Teachancement 2015: Teaching Children Specialisation Seminar with the Champions

Teaching children is a unique experience that is both challenging and fun. Compared to adults, children are more energetic, have shorter attention spans, and learn language according to specific stages of development; these present planning challenges for the teacher. The key to teaching children is to understand the principles of teaching and apply it in ways that keep children motivated to learn. This 40-hour Teaching Children Specialisation Seminar with the Champions - Marissa Hartwig, Isagani Cruz, and Leoncio Deriada - expands upon teaching philosophies, and will prepare teachers to design and implement curriculum specifically for young learners of varying ages and skill levels. See you all at Teachancement 2015 in Iloilo City. For more details, message +639154030975.

Day 1-Day 3 Ms Marissa J Hartwig
Day 4 Dr Isagani R Cruz
Day 5 Dr Leoncio P Deriada/Tour of select Iloilo City schools
6-10 July 2015


DAY ONE:

Opening Remarks: Mrs Estrella Mago, DepEd QAA

Morning Session:

Creating a Paradigm Shift in Education (1 hour & 20 minutes)

Discuss the benefits of schools offering individualised and personalised instruction, as opposed to the traditional one-size-fits all approach to education. How can we create a model for quality schools? We will discuss developmentally appropriate practices and how they relate to the educational system today. This discussion will provide insight into marketing a private school. Participants will be given tips on how to attract clients.

Break:15 minutes

The Healing Art of Teaching (1 hour & 20 minutes)

What defines a good educator? Discuss the attributes of effective teachers from the perspective of the learner. What is inherent in the role of the educator in the 21st century, whether you’re teaching preschoolers or adult learners? Participants will be asked to discuss what they believe makes a good educator. Teaching techniques and role-playing will be utilised.

Lunch Break and Networking: 12:00 – 1:30
Afternoon Session:   

The Essential Classroom (1 hour & 20 minutes)

How can you design a classroom that is conducive to learning? How can you create an environment that stimulates the curious mind? Participants will learn about the tools essential in any classroom setting, from the material to the ethereal. They will reflect on what they have in their classrooms and make a list of what they aspire to secure, or create. Methods to create affordable, sensible, and practical classroom materials will be discussed.

Break:15 minutes

Integrating Relevant Themes (1 hour & 20 minutes)

What does your curriculum include? What topics do we teach in general education? Why should we incorporate relevant themes and how can we integrate them into our course of study? Participants will be given examples of themes that are successfully linked to science, math, and the arts. They will be able to review materials and discuss how to integrate them into their curriculum.

Exercises in music will be highlighted for the young learners.
               

DAY TWO:

Morning Session:

Dynamics of the Classroom Setting (1 hour & 20 minutes)

Discuss the constitution of a classroom – what kinds of learners do you have? How do you determine learning styles and how can you address them? How can you maintain an inclusive classroom, mainstreaming your children that exhibit various personalities? Participants will learn to define their class and individual students and design and implement effective instruction.

Break:15 minutes

STAR: An Approach to Behaviour Modification (1 hour & 20 minutes)
STAR is an acronym for Stop, Think, Act, Reflect – a developmentally appropriate conflict resolution strategy. How do we handle children who have behavior problems in the classroom? Participants will learn how to apply this technique to students who exhibit disruptive behavior. They will role-play situations and behaviors then implement the strategy. They will also learn about other proven effective techniques to address this issue.

Lunch Break and Networking: 12:00 – 1:30

Afternoon Session:   

Educating for Peace: Dealing with Pain (1 hour & 20 minutes)
Natural disasters, crime, and other tragedies prompt educators to develop coping skills for the children afflicted with emotional trauma. We will discuss the impact of such loss on our students young and old. How do we communicate with these young victims and what outlet can we provide. Educating for inner peace is vital and ideas will be shared and discussed. Sharing books on peace, journal writing, art activities, and other avenues will be explored. Participants will practice stress-releasing techniques to share with their students.

Break: 15 minutes

The Healing Garden: Creating A Space for Peace (1 hour & 20 minutes)

A garden is a tool for healing. It is therapeutic, providing children with a sense of awe and wonder. Momentary peace can be attained through tending to a garden, creating a sanctuary for reflection and silence. How can you design a garden that is not only functional, but also beautiful and inviting. Participants will be given ideas on how to create a peace curriculum with the garden. They will design their own garden along with extensions such as learning exercises focused on this garden.


DAY THREE:

Morning Session:

Effective Parent-Teacher Communication: Bridging the Gap between Partners of Education (1 hour & 20 minutes)

Excellent communication skills with the parents are required to ensure the success of your students. We will discuss how to relate with these partners in the interest of their children. How do we conduct ourselves during these conversations? How do you handle parent-teacher conferences? Participants will be given scenarios to role play and strategies to acquiesce the situation, arriving at mutually agreeable solutions.

Break: 15 minutes

Keeping Families Engaged (1 hour & 20 minutes)

You have a family enrolled, now how do you keep them at your school and be an active participant in the learning process? What programmes and activities do you have that are specifically for that purpose? Participants will explore events designed to keep the parents interested and involved with your school. Book fairs, art auctions, fund-raising activities, family fun day, and others will be discussed.

Lunch Break and Networking: 12:00 – 1:30

Afternoon Session:   

Celebrating The End of the School Year (1 hour & 20 minutes)

There’s graduation for those leaving the school, but what about the students going into the next level? Do they not deserve a celebration too? We will discuss how to design an end-of-the-year programme that is fun and developmentally appropriate. The event will showcase what the children have learned through the year. Writing an original play, creating a song and dance programme, or reciting poetry will be explored.

Break: 15 minutes

Learning IS Fun (1 hour & 20 minutes)

This segment reviews the topics that were discussed for the last three days. Participants will recap what most interests them and will address issues they may have on others. They will break into groups and be given specific assignments like making materials, designing a classroom, performing songs, role-playing a parent-teacher scenario, etc. We conclude my presentation with a song or two in sign language.   
           
DAY FOUR:

Morning Session:         

Understanding K12 Curriculum (1 hour & 20 minutes)
Principles Underlying K12 (1 hour & 20 minutes)
K12 Curriculum Outcomes Framework (1 hour & 20 minutes)

Break: 15 minutes
   
Understanding K12 Assessment and Evaluation (1 hour & 20 minutes)
Considerations for K12 Programme Delivery (1 hour & 20 minutes)
   

Lunch Break and Networking: 12:00 – 1:30

Afternoon Session:

Qualities of Effective Principals (1 hour & 10 minutes)
Facilities Management in Schools (1 hour & 10 minutes)

Break: 15 minutes

Getting Parents Involved in Schools (2 hours)

Sponsored Dinner & Free Film Showing at Cinematique Iloilo: 5:30-7:30

DAY FIVE:

Mother Tongue with Dr Leoncio P Deriada, Language Champion
Tour of select Iloilo City schools
Awarding of Certificates
Registration Fee: Php 6000

Leoncio Deriada: Language Champion

Leoncio Deriada spent most of his life in Davao. He graduated from the Davao City High School in 1955. He read BA English cum laude at the Ateneo de Davao University in 1959; his MA in English, at Xavier University in 1970; his PhD in English and Literature with a specialisation in creative writing, at Silliman University in 1981 where he later on served as professor and chairperson of the English Department. He is a UPV's professor emeritus.

A multi-lingual writer, he has produced works in English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Cebuano. His thirteen Palanca awards include works in English, Filipino, and Hiligaynon. Of these thirteen, five are first-prize winners, and these include 'The Day of the Locusts' (Short Story, 1975), 'Mutya ng Saging' (Dulaang May Isang Yugto, 1987), 'The Man Who Hated Birds' (Short Story for Children, 1993), 'Medea of Siquijor' (One-Act Play, 1999), and 'Maragtas: How Kapinangan Tricked Sumakwel Twice' (Full-Length Play, 2001). He became a Palanca Hall of Famer on 1 September 2001. Aside from his Palanca awards, he has garnered other prestigious awards such as the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, Asiaweek, Gawad CCP, Graphic, Focus, Yuhum (Iloilo), and Blue Knight Award from Ateneo de Davao for Outstanding Achievement in Literature. In 2002, he was one of Metrobank's Outstanding Teachers.

He was the literary editor of the defunct Home Life magazine and has been editor of several West Visayan anthologies. He has mentored famous writers in the Philippines: Peter Solis Nery, Alex Delos Santos, Genevieve Asenjo, Melecio Turao, John Barrios, Isidoro Cruz, Alain Russ Dimzon, Alexander de Juan, Melchor Cichon, Felino Garcia amongst others.

He is the country's Language Champion. He's going to talk about Mother Tongue at the seminar I have organised for teachers on 10th July this year. To enquire about the seminar, message me at +639154030975.