In times of tragedy, people feel that there is so much pain, suffering and hopelessness. But then again, how come when there are huge, catastrophic tragedies, we can find people who do not know each other give help in all forms and kind, offer prayers, support, kind words and inspiration.

The unfortunate event happened to our “kababayans” in the southern part of our country has touched the hearts of so many people from different parts of the world. Different rescue teams from different countries arrived along with food, clothing and medicines. Overcoming the trauma and fears of the survivors is also equally important.

During tragedies, people vow to do better next time. We say we have learned from the mistakes of the past and try to do better. We always try to find answers to questions that are not answered. We try to lay the blame on someone else, sometimes we point a finger to ourselves.

We question God and why He lets these things happen to us.

Why is it that it sometimes take a tragedy, whether minor or otherwise, to see the true spirit of people helping people.

We learn how it is to hope. We learn to cope with worry, fears, grief and faith in the Lord. We learn to value ourselves and our loved ones more. We learn to help others. We may even think that we have to help and in so doing, we ease the guilt feelings that we are glad that this didn’t happen to us and our loved ones.

We also learn much about the lives of people we do not personally know but whose lives we only read about, hear about and see on the news.

Last Tuesday (Feb 14,2006) we went to my daughter’s school for the celebration of its 50th anniversary. First we had mass (daughter is a choir member). Then we watched a literary presentation on the school’s famous “mountain”, a cluster of big rocks put together in an elevated manner with trees and grass on top and around it. My daughter was one of the performers in her group Tunog Lira (Lyre group). The little kids enjoyed running around the area.Everything was fine except when Tania started crying when she saw smoke from the grilling stations for hot dogs.

After the program, the audience had community singing, candle lighting and hot dog roasting. The candle lighting was a very significant event because they are going to say goodbye to their beloved mountain to give way to the construction of a building.The significance of the activity is also felt because there were visitors during the program: alumni and grandparents of some of the students there whose parents were also students years ago. It was a reunion of sorts of these parents whose children graduated then and whose grandchildren are now studying in the school. Testimonies of fun, adventure and of feeling good were shared. Why, even the teachers of the moms of my daughter’s friends who studied there are still teaching there! One will wonder “What is it that these parents enjoyed in the school that they want their children to experience too?”

If one would observe the children in school, they are different from students in other school. They are happy, dirty, noisy, happy, confident, happy..They are happy. One can feel their energy by just watching them play, interact with one another and perform in front of people. The children can sing songs that are quite old-fashioned. They are friends with their teachers and principal. They go through a learning process that is different from traditional setting because they focus more on the process, not with the product. They are enjoying their childhood.

Just this morning (Feb 16, 2006), we watched again our daughter perform with her group together with the Munting Tinig (choir), Tunog Plauta (Flute group) and Tunog Ritmo (Rhythms group). They performed songs like Tea for Two, Stouthearted Men (I don’t even know this song!), Memory, Cuando, Roman Guitar, When Irish Eyes are Smiling, A Child’s Plea, Kataka-taka, Pilipinas…The songs were quite hard for the lyre members because of the fast rhythm but they were enjoying themselves. The audience, mostly primary grades and some HS, were responsive to the beat/music they were making. We are proud of you, dear daughter

By: Jack Prelutsky

My teacher’s very special,
So I’m making her a heart.
A Valentine that’s sure to be
A proper work of art.

I’ve worked on it all morning,
So it should be ready soon.
I’d like to slip it on her desk
Before this afternoon.

It’s colored in with crayons,
And it’s trimmed with paper lace
It has flowers hearts, and Cupids.
I can’t wait to see her face.

• We will see…..

• Let me do it for you

• You can’t seem to do anything right

• Let (John) do it

• Why are you asking so many questions?

• You dummy

• We don’t have time

• Money doesn’t grow on trees

• You will have to wait until the next grading period/semester/grade

• We always do it this way

• The sun is always colored yellow

• Why can’t you be like your sister/brother?

• You’re going to wear THAT to school?!

• You want WHAT?!

• That costs too much

• Let me show you how it’s really done

• Don’t stare out the window

• Are you daydreaming again?

• Wait until you are an adult

By: Kathleen L. Bullock

Teachers are often asked to modify instructions to accommodate special needs students. The following article takes the mystery out of adapting materials and strategies for curriculum areas. In fact, all students will benefit from the following “good teaching practices.”

IF A STUDENT HAS DIFFICULTY LEARNING BY LISTENING, THEN TRY…

Before the lesson:

• Pre-teach difficult vocabulary and concepts
• State the objective – providing a reason for listening
• Teach the mental activities involved in listening , “mental” note-taking, questioning, reviewing
• Provide study guides/works
• Provide script of film
• Provide lecture outlines

During the lesson:

• Provide visuals via the board or overhead
• Use flash cards
• Have the students close his eyes and try to visualize the information
• Have the students take notes and use colored markers to highlight
• Teach the use of acronyms to help visualize lists
• Give explanations in small, distinct steps
• Provide written as well as oral directions
• Have the student repeat directors
• When giving directions to the class, leave a pause between each step so student can carry out the process in his mind
• Shorten the listening time required
• Provide written and manipulative tasks
• Be concise with verbal information: “Jane, please sit.” Instead of “Jane, would you please sit down in your chair.”

So many issues regarding the rising prices of gasoline, consumer goods, LPG, electric and water bills, etc..

These are all inconveniences we Filipinos have to bear because of the implementation of the EVAT and simply because life is hard. People can only hope that these extra taxes we are paying for will be put to good use. We definitely need better roads, better education, better government services, everything better.

Life is hard. Living is expensive. People have been suffering for a long time. Now we know what “daily grind” means.