Rounding up my entries on the work I do in school.
The
Lighthouse Diary #67: Expanding Our World: Reflections on World Languages and
Literature Week 2025 - During this year’s World Languages and Literature
Week, we, at the BA Library had the privilege of hosting three remarkable
authors namely, Joel Donato Ching Jacob, Robin Sebilono and Artie Cabezas who
shared not only their books but also their writing journeys and the literary
works that have shaped their thinking. Each talk, spanning 30 to 40 minutes,
became more than just a discussion of craft and the writing life —it was an
invitation to step beyond the familiar borders of language and thought.
The
Lighthouse Diary #68: Biñan Day and Griffin Games 2025 - The city of Biñan
celebrates several significant milestones this month: its 15th Cityhood
Anniversary on February 2, its 80th Liberation Day from Japanese occupation on
February 3, and its 278th Foundation Day on February 4. In commemoration of
these historical events, the Biñan LGU has organized various activities for the
residents, and classes in schools are suspended throughout the city. Meanwhile,
we are gathering at school to participate in our annual Griffin Games.
The
Lighthouse Diary #69: A Model Text for the Exploratory Essay 1 of 2 – We
kicked off our Extended Essay (EE) Journey last February, around the third week
and we have been dwelling in topic selection; identifying sources that will
inform us of breadth and depth of topics, using thinking tools such as the
KWL-I Chart and Mind Maps to see connections and organize our thinking.
The
Lighthouse Diary #70: A Model Text for the Exploratory Essay 2 of 2 - This
is part 2 of the model text I wrote for the Exploratory Essay we require our
grade 11 students to write. We have been conducting research sessions with our
grade 11 students since February. They are in Phase 1 of the Research Design
Cycle where selecting a topic, doing initial research and preparing an
annotated bibliography are essentials. From here on, we will model the feedback
mechanism that comes into play in a given exercise.
The
Lighthouse Diary #71: Research Skills: Source Evaluation and OPVL 1 of 3- In
November 2024, our Grade 8 students had a library and research skills session
on the OPVL. The OPVL is a strategy for evaluating sources—specifically,
historical sources. Nonetheless, it can also be used to analyze the validity
and reliability of information and sources we encounter everyday. Focusing on
Origin and Purpose, I asked my students to evaluate information from both
online and print sources. I prepared a variety— books, magazines and journals,
posters and calendars, labels of kits, games and the like. And of course,
social media posts. Working in pairs, they were able to come up with a review
of their assigned source. They took away valuable insights on the importance of
source analysis, along with the skills necessary to understand historical
documents, their context, and their reason for being.
The
Lighthouse Diary #72: Research Skills: Source Evaluation and OPVL 2 of 3 - This
is my lesson plan for the session on Source Evaluation with our Grade 8
Students.
The
Lighthouse Diary #73: Exploratory Essay: Working on Feedback & Creating a
Research Pathway - This is an update on the Exploratory Essay I wrote as model
text for our grade 11 students. Not only are we modeling writing as technique
and strategy to teach and learn, we are also simulating the process involved in
academic writing. To read Part 1 and Part 2 click the links.
The closing weeks of the Academic Year is often laden with events and activities that drum up accomplishments, nostalgia, gratitude and hope. For the first time, I walked with our graduating seniors in their Batch Night bearing witness to the rituals and traditions that define us -- the senior tribute and send off. What was new this year was the recognition of staff and faculty who served in the Academy for a decade and more. This was definitely a surprise.
Modeling responsible AI use is a powerful form of digital citizenship. In my context as a librarian, bibliotherapist, educator, and fan community member, it’s more than policy to practice. It is formation.
Our week long library orientation closes in a few days. Facilitating the learning and acquisition of literacy skills through the library is always a big challenge. By high school, students have reached a point of view and a perception of the library as a place to soak in the aircon, which it is. And with the erratic changes in weather, this reason for going to the library can be taken advantage of. So, we persist.
Taking off from Russell Molina’s talk last August 29 for Filipino Week, here is one line that refuses to leave: “Martial Law is not an event. It is an idea. Ideas can be resurrected.”
I am a Louise Rosenblatt bias and a KWL junkie. It’s not surprising that I anchor my library skills and ATL sessions on Transactional Theory, Metacognitive Awareness, and Constructivist and Inquiry-Based Learning. The recent integration of the BA Library’s research services and reference program shows how theory, approach, and strategy converge. Helping students move from curiosity to inquiry, and inviting teachers to collaborate with the library in guiding authentic research.
The 2nd term is the shortest of the four terms in a school year. It also has the most number of school-wide activities and holidays. With midyear exams in December, it is a packed calendar that tests everyone's mettle. We take this in stride in the Academy, but we are fully aware of the timetable and how to make the most of class days amid class suspensions. In light of the tight schedule, teachers still find time to bring their students to the library. It's been a busy term and we're not complaining!
Let's share the gift of reading!
