Staff Blog
The fourth quarter of the school year was about to start and we decided to move up some students who were academically progressing to a new grade level. I was delighted, excited, and yet a little bit nervous thinking that I would have a new student who is intelligent, gifted, and of course, well-loved by everyone both in school and in the shelter.
The first few weeks were filled with many things to adapt to, and I prayed that the new student would not be too overwhelmed by the change. Slowly, with the help of the responsive classroom approach we implemented, it supports the student to have an easy transition to a new environment.
In our school, we usually do our morning routines such as greetings, group sharing activities, reading of the morning message, and praying before we start our classes. One of the best memories of my journey with this boy was when he first greeted me with my name as his "new teacher" and hugged me. He even asked me about my morning. He was so excited!
The first day with him was not as smooth as I hoped for. There were a few bumps. This was the reason why we observed him in the classroom and modifications were made to suit the student's needs. He would always choose to be the first person in the line, but I explained that we have our rules on "taking turns," and he already had his chance. When I checked on him outside the classroom the next day, he sat on his spot and patiently waited for others to come. I realized that firmness and consistency are two powerful tools to achieve successful classroom management.
Another classroom scene that made my day was when we had our group sharing. Knowing that younger students are visual learners, I added fun pictures to make our sharing more interactive and to get their attention. As I flashed some images on the screen, I heard him laugh as if he was being tickled. It went on for a long time, and it certainly gave his classmates a stomachache laughing with him which caused a little bit of chaos in the class. So, I gave him 30 seconds, and he did stop. It was effective, then we began with our sharing. Since that moment, we've been working on calling the name of the next sharer. He was very observant and quick to realize that he needed to do the same to his classmates. To our surprise, he was able to call the next sharer without his classmate's help and use the phrase "Popcorn, student's name." Everyone in the class was shocked and happy, telling me, "Teacher Lyrah, have you heard him saying popcorn? He learns so fast!" Truly, success happens not just because of one person working as "the teacher," but it includes the students and peers who help one another and have a common goal to lift each other up.
Moreover, I have noticed that he is gifted and very clever. I had set aside things each morning and prepared different materials that he would need to stay focused in our class. These things will be given after each class activity. It was essential to remind him that he needed to finish his tasks then he could use what is prepared for him. Well, being firm with expectations and setting classroom boundaries are challenging at times; however, at CCHS we always do it with love and care.
He appeared to be adjusting into our classroom setting over the next few days. He also loves to participate when being asked. Though, he needed some reminders from time to time for him to stay on track. There was one instance in the middle of our discussion he stood up and asked for his dinosaur books. We stopped, and most of his classmates reminded him to ask permission every time he stands or wants to have something. He did go back to his seat and asked permission. But it was not time for him to read a book yet. So, he participated in our reading first and answered all the activities. Then he got the book for him to enjoy. Another strategy that was very effective to him was giving him a time frame before he could get his desired reading materials. These things didn't come easy, it requires hard work, patience, determination, cooperation, and above all, love. We made a lot of classroom modifications to cater for his needs and the rest of the class.
To be successful in the classroom, as teachers, we need to set clear classroom boundaries for our students.
As Colossians 3:23-24 says: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."
Breakfast of Champions
This morning I had the honor of eating breakfast with 45 amazing donors. CSC held it’s second annual Shareholder Meeting today. This shareholder group consists of donors who have given a total of $50,000 or more in gifts OR 150 or more lifetime gifts. I was calculating what that looks like and realized that in order to hit 150 lifetime gifts, it equals monthly gifts to an organization for at least 12 1/2 years. That’s a really long time. And a serious commitment to a ministry.
I was honored to be in a room with people so dedicated to helping the children in Cebu. In a way, everyone who gives to support the ministry is a shareholder. Whether it is your first gift or your 200th gift, you are investing in the work of changing lives in the Philippines. Thank you for your support!
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Zebedee
Last Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at my home church, Central Baptist. I spoke about Zebedee, the father of James and John. The title of my sermon was "Stay in the Boat." I took a look at the life of Zebedee as he saw his boys leave the boat to go and follow Jesus. Zebedee's calling was to stay in the boat, to not get in the way of his boys' leaving, and, almost certainly, to keep working hard to be able to support their calling to follow Jesus.
While some have been called to leave their homes and go to Cebu to serve. Others have answered the call to remain in North America, in their communities, families and places of employment. The financial and prayer support of the missionaries who went to the Philippines has been crucially important to success of the ministry in the lives of the children that God has brought to us.
Praise God for the Zebedees who have blessed CSC over the years, who put the food, medicine, clothing and books in the hands of our staff to brighten the lives of homeless children in Cebu.
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United Nations Day 2014
The students started the morning of UN Day with a passport and a sense of anticipation. There were lots of places to go and only one day to fit it all in.
In the morning, the students traveled to five countries—Angola, Puerto Rico, Mexico, France, and United Arab Emirates. In each country, the students learned interesting facts, made a craft or two, and tried some of the local food. Some of the countries had very strict rules, only letting in the students who were sitting quietly while waiting in line. Once inside each country's room, the fun began. There were interesting facts to be learned, fun crafts to make, and new foods to taste. By the end of the morning, each student’s hands were full of souvenirs from the places they had visited.
In the afternoon, different classes presented a cultural dance from each of the countries. Angola won Mister and Miss UN Day and they were thrilled. The day ended with a quiz game about the countries. It was a fun day from beginning to end.
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If Music Be the Food of Love, Play On
Two weeks ago I started teaching private music lessons. Right now I have 9 students, 3 piano and 6 voice. I am teaching lessons every day after school (about two students per day). This is something that I was thinking about doing before I moved to Cebu, and now have finally started! I am mostly teaching teenagers, though I have two younger students.
So far is has been a complete joy to teach lessons! Music has always been a big part of my life, and I love to share that with others. I started taking piano lessons when I was in second grade, and continued lessons until I was a sophomore in High school. I started taking voice lessons when I was a sophomore in high school, and participated in many choral activities, including all-state choir and college choir.
It is very encouraging to teach the kids at CSC. All of my students have a genuine desire to learn. Each week they come to lessons prepared, and full of enthusiasm. In the states, I noticed that practicing is something students often fail to do, but not my students! I was surprised to see my students asking me for copies of their music, and coming up to me throughout the week telling me how they are practicing. Their attitudes are completely amazing! They are also very talented!
Right now the voice students are working on a vocal compositon from a broadway musical. Some of their pieces include: I could have danced all night, Climb every mountain, My favorite things, and Consider yourself. The kids all enjoy their songs, and have been learning a lot about pronunciation in singing (how it differs from our normal speaking voice), pitch matching, breath support and musical style. Piano students have been learning through the book series Piano Adventures. One of my stuends is in the primer level, and two are in level 1. The three piano students are very quick learners, and listen well to instruction. Though there are not pianos or keyboards in each of the homes, the piano students take time out of their own free time to go up to the school and practice.
Dedicated is the best word I can use to describe my musically gifted students. Though we are only in our third week of lessons, every moment has been enjoyable and full of ah-ha moments. I feel so blessed to be able to teach these wonderful children!
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Science Works!
On October 7, 2014 Science Groups 2B, 3, and 4 went to a Science Exhibit at Park Mall. The exhibit had all kinds of cool science phenomenon the kids could explore. Everyone was excited to discover new things. They tried all the different exhibits and were amazed at how science works.
Lots of Learning going on!
Exploring the Van de Graff generator. She looks cool with that hair.
Attending the Science Exhibit encouraged intellectual curiousity, sharpened the kids' critical thinking, and helped them draw conclusions about the world around them.
-Rhasie Gantuangco, Instructional Assistant
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