Top Five Fun Ways to Stimulate Your Students’ Minds During Christmas Break
Calorie-laden holiday food, the promise of tons of presents to unwrap, and the general festivities associated with Christmas all vie to make any student feel full, lethargic, and with a brain dulled by a lack of intellectual stimuli. It is understandable that any student would want to take a break from schoolwork during this time, but that doesn’t mean they have to put their mind on “idle” mode and shy away from skill and wit-sharpening activities...Read full article.
The value of reflection by using a journal
The book 59 Seconds by Richard Wiseman is a self-help book drawn from scientific findings instead of baseless, feel good mumbo-jumbo. In it, the author extols the benefits of keeping a journal, and explains why writing down one’s thoughts at the end of the day (or at the start) helps in centering the mind.
Compared to simply talking, or worse, ranting, writing down one’s thoughts requires the person to organize his or her thoughts before laying them down on paper. If ranting is catharsis, think of writing as reflection. This isn’t to say talking can’t be a form of reflection, of course. But writing gives a person a physical document that they can reread and ponder over.
...Read full article.
Learning Through Trial and Error
The beauty of learning by doing is that it solves problems and imparts knowledge and confidence in kids at the same time. Helping children understand that it's fine to make a mistake and do things all over again means improving their skill through practice instead of lucky guesswork. It underlines the importance of striving for excellence in place of perfection at the first attempt. More importantly, it teaches them to be independent and critical thinkers.
...Read full article.
How to Discourage Cramming
Trying to absorb volumes of lessons in a short amount of time is commonly referred to as cramming. Though few people swear by its effectiveness, cramming has become an unspoken tradition among many students especially when there's a big examination day approaching. It characteristically involves memorizing large amounts of data over a limited period…not exactly the best technique for retaining information.
Cramming is usually the result of poor time management and prioritization. As an educator, it is important to discourage cramming and promote effective study habits, instead.
...Read full article.
Teacher Material
By Catalina P. Tiu
Teaching. Ask anyone if they'd ever thought of teaching you'd get mixed reactions. Some people would say that it's a noble profession because in your hands lies the future of the country, or, if there weren't any teachers the world wouldn't have developed at all. Others would say it's a job that's too hard since you'd have to stand platoons of personalities everyday they'd rather face a non-combative computer without having to wrestle with juvenile resistance. One colleague even bantered, you have to be "teacher material" to be a teacher. That made me chew over that lip smacking idea: Just what makes someone "teacher material?" I never heard such a thing before. I've heard of husband or wife material but teacher material? Hmm….
...Read full article.
Organize your own Science Fair
Few things spark the student mind like an awesome science fair! During science fairs, students can see scientific theories explode from the page and into the real world (hopefully not literally!). Science is at its most fascinating when students can observe its secrets unravel in the real world. It should be part of every science instructor's plans to at least try to show students how science functions in the practical sense.
...Read full article.
Allaying Exam Fears
The classic sci-fi novel Dune features a passage called the Litany Against Fear. The litany includes the classic line "Fear is the mind-killer." As it is true in the distant planets, so it is in the modern classroom. Debilitating fear can cause poor performance in the classroom and amplify other learning problems. Getting over this fear hump is one of the steps a student should take when preparing for the next big exams. What follows are a few tips you can recommend to students during stressful times.
...Read full article.
Be Better, Be Reading
As with the previous reading recommendations, this month's list includes books in digital format. But this time, all the books listed here are available for free online!
Below are some sources of classic science fiction and adventure books you can require students to read. Because the books are in digital format, it's easier than ever to provide reading materials to students, despite financial limitations, or lack of availability.
...Read full article.
Notable Pinoy Scientists
Much has been said and written about the Philippines' heritage. This includes its culinary heritage, its art heritage, even it's political heritage. Perhaps not as known to the common Pinoy is the country's deep scientific heritage. The Philippines is the proud caretaker of a lineage of scientists that spans not just decades, but centuries.
Even the earliest discoveries of our countrymen have contributed to modern life and the conveniences we take for granted. It's important for students to familiarize themselves with our notable scientists, and understand their contributions and discoveries. After all, having a keen sense of the past will help them dart for the future.
...Read full article.
The Art of Making Time
While every teacher refers to a set of procedures and schedules, many of them know just how non-linear the process really is. Proper time management is a skill that can greatly improve the teaching process. "The modern teacher today should posses certain attributes," says Professor Antonino Manahan, DBA of the San Beda College and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. "Two of these are excellent time management and the ability to meet the needs of the environment in times of chaos and complexities."
Many fine details can pile-up and turn the act of teaching into a complex knot. With Prof. Manahan onboard, we've gathered some time-management tips for teachers.
...Read full article.
Social Media and Education, Part 1
How to create a Facebook Page for your classes
Social networks, like television, radio and bottled water, have become ever-present in modern life. Facebook has become the default social media destination for over 600 million people. According to a study, there are over 9.3 million users in the Philippines. Filipino Facebook users visit the site twice daily, on average, and spend up to 19 minutes a day on the site. If you see someone surfing the net, chances are one of their browsers is logged-in to Facebook.
What initially started as a tool to keep people connected has evolved into a multi-faceted utility. Companies use Facebook to promote their brands and engage the market in conversation. News networks use the "micro-blogging" site Twitter to quickly distribute late-breaking news.
...Read full article.
Top Five Fun Ways to Stimulate Your Students’ Minds During Christmas Break
Calorie-laden holiday food, the promise of tons of presents to unwrap, and...
The value of reflection by using a journal
The book 59 Seconds by Richard Wiseman is a self-help book drawn from scientific findings instead of baseless, feel good mumbo-jumbo.
Learning Through Trial and Error
The beauty of learning by doing is that it solves problems and imparts knowledge and confidence in kids at the same time.
How to Discourage Cramming
Trying to absorb volumes of lessons in a short amount of time is commonly referred to as cramming.
Teacher Material
Teaching. Ask anyone if they'd ever thought of teaching you'd get mixed reactions.
Organize your own Science Fair
Few things spark the student mind like an awesome science fair!
Allaying Exam Fears
The classic sci-fi novel Dune features a passage called the Litany Against Fear.
Be Better, Be Reading
As with the previous reading recommendations, this month's list includes books in digital format.
Notable Pinoy Scientists
Much has been said and written about the Philippines' heritage.
The Art of Making Time
While every teacher refers to a set of procedures and schedules, many of them know just how non-linear the process really is.
Social Media and Education, Part 1
Social networks, like television, radio and bottled water, have become ever-present in modern life.
A professor of English, Catalina Purugganan Tiu, has been teaching for over 17 years and counting. The MA degree holder from De La Salle University in Literature and English was inspired to change profession (she once worked as an advertising copywriter) after getting inspired by the movie, Dead Poets Society. Since then, she has taught in several schools namely East Asia, De La Salle University, College of Saint Benilde and presently, San Beda College. ...Read more Create an ideal learning environment outside the classroom
Knowledge does not necessarily have to be confined within the four walls of a classroom. In fact, many educators agree that education begins at home and becomes an on-going process elsewhere. Setting up an environment that is conducive to learning off campus can help shape children to become self-learners. It can also be complementary to the kind of lessons they will learn at school. There are simple, tried-and-tested ways to encourage kids to treat almost anything they go through in any place as a learning experience. Encourage kids to make reading and book browsing a habit
Everywhere they go, instill in kids the habit of picking up a book and browsing through them if they cannot borrow or read through them due to time constraint. It's a good idea to encourage reading age-appropriate books to fortify their reading aptitude. Assign fun schoolwork that will encourage kids to visit the library or other places where reading material can be easily had. Start an after-school book club where the students can swap books with each other for reading, or else trade the ones they've outgrown.
Establish a work-before-play routine
Placing emphasis on effort and achievement before reward can significantly shape the way children regard learning. Establish a work-before-play routine so that they are trained to prioritize schoolwork before anything else. Be available for them when they have to do seatwork to encourage them to ask questions when something isn't immediately clear. Before the bell rings to signal the end of class (for around fifteen minutes or so), allow the students to do fun things that are not class-related as a reward.
Have an inspiration cork board or blackboard to post or write stuff on
Get creative with learning even outside the classroom. Children love seeing their works displayed on walls as a continuous exhibit of what they have achieved. An inspiration board or a wall especially dedicated to their art projects or medals from school can really motivate kids to aspire for more knowledge and creativity. Encourage them to make collages of their current interests and their favorite subjects. Doing so also helps to shape their personality, emphasizes their strengths, and gives them confidence.
...Read more |
As part of our Christmas offering to you, our readers, we made some inspirational posters to thank you teachers the world over for all their hard work and commitment. Here they are for you to download and share.
MUST-READS FOR CHRISTMASBy Catalina P. Tiu 
CHRISTMAS IN THE BIG HOUSE, CHRISTMAS IN THE QUARTERS (CORETTA)Patricia C. Mckissack and Fredrick McKissack When a book wins an Orbis Picture Award, it is guaranteed an excellent work that promotes literacy at any level of education. Thanks to the National Council of English , this read may well blend into the spirit of learning and -- the spirit of Christmas. Patricia C. Mckissack and Fredrick McKissack's husband-wife tandem work shows how different Christmas can be seen in the eyes of America before Civil War was waged. Once read the disparity between slave owners and slaves are perceptibly seen. ...Read more |
