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Texas ISD School Guide
Texas ISD School Guide







Short Stories for Teachers

Teach What You Believe In
By:Larry Icabandi Nabiong

My sixteen years in teaching grade school public has been full of experimenting on strategies, some hand-me-downs, others are products of my own readings, observations, seminars and the like. In fact, with years of discovering, exploring and exposing myself to myriad techniques, programs, etc., I came to realize three things:

(1) nary single strategy can be applicable to all-- both lesson and teacher;
(2) learner's individuality is a must to consider in teaching, learn Gardner's Multiple Intelligences; and,
(3) real-life learning is far more effective than mere classroom setting.

From these realizations of mine, I believe that I have taught when my pupils have learned lessons through the said guiding principles I discovered vital to my teaching. In fact, as a mentor, I believe that learners are good when they are exposed to, have explored, and discovered all the avenues towards learning.

A teacher is no longer sole authority in providing the class information, but also the learners are now given chance to share their load. Yes, sort of collaboration between teacher and pupils. Among themselves they are having a great time learning from each other: facts and opinions and the like are put on the table, for them to give their own interpretation, analysis, etc.

Yes, a good teacher knows that a learner learns more when he has gaining knowledge beyond the lesson. Learning beyond the literal level is primordial to pupils' mental development. His critical thinking skills must be honed, appreciative skills as well.

Say, after a story 'bout an ugly frog and a lovely princess has been read by the class, either oral or silent, the teacher must ask pupils to research on frog's habitat, reproduction, etc. or ask them to study the life of a prince, or a princess in today's world, whatever. Science and history or what are being integrated to the lesson and can really add value to the learning of the pupils.

These extra activities are what might be needed to augment pupils' understanding on the vital of the lesson. Yes, with their curiosity and creativity being activated, of course, learning becomes fun, meaningful.

Time has come where learners are crossing borders through technology. The world has become flat as what Thomas L. Friedman's great book: The World is Flat, has been telling us. Nary reason can be used on not grabbing the advantages of using technology inside the classroom.

Exposing learners, discovering their world through the help of technology is a good way of experiencing rich learning environment, in and outside the classroom. In science and history class or what, a creative teacher can do great things by immersing his pupils to learning lessons through the aid of educational technologies available in the classroom, within the community and the like.

Using the net to surf for topics about frog's life, etc. can be a rewarding experience for a child who is curious to know more about the character Frog Prince, and so on. This kind of teaching can help the child in developing his creative and critical thinking skills and learning values which are vital to realization of his dreams, etc.

Yes, this constructivist perspective of learning and teaching, I believe is one best way towards effective and efficient learning. Each teacher must have his own amulet in teaching and learn along the way towards realization of his lesson by seeing a change among his wards; be it mental, emotional or what aspect.

There is no cure-all or panacea for reading problems; only an open, creative mind is key. Lastly, Confucius says: " Tell me, I will forget; show me, I will remember; and, involve me, I will learn."

The author is a mentor of teachers in elementary grades in the Philippines. Aside from being a grade school teacher, he is also contributing articles to magazines just to make good use of his spare time. He has joined writing contest in the past, but until now, he is dreaming of bagging an award! This is why, he is now trying his luck in this endeavor--blogging-- to find his niche and somewhere, somehow find a way of publishing a book.






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