Walk on the Wild Side

rainforest theme

I know this post is long overdue. Our classes started about 2 weeks ago.

I just want to share our bulletin board for this year. Our theme is the Rainforest habitat. How did we get this theme? Each classroom was assigned to one animal habitat. The sections will also be based on this and of course the design of the bulletin board.

My partner actually conceptualized our bulletin board. I just looked for animal photos and had them printed on tarp so the images will last the whole school year. I also did the grass out of green felt paper, printed the letters and cut them out. 🙂 For the background we just used a light blue cartolina. For the tree trunks, my partner painted them on white cartolina. For the tree canopies, she had the idea to outline them with dark green crumpled crepe paper (wherein I helped her with one canopy :P) and inner part was also made of crumpled light crepe paper. The pink flower was a recycled cut out we used during the moving up ceremonies last school year.

That was basically it :).

Experimental Mango Panna Cota

One thing I’d really like to learn is to cook. I have been trying several simple dishes and so far I’ve been successful. I realized I just need time. One more thing I realized is that I can cook but just too lazy to prepare the ingredients.. I THINK I can cook as long as there’s someone who would prepare the ingredients for me 😐

Well today I tried making a my own version of Mango Panna Cota for Lucas. I let him try the one they have in Tokyo Tokyo and he liked it. So I decided to make one. Of course I did some research on the basic ingredients of a Panna Cota and I can’t believe it’s just that simple. Since it’s experimental, I didn’t actually have exact measurements for my ingredients but I ended up having 3 small bowls and 1 medium-sized bowl. So here goes:

2 cups of all purpose cream
2 cups of fresh milk
about a cup of pureed ripe mango
3/4 cups sugar
1/4 of 1 gelatin sachet dissolved in about 1/4 cup water
2-3 drops of vanilla extract

In low heat I mixed the cream and milk then I added the sugar until it was dissolved. Next, I poured the mango, the dissolved gelatin and finally the vanilla extract. I stirred the mixture until everything was dissolved.

I poured the mixture to 3 small glass bowls and 1 big plastic bowl. I added small chunks of ripe mangoes into each bowl. Cooled in room temperature then covered the bowls with clear plastic wrap before placing them in the fridge.

It was that easy. 🙂 I gave Lucas some of it when it was ready and he really liked it.

I’m just a proud nanay because the kitchen doesn’t really hate me at all 🙂

First Day:Good Day

Yesterday, June 13, was the first day of school in ISYC for school year 2012-2013. Actually just for the Senior Nursery (4’s) and Kindergarten (5’s) Classes (first day of classes for the younger kids was a while ago). Going back, I went to school earlier than usual because there were still so many things I need to fix in our classroom (we added 2 new classrooms on the 2nd floor and one of which was assigned to me and my partner). I was thankful because the staff completed our furniture and decors which means we just needed to put the finishing and minor touches.

My partner’s lead class is the first one, which is the Senior Nursery class. One by one our students arrived. Some with their parents while some just on their own. Most of them knew each other because they were classmates the previous year but of course there were few who were unfamiliar with the group they’re in. We also have two new students who are of course still adjusting to their new environment.

The first class went on smoothly. We’re able to accomplish everything within the shortened period. They obviously liked their new classroom as they explored all the centers. My partner and I had a light and relaxed feeling after the class and we’re hoping the kids felt that too. They were well-behaved and we’re hoping that they’ll stay the same the whole school year. It was also funny because some of them are already starting to show their character that will surely give life to the class. It was really a good start for the Seniors class.

For my lead class, the Kindergarten, it was also a great first day. I had mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety because after 3 years, I’m back to teaching the big brothers and sisters of ISYC. Majority of them are boys, I only have 2 girls. Our first day with them really went so well. I don’t have any new student so most of them knew each other. I would say they liked decorating their cubbyhole names with mosaic tiles and placing their handprint beside a poem about their first day. They also enjoyed listening to the story “The Kissing Hand,” for most of them related how they felt before they went to school. Surprisingly, my kids were behaved :). Again, I’m hoping and praying that they stay this way.

I would say, yesterday was indeed a great first day. I’m embracing all the positive vibes we received during the first day despite the stress during the preparations. I promise myself to try and stay relaxed and optimistic throughout this school year. And I have yet to believe that when one had a good start the end will be a lot better.

Thank God for a good first day 🙂

*photos will be posted soon

Just Busy

It has been a while since I’ve updated my blog.  The past two weeks have been busy for us since the start of classes for this school year is just around the corner.

Two weeks ago, we received an email about the teachers’ schedule and it was really overwhelming.  Our time is limited and yet we have a lot of stuff to accomplish.  I can really say that it isn’t easy to be a teacher especially in times like these.

Let me share the things we have accomplished so far.  

not an original photo

May 30 – Writing Workshop.  In the first half of the day, we had a review and tested our English Proficiency.  In the afternoon, we had a workshop in Creative Writing.

May 31 – Teachers’ Orientation and Introduction of New Teachers

not an original photo

June 1 – Basic First Aid Seminar and Workshop.  Here we had a resource person, a certified first aider from the Philippine National Red Cross, who talked about the basic first aid that we should administer in any case we’ll encounter in school.  This seminar workshop was not only for us teachers but also to the staff.  It was helpful because we’re able to address our concerns and asked what should we do in the usual cases we have in school.  Since we’re dealing with a lot of kids, it is just so important that we know what to do in cases of accidents.

not an original photo

June 4 to 7 – In Service Seminar-Workshop.  Here we have Dr. Evalyn Hizon, a professor in UP Diliman Department of Home Economics (Family Life and Child Development).  I actually realized a lot of things after this 4-day workshop and of course learned more.  Here’s a rundown of topics that she was able to discuss with us:

• Principles of Child Growth and Development
• Philosophies and Approaches in ECE Theories in Child Development (inrelation to the child’s learning and behavior)
• Learning Competencies and Skills Development of Preschool Children
• The Value of Play and Games Using Structured and Unstructured Learning Materials
• Readiness Skills
• Approaches to Reading and Storytelling Techniques
• Developmentally Appropriate Practices
• Understanding the Basics Curriculum Development
• Curriculum Planning and Workshop
• Integrating Subject Matter Areas (Math, Art, Reading, etc) in Curriculum Making and Activity Plans
• The Child’s Learning Environment:  Planning, Structuring and Equipping;  Routines and Schedules
• Classroom Management
• Assessment of Young Children
• Reporting to Parents
• Ethics and Values in ECE

It was a lot right?  But yes, we’ve covered all of them.  These sessions also made me realize that there are more ways to actually teach children.  We can be more resourceful than we think.  

Another thing I liked about Dr. Hizon is her advocacy in using recyclable materials to make learning tools for young children.  She taught us more ways on how we can recycle cardboards, soap boxes, tissue cores, etc. that can be used as teaching tools.

It has really been exhausting and yet productive two weeks for us.  Aside from these workshops, we also needed to decorate and fix our classrooms by putting up the visuals, materials and bulletin board.  

Well, that was it.  I was just plain busy but happy 🙂