There you have it. What, therefore, made that teacher (who spoke at the university) say that? It was the beauty there is in teaching. Teaching is all about helping people: educating them, empowering them, and inspiring them, so that they get to accomplish the mission in life God has entrusted them.

With that, let me invite all of you, my dear teachers to say,"I'm truly proud to be a TEACHER --- I educate, I empower, I inspire!"

Help Students Achieve Their Goals

2008-09-14T16:34:00.012+08:00

I'm back, and, yes, with new thoughts and advocacy. I'm into exploring the power of the mind to help me achieve my goals in life. I'm happy to say that it has paid quite well.

I will not be sharing with you yet my stories (I'm actually reserving that for another blogsite, but of course, I'll tell you when it's up!). But what I'll do is to share with you some of the lessons I learned from reading the works of mind masters and how these can be applied to our everyday work in the classroom.

Lesson 1

HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS IN LIFE

Help your students set goals for themselves and show them the way to successfully achieving these through these five simple steps I am recommending below.

Step 1. KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT

Tell them to define in more specific terms what they want to achieve this quarter. Ask them to be as specific as possible. Remind them that they can never get anywhere if they do not exactly know where they want to go.
Let them express their goals in the present tense and ask them to write these down in their notebook. The more specific the goal, the better.

Step 2. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT

Advise your students to positively focus on their goals as often as possible. When they wake up, when they fall asleep, during their spare time, they should think about their goals. Tell them that the power of their mind can work real well for them if only they will allow it through positive thinking.
Ask them to picture in their minds that goal. The more vivid the picture, the better. Never let doubt or fear overshadow their desire for their goal. Warn them against thinking of what they don't want to happen. Thinking of the opposite will definitely work against them.

Step 3. TAKE ACTION NOW

Yes, tell them that positively thinking about their goal will attract it toward them, but it is by doing simple steps that will let them receive it. They have to do the necessary steps to achieve their goals in life. Thay can always do something to propel their goals into becoming.
It is imperative that they should take the action now, not tomorrow, but now. If everyday, they will do what they need to do toward achieving their goals, I can't see any reason why they will not achieve them. So, ask them to do it and do it now!

Step 4. CHOOSE THE SAME THING EVERYDAY

Remind your students to be consistent until they have achieved their goals. They cannot send constantly changing vague wishes to the universe and expect positive results.
Consistency is key to success. If they're undecided about what they want to order, the universe will serve first others who are more decisive as to what they want achieved.

Step 5. EXPRESS GRATITUDE

Gratitude, according to mind masters, is the KEY to every successful man's success. Advise your students to stop complaining, instead continuously thank the universe for whatever they receive everyday. If they will just look harder, everyday, blessings come their way, brought about by people they meet and situations they are in. This is indeed great reason to be happy and grateful.
Let them be sincerely thankful and joyful as they await the fulfillment of their goals.

These are indeed the five real simple steps to becoming successful in getting what one wants in life. And before even sharing it with your students, I would encourage you, my dear teachers, to try this one out yourself. See the magic this will bring to your life as it has brought to mine. Happy positive thinking!

SOMETHING WORTH SHARING WITH YOUR STUDENTS

2008-07-31T22:08:00.008+08:00

Your students will definitely be amazed to know that there are a number of things that can be kept in the refrigerator besides food. And these are...

Camera film will often stay fresh beyond its expiration date if it's kept in the refrigerator.

Candles won't wilt and lose their shape in hot weatherif they're refrigerated. And if they're stored for 24 hours or more in the fridge, they won't drip when burned.

Clothing that's been ruined by chewing gum can be saved if it's placed in the freezer compartment. This will turn the gum brittle and make it easy to remove with a knife.

If you sprinkled clothes for ironing but don't have the time to finish pressing them, you can orevent the clothes from becoming mildewed by keeping them in a plastic bag inside the refrigerator.

Hair coloring products lose some of their effectiveness in hot weather, but you can prolong their life by refrigerating them.

Lipsticks will hold its shape longer if refrigerated. And lipstick that is melted can be reshaped after it's chilled

Tulip bulbs will remain dormant until planting time if they're kept in the fridge. It's best to chill them for 60 days at 40 degrees before planting.

Both flowers and vegetable seeds will stay fresh longer if they are stored inside a jar in the refrigerator.

Cigarettes stay fresher and flashlight batteries keep longer when they're refrigerated.

Refrigerated storage will also help perfume and cologne retain their fragrance longer, firm up soft soap and prevent shoe polish from drying out and hardening.

Source: The Pocket Book of Information (A Little of Everything) by C.S. Canonigo, 2001.

Commonly Overused Words (C-E)

2008-07-31T21:24:00.004+08:00

As promised, here is the list of commonly overused words starting with C, D and E. And I trust that this will be of great help to you and your students in expressing yourselves clearly, correctly and precisely.

CAUSE origin, stimulus, inspiration, motive
CERTAIN unquestionable, incontrovertible, unmistakable, indubitable, assured, confident
CHANGE alter, transform, vary, replace, diversify
CHOOSE select, elect, nominate, prefer, identify
DESCENT respectable, adequate, fair, suitable
DEFINITELY unquestionably, clearly, precisely, positively, inescapably
EASY effortless, natural, comfortable, undemanding, pleasant, relaxed
EFFECTIVE powerful, successful
EMPHASIZE underscore, feature, accentuate
END limit, boundary, finish, conclusion, finale, resolution
ENERGY vitality, vigor, force, dynamism
ENJOY savor, relish, revel, benefit
ENTIRE complete, inclusive, unbroken, integral
EXCELLENT superior, remarkable, splendid, unsurpass, superb, magnificent
EXCITING thrilling, steering, rousing, dramatic

Source: Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar (Communication in Action) Platinum Level

Commonly Overused Words (A-B)

2008-07-27T18:14:00.006+08:00

Teachers should always have to be precise with the word they use to convey their meaning when either talking or writing.

Consult this simple THESAURUS to find alternatives for some commonly overused words. Consult a full-length thesaurus to find alternatives to words that do not appear here. Keep in mind that the choices offered in a thesaurus do not all mean exactly the same. Review all the options, and choose the one that best expresses your meaning.

ABOUT approximately, nearly, almost, approaching, close to
ABSOLUTELY unconditionally, perfectly, completely, ideally, purely
ACTIVITY action, movement, operation, labor, exertion, enterprise, project, pursuit, endeavor, job, assignment, pastime, scheme, task
ADD attach, affix, join, unite, append, increase, amplify
AFFECT adjust, influence, transform, moderate, incline, motivate, prompt
AMAZING overwhelming, astonishing, stratling, unexpected, stunning, dazzling, remarkable
AWESOME impresive, stupendous, fabulous, astonishing, outstanding
BAD defective, inadequate, poor, unsatisfactory, disagreeable, offensive, repulsive, corrupt, wicked, naughty, harmful, injurious, unfavorable
BASIC essential, necessary, indispensable, vital, fundamental, elementary
BEAUTIFUL attractive, appealing, alluring, exquisite, gorgeous, handsome, stunning
BEGIN commence, found, initiate, introduce, launch, originate
BETTER preferable, superior, worthier
BIG enormous, extensive, huge, immense, massive
BORING commonplace, monotonous, tedious, tiresome
BRING accompany, cause, convey, create, conduct, deliver, produce

In my next post, I will give you commonly overused words beginning with letters C-E.

source: Writing and Grammar (Communication in Action) published by Prentice Hall

Make a Difference

2008-07-18T13:07:00.007+08:00

Looking for meanig in your life? Feeling down and worthless? Wanting to make a difference but you seem to be too ordinary to do it? Well, here's a video that will definitely make you feel good about yourself and will move you to action. Go, be inspired and make a difference.

And to all teachers out there, you may want to share this clip with your students so that they, too, get to be inspired!

LEARNING STYLES REVIEW

2008-06-28T18:12:00.005+08:00

Having an inventory of your students' learning styles is essential for every teacher as this guides him/her in the preparation of materials and activities that match the students' best way of understanding concepts. This way, learning in the classroom will truly be optimized.

Here is a review of the three different learning styles. Find out who among your students possess each style.

VISUAL LEARNERS

comprise 40%-50% of the general population
learn best by seeing the materialsappreciate visual representation of the materials such as graphs, tables, charts, diagrams
best remember what is read rather than what is listened to
like videos, filmstrips, computer-aided instruction
have the most efficient way of storing information learned

AUDITORY LEARNERS

comprise 10%-20% of the general population
learn best by listening to the materials
appreciate using audio tapes and other types of audio recordings
best remember what is listened to rather than what is read
employ a much less efficient way of storing information compared with the visual learners
do some type of transfer of information to a visual storage system

KINESTHETIC LEARNERS

comprise 20%-50%of the general population predominant in male population especially African, American and Hispanic males
learn best by physically interacting with the materials
are in continual motion with hands, feet, and will move and doodle most of the time
need to have frequent breaks when asked to accomplish a certain task
best remember what is done rather than what is seen or listened to
employ the least efficient way to store academic information but have the best way to store athletic and artistic information

Teachers are faced with the challenge of making every lesson truly beneficial to all students in the classroom; therefore, it is important that when the teacher prepares a lesson plan, there is always something that cater to everyone: something to see and read, something to hear and listened to, and something to do.

Phrase Your Praise

2008-06-20T23:37:00.023+08:00

There are different ways on how we could actually praise a child for what he/she has done well. There are indeed a hundred ways on how to phrase your praise so that it continues to inspire, motivate and empower those boys and girls in class.

Wow*Way to Go*Outstanding*Excellent*Great*Good*Very Good*Well Done*Remarkable*I Knew You Could Do It*I'm Proud of You*Fantastic*That's Indeed Super*Nice Work*Looking Good*That's Beautiful*Now You've Got It*You're Incredible*Bravo*How Nice*You're On The Right Tract*You're So Smart*Good Job*That's Incredible*Good For You*I Like That* You're A Winner*Remarkable Work*Beautiful Work*Spectacular*That's A Great Discovery*Brilliant*You've Figured It Out*Magnificent*Marvelous*Terrific*That's So Creative Of You*You're Truly Responsible*Exceptional Performance*You Learned It Right*What An Imagination*What A Good Listener*Wonderful Job*I Know You Tried Real Hard*I Know You Care*Beautiful Sharing*Outstanding Performance*i Trust You*You Mean A Lot To This Class*You Make Us Truly Happy*You Belong*That's Correct*You're Wonderful*You Brighten Up Our Day*That's Perfect*A+ Job*That's The Best Answer*I Salute You*You've Explained It Real Well*I Have No Doubts That You Can Do It*That's Brilliant Idea*I Haven't Even Thought About That Idea*Your Output is Worth Displaying *

Start using them to your students and see the magic these can bring to them. You may also have other power lines which you can include in the list. However, always remember... your SMILE is worth 1000 words!

WHEN YOU'RE "NOT SMART ENOUGH": On Inspiring and Empowering Students

2008-06-15T15:23:00.016+08:00

I would like to dedicate this blog entry to all you, kids, out there... yes, to all of you especially those who get easily frustrated and discouraged by the low grades they receive in school. Well, let me tell you one thing: Sure, grades are important, but your future doesn't wholly depend on what your card shows.

Let me then share with you this article, When You're 'Not Smart Enough,' which a colleague of mine shared with me a long time ago, and which I have never failed to share with my students to inspire them and to empower them.

1. Don't label yourself according to your grades. They measure how well you do things, not your value as a person - or even your intelligence. (It's a fact that some intelligent people don't do well in school.) And getting all perfect scores on all your exams doesn't make a student a better person than someone who gets a merely passing mark.
Besides, the abilities that grades measure are very few. Grades rarely show your ability to make friends, your knack to think up new ideas, or to solve problems in real life situations, or to take initiatives - all of which are important for general succes in life.

2. Learn about yourself as you go - and build on your strengths. Some people remember best the material they read; others remember best the lessons that they hear; still others learn best through discussion and hands-on.
Think about the way you seem to pick up things most easily, and look for ways to put your strength to work in all your classes. For example, Diana realized that she learned best through stories. When she began to think of History, a subject she disliked, as a series of stories about people and what they had done, her History grades improved.

3. Concentrate more on learning and understanding the lesson than getting a high score. Aim to learn. Some people can recite a whole chapter of a book or a long poem from memory, but when asked to explain it, they can't! It's because they only memorized but never understood it at all.

4. Learn from your mistakes as well as from your successes. When Dennis gets his graded exams back from his teachers, he goes over all the mistakes again, looking for the correct answer in his notes and in his books. This way, his mistakes help him remember what is right.

5. Develop non-academic interests to balance out your life. Sports, church assignments and extra curricular activities such as drama guild, glee club, or school band, can develop your other talents. Such activities provide new friends and teach you more about yourself and your strengths. When you have interest outside of school, you are able to lead a well-rounded life. People who've made a name for themselves after leaving school will tell you that what you do outside the classroom is very important too.

6. Most importantly, put God into the picture. The Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and learn not from your own understanding. In all ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Ask Him to help you make the most out of school. Make every effort to do your best and then leave the results with Him. He cares about your future and He cares about you even more than you do.

ABCs for Teachers

2008-06-12T21:12:00.010+08:00

This video is actually meant for first-time teachers; however, I believe that this could also be a good refresher for those who have been in the profession for quite awhile and are somehow forgetting what the essentials of teaching are.
Watch, (re)learn, and enjoy!

AM I CAUSING YOU STRESS?

2008-06-11T08:18:00.010+08:00

Is word stress causing you STRESS? Well, in that case, let me help you by sharing with you this very simple lesson on WORD STRESS.

I. STRESSED or NOT? Determine which syllable contains the major stress in each word.

1. in-teg-ral
2. au-then-tic
3. mu-se-um
4. an-ces-tral
5. ma-yon-naise
6. in-te-res-ting
7. se-ven-teen
8. su-pers-ti-tious
9. ar-gue
10. con-do-lence

II. What is WORD STRESS?

STRESS refers to the amount of force with which a syllable is said. ACCENT is the stress on one syllable over others in a plurisyllable; other names for accent are syllable stress and word stress.

III. How do I determine the accent?

In determining word stress/accent, consider the following:

1. Monosyllablic words have no accent.

e.g. stress calm choose
where meant rest

2. Every word taken alone, that is, not in a sentence, always has a primary stress.

3. The primary stress is used to differentiate a noun from a verb if the word can be used as a noun or as a verb.

e.g. NOUN VERB
SUBject subject
CONtract contract
REcord record
REbel rebel

4. Usually, the primary stress is placed on the vowel and not on the consonant because the vowels are more sonorous than the consonants.

5. a. Number words ending in –teen are stressed on that syllable.

e.g. sixTEEN fifTEEN sevenTEEN

5.b. Number words ending in –ty or –ieth are stressed on the first syllable.

e.g. TWENty SIXtieth FORty

6. Compound nouns have a primary stress on the first component, a secondary stress on the second component.

e.g. ANThill CAMPfire DUSTpan

7. Compound verbs have a primary stress on the second component and a secondary stress on the first component.

e.g. overCOME outDO outSHINE

8. Intensive-reflexive pronouns are stressed on the second syllable.

e.g. mySELF themSELVES itSELF

9. Words ending with the suffix –tion, -sion, -ic, -ical, -ity have a primary accent on the syllable preceding the suffix.

e.g. associAtion conFESsion economic
philoSOphical CHArity reliaBIlity

SOURCE: To More Effective Speech Communication

A STUDENT TO HIS TEACHER

2008-06-07T21:07:00.005+08:00

This anonymous write up is meant to give every teacher the chance to hear out his/her student. I invite you to listen to what this student has to say to his teacher because I believe this is exactly what your students want to tell you.

Try to be a human being and not just a teaching machine.

Help me to learn to think and to judge by myself, not only to memorize ready-made answers.
Help me rather to find the answers myself, though this may be more painful for both you and me.

Listen to the questions that I may seriously ask however foolish they may sound to you. If you can listen, I might learn to listen too.

Do not teach only a subject, but rather, teach us --- students.

Do not expect of me what is beyond my talent or power and give me some encouragement from time to time.

Be strict enough with me provided you are just. I know that I need it, though outwardly I may rebel against it.

Please keep studying yourself and do not mechanically use in class the same yellowed notes which you wrote some ten years ago.

Do not judge me only in the marks which I get from the tests but rather by the effort I make.

Do not expect that I like the subject you are teaching best of all. Other subjects may be interesting too and perhaps even more so, at least with me.

Do not ridicule me, especially not before my classmates. It hurts and it will turn me against you. An earnest but kind word in private will be more effective.

Do not expect a word of thanks every so ofetn. I am grateful alright, but I find it difficult to express my gratitude in words.

Do not pity me, especially not in front of others if I do not succeed so well. Pity can be so embarrassing.

Do not point out another student in class as an example to me. I might hate him... and you... for it.

And if I happen to do well, do not point me out as an example to others. It would embarrass me very much. But an occasional deserved word of acknowledgement is most welcome.

Keep your personal problems and political ideas to yourself. I cannot solve or judge them anyway.

let me feel that you are interested in me as a human being and not just a name in your record book.

Remember that once upon a time you were a student yourself. Did you always get the best marks? And did you never forget a thing?

NOUN: there's a fun way to learn it

2008-06-05T23:59:00.005+08:00

A sure fun and enjoyable way to teach your pupils about NOUNS --- Try it in your class and kids will surely love it!

A BRAIN TEASER for you and your students to try

2008-05-31T19:21:00.024+08:00

Let me share with you a brain teaser I got from Readers' Digest More Tests and Teasers.

Use it in your class as either a day starter or an enrichment activity. You can even have it as a group game to make it more exciting for the students. Use it in any way you like and I'm sure the kids will love it.

SO YOU THINK YOU'RE CLEVER by John Henry Cutler

Here's a quiz that is likely to tie you up in mental knots for an hour or so. Afterwards, you can repair your shattered ego by trying some of these teasers on your students.

1. If 3 cats can kill 3 rats in 3 minutes, how long will it take 100 cats to kill 100 rats?

2. A little Indian and a big Indian are walking down a path. The little Indian is the big Indian's son. The big Indian is not the little Indian's father. Who is it?

3. Which is correct: 8 and 8 are 15 or 8 and 8 is 15?

4. Is it legal for a man to marry his widow's sister?

5. Take two apples from three apples and what have you got?

6. A shepherd had 17 sheep. All but nine died. How many did he have left?

7. A boat will carry only 200 pounds. How may a man weighing 200 pounds and his two sons, each of whom weighs 100 pounds, use it to cross a river?

8. The number of eggs in a basket doubles every minute. The basket is full of eggs in an hour. When was the basket half full?

9. What is the smallest number of ducks that could sim in this formation: two ducks in front of a duck, two ducks behind a duck, and a duck between two ducks?

10. In which book of the Bible does it tell about Abel's slaying cain?

Answers: 1. Three minutes 2.Mother 3. Neither 4. Only dead men have widows 5. Two apples of course 6. Nine 7. Two sons go first. One brings back the boat, and Father rows over. Then the other sons returns for his brother. 8. In 59 minutes. If the basket is full in 60 minutes, it was half full a minute later, or at the end of 59 minutes. 9. Three ducks in a row, one after the other 10. None. Cain slew Abel.

Making Posters: Fun and Super Easy

2008-05-30T22:46:00.007+08:00

Who could imagine that making large posters will only take us a few minutes? With your Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, a few clicks on your mouse and keyboard, and a little of that eye for good combination of colors and graphics, I am sure that those great posters will be hanging off your classroom walls in no time at all.

Watch the video, learn how to do it, and try it out immediately!

Brain Stuff for Spelling Teachers

2008-05-29T13:56:00.007+08:00

This material was passed on to me by a friend. I found it really amazing. Try it!

Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.

I conant blveiee taht I can aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I am rdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy syas taht it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteers be in the rghit pclaes. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

STUDENT FOCUS

2008-05-25T12:45:00.015+08:00

A STUDENT...

is the most important person in any educational institution.

is not dependent on us - we are dependent on him/her.

is not an interruption of our work - he/she is the purpose of it.

does us a favor when he/she calls - we are not doing him/her a favor by serving him/her.

is a part of our process - not an outsider.

is not a cold statistic - he/she is a person with feelings like our own.

is not someone to argue with or match wits with.

is a person who brings us his/her educational needs, it is our job to meet those needs.

is deserving of the most courteous and attentive treatment we can give him/her.

is the lifeblood of this and every educational institution.

Source: Lewis University - Cling and Placement

Pay Attention: A Must See for Teachers

2008-05-21T23:50:00.006+08:00

**TeacherTube's Top 100 Most Viewed Video***

Since most of today's students can appropriately be labeled as "Digital Learners", why do so many teachers refuse to enter the digital age with their teaching practices?

This presentation was created in an effort to motivate teachers to more effectively use technology in their teaching.

Field Trip: Time to Bond

2008-05-19T23:53:00.006+08:00

Aside from providing an opportunity for students to learn outside of the classroom, field trips provide a great opportunity for teachers and students to bond.

Yes, I remember how the bus will be filled with so much gaiety with students' laughter, stories and songs. They share with the me their very own experiences, their crazy but valuable opinions on just about anything, which they seldom do when inside the classroom.

Well, I take this chance to do small talk with every student, especially those who seldom I hear talk in class. I try to spend a little more time with these kids to get to know them better. And often, I notice that after the said bonding, there's a noticeable change in these students' behaviors. They become more open about their thoughts and about their feelings. They are observed to more active and more participative in class. And what's remarkable is they appear happier in the company of their teacher and their classmates.

Indeed, spending a day for field trip has its rewards.

Acknowledge Your Source

2008-05-19T23:23:00.005+08:00

Give credit to where credit is due is a popular quote. And often, we, teachers, forget this when we are to share with our students ideas of others which we have read from books, articles, or other other reference materials.

There are actually three (3) ways by which we can incorporate the ideas of others in what we share with our students either in written or spoken forms. This way, we get to give credit to the source of information, and this way, we will never be accused of plagiarism.

Direct Quotation: Use the exact words of the source. Place quotation marks to indicate this.
Paraphrase: To share ideas without directly quoting but stating the idea in your own words. While you haven't copied word-for-word, you still need to acknowledge the source.
Summary: To identify the writer's main idea as expressed in an article, chapter of a book, speech, editorial and other reference materials. Use your own words as well.

The bottomline is to give the source the acknowledgement he deserves for coming up with such notable idea. The next time around, who knows, your great ideas may now be the ones to be cited by your own students.

Back to School

2008-05-18T13:03:00.022+08:00

Now that we are to once again embark on another journey as the new school year is about to start (at least here in the Philippines), it might be good to equip ourselves with some simple techniques that will help us make our teaching life a lot more easier and happier.

Here are some Be... ideas that we may try out this school year, and see for ourselves the magic these can do to improve the way we relate with our students.

1. Be generous of praise where praise is deserved. Yes, even little things our students have done well need acknowledgement. It is through providing a sincere compliment that we motivate them to continue on doing what's good and then to eventually excel.

2. Be honest about how you feel. If you are angry, frustrated, excited, glad, worried, it is best for the students to know especially if this will affect them. Example is when you feel sick. Tell your students, so that they know exactly how to adjust to the situation. I remember how I would tell my students how severe my migraine was, so I would appreciate them being more cooperative. And true enough, they would behave as requested.

3. Be attentive. Listen not just to what their words are saying but more importantly to what their voice and body language are saying. Even if a student tells you that he is okay and that there's nothing wrong, but the tone of his voice and his facial expressions tell you otherwise, then take that extra effort to find out exactly how he feels.

4. Be respectful of your students' rights. Do you know that you and your students have the same exact set of rights? If you have the right to voice out your opinion, to give feedback, and to deny a request, then your students have those same rights too. What we need is to do then is to model exactly how these rights are exercised in the classroom. And how is that? With much consideration for choice of words, tone of voice,and body language to go with it.

5. Be considerate of the feelings of others. If you need to reprimand your students, do it in private. A tactful correction in private is better than public humiliation. Humiliating a student in public,aside from prohibitied by school regulations, can force the student to be defensive and to start a fight with you. And when power play begins, you can expect a more difficult life in the classroom, with this student around.

6. Be genuinely interested in all of your students. Try to like your students, all of them, even the dullest and the most troublesome. I know this is easier said that done, but it's worth giving a try. Always look for that goodness, that something likeable about each student and capitalize on it. And that is exactly how a teacher's life becomes enriched by his dealings with students of all kinds.

7. Be happy. Smile. We know for a fact that students never like or rever a terror in the classroom. Smiling with the students, when there's something to smile about, is well appreciated by them. It establishes rapport; it makes them feel comfortable; and it contributes to the conduciveness of the learning environment. After all, it takes 65 muscles to frown, but only 15 to smile.

8. Be personal. Call them using their names. There's something about a person's name that makes a person stop and listen when called by someone. Aside from this helps you easily manage a class if students know that you know them individually and that you may call them anytime, it also gives students a great sense of security when they know that the teacher knows them already.

9. Be ready to help. Listen to their gripes and problems,and find a way how you can help them. You may not necessarily have the solution to their problem, but at least you could enlighten them so as to keep them from turning to the wrong path.

10. Be positive. A positive person creates a positive force that embraces the people surrounding him. Think positive, feel positive, and see how the law of positive attraction works for you and your students.

IMPORTANCE OF CLOSURE

2008-05-02T10:20:00.000+08:00

If there's one portion of the lesson that we, teachers, sacrifice due to time constraints, that is no other than closure.

I remember my Assistant Principal reminding the teachers always not to forget ending a day's session using a good closure: a summary of what were discussed and a powerful line that will linger in the minds of the students, making them remember exactly the meat of the day's discussion.

Come to think of it, she was right, we had to utilize the ending portion of our lesson to maximize learning. What we noticed happening to our students during the course of discussion was that most of them would lose interest and eventually zone out. How sad...how frustrating! But that's reality and we just had to live with it.

So, how do you maximize learning when you are already toward the last few minutes of your lesson? Knowing the natural tendency of students to zone out during the most crucial part of the lesson, when you are discussing the most important details, will make us realize that the least we can do is to have them bring home with them even just the main items they need to remember about your topic for the day. And that is exactly what an effective closure will achieve.

Now, you might ask? And how is an effective closure done? There are three steps on how we to make your ending truly powerful and effective.

First, inform your students that you are about to end your lesson. Since the usual scenario is that they are already sleeping at this time, believe me, when they hear you say that you are about to end, you will once again capture their attention, even more than a 100% of it. You see, they are to excited to leave your class and go to the next class and see the next teacher (who seems more popular than you are). The effect will be that of seeing your students keeping their things in their bags, looking at you intently and listening attentively.
Second, take advantage of the situation. When you have already gotten back their interest and attention, summarize the most important points you have discussed in your lesson. For every item, add a line or two that will concisely and clearly explain to them what it is about.
And third, add a punch line (a memorable line) that will capture the main essence of the day's lesson (e.g. a quote or a saying, a rhetorical question that is relating to the lesson, or a preview of tomorrow's activity in relation to today's to excite them a bit). This way, your idea to remember will truly make them remember. Ensure that the line is indeed memorable that it will have the same effect as that of the last song syndrome, that it will continue to linger in their minds hours or even days after. Of course delivery in this case counts.

So, why not try employing a powerful ending the next time you hold a session with your class? See the wonders it will do for you and for your students.

INSPIRING TEACHERS

2008-04-15T10:11:00.000+08:00

My husband owns a book entitled God’s Little Devotional Book for the Workplace. I have always referred to it every time I need something to perk me up and to keep me going.

I know, as teachers, we have moments like this when we need a little lift or a little push as we face challenging situations everyday in school and in the classroom. Let me then equip you with a dozen beautiful lines which I have adapted from the book. I trust that you, my dear teachers, will find true inspiration in them.

Start reading, believing, and make them work for you.

Before beginning your class every day, never forget to say, “The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now.”
The happiest teachers don’t necessarily have the best students; they just make the best of their every student.
By teaching your students very well, you are doing a great deed and meeting a dire need.
Give to your students the best you have and see the best of them coming back to you.
Looking at my students, I see great educators. Yes, every student is my teacher; I indeed learn something from each of them every day.
The difference between ordinary teachers and extraordinary ones is that little extra.
If you want to be truly great in this profession, be great in the eyes of the greatest teacher --- JESUS!
The greatest quality that any teacher can possess is the ability to get along with different kinds of students. It is a quality worth paying more for than any other.
There is a word for teachers who won’t correct their students: failure.
Your good example is your best sermon.
The most wasted class day is that in which we have not laughed with our students.
Part of our unwritten responsibilities as teachers is to love our students more than they deserve.

SIGNPOSTING: YOUR KEY TO EXPLAINING

2008-03-30T22:09:00.000+08:00

As teachers, do you sometimes find yourself caught into confusion with how you explain concepts to your students or how you answer their questions? It is key that we, teachers, should always sound organized since our success is measured by how well we explain things and how well we are able to guide our students in understanding what we are explaining.

One very good communication strategy available for us to use is known as signposting. Signposts are numbers or letters we use to guide us along our discussion so that are ideas are logically presented. There are two key benefits when you use signposts. First benefit is that it guides us, the teacher, as we communicate our ideas to our stuidents. It make us sound more organized in our explanation; thus, making us appear more credible to them. The second benefit is that you grow into the habit of being direct and being able to provide straight-to-the-point explanations, which your students will definitely appreciate. Why? It is because when you are direct with your message that you sound more comprehensible to them. (Actually, I have just done signposting with the last five sentences of this paragraph.)

The challenge about signposting is often we get lost along the way. We often start with first and we end up next, next, and lastly. Or we say, "There are three steps in the procedure. The first step... The second principle... And the third idea..." In both cases, we are not being consistent. In the first example, we are not consistent with the use of the ordinals to indicate proper sequence. While in the second example, yes, ordinals are used consistently, but step, principle and idea are three different things. So, what is it really? The challenge, therefore, is to be always be conscious of being consistent!

Let me now share with you more examples.

Miss Ilano said, "In the experiment we are to work on today, there are three very important steps. The first step is.... The second step is... And the third step is..."

Mr. Catalan explained, "There are five questions I want you to answer after reading the story. Number 1 is... Number 2 is.... Number 3 is... Number 4 is... And number 5 is..."

Ms. Afable answered, "Let me enumerate for you the ten key events in Philippine history from 1946 to year 2000. First on my list is... Second is... Third is.... (and so on until the tenth)."

So, the next time you're trapped into the web of your own explanation, why not resort to signposting? It's a sure way to come across organized and effective. It is truly your key to explaining.

KINDERGARTEN LESSONS

2008-03-27T22:16:00.000+08:00

It’s summer time (at least here in the Philippines)! Now is the time when teachers go over their pile of papers to check and sort out materials that were stuck there for months, long forgotten.

Going over my own, I saw this handout entitled I Learned It All in Kindergarten. As I went over it, I was reminded that though often I consider life as a journey of never-ending learning, the greatest lessons in this life, most of what I really need to know about how to live and how to bring out the best in it, I actually learned in Kindergarten.

These lessons were:

Share what you have with others.
Don’t take things that are not yours.
Don’t cheat.
Don’t tell a lie.
Don’t hit others.
Say you’re sorry when you hurt someone.
Say I love you to your daddy and mommy.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Don’t forget to eat your vegetables and fruits.
Take a nap in the afternoon.
Draw, sing, dance, and study every day.
Pray before you sleep.

More than what the article wants to impart to its readers, it also has a truly significant message for us, teachers. This simply emphasizes the significance of education and educators in shaping the world because, whether we like it or like it a lot, we, teachers, mold the way people think and behave. Early childhood educators equip young minds with the very foundation by which they build their very own set of beliefs, values and inherent priorities which they need in facing and overcoming life’s challenges ahead.

LIVING A LESS STRESSFUL LIFE FOR TEACHERS

2008-03-21T23:49:00.000+08:00

As teachers, we live a stressful life. Agree? And once unmanaged, often leads to hating the work and quitting. So, before we even reach that point of breaking down and despising our profession as teachers, let me share with you some tips which will help you live a less stressful teaching life.

LEARN TO SAY NO.
Yes, learn to say no. The problem with many of us is that we feel it is our duty to do everything that is asked of us especially by our superiors (e.g. Principal, Assistant Principal, Department Head) or even co-teachers. Upon careful examination, most of them are simply favors being asked of us. And because we are so good-natured, we try to accommodate all of them, which actually leaves us with very little time for ourselves, to relax and enjoy.

How then do we say no? First, don’t feel guilty saying no especially if you feel that by saying yes, you will end up sacrificing so much time which you could use in accomplishing your very own list of priority tasks. Second, deliver the message in a polite way. Facial expression and tone of voice are very important when turning down someone. Remember, you can always deliver bad news in a not-so-bad way. Third, be proactive. Instead of simply turning down, why not extend a hand by simply offering alternatives to help the requester? That way, it would sound like a win-win situation for the two of you. Lastly, be firm by giving the requester a reason why it is a no and not an excuse. Just be honest about why you need to say no, and for sure, people will more likely to understand.

EMPOWER YOUR STUDENTS.
Why not tap your students to help you out? I’m not saying, ask them to check test papers for you especially if your school policy doesn’t permit you to do so. Empower the class officers to help you out in the checking of attendance, monitoring of discipline concerns, collecting of class fund. You could also tap the creative students of your class to help you in bulletin board designing and in coming up with ideas for song and/or dance class competitions. This way, you could make your work a little lighter plus you could even train your students to face challenging tasks. And what is even a more important outcome of this is heightened self-esteem among your students brought about by your trust in their talents and capabilities.

MAXIMIZE YOUR VACANT PERIODS.
Instead of being idle by doing non-work related tasks, be productive. Bear in mind that the time you spend in school is your time for work. As much as possible, devote your vacant periods to doing the clerical side of teaching: checking papers, recording and computing grades, preparing visual materials, and lesson planning. By doing so, you are protecting your weekends from paperworks.
It is also good to always come up with a list of To Do’s everyday and do your very best to accomplish what’s in your list. This then would remind us to come up with a realistic list of To Do’s, something you can really finish by the end of the day.

COMPUTERIZE AND KEEP A FILE OF YOUR TEACHING MATERIALS.
When you are to prepare a quiz, computerize it. Keep a hard and soft copy in your disk. You can do the same for lesson plans and visual materials. Re-use the effective ones and improve on the not-so-good ones. Through the years, you will be able to come up with a compilation of the best lesson plans, teaching materials and evaluation tools which you could always refer to when you are in need of one. This would definitely save you time and effort.

KEEP YOUR WEEKEND SACRED.
As much as possible, weekend is the time for God, family and oneself. You need your weekend to de-stress your life a bit, to re-charge so that by the following week you are in your best shape again. My advice is to engage into something different like sports or exercise (especially for those who need trimming down), socialize like going to parties (especially for singles), other recreation like cooking, arts, gardening, part-time business ( for those needing extra income), graduate school (for those requiring themselves to have MA and PhD), or anything that is out-of-your weekday routine. This will truly help you achieve work-life balance.

I Know Something Good about You

2008-03-20T11:39:00.000+08:00

Wouldn’t this old school be better
If the teachers we meet would say
“I know something good about you!”
And treat us just that way?

Wouldn’t it be fine and dandy
If teachers look with eyes so true
And carried with it this assurance –
“Kid, I know something good about you!”?

Wouldn’t school life be a lot more happy
If the good that is in me
Were the only things you’ll remember
No matter how difficult this may be?

Wouldn’t life be a lot more heavenly
If we praised the good we see?
For there’s such a lot of goodness
In the worst of you and me!

Wouldn’t it be nice to practice
This noble way of thinking, too:
You know something good about me;
I know something good about you?

Ask Yourself A.S.K.

2008-03-20T11:03:00.000+08:00

There’s no doubt that you’re a GOOD teacher! However, your visit to this tambayan tells me that you are not contented with being one and that you are actually in search for what actually will make you, a good teacher, GREAT!

Let me then share with you a concept I learned from one of the trainings I attended which I find really useful when considering how to be truly effective in almost everything that you do. In our case – in becoming an effective teacher… a great teacher! This concept is known as A.S.K.ing.

I see A.S.K.ing as a pre-requisite to becoming a great teacher! How? A.S.K. stands for Attitude, Skills, and Knowledge. Simply put, among us, teachers, A.S.K.ing is a simple way to assess our attitude toward teaching, to check if we have the skills necessary to function well in the classroom, and to evaluate the amount of knowledge that we have on the subject we are handling.

Of the three criteria, I believe the easiest to evaluate is no other than KNOWLEDGE. Do consider: If you have an education degree, is the subject you are teaching your major or your minor field of concentration? If you’re an AB or BS graduate, is the subject you are teaching relates to your course? A good example to illustrate is a teacher teaching Mathematics who is a BS Math graduate or a teacher who handles English classes who is actually an AB Speech and Communication graduate.

Let me now ask you, “How would you be able to effectively teach something you have limited knowledge of?” It is never possible that you are just a step ahead of your students or, worse, you are of the same level as them. You do not want that every time your bright students asked you tough questions, you will simply resort to saying, “Let me check that out and I will answer your question tomorrow.” Remember that we are supposedly experts in what we teach, and that we could never share something we don’t have.

The second criterion is skills. Do you have the right skills? Some of the general skills I see necessary for us to be a great teacher are those involving the three different stages of lesson presentation: planning, delivery of lesson, and student handling.

Under planning, you might look into persuasion skills. Are you able to persuade your students to buy your ideas as a product of carefully lesson planning and preparation? How good are you when it comes to matching lessons with the right activities so that your students are not just guided accordingly as they learn the concepts but are also having fun in the process? Being skillful at this will help you establish that credible image of a great educator.

Under delivery, platform skills play a major role since is it through how we maximize the use of our words, voice and body language that captures and sustains attention of our students. Examine how you look and sound in front of your students. Did you look enthusiastic when having that discussion on computing square roots? Did you sound madly in love when you discussed Romeo and Juliet in class? Consider that before you could make your student feel, look and sound excited over a lesson, they should be able to see that excitement in you first. Never expect to experience a truly motivated class if the teacher herself is never motivated.

Under student handling, interpersonal communication skill is a must to have. It is the ability to manage your students’ behaviors without resorting to the use of harsh words or even corporal punishment. In other words, it is disciplining through effective communication. Communicate with them assertively by showing them a great amount of respect. Yes, it is through the observance of respect that a harmonious relationship in the classroom is built. You need to respect your students so that you gain their respe ct in return. Always treat them well.

The third criterion, which I consider is the most challenging to address is Attitude. Ask yourself this, “Am I happy being a teacher?” If your honest-to-goodness answer to this is yes, you are, then let me congratulate you. Not all who end up teachers turned out to be happy. It’s true that many are just forced into becoming one. And yes, I pity them, but I pity more their students. Oftentimes, their students end up victims of their ungratefulness to the profession. They come to class unprepared; they waste time; they often get mad, and they even fail students in spite of their own inadequacies as teachers. How sad! We need to realize It is the love and passion for teaching that serve as the driving force behind every successful and great teacher. Without these, we could never dream of becoming any better.

What then should you do if after A.S.K.ing you feel you’re lacking in one of the three criteria? Don’t feel disheartened immediately. What you can do is to work on what needs re-working. Knowledge and Skills are best address by continuous learning. Enroll in short courses, attend trainings, read various references, and learn from another teacher’s experiences. All these lead to enhancement of both knowledge and skills. How about when it comes to Attitude, which seems more challenging to work on? It’s helpful to know that Attitude is a product not only of one’s culture but more importantly of one’s choices. This means whether you are happy being a teacher or not all depends on what you’ve chosen to be. Let me tell you that there are indeed hundreds of reasons to be a happy teacher, but it takes the right attitude to discover each one of them. Begin by asking yourself A.S.K.!