Staff Blog
As students engage in putting projects together, creating crafts, and using familiar materials in new ways, they are constructing meaning. These are particular times of learning when students are stimulated to learn as much as possible. In our school, we support the many varied opportunities available to our children.
In one of my respective science classes, we were learning about ears and sounds. I decided to culminate the lesson with making drums out of recycled cans and wooden sticks. As the children worked, I took time to stand in a corner, totally captivated watching the kids paying careful attention to their craft. It was a wonderful sight. My little kids were like a different group of children in an instant. They were working happily with their busy hands and thinking out loud with their creative minds. It was amazing.
This is Group 2A Science Class applying their favorite paint and adding designs to their drums.
Here they were putting on the finishing touches before turning in the
project.
Finally, after all the hard work, we had a parade around
the backyard of our small school. Of course, we played our drums!
On a separate occasion with my SRA Reading class, we were reading the story Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran. It is a story about an imaginary town children created to play in. My students got excited and asked me if they could have their own Roxaboxen. Why! Yes, absolutely! Although I was not sure if it would be fun for the boys in class, it was actually adorable and exciting to watch them all work together. After all was said and done, my doubts disappeared. For one entire day, our classroom became a totally different, special place.
Here in our special place, the children were busy creating their rules and regulations – currency, industry, and a little bit with government. Two children helped manage a fine restaurant.
There were two stalls at the rear end of the town, a bookstore and their own version of Toy Kingdom with all the toys, games, and puzzles one could want.
Since it’s fun to have a lot of people in town, we invited some friends
to visit our place. We had so much fun!
Again in the corner where I stood, I thoughtfully watched my kids. I could see the children thinking differently and in creative ways. It was not only fun, but practical and would benefit them in the long run. I positively, absolutely believe my kids are heading toward bright futures.
Our school is a place where the hands, the heart, and the mind are collectively regarded as one. In days that turn into weeks and months that turn into years, in school our children are learning more than paper and pencil. They are learning hands-on as they grow.
Just a glimpse of one of our exciting days at school…
-Zel Templa, Level B Teacher
Learning About Pottery
We have been so excited to have some special visitors this week - my in-laws! Larry and Vicki have known about CSC for many years and it's so great to have them here to share their gifts with the kids. Since Larry has a passion for pottery, we arranged for him to do a lesson with the kids! He demonstrated "throwing a pot" on the pottery wheel and then gave them the opportunity to make their own clay fish with the help of CSC's art teacher, Teacher Jun Jun. It was a really unique experience for the kids and a fun afternoon for everyone.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Staff Reflections |
Tartanillas---riding in style!
This week, one of our house fathers celebrated his birthday and he decided to bless everyone by renting a tartanilla for all the kids (and adults) to enjoy! What is a tartanilla you ask? It is a horse-drawn carriage. Back in the day in the Philippines---the Spanish colonial days that is----tartanillas were the common mode of transportation. They have since been replaced by Jeepneys, but you can still see some here and there----like on the congested streets of the marketplace or in the provinces! Check out the pictures to see all the fun that was had by the kids, the birthday boy and ME! :)
Happy riders---Aunties and kids alike!
The birthday boy had fun being the driver!
The view from my seat---pretty cool!
SMILES GALORE!!!
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Staff Reflections |
An Every Day Conversation
Teacher Junelyn and I planned an activity for library that involved each of the kids sharing about a favorite book using a prop related to their chosen book. Junelyn and I had our own book and prop picked, but we kept it a bit of a secret from the kids. A student whose class was not participating approached me and whispered, "Tell me what your book is. I won't tell."
I replied, "No, I think I'll keep it a secret!"
The student raised her hand as if to make a pledge and said back to me, "I promise."
Raising my right hand also, I said, "You promise?"
Without missing a beat, she said, "I plead the 5th."
This student is in American Studies and she was applying what she had learned in class to our conversation. I must admit I laughed pretty hard.
Later that day, the kids had a great time sharing about their favorite books. One student dressed as Gandalf from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Another student wore a quiver and horn to represent Robin Hood. Oh, yes, Junelyn and I had the kids try Turkish Delight from C. S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
Introducing Jill Grasley
Meet Jill Grasley (pronounced "grays-lee"). She has joined Children's Shelter of Cebu as Development Officer. We are thrilled to have her on the team. I have been praying for this position for over a year, and Jill is going to be a great fit. She is an answer to prayer!
Jill will work in our US Office in a much-needed role. For the last nine years, CSC's US office has consisted of two full-time employees and one part-time. In those years, our budget has more than doubled--growing from $915,000 to $1,890,000. Now that my job scope has expanded, we need someone who can focus full-time on the fund development that provides our beautiful children with a home.
Jill has been employed at Crossroads Adoption Services in MN for over 12 years. She assisted many families through the adoption process--including several CSC families. Jill has focused the last several years working in the area of fundraising through event management, grant writing, donor cultivation and social media.
|
Jill received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Cedarville University in Ohio and her master's degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. Jill and her husband Michael are very involved in Grace Church of Roseville (Minnesota). Jill is a youth volunteer and their family is active in a small group. Mike and Jill have three girls- Calli (12), Miranda (10) and Brooklyn (1). Welcome to CSC, Jill! |
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | General News |
CSC Smiles
Many people comment on two things when they arrive at CSC. The first thing lots of people say when they come through our gate is that CSC seems to be an “Oasis” of green grass, cleanliness and hope in a neighbourhood that is lacking all three of those things. The second thing that people say is that our kids seem happy and that they have beautiful smiles. I agree. It is hard to give you the opportunity to really see that CSC is an “Oasis” in photos….but I can show you some beautiful CSC smiles. Enjoy.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Staff Reflections |
