Julie Ann A. Sison

Family is the basic unit of society. It is the beginning of love and the foundation of every relationship.

How to deliver it with outmost passion and dedication for the students understand?

In my two class Grade 8-1 and Grade 8-2, I used different approach but arriving at the same results. As no different student are the same , we as teachers should make different kinds of strategies on how to deal and to empower the learners.

I used role play strategy where they will act and connect to real life situation what marriage was. I also used Puzzling where students will connect the picture and construct their own ideas about the picture and present it. It was actually an accomplishment to see them enjoying and learning at the same time.

With this topic, as I reflect towards the whole class – students learn best when they belong to the classroom. They should be the key players in every lesson for them to master the lesson, the skills and attitude. In this manner, the ideas they adopt can last until they grow old.

Excursion Day! 

After a tiring week of observation and teaching – here comes an enjoying day at Nakonsrithammarat. We visited two temple where both of it features how does the faith go through. The first temple lies the body of a monk. This monk is very famous for his good deeds and the people collected money just to build a temple for him. They pray to ask, to thank and to apologize to their wrongdoings. The second temple is where a buddha looks like sleeping. Stories says that he died that way so they build a statue like that. Inside the temple shows the life of buddha from birth to death.

Another destination is where the best ozone resides. Seeing the view of this place made me remember Baguio City, Philippines. The set up of trees, the mountains and the road itself. It is indeed the best view of nature that a human can ever see. And we go to the market to buy some souvenirs.

The best view indeed!

Inside lies the body of the monk

Sleeping Buddha

Finding for souvenirs

Thanking nature for the wonderful experience

The primary duty of a teacher is to teach students to be a humane individual in the future. And as they nourish the mind, the physical and emotional aspect should be observed. Furthermore, to be a mother begins with love and compassion.

The annual Mother’s Day Celebration made me realized the role of a teacher in the child’s growth and development.

Allow me to share a story.

I saw girl, funny and cheerful. Seeing her helping the teachers and her friends in school. But, behind all the smiles and laughter I saw in her is a very terrible past that I couldn’t even take. When she was a newborn, her mother left her. I don’t know what happen or why or how, and now she is staying in her grandparents. In this celebration, I was surprised that she came to me and kneel down. There is a prayer where they all recite. I cried really hard that I wanna shout to the world W H Y ? Why is there an innocent girl suffering because her mother left her?

I am blessed. We are all blessed. As we have a mother who take care of us.

And to be a teacher is to be a second parent that guides every child to their dreams.

First Teaching Assignment! F A M I L Y L A W

In this area of responsibility, teaching is not just on the textbook itself. It is beyond the boundary of books or any reading material. The youth of today will be the future’s generation. I prepared a lesson that compares both the laws of Thailand and Philippines. Here, I discussed the similarities and differences of the said countries. For my three (3) class, I prepared a different strategies that could easily suit their learning styles. At first, I am adjusting like, how to teach this?, how they can learn from me? how to be an effective and efficient teacher in this scenario?

As a teacher, one should be flexible enough to cope up with the students abilities and capacity. Today, a teacher-centered classroom is now a taboo – as we walk through implementing a student-centered environment. \

The Grade 9, my first class I let them analyze and visualize the images. Here, I divided them into four (4) groups where one representative will explain what they talked about. I also used a venn diagram to enumerate the similarities and differences of Family Law of Philippines and Thailand.

My second class, Grade 8 class 1, I also divided them into four (4) where each group has been given a puzzle to build. After they complete the puzzle another representative will explain what is the meaning of the picture.

Grade 8 class 2, in this class I let them act it out – The process of marriage. Here, they portrayed the different scenario of marriage. It is actually a fun experience to see how they enjoy the activity.

I realized that if you give love – it bounce back with a greater impact!

Have you ever thought of an event spearheaded by the students in the 8th Grade? It is possible, through the leadership of Sir Tum, my mentor. His advisory class is divided into four (4) where each group has particular area to teach and discuss. The first group focuses on the South East Asian greeting where the children imitated it; second is the national animals in the different countries; third is the flags; and last is the national cuisines. It has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to see students grow and glow – as their works and deeds shines beyond the horizon. Kuddos!

Students discussing South East Asian Nations to the Kindergarten

Students discussing the different flags of the country

This child was crying, so I gave her a bookmark to cheer her up.

A child singing Thai Song

Introducing the Philippines

Children listening about the traditional dress and cuisine of South East Asian Nations

Sample! Children sharing what they learn about ASEAN.

The grade 8 class 1, class 2 and Grade 9, has their examination so I wander around to see how the educational system works. Just like in the Philippines, it is a traditional type of exam – paper and pen test. The setting is also a one sit apart scenario, and a mind your own paper thing. I observed that all the reference material are written in Thai Language, and as I read the educational curriculum it prioritize its culture and identity. However, the communication in English language is limited. The challenge here is how to teach effectively and efficiently.

During my observation, students sing and showcase their talents. It is an opportunity to see how two different countries collide. The themes of the music, arts and tradition is somewhat alike. There are only little variations, but they are parallel to each other.

Grade 8 Class 2

Grade 8 Class 1

Social Studies Practice Teacher assisting the class

Just like the Agora in Ancient Times, the orientation held at the Conference Room of Suratthani Rajabhat University was a clashing of minds – collaboration and for the Sea Teacher Project. In this batch, there are five (5) Filipinos, coming from Benguet State University and Pangasinan State University and one (1) Indonesian. Mr. Potjanat discussed all the needed requirements and the school we are about to teach.

Each participant introduce themselves and give their expectations and the gratefulness to be part of this project. My expectation? Since Thailand is known for its kind and wonderful people, I want to know about the beliefs and the tradition of Thai people. Knowing that I am a Social Studies Major, I want to compare what we have in the Philippines and what they had here in Thailand. I am slowly and steadily learning Thai Language to teach not just efficiently but effectively.

The center of the City – Pillar Shrine. It has been well known for its world class architectural design. Hinduism is the foundation of it. People go here to pray, ask for something and to thank the gods for granting their wishes. They offer lotus, flowers, praying stick. In a temple they practice walking on a counterclockwise basis, this is to secure fortune and wealth.

The Tapi river has been the harbor of the different destination in Surat Thani. As a mode of transportation, it also serve as additional income to the people. Its view is special for me because it has been a source of reflection and self-empowerment. I feel the calmness within and the innocence that embodies through it.

Thailand is famous to its exotic foods. It’s a great experience to try one.