Star Teacher

Learn and understand the different components of reading to help your students become effective and enthusiastic readers.

Being able to read is one of the most valuable things a person should possess in life. Apart from enjoying stories, feeding your mind, and getting through school, you need reading for many other everyday activities such as navigating your way around different places, finding out what is going on around you, and getting information when there is no one to ask.

Learning how to read, however, is not as spontaneous as learning how to chew. It is more like learning how to ride a bicycle or learning a sport. Someone needs to teach you how to do it, guide you when things get difficult, and support you when you make mistakes or feel defeated.

Some children learn to read without a lot of difficulty. Others need a bit more effort.

Parents and teachers have varied approaches in teaching children how to read. To be effective, you need to know what the components of reading are and comprehend how it takes place. It is also very important to know when to start teaching reading.

What is reading and when do you start teaching this?

Essentially, reading is making sense of written words. According to Reena Ermitano, a reading specialist, “Text is speech translated into print using a set of symbols or coded language. And when we read, we do the opposite. We are actually translating print back into speech.”

The initial groundwork for reading actually starts from infancy. By now it has already been established that babies are not blank slates, but in fact, are already beginning to learn even while they are still in the womb. When babies are constantly talked to, read to, and allowed to listen to nursery songs and rhymes, they begin to learn language. As they grow older, they realize that the words spoken to them actually have meanings and they try to say them. When they start talking, they learn new words rapidly and may sing or chant along to nursery rhymes or repeat familiar words learned from a favorite book. When they reach elementary school age, they become able to read words from memory or to join together letter sounds to form a word. Eventually they will progress from reading simple books to chapter books and novels.

Teaching someone how to read words is best done by age six or seven when children are developmentally ready. For the longest time, children have been taught to read either by phonics (sounding out the letters of a word based on a series of rules) or the whole language system (whole word recognition and memorization and connecting them together). The use of one method over the other has not really shown great results. However, the use of these two methods together, yields better results.

In addition, providing aural exercises to prepare the ears to recognize and differentiate letter sounds is also a big help. Because the written word is a representation, in print, of the spoken word, it makes sense that, before you are able to identify and make sense of it, first you must be able to understand the spoken word.

The Three-Pronged Technique to Teaching Reading

The good thing about using this three-pronged technique to teach reading is that it can be used for anyone at any age:

Technique 1: Aural Training

Listen to nursery rhymes, read rhyming books and poems, and play rhyming games. Most children’s books and songs are written as rhymes. These are extremely fun because of their sing-song nature and the repetition of sounds. Older children might appreciate rap music, carefully chosen to reject those with inappropriate lyrics, of course.

Some rhyming games that you can play are the following:

1. Body Parts RhymingGame – Point to a body part and say a word that rhymes with it (e.g., point to head and say bed). The child then has to name that body part. Other examples are ulo = dulo, kamay = hanay, ilong = gulong.
2. Fill in the blanks – Use a familiar or favorite song, chant, or poem. Highlight the words that rhyme and cover the second word. Present children with two words and ask them to choose which one rhymes with the highlighted word to complete the line. An example,

Sampung mga daliri, kamay at paa

Dalawang tainga, dalwang mata

Ilong na maganda = highlighted and covered

Words to choose from: matangos/maganda

Technique 2: Phonics Component

Teach the alphabet and the alphabet letter sounds. One must be able to recognize the letters of the alphabet and differentiate them from numbers, shapes, or other symbols. Once letters can be identified, the corresponding letter sounds can be taught and then combining sounds together to make words will follow. It would be important to remember to teach the correct phonics rules, otherwise, children will not be able to correctly decode new words and gains in reading will never be achieved.

Below are some exercises to make sure that children know their letters, letter’s sound, and how to blend sounds together:

1. Make a chart of the alphabet; one with pictures and one with just letters. Go through the picture alphabet one by one to review letters and their sounds. When the child is able to do this easily, take out the letter chart only. Ask the child to tell you the sound of each letter. Because there are no pictures, the child has to count on his memory. You can also find out which letters/sounds the child has difficulty remembering.
2. Make an Alphabet Book for each child or one for the whole class. If children are able, they can draw pictures of things that start with each letter. If not, you can look for pictures from magazines together and cut them out to paste in the book. This can be used like the alphabet picture chart for review.
3. Another fun game to use when joining sounds together is connecting three sounds to form a word: you sound out words in three parts and children have to say the whole word, e.g., d-o-g, pa-la-yok, d-e-sk.

Technique 3: Whole Language component

Help children recognize whole words by constantly exposing them to words in charts, books, and signs (such as STOP, EXIT, PUSH). Always place them in context so that it will be easier to comprehend and remember. Knowledge of phonics is still necessary to decode new and difficult words, but, for the most part, this technique helps develop sight-reading.

Helpful exercises for this are:

1. Read alouds
2. Quiet reading
3. Frequent guided reading in small groups

Identifying delayed or challenged readers

It is very easy to label children who have problems with reading as lazy or slow. This, however, does not help them get better. What happens instead is that the parent or teacher becomes less motivated to teach or indifferent to the children’s learning.

If learning how to read has not happened by the time a child is in 4th grade, all is not lost. First, the problem must be recognized so that intervention can be specific and helpful. Even older children and adults can still be taught how to read with patience, the proper mindset, and the appropriate methodology.

Tips for fun and enjoyable teaching moments

Below are some things that Ermitano suggests to make reading pleasurable and fulfilling.

1. Practice makes perfect. Have children read more frequently and extensively to enhance comprehension, the ultimate goal of reading.
2. Set a regular reading time so children can read aloud daily or alternately with a supervising adult. Older children are never too old to appreciate picture books. By the same token, preschoolers are neither too young to listen to chapter books. Older children could engage in sustained silent reading as well.
3. Choose reading material that is of high-interest to the child, such as those that cater to their hobbies and interests. Some parents take issue with having their kids read magazines, comic books or graphic novels, but in my opinion, anything to get them started reading is a big step in getting them hooked on it. Books with a lot of humor are a hit (e.g. Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, and Sweet Farts series by Raymond Bean).
4. Have them read literature that consists of words they can mostly read and understand. Children lose motivation to read when they read material that is too difficult for them. For struggling readers, they could even begin with books that are much easier than their instructional level just to build self-confidence and feelings of self-efficacy. As they say, success breeds success.
5. Allow children to simply read for pleasure. While it is important that adults ask questions about what students read or require them to monitor their comprehension, sometimes children just need to read for enjoyment without the pressure of being quizzed or having to come up with a book report or a project about it.
6. Immerse children in award-winning books and high-quality literature and educate them on how to choose books on their own.

7. Regulate television and video or computer gaming, particularly if the child has attention issues.

Identifying areas of difficulty

To determine what level a child should be starting from; it is necessary to identify the student’s instructional reading level. The idea is for the child to be able to comfortably read the words in a passage, but also have an adequate understanding of what they are reading. Students should recognize at least 90% of the words on a page, and at least understand 75% of what they are reading. Because when a child is reading material that is too easy (independent level) or way too difficult (frustration level), learning is not optimal. A well-experienced reading teacher in school trained in administering informal reading assessments can determine the appropriate starting point for reading instruction.

Ideally, however, the evaluation and management of reading delays is best carried out using a multi-disciplinary approach, in which a team of professionals from various backgrounds get involved (e.g. developmental pediatrician, psychologist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, reading specialist, special education teacher) because reading problems are also usually accompanied by other conditions such as speech and language delays, attention difficulties, and socio-emotional issues which also need to be addressed if the child is to achieve his/her full learning potential.

Stages of Reading Development

According to Jean Chall, a world-renowned reading expert and psychologist, there are 6 Stages of Reading Development. Stages 1 and 2 are stages where children learn to read while Stage 3 is when they read to learn.

Stage O: Pre-Reading Stage (Up to age 6)

Oral language development

Develops phonological awareness skills (e.g. rhyming, alliteration, blending, segmenting)

 Stage 1: Initial Reading or Decoding Stage (Grade 1)

Learns letters of the alphabet and that letters represent sounds

Recognizes sight words

Uses sound-spelling relationships

Stage 2: Confirmation and Fluency (Grades 2 to 3)

Develops decoding skills

Fluency: Reading becomes accurate, automatic, and effortless

Stage 3: Reading for Learning New Information (Grades 4 to 8 )

Expands vocabularies

Builds background and world knowledge

Develops strategic habits to make meaning from texts

Stage 4: Multiple Viewpoints (High School)

Analyzes texts critically

Understands multiple points of view

Stage 5: Construction and Reconstruction (Post Secondary)

Construct understanding based on analysis and synthesis

When a novel is turned into a movie, would you rather read it or just watch the flick? We say, both!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Coraline Jones (Yes, it’s Coraline and not Caroline as most people often assume) is an adventurous young girl whose parents are too busy for her and whose new apartment complex is filled with nothing but eccentric old people. One day, she discovers a door and a key. Beyond that door is another mother and father who dote on Coraline and indulge her whims. Will Coraline be tempted to stay in the alternate world beyond the door or fight her way back to her real parents? In this modern day Alice in Wonderland, Neil Gaiman creates a dark world reminiscent of those gloomy rainy days.

The movie version of Coraline was created using claymation. The use of claymation allows it to capture many of the eccentricities of the story and the characters while giving it a more realistic, eerie quality. One major change in the story is the addition of Wyborne, a young boy around Coraline’s age who is the grandson of the owner of the apartment complex. The addition of Wyborne gives the story a friendship aspect as Wyborne helps Coraline despite his cowardly tendencies.

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Flipped illustrates the truth that there are two sides to every story. For Bryce Loski and Julianna Baker, it is something they have yet to figure out. The minute Juli Baker sees Bryce Loski’s blue eyes, she is captivated and convinced that he will be her first kiss. But the sight of Juli Baker makes Bryce Loski want to run and hide. Throughout their childhood, Juli does all the chasing. But in the eighth grade, things happen that change their outlooks in life and their feelings towards the other. Told from two perspectives, Flipped is a story about family, first love, and growing up.

The movie version of Flipped, though mostly faithful to the story, even down to minute details, made one significant change that enhances the overall feel and tone of the novel. Flipped the novel is presumed to be set in the present time or at least after 1980. The movie version however is set in the 50s or 60s. The setting allows the movie to capture the innocence and child-like perspective that the book tries to espouse. This child-like innocence allows the movie to tackle deeper issues such as social inequality, prejudice, and mental disabilities with a lighter tone. Overall, Flipped the movie effectively brings the book alive. Both are worth seeing and appreciating.

How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

On the Isle of Berk, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is beginning his training to become a full-fledged viking. The only problem is, despite being the son of the Chief, Hiccup is probably the complete opposite of what a viking should be. Each viking in training gets to pick their own dragon and Hiccup ends up with the most useless, selfish, and definitely the smallest dragon, whom he names Toothless. The series follows Hiccup and Toothless on various adventures in which Hiccup surprisingly proves to be the hero despite all odds being against him.

The movie version of How To Train Your Dragon deviates from the books in many aspects. In fact, only the concept of vikings and dragons seems to remain constant. In the movie, Hiccup is still considered the useless son of the Chief, but Toothless is actually a rare and dangerous dragon. Vikings and dragons are enemies and the viking children are trained to defeat dragons. Hiccup is more of an inventor and he creates a machine that eventually ends up injuring Toothless and capturing him. The movie follows Toothless’s recovery and Hiccup’s attempts to train him. The movie has more emotional pull and character development, while the books are more humorous. The movie will make you want to read the books and vice versa.  

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill A Mockingbird, set in the 1930s, is a story about growing up. The story is told from the perspective of Scout Finch, a six-year-old girl, who lives with her older brother Jem and their widowed father Atticus, a lawyer. The novel actually delves into serious societal issues such as racism and prejudice. It chronicles the children growing up in the town of Maycomb, Alabama. Most of their summer adventures involve the social recluse Boo Radley, who the children find fascinating. Although he never shows himself, he makes his presence known by leaving small tokens for the children. The main conflict in the story occurs when Atticus is tasked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. It is during this trying time that Atticus’s moral character is tested and Jem and Scout have to endure taunting and teasing. As the story is told from Scout’s perspective, we see the events unfolding through her innocent eyes.

The movie was made in 1962 and was most definitely a testament to the book. All the characters were acted out well, especially the role of Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck who went on to win an Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal. Though the movie is shot in black and white, somehow it lends to the film’s authenticity and the feeling of a sleepy town called Maycomb, Alabama. The movie and book are said to be an autobiography of sorts and Lee’s father served as the inspiration for Atticus Finch. The book and the movie complement each other well, but it’s really the story itself and the values it presents that are worth reading and learning.

What’s in a name? This fun story will teach your students how to love the moniker they were born with.

A little boy feels unhappy about the fact that he has an unusually long name: Gatpuno Ping Emilio Juanito Santiago R. Lakanilaw. Writing down this lengthy name in school always tires him out and lets him miss out on playing with his classmates. When he talks to his mother and admits to being frustrated with his name, she surprises him by explaining the reasons why he got every single one of them. In the end, the little boy learns to appreciate his extraordinary set of names.

IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Our Heroes’ Names

As mentioned in the storybook, the term “Gat” once indicated that a person was a hero. Ask your students to research about the meanings of their favorite Philippine heroes’ names and share them in class. Take the lead by discussing these examples:

•  Dr. José Rizal

Our national hero’s full name is José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. José is a Spanish name derived from the Hebrew name Joseph which means “God will multiply.” His second name Protasio is said to be taken from Saint Protase whose feast day falls on June 19 (Rizal’s birthday). It is Greek in origin, and is defined as “the preferred one.” The surnames Rizal Mercado come from his father’s side (Rizal is from the Spanish word Ricial which means green fields, while Mercado means market—a term that pays tribute to his family’s Chinese merchant roots) whereas Alonso Realonda comes from his mother’s side.

•  General Emilio Aguinaldo

Derived from the Latin name Emil, Emilio is a name that suits the first president of the Philippines because of its meaning: to strive or excel. As a member of the KKK, he strived to free our country from the grips of Spanish colonizers.

•  Gabriela Silang

Maria Josefa Gabriela Cariño Silang was the wife of Diego Silang, the well-known leader of the Ilocano uprising. Her names have deep spiritual weight since they are variants of the names of holy beings Mary (the mother of Jesus) and Gabriel (the archangel who delivered God’s message to Mary). Meanwhile, her second name Josefa is a Hebrew name that stands for “the Lord’s addition.”

2. Naming Practices Around the World

These customs may provide surprising reasons for people’s names.

Africa – Parents believe that the name of a baby can influence the course of his life and his family’s future, that’s why they take many things into consideration before making a choice. Some African babies have two names—one is given as soon as they’re born, and the other is given during a later celebration.

China – It’s no secret that the Chinese give utmost importance to the family unit, making it common practice for the surname to come before an individual’s two-character name. Traditionally, the male members of a generation (siblings and cousins) share the same first character to signify their relations.

France – The French pass on the father’s name to the daughter by simply changing one or two letters to make it sound more feminine.

Hawaii – Hawaiians love giving their children descriptive names based on nature. For example, the first name of actor Keanu Reeves means “cool breeze over mountains.” Names that start with Kelii- (“chief”) or end in -lani (“sky”) could only be used by those with high social standing.

Ireland – Depending on the baby’s gender, the firstborn child adopts the name of the paternal grandfather or maternal grandmother as a way of honoring their elders.

Japan – In some Japanese families, you can tell the chronological order of the boys because their names simply state them. Ichiro means “first son,” Jiro means “second son,” and Saburo means “third son.” Girls, on the other hand, are given more virtuous names such as Akiko (bright child) and Kimiko (noble child).

Sweden – Before the Names Adoption Act was passed in 1901, family names in Sweden were originally patronymic. The most common surname was Johansson, which meant that the person was the son of Johan.

3. Say What?

These lengthy, mind-boggling names will make your students gasp for air while saying them.

•  Kananinoheaokuuhomeopuukaimanaalohilo

This Hawaiian name has got 37 letters to it! Believe it or not, the masculine moniker stands for “the beautiful aroma of my home at sparkling Diamond Hill is carried to the eyes of heaven.”

•  Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateahaumaitawhitiurehaeaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu

A 305-meter hill found in New Zealand, this land formation gained popularity due to its lengthy name that means “the summit where Tamatea, a man with big knees, a climber of mountains, a land-eater who traveled about, played his nose flute to this loved ones.”

• Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit

This is the actual name of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It roughly translates to “the land of angels, the great city of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of Ayuthaya, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, a happy city abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.” Definitely a mouthful even in English!

4. Name Game

Challenge your class’s vocabulary by doing this short activity.

For the first round, ask your students to describe themselves using the first letter of their names such as Jolly Joanna or Boisterous Beth. Each student should give an adjective that has not been used by his other classmates. Applaud the students who come up with unique and creative descriptions for themselves.

For the tougher second round, make them pair up with their seatmates and come up with fitting adjectives for every letter of their seatmate’s name.

For example:

C – Cute

H – Hardworking

E – Energetic

S – Sincere

K – Kind

A – Animated

Challenge them even further by asking them to come up with adjectives for every letter of their last name as well!

Much of what we know about our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, came from textbooks or things we’ve been taught in school. Some Filipinos remember him by his two great novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Others may be familiar with his famous sayings such as, “Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang hayop at malansang isda.” But for the greater majority, Rizal only happens to be an image on a one peso coin or a monument in Luneta Park.

Who was Jose Rizal really? Was he just the literary genius that history made him to be? Was he always the freedom fighter pinned against Andres Bonifacio at the height of the Spanish colonial period? What activities did he enjoy? What kind of person was he? Was he just like you and me?

Check out the following accounts and get to know Jose Rizal, the man.

Rizal was stingy

In Rizal Without the Overcoat, Ambeth Ocampo narrates how Rizal asked all guests in a New Year’s potluck party to pay their share of the champagne bill. People thought it was a joke until Rizal passed his hat around.

During his many travels, Rizal would always ask the front desk in the hotel where he planned to stay how much the rate was with and without breakfast. Most often, he opted for the latter to save money for his other purchases.
In his book, First Filipino, Leon Ma. Guerrero relates how Rizal survived on a  budget of 50 pesos a month while he was in Europe. He had once written his sister  Maria that he had not taken a bath for months because “it was really expensive.”

Rizal loved tuyo

Ambeth Ocampo devotes an entire chapter of his book to Rizal’s favorite foods. For breakfast, he liked hot chocolate, a cup of rice, and sardinas secas or tuyo. Lunch was ayungin or silver perch. His cook in Dapitan remembers that Rizal normally had three types of viands. The first was local food such as sinigang or  paksiw. The second was Spanish, and the third, he described as “mestizo.”

Rizal also enjoyed pancit, lanzones, and mangoes. He drank his water with ice, didn’t like wine but drank beer so as not to call attention to himself while in Europe.

Rizal was sometimes a proud man

Ocampo also relates that while Rizal was in Europe, there were times when he would run out of money to buy food as his allowance from the Philippines arrived late. Since he didn’t want his landlady to know he had no money, Rizal would go out during mealtimes and walk around town to pass the time, angered by such small misfortunes. It was only after mealtime that he would return home when everybody assumed he had eaten.

Rizal vowed never to buy anything from the Chinese

Rizal had an unfortunate disagreement with the sari-sari store owner at the Dapitan Stocking Market of 1896. Priests had decreed that women should attend mass in shoes and stockings. To observe the decree, women came in men’s socks bought for three reales a pair from a Chinese merchant. To take advantage of the demand, and to compete with the Chinese merchant whom he thought had exploited the natives (Filipinos), Rizal had two dozen socks sent to him by his sister. Unfortunately, the trend ended when he was ready to sell; and while the merchant had sold most of his stocks, Ocampo says, Rizal had “nearly 10 years worth left.”

Allow your students to learn the relevance of our national hero’s life in these modern times by discovering more about him yourself.

Rizal was a gym buff

To compensate for his small stature, Rizal did weight-lifting exercises to improve his physique. This fact was confirmed when cement barbells were later discovered in his Dapitan home.

Similarly, Leon Ma. Guerrero noted that as a child, Rizal was made fun of by Pedro, another student in school. Rizal was never quarrelsome but in this instance, he challenged Pedro to a fight and surprisingly, won.

Rizal was interested in science

During Rizal’s exile in Dapitan, he explored the jungles and coasts of Mindanao with his young pupils. He inspected various specimens of insects, birds, lizards, snakes, frog shells, and plants, and sent these specimens to the Dresden Museum in Europe in exchange for scientific books and surgical instruments.
Some of the rare specimens Rizal discovered were named after him. These included a flying dragon (Draco Rizali), small beetle (Apogonia Rizali), and a rare frog (Rhacophorus Rizali).

WHAT RIZAL SAID

These accounts show us how much Rizal was like many of us. However, his life and works
reveal that a person, as long as he has a clear vision and a strong will, can accomplish his desired goal. As then-senator Richard Gordon said during the commemoration of Rizal’s 148th birthday, “Jose Rizal showed us that even if we were colonized by foreign nations, we can refuse to be bound by them, by having a vision and strengthening our values. He showed that Filipinos could excel and compete with the best.”

Let’s take a look at some of Rizal’s words which, Gordon claims, have made him “the first Filipino to break the walls in his mind.” As a reaction to what our colonial rulers had fed Filipinos then, Rizal’s thoughts ignited the Filipinos’ fight for freedom. These same words continue to guide us through various aspects of human life today.

On love for country and the Filipino language

•Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang hayop at malansang isda.

•While a people preserves its language; it preserves the marks of liberty.

• I love my country, the Philippines, because I owe her my life and happiness, and because
every man should love his country…

• There you have the country; love her as she deserves to be loved.

“His life and works reveal that a person, as long as he has a clear vision and a strong will, can accomplish his desired goal.”

On law and government

• There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves.
• All men are born equal, naked, without bonds. God did not create man to be a slave; nor did he endow him with intelligence to have him hoodwinked, or adorn him with reason to have him deceived by others.
• The tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of others.
• Treat the people well, teach them the sweetness of peace so that they can love it and maintain it.

On education

• The youth is the hope of our future.
• Without education and liberty, which are the soil and the sun of man, no reform is possible, no measure can give the result desired.

• Youth is a flower-bed that is to bear rich fruit and must accumulate wealth for its descendants

• Where are the youths who will dedicate their innocence, their idealism, enthusiasm to the good of the country?

On life and work

• Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.
• A tree that grows in the mud is unsubstantial and good only for firewood.
• It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice.
• A man without will of his own is a man without personality.
Such words are powerful. They mirror the kind of man Rizal was and the values he stood and fought for. Hence, it is important to make Rizal more known to the youth, as it would expose them to the values of nationalism, integrity, and faith in people. The use of Rizal words as instructional materials can help students realize his relevance today. He is after all, a symbol of hope. He is a model that students can imitate. His words bring them to a recognition of their own gifts which may be used to contribute to our  nation’s development.

CREATIVE CLASSROOM

See the activity “What Rizal Said” in Creative Classroom on the back cover page, and follow the mechanics suggested below:

• Each day at the beginning of class, pick out a news topic of issue from the previous day or week. Paste the news clipping or picture of the issue on the second cartolina as described in Creative Classroom.
• Briefly discuss the news item or issue with the class. Then pick out quotation of Rizal from the first cartolina labeled ‘What Rizal Said’ With the students, relate quote to the news item or issue previously discussed to show Rizal’s relevance today.
• Using Rizal’s words as guide, ask students how they would respond to the social issue.
• Give students small label cards and ask them to write their response on it.
• Collect label cards and choose around three to five responses you deem best. Read these out in class and affirm students who wrote them. Let them paste their label cards on the third cartolina labeled “How do I respond today?.”
• Allow the class to express their opinions on how the selected responses mirror Rizal’s views on the chosen quote.
• Do the same thing twice or thrice a week.
• After a month, divide class into groups and challenge them to a song, poetry, or essay writing contest.  Using one quote from Rizal and their own response, the song/poem/essay they write should show how they have derived inspiration from Rizal on what they can become.

 Where in the world are Rizal’s monuments?

Every year on his birthday (June 19) and his execution (December 30), Rizal’s heroism is commemorated at Luneta Park where a monument stands in his honor. The monument recognizes his love for country and his martyrdom. The monument aims to help Filipinos rediscover their identity as well as regain their sense of responsibility.

But apart from the one at Luneta Park, there are other monuments around the world that pay tribute to Rizal, recognizing different traits that have endeared him to so many. Let’s take a look at these monuments.

1. China – This monument, an exact replica of the Manila monument, recognizes Rizal’s Chinese ancestral roots. Built in Jinjiang, it symbolizes the strong bond of friendship between the Philippines and China. The monument aims to show Rizal’s great interest in different cultures.

2. Australia – This monument was built through the initiative of a group of Filipino-Australians and their friends. A fitting tribute to Rizal’s heroism, it recognizes Rizal’s short but meaningful life.

3. Hawaii – This monument was a project of the Kauai Filipino Community Council. It recognizes the value of Rizal’s teachings and the importance of inculcating them in the minds and hearts of our people so they may strive to follow them.

4. Chicago – The unveiling ceremony of the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument in Chicago was held on June 19, 1999. The legacy of Rizal is not only for migrant Filipinos but for the children of Filipino-Americans who would appreciate his life and teachings for generations to come.

5. Washington – This memorial pays tribute to Rizal as a Filipino patriot who, during his short life, made lasting contributions to medicine, political and social reform, engineering and a large number of other disciplines.

6. Mexico – A lot has been written about the Rizal monument being given the name “Motto Stella” (Guiding Star) by Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling (1848-1919). Rizal’s monument reminds every Filipino of the values and principles he stood by and which we are encouraged to follow.

7. Peru -Inscribed on the bust of Rizal are the words: “Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Heroe Nacional de Filipinas, Nacionalista, Reformador Political, Escritor, Linguistica y Poeta, 1861-1896.” He is considered the “Pride of the Malay Race” being the first Asian to advocate Western ideas of social and political liberalism.

8. Spain – Rizal spoke fluent Spanish apart from other languages and this monument recognizes his love for learning. The memorial is a reminder of the time spent in Spain where he studied medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid, to cure his mother’s failing eyesight—a testament of his love for his parents.

9. Germany – It was in Germany where Rizal found the tranquility that triggered great emotions and insights to complete his novel Noli Me Tangere. This book, an expression of Rizal’s love for freedom, created great impact on the Filipinos’ fight for freedom from Spanish colonial rule.

The list of monuments above may be used in the classroom to make students aware of the different Rizal memorials found around the world and to inspire them to emulate the many characteristics that have endeared Rizal to so many people, both here and abroad. To do this, see the activity of the same title described in Creative Classroom, and follow the mechanics suggested below:

• Draw students’ attention to the world map on the classroom wall and point out the countries where the different monuments of Rizal are found.
• Ask students “What is a monument? What is it for? What characteristics of Rizal does each monument represent?”
• Focus on one monument a day. Briefly discuss its significance and the trait of Rizal that each one represents.
• After all monuments have been discussed, ask students which trait of Rizal’s they can imitate and practice in their everyday life.
• Provide students with a checklist and ask them to monitor how they are able to practice this trait on a daily basis.
• Affirm students who show diligence in the practice of the trait every week.
• At the end of one month, choose the top three students who kept their pledges and honor them with the “Rizal of the 21st century” award during a school assembly.

Rizal: A Symbol of Hope

Rizal’s words of wisdom and his many monuments around the world only prove that his memory lives. Like any ordinary Filipino, he desired to see his country be free, develop, and progress. He found a cause he could give his life to and he worked towards it using the gifts he was endowed with.

This is what Rizal is all about. When there is a lack of role models today for young people to look up to, we find Rizal to be that model. He is our symbol of hope: A hope that our country could still redeem itself; a hope that all Filipinos discover their country, fall in love with it, and will their life to serving it.

Making the world (yes, even the world outside your classroom) a better place is completely realistic and doable—and doesn’t require a cape or tights.

“Hero” is such a big word. Often, it conjures images of muscled men in masks and costumes who can effortlessly lift trucks and cars with one hand, or swoop in to catch damsels falling from tall buildings. Other times, it makes you think of valiant, selfless, incredibly passionate historical figures who died fighting for our country’s honor and freedom: Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Ninoy Aquino. “Hero” is such a big word—too big, in fact, that it is a word we rarely associate with ourselves.

But if you start with the simple, seemingly ordinary things in your everyday life, heroism shouldn’t be alien or intimidating at all. Everyone can be a hero, and heroic acts are all around us, happening all the time—because being a hero usually just means standing up for the things you believe in and taking care of the people you love. “Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference,” author David Nicholls says in his bestselling novel, One Day. “Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion… and work hard at something. Change lives through art maybe. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.” Everyone can truly be a hero—because being a hero usually just means being the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.

Your Superpower: Saving Precious Time

At some point, you’ve probably felt like 24 hours in a day is simply not enough to accomplish everything, and you’ve probably wished you can freeze time so that you can catch up with the things on your dauntingly lengthy to-do list. Yet what most people often fail to realize is that it isn’t a matter of doing everything, but a matter of knowing what to do first. Prioritize the things that are both important AND urgent; for example, at seven in the morning, while your kids are busy getting ready for school, your dinner menu and the growing pile of laundry are important but not urgent, while the coffee stain on your blouse is urgent but probably not as important as helping your son find his missing homework. At the end of the day, this twin-pack of superpowers will come in handy: forgiving yourself for the things you didn’t quite get to finish in the past 24 hours, and believing that tomorrow is always a brand new start.

 ”Being a hero just means being the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.”

Your Superpower: Battling Teen Drama

One minute, your daughter is a sweet, polite, little girl who adores you, and the next thing you know, she’s moody, sulky, and doesn’t seem to want to talk to you about anything. Your kid is growing up too fast, and you often feel like you are being shut out. How do you deal? When communicating with teenagers, it’s essential to balance giving them space with letting them know that you will be there for them no matter what. It’s also a good thing to remember that disagreements are inevitable—you won’t always see eye to eye, and yes, there will be a few shouting matches and slammed doors here and there. It’s easy to lose your temper or turn into a hovering, overbearing parent, but a Super Mom will rise above her emotions and keep in mind that teen drama can often be subdued with honest conversation and firm but fair rules. As long as a teenager feels loved, appreciated, and understood, chances are she’ll grow up to be a wonderful, responsible, secure person, just like you.

Your Superpower: Zapping Gossip

The temptation to partake in office gossip is a strong one. It’s entertaining to talk about the juicy details of your co-workers’ lives (like who’s dating who, and who got pregnant out of wedlock, or who’s cheating on whom), and admittedly, there is a certain twisted pleasure that can be derived from dissecting and judging other people’s personal choices and private activities. Think about it, though—in the long run, does office gossip ever really do anyone any good? It hurts feelings, damages reputations, destroys relationships, and in the worst scenarios, causes even the most competent people to lose their jobs. So every time you feel the urge to dish out some harmful gossip or spread a hot piece of news you just overheard at the faculty room, ask yourself if it’s worth all the trouble it will eventually amount to. Take the noble route and choose to keep the information to yourself, whether or not you have confirmed its veracity. You’ll discover that staying away from gossip will not only make other people respect you more, but make YOU respect yourself more as well.

Your Superpower: X-Ray Vision

Heroes are selfless, seeing beyond their own needs and conveniences. They are also open-minded and generous with their trust, seeing beyond the surface and always giving people the benefit of the doubt. In a world that has made a habit out of being cynical and highly suspicious, it can be quite difficult to give someone a chance to prove himself. But as a teacher, you have an advantage over everyone else because you’ve had enough practice in seeing the good in someone within the four walls of your classroom; every day, you strive to bring out only the best in your students, looking beyond their mistakes and digging deeper to reveal the great potential within them. Every day, you look at them through the eyes of someone who believes in them unconditionally. The other people in your life—family members, colleagues, and friends—definitely deserve to be empowered by your unwavering faith too.

Your Superpower: A Megawatt Smile

Although heroism does require a great deal of sacrifice, it doesn’t mean being a doormat or completely giving up the things you love. It doesn’t mean being unhappy, or depriving yourself, or downplaying your value as a person. If anything, it means the exact opposite—celebrating yourself, your life, and your big and small achievements in the hopes that you can serve as an inspiration to others. It’s the little things that truly count: quiet words of encouragement, a pat on the back for a job well done, and a bright, cheerful smile willingly given to a friend or a stranger. The bottom line is that heroic acts don’t have to be grand or complicated—sometimes, all you really need to do to light up the world is spread a little bit of sunshine to the people around you.

Maricel Feliciano Servo has much to look forward to as a new mom with a young career in teaching. What better way to start than with a makeover?

“I am 26 years old but I look 40,” says Maricel. She laughs it off but admits that she doesn’t have time to fix herself each day. Like most teachers, she is busy with the demands of school and a 10-month-old son named Jhomar who she proudly breastfeeds.

After Maricel completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, she went on to teach grade five Aeta students. Two years later, she decided to try it out in Manila. Now she teaches grade two students at CP. Sta. Teresa Elementary School.

A fairly new teacher, Maricel teaches the last section of 33 boys and 12 girls. Though it is not an easy section to teach, Maricel copes by giving them several activities. At the same time, if she feels she is beginning to lose her temper, she just steps out of the classroom and counts to ten. When she returns, her students are quiet and ready to behave. Even if they are a challenge to teach, she says, “Mababait sila at magaling maglinis. Maalahanin sa teacher.” They always greet her whenever they see her and are very sweet.

Currently beginning work on her masters degree in Educational Management, Maricel believes that as a new teacher, it is important to do everything to “improve my talents and my skills and to grow professionally.” At the same time, “dapat lagi kang friendly at lagi ka humble. Always keep your feet on the ground.” And listen to what the older and more experienced teachers have to say.

Maricel looks forward to the day when it will be her turn to help out new teachers and give them advice the way her more experienced co-teachers have done for her.

 Before: Maricel is always trying to find ways to get her students’ attention. Can the makeover team give her a transformation to make them stop in their tracks with awe?

The Outfit: Maricel doesn’t really bother to fix herself up. So we dressed her in clothes that weren’t only stylish but youthful as well, to celebrate her bubbly and sweet personality.

 The Hair: Because Maricel had her hair rebonded last year, she couldn’t really do much with it in terms of style. So Miss Letty gave her hair layers for more body and a fresh, young look.

The Face: Miss Letty suggests taking good care of your skin even if you’re still young. Maricel has good skin, but it is important to begin putting sun block every morning to protect it from the sun. Then a dusting of powder will keep your face fresh and oil-free.

Tip 1: A wrap dress is flattering on almost every body type. Pick a printed one (it helps camouflage bulges!) in a pretty pastel color and accessorize with a simple, classic string of pearls.

Dress from The Flower Collection. Necklace, stylist’s own.

Tip 2: Choose a pencil skirt in a neutral shade to keep your look professional, but feel free to have fun with a cheerful floral top in a sheer material. A braided belt is the ultimate outfit-saver—wear it with dresses, jeans, or a top-and-skirt combo.

Top and skirt from The Flower Collection. Belt, stylist’s own.

Tip 3: The butterfly print on this blouse is young, feminine, and definitely on-trend! Pair it with slacks or dark jeans, then amp up your outfit’s playful vibe with a bright aqua necklace.

Top and slacks from The Flower Collection. Necklace, Anagon Collection.

TEACHERS SAY:

My 10 tips for brand new teachers: 1. Come to school ready with your lesson plan and instructional materials; 2. Organize your classrooms well; 3. Know your pupils;  4. Be friendly yet firm; 5. Be punctual; 6. Seek the advice of seasoned and experienced teachers; 7. Know your subject matter well; 8. Keep communication lines with parents open; 9. Establish classroom rules and routines; 10.  Be simple and pleasing.

ROSE ANN B. PAMINTUAN – PASIG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

Be brave in facing the new challenges of our educational system. Try to use your time, talent, and treasure to inspire and educate the Filipino youth. Don’t be afraid to reinvent the system in order to make a difference.

AMCY M. ESTEBAN – LEGARDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MANILA

Treat students as individuals. Never stereotype. Know your needs and strengths. The teacher has to acknowledge that each student has different foundations and cultures, so capitalize on their character, interests, and needs.

 ISAH ILUSTRISIMO CERAON – MASAMBONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,QUEZON CITY

Brand new teachers should already visualize the real scenario of being a teacher in the public school. They must be willing to sacrifice and devote extra time and effort for the pupils in order to achieve the goal of the department.

JACQUELINE C. ARGAME – MUNTINLUPA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,MUNTINLUPA CITY

Always be READY! Result-oriented with your tasks; Enthusiastic in the execution of your daily lessons; Advanced and updated on the newest trends in teaching; Diligent with your work; and can manage to have Youthful looks despite a stressful day. HAPPY TEACHING!

ROMMEL LOVENDINO-KALAWAAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,PASIG CITY

Take all corners of the school as a venue for more learning, self-improvement, realization, and inspiration because you are there to deal with people—the most interesting creatures on earth.

ADELAIDA P. PALACIO-GUADALUPE VIEJO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Be prepared during observation—remember that first impressions last. Ask colleagues for advice when there are issues and concerns with the pupils or subject matter that you are not sure how to handle. Don’t go to school unprepared. Be confident of the lessons you need to tackle.

LYNEVE DE GUZMAN-KALAWAAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,PASIG CITY

My advice to a new teacher is to follow the three Hs of teaching: use your HEAD to impart knowledge to your kids; use your HANDS to guide your kids to excellence; use your HEART to teach your kids affectionately and make learning fun for them.

FERNANDO PAGSIBIGAN,- DR. A. ALBERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,MANILA

A new teacher must be confident that she can teach. She must be willing to share her talents, time, values, faith, and resources without counting the cost. She must be humble and unafraid to admit she doesn’t know it all. She must also be eager to keep growing and be respectful to all.

JENNY DIVINA GRACIA- EDEL QUINN CHILD DEVELOPEMENT CENTER,PASIG CITY

 Attend a lesson study program to help improve her teaching methods by working with other teachers, examining and critiquing one another’s teaching techniques. Our school is a part of this program and I found out that this is very effective. The monthly lesson study is a collaborative lesson planning session held once a month in preparation for a particular lesson the following month. They can also approach the master teachers to be their mentor or guide. Master teachers can provide advice or guidance for new teachers who may have queries.

MARJORIE LOMEDA DELATADO-TANDANG SORA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL