Arts and crafts for Christmas

Christmas is almost here again! I can't believe that we are one month away from year 2017. I can imagine the decorations and lights everywhere that will make you feel that Christmas is coming, except here and in some other Muslim countries of course. Bazaars and promotions are a plenty for sure. Christmas means different for everyone. For some, it means family reunions and get together with delightful buffet. For some, it means giving, sharing, and reaching out to people in need. While for those who are still going to school, it's the long holidays to look out for! And there's the more significant meaning of Christmas - the celebration of God's incredible act of love through the birth of Jesus Christ.

For preschools, this time of the year means looking and preparing for arts and crafts about Christmas. For many years of teaching young children, I have tried a lot of fun arts and crafts out there but sadly, I didn't have most of the photos - maybe I have them but it may take some digging in my storage device. Anyway, last year I was able to take pictures of some Christmas arts and crafts I made with my Nursery class. I thought of sharing them here for educators and/or parents looking for ideas. Most of them are simple and just need a couple of materials. Check them out:

Santa hat
What you need: party hat template by ohhappyday, red poster paint, sparkles, cotton balls, glue, red yarn

Christmas Tree Sun catcher
What you need: Christmas tree template, colored tissue paper cut in small pieces, glue
(for another version, check this.)

Clever ways

Something funny happened today in our class. Actually, funny things just come and go when you are working with kids.

We were talking about family this morning and I was asking each one of the kids the members of their family. I also asked them about what their mommy and daddy usually do. Some said that "Daddy works in the office" and "Mommy stays at home." I also asked them to draw their family's faces and we made family finger puppets. They also had a chance to draw their family and their house using colored markers and pencils.

There's this youngest kid in my class who's still in scribbling stage when it comes to drawing. He was drawing a lot of circles and I encouraged him to draw his family's faces, still he went on doodling and scribbling. When all of them were done, I asked each of them to tell me what they have created. One of them drew a lot of houses for each of his friends, he said 'Muchos house!' and one of them drew a door and windows on her house. The youngest kid told me that he drew a house while I was making sense of the doodles and circles, and then I asked him where are his family and he answered proudly "My mommy is inside (the house)"

Of reading stories to children

I went to a daycare center when I was a child, and I have no memory of the teacher reading stories to us. It was a time when preschool education was not a requirement before going to elementary classes. There weren't a lot of daycare services that time as much as I could recall, unlike today, daycare services and preschools are everywhere.

I remember that we had a lot of math worksheets and that I really enjoyed counting activities. I think I learned to read when I was in first grade. Though there were other children to play with in the school, it was not so fun at all. I recall that other parents would threat the kids to stop crying or else the teacher would do something bad to them. How would kids feel safe in such an environment?

Fast forward to university life and I was taking my degree, I enjoyed my practicum playing with and teaching the kids. I learned a lot from my cooperating teachers. We planned creative activities that would focus on the children's skills and interest. Truly, the children learn best when they enjoy what they are doing. From that moment on, I realized that I love teaching and being part of someone's childhood. I think it is overwhelming when people recall their awesome childhood and you were a part of it. It's enough reason to keep you going.

Of doing something right

I'm having a great time in the school so far. Aside from keeping me busy with something productive, I'm having fun getting to know the kids, reviewing Spanish language (for one kid in my class), and preparing lessons! It was so nice when most of the teaching resources that you need are just an inch away.

Michael and I are also doing fine with almost everything, from household chores, to simple and big decisions making. I want us to enjoy this time together, while being far from families and friends, and while working and saving for future plans. We always think about when we'll be going home, what to do, because we definitely miss even the little things in the Philippines. Maybe that's the thing with living and working in another country, we live and count the months left dreaming of home. But, missing home doesn't keep us from having fun, happiness can be cheaper than what you imagine it to be.

Finally, I was overwhelmed seeing happy updates from friends in the Antioch community these past few days. They held a sports festival and I guessed that they really had a great time together amidst few conflicts. I remember when we had our first sports festival, there was really the spirit of competition but at the end of the day, everyone went home tired but happy. I am actually overwhelmed that these activities we started years ago were being held regularly, like the fun runs. I was taking my P.E. running class  when I joined fun runs in the university because they were required. I suggested to the community that we could plan a fun run. The first time we organized a fun run in our town with the Antioch community, it was a hit! I'm proud that we still do it on a regular basis. With all the things that I shared with Antioch, I realized that the times I spent on and with the formation are all worthwhile. I can say that I must have done something right with what God has blessed me. Oh, grateful.☺

I'm sharing another good song here, enjoy! 

Of learning while teaching

Teaching has always been my passion, I guess. When I came here in the kingdom, I considered looking for other jobs aside from teaching but I still ended up searching for teaching posts. Maybe because I could not imagine doing other tasks aside from what I've been doing for the last five years.

Schools here had been posting for teachers' hiring few weeks (even days) before the start of the academic year. I sent applications to different schools and there were about four or five who responded. I chose the school with a decent pay and with probably manageable class. I ended up teaching in a school house inside a new western compound here in Riyadh. The kids are mostly westerners so yes, they speak English and it's sort of easier than teaching in a class where the majority speaks a language that I haven't mastered. I have a Spanish student and I'm glad that I can use what I learned from my Spanish course back in college. ¡Muy bien!

My co-teachers were from another Asian country and I've been having some difficulty to explain how I want to teach the children, because they came from schools with a different educational system. We are working around it and I hope that we'll somehow meet in the middle. I am thankful that we get by fine at the moment. And I am thankful too that the school has good facilities, equipment, and materials, especially the playground that I'd be so happy to play at if I were a kid (well, even now, as an adult)!

So far I am grateful for all the teaching opportunities that definitely help me grow professionally. For the last five years, I have learned various techniques and discipline in different school settings and all those molded and established my philosophy in teaching. I really do hope to use all the knowledge that I've been earning in setting up a preschool in the future. For the love of children and teaching, I pray that our brilliant plans will come to life. :)

One of the perks of a preschool teacher - playing with kids!

Know your worth

"Do you know how much you're worth?" I was dumbfounded when my co-teacher asked me. We were talking about the work that we do and the salary that we're getting. She was telling me to demand for what I think I deserve. And I am not so sure of how much I actually deserve.

Looking back to how much I earned from the previous schools I taught in back in the Philippines, I was offered more than those here in KSA. Both in the private and government schools that I taught in, the salary was fixed and non-negotiable. It's either you take it or you leave it. I've been used to decide based on given conditions, and choosing which is better. When I applied for a teaching position here, I chose the better offer. When I say 'better', I mean that the school management looks good and the salary seems alright. But wouldn't it be nice choosing the best option? And 'best' would mean that school management is systematic, professional development is a priority, work is rewarding, and the salary is what I deserve. But then again, how much am I worth in this land far away from home?

It's funny that when I was thinking about it, I would compare myself from how others teach and do their work. I am more creative than her. I am more resourceful than her. I know how to make appropriate teaching materials compared to her. I am more organized than her. Et cetera. But then, she earns more because she demanded for more. She thinks she's worth more.

Last day of class with the Lorax!

Yesterday was our last day of class, but there are still a lot of things to finish. Next week will be the Recognition and Graduation day!

Unfortunately, there would be no moving up exercises for the Kinder class this year, the supervisors had agreed to it. To make our last day in school fun, I decided to give my Kinder class a movie treat since most of them haven't experienced watching in a movie house yet. I thought this would be a great chance to let them have that experience. Our lessons for the last few weeks were about taking care of the community, and The Lorax would be perfect because it has that theme.

Truffula trees everywhere!

I set up the classroom to make it seemed like a movie house and I made a small photo booth for the kids, of course with a little help from friends. When the kids came to the room, they got excited and wanted to watch already! Rules needed to be cleared because kids will be kids.

Me, as Teacher Jill with the Lorax!

  Some of the children got confused with the story so I prompted them throughout the movie so the message wouldn't get lost. I'm glad that most of them knew that cutting down trees, plus trashing the communiy aren't right at all. 

My morning class!

My afternoon class!

After the movie, we took a photo with the Lorax and watched a slideshow of our class activities. It was fun! I'll miss my first Kinder classes in the public school! :)

Under Pressure

I want more days off from work! It's like there'd be no more days after August because of its almost full weekend schedule.

Anyway, we only had two days with classes this week because of National Heroes Day (holiday), and two suspension of classes due to heavy rain warnings. This week had been easy teaching-wise, but I was stressed because of some re-construction and revisions I'm doing in my classroom. I hope that the monitoring team will reschedule their visit in our district. I NEED MORE TIME TO PREPARE MY CLASSROOM!

This week, I was able to get in touch with a former kid in my class. He sent me voice notes and video recording to say hi. It's such a sweet gesture, and it made a teacher like me grateful for what I'm doing.

I'm still praying that I will have more time to prepare my classroom for my kids.

Before I end this entry, I'll be including another song. I recalled this old favorite song (not so old actually) today and felt that I missed listening to this. I found out about this song when there was a music tour in our dormitory during my college days. There was a duo who played this song and I like their version very much. Sadly, I couldn't find them so I'm sharing this one instead, which is as great as the Don Henley original. Listen, please :)

What day is it?

Basic Training Couse, Kinder Demofest, Educational Film Viewing, Sports Fest - Cluster Meet, Mind Education Specialist Training - these had taken up my August aside from my morning and afternoon classes. I couldn't help but feel tired and somehow, accomplished.

September is coming and soon, people will start posting a line from a Greenday song (because it's that time of the year again.) I just hope that the coming month will be better and less tiring. But with the scheduled visit of the division supervisor of Kindergarten program, I have to work hard to make my classroom more child-friendly. I have yet to make a lot of changes and that means, I need more resources and time to make my plans work out.

I'm glad that the internet has been helpful when in comes to looking for ideas and designs for a better classroom, especially for a teacher like me, who loves DIY things.

It's still August but I'm excited already because someone dearest to me will be coming home soon, soon, soon. Maybe, two more months! How quick can it be?! I can't imagine how busy October-January will be. Well, I gotta learn how to manage time more wisely.

Anyway, Vienna Teng came to Manila, Philippines and I wasn't able to watch her live. But, I heard her sing live through live audio streaming! She's so kind to share her music even to those who don't have enough time and resources to listen in her gigs. If you don't know her yet, you better check her out for some soulful music experience (look for Eric's song in YouTube, the live performance, I suggest.) I'm sharing this song of hers for some confidence-boosting music. :)

Teaching and good stories

A month in the public school system was an entirely new experience for me, as a preschool teacher. Also, a month was enough to help me adjust to and love (especially) the work I have.

Everyday is filled with funny conversations with the children and the parents. I love it when children share what they know and feel about the lesson and I love it more when parents tell me what do they children say about what we talked about in class. Unfortunately, there are only few parents who give feedback about their children. 

Everyday, I get to talk to and spend hours with a maximum of 48 pupils, (28 in my morning class and another 20 in the afternoon) and with just a week, I was able to remember all their names. That, for me, is crucial so that the children will somehow feel that their teacher knows them, and that they are important. My voice has started to get hoarse because of singing, talking, and shouting (at times) for six hours every day. I think a big part of it was because of singing. Haha. Good thing that nobody in my class has told me yet that I don't sound good.

So far, my favorite lesson was when we talked about the parts of the body that we can't  see. I chose five organs only such as the brain, heart, lungs, stomach and kidney. I'm glad that they understood the use of each organ and remembered how to take care of their body. I told them that smoking can make lungs sick and almost all of the children told me that they knew someone who smokes. Some of them were their dads, uncles, etc. I told them that they can tell those persons what may happen to their lungs because of smoking. Here is the funny story I heard the day after that lesson (non-verbatim):

Parent 1: Ang anak ko sinabihan si A, nanay ni K.(My daughter told something to A, mom of K.)Parent 2: Ano raw? (What did she say?)Parent 1: Huwag daw manigarilyo, mabubulok ang baga at mamamatay. Ang sabi naman ni A hayaan na lang siyang mamatay. Hahaha (It's not good to smoke, her lungs will get sick and she will die. A just answered that just let her die. Hahaha)Parent 2: Eh, bakit hindi ang tatay niya ang sinabihan? (Why didn't your daughter tell that to her dad?)Parent 1: Sinabihan nga, ayaw na ngang ibili ng sigarilyo 'pag nagpapabili.(She told her dad that, too. She doesn't like to buy her dad cigarette when she was asked to.)

I laughed when I heard that conversation between parents and was glad to know that the message got across. I hope that in the months to come, the class will learn more things and enjoy school even more. Here's to fun-filled learning! ☺

The Challenges

Yesterday, I went to the new school that I will be teaching in for the next ten months. I met the School Principal and some teachers that were on duty that day. They gave me an informal orientation about the school, teachers, the students and the parents. I'm excited for this school year because I will be teaching older kids (that is, a little older than toddlers.)

They showed me the old Kinder classroom and asked me if I wanted to transfer to another classroom which is bigger. I preferred to transfer to a bigger classroom since the recent memo from Department of Education (DepEd) says that the maximum number of students for a regular Kindergarten teacher is 35. Yes, 35. Imagine putting 35 kids in a relatively small classroom. There should be enough space for them to move around, play and do some activities. Well, that's just one of the challenges.

I was surprised to see that the classrooms were not that unattractive. Just some clean up (maybe, a lot) and they will be ready for school. Some rearrangements need to be done; some repainting may be good, too. I can imagine transforming the classroom to make it more child-friendly and conducive to learning and playing. I'll be asking help from friends and it will look alright in time.

The old Kinder classroom

The classroom that I will be using

Next week will be DepEd's program, Brigada Eskwela 2014. It's a time when the teachers invite the community (parents, barangay officers and some concerned citizens) to take part in preparing the school for the start of classes. It's a time when the school focuses on all the facilities and equipment that need some fixing. In some ways, this program helps build supposedly strong relationship between the school and the community, to better the education of the children. On the other hand, I cannot help but think that this program is just a way of the government to address budgetary concerns relating to the improvement of school facilities and provision of necessary materials, because clearly, the funds seem not enough to help the teachers prepare their classrooms every year. Unless, there are funds that are unfortunately, not distributed properly. In the end, the school asks for donations and solicitations from parents, groups and private associations, that can help in much needed improvements. Oh, well.

Though there are a lot of challenges in classroom preparation, I am still excited to make my classroom look better for the learning of the children. I just hope that I'll get enough help (manpower and finance) before the school year starts. I pray for a happy school year! ♡

Thank you, more please!

I am grateful. I recently passed the board examination for teachers which I took almost two months ago. I am grateful. I realized how so much blessings I've been receiving. I am grateful. I learned how faith works when someone is waiting.

Before I took the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), I asked my dad to come with me to check my room assignment at Justo Lukban Elementary School in Paco, Manila. When I saw the classroom, I thought of how I would feel comfortable for the exam, thinking of possible seating arrangement (where I would be seated and so on.) We went to St. Jude Parish church afterwards and I offered prayers related to the LET.

My room assignment was in this building.

St. Jude Parish church

While at the church, I saw a group of friends who were praying the novena and blessing their examination clothes and materials with holy water. That's how I knew that they would also take board examinations. They looked dead serious with what they're doing. And I wonder, we really need to have faith, in case that all else fails.

Let IT be

This is how my table looks like as I read and read as much as I can as a preparation for an examination:

As messy as it can be

I put my earplugs on while playing an album of classical music in a minimal volume as I read and answer questions.

Last night, I looked up at my old readings back in college with the hope to find something valuable for an upcoming examination I am preparing for. Fortunately, I found many articles that I think are very useful for my review. Good thing that I haven't thrown those readings yet, because there are still many interesting articles that I haven't seriously read yet, like What's Wrong with Cinderella by Peggy Orenstein. Most of them are about Anthropology, which interests me very much. 

I have already started reading a lot of things but I feel a little nervous about the examination. I think it's normal, though. So what do I do? Before I start reviewing and reading, I grab my bible and start reading a random verse from it. Some stories I have read were unfamiliar to me, some I already heard. And then, I try to reflect and start to feel better. That's how God's words work, and how His love prevails.

I pray to the loving Lord that may this be His will. Please pray with me, too. God bless me and you! ♡

Say YES to second chance

I said Yes to second chance three weeks ago.

I signed another contract with the school I currently teach at. My reason was just simple. I want to see and experience the changes that may come with the new management. I am positive with the hopeful school year to come. And I believe that God is with me in this decision.

I just hope that everything will go well accordingly.

I enjoyed my 1st batch of summer class with two adorable toddlers, Subie and Andrei. I hope to see them next batch of summer class and the coming school year.

I had a wonderful weekend and I hope to share it here, later or next time. God loves you! God bless you! ♡

Pray. Think.

This week has been both great and confusing.

I had met an interesting person recently, who happened to be our new boss. We were all surprised when the staff introduced him as our new school director. He looks funny, approachable and 'makulit.' He has a good rapport with people, even with those who he just met for the first time. I cannot imagine him sitting in the office and talking with us about the school. Hehe!

And then, he told us about his dreams and goals for the school. They were overwhelming. And exciting. I did not fully participate during the meetings with him, especially when I have already submitted a resignation letter, which means that I'll be leaving by the end of April. But still, my thoughts are still on how these big changes will be done.

He found out that I will be leaving the school soon. So, he talked with me personally and planned stuffs on how he could make me stay. I was thrilled at first because all the while, I thought that my decision was final. And there I was, weighing things out and thinking them over. I need time to think. I have to say that he has strong convincing power.

Because of my confusion and unsettled decision, I told him to give me more time to think. I said that by Friday next week, I should already have my final say. 

This weekend and the following week, I hope to come up with a plan, in which I can both grow and help others grow. Because that's what I want; that's what I need. I thank my co-teachers for praying with me about this. I ask you, to pray with me, too. God bless me and you! ♡

Source: https://edunderwood.com/eds-notes/breakthrough-prayers/

Class has ended

It took me long to write a new post here. Big assignments at school came my way and so, I had to prepare lots of things for three events that I took charge of.

First was our Valentine Event which we called, MINUTE TO WIN IT: Schola Edition. It was tiring yet fun. I  saw the parents looked very happy during the event so were the kids. 

Next was the Farewell Party of the children. It was simple with games that even the teachers have enjoyed. They had an exchange gift and said farewell to each other.

Lastly, but defo the biggest one was the Moving Up Ceremony. We decided that the theme would be DREAM LAND. I enjoyed preparing the invitation and some other things while helping the teachers (only a little) with the backdrop. It was beautiful! I hope I'll have the time to post the pictures here. :)

For now, I'd like to share again a new video presentation that I made for the Moving Up Ceremony. It is our class video.

Anyway, it's our vacation already. It's only a week but it would be enough. God bless you! ♡

9 more days! Oh, it's Christmas!

Days came so fast. And now, we can already count the days with our fingers before Christmas day!

Yesterday, we had our teachers and staff's Christmas Party. We wore red or green shirts for the theme REaDy GREEN Set Christmas Go! I am so happy to receive lots of gifts from our bosses and co-teachers. Too bad I have no time yet to prepare gifts for them. But I hope that I will still have enough time to prepare. We played fun games yesterday, had exciting raffles (I won one of the small prizes - a flat iron) and played BINGO game. We also enjoyed the food that we shared. After the party, we took a group picture and here it goes:

Schola Progressio and Kumon dela Rosa family | Photo by  Nikki

One more week of classes and a Christmas party with the children and it's Christmas break already. For now, I'm still thinking of what to give my children as a Christmas gift. I hope I can finally decide on this.

Though this season may seem a little too overrated, we should not forget why we celebrate it. It is not all about making a wishlist, thinking of what could be a perfect gift or counting how much you will receive. We should remember to be always grateful for the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior and be ready for the celebration of His coming. It is not all about the material things that we give to everyone, a simple prayer would do, especially to those who need it. Let's celebrate this season in the spirit of giving and sharing love. God bless you and me! ♡

F-U-N with kids!

The last week of August (28-31) had been wonderful with the kids! Thankssss God for the success of our activities in school.

For the rest of the week, we focused more on making art and craft that shows the culture of the nation we are representing. For our class (Toddler/Nursery), we represented Philippines since most of our students are Filipinos. For Kinder 1, they represented China while Kinder 2/Prep represented United Kingdom and India. In our class, we painted a Jeepney made of carton and we also made a Sarimanok, a Maranao art, using colorful strips of paper as wings.

Then come Thursday, we had an International Friendship Week Celebration! We, teachers, dressed with the national costume that our class represents while the children wore costumes according to their own nationality. It was fun seeing the kids wearing their national costume! Props to the parents who took effort in finding a costume for their child! Here some of the pictures with my co-teachers and some of the kids.

L-R  Ms. Vangie, Teacher Belle, Teacher Cha, Me (as a teacher), Teacher Carol

L-R  Teacher Belle, Me, Teacher Cha, Teacher Carol

L-R  Me, Sofi (one of my students)

We also played Hopscotch and London Bridge with the children. 

  

Truly, it was a week of fun fun fun!

Yesterday, we went to WOW Toy Museum owned by Mr. Jimmy Madarang. I hope to post pictures here soon. God bless you and me! ♡