Environmental modifications are changes done in a classroom or at home (for those who have home-based therapy or who do homeschooling). These are done not only to improve instruction but to minimize visual stimulation.  Behavioral excesses like fidgeting, not focusing on tasks on hand and looking at visual stimulation tend to be minimized too.

How can one go about environmental modifications to ensure maximum result when it comes to teaching?

Keep the room clutter-free.

Try to keep the room free from clutter: open shelves, posters on the wall and even on the ceiling. Use storage boxes and cabinets that can be closed to remove the supplies from eye level. Cluttered-free environment means less things to focus on aside from the tasks on hand.

About school supplies:

There are school that ask students to bring supplies to be used for the school year. These are gathered together and put in containers for sharing. Sharpened pencils go the same way too, as well as papers and glue.

This is more practical and less likely to waste time because the students would not have to rummage through their bags searching for the supplies they need.

There can also be a weekly schedule of a student in charge of taking care of these supplies: sharpening the pencils, making sure all crayons are present in the crayon box/jar, putting these back in storage and replenishing paper supplies.

Appropriate furniture

Cubby holes for bags, jackets, hats and lunch boxes are a must to keep these things away from the learning/study area. Books and other reading materials should also be kept away. School supplies can be kept in cabinets with doors.

Having these furniture will make rooms clutter-free and there fore have less visual distractions.

Lighting

Bright lights can be a distraction. If possible, lower the lighting.

Sound

One of the ways to improve concentration is to have insulation in the room. Children tend to react to some external and environmental sounds like a ball game, a helicopter and even students walking outside the hall way. Carpeting helps though these might be a problem with students who have allergies. Curtains made from heavy materials can also help as well as cork boards on the wall. Rubbers on chairs and tables’ legs will also help minimize the noise.

I am sure there are still a lot more environmental modifications that can be done to improve instruction and minimize distraction. Why not start with these basic ideas and improve on them as you go along?

Have fun teaching!

It is the season of university applications in this country. And yes, some of my former students are in the process of applying to different universities and colleges. Their moms still ask advise from me and I am glad to be consulted about this too.

Current students are scouting review centers to help them prepare for next year’s rigorous entrance exams. It takes a lot of blood, sweat, tears and moolah to get accepted to a university of choice and that is just for the entrance tests alone.

University of choice means the top 3 or 4 or 5 that job ads say they will accept if one is a graduate of any of these schools. Discrimating much, huh, but that is another story.

One mom even commented thinking about enrolling her son ( a former student) to an online university to lessen her worries about the son running into bad company.

This is one of the major fears why parents are wary to let their children “go”. They know they can not be there 24/7 for them and I totally understand why.

So they go for another venue about having their children get a degree. They seek alternative programs.

Getting a bachelor’s degree online not something new anymore. For my students who will have a difficult time adjusting to college life and are not ready yet to step foot on concrete jungle, enrolling in online programs is one way they can get their degrees.

Of course, nothing compares to being able to meet new friends, being challenged to “compete” with others, developing new skills and learning how to get along with a completely new set of friends.

Whatever they decide upon, I am here to support them.

Technology has enabled us to travel to wonderful places without leaving the cozy spot in front of our laptops.

But even the best view captured by someone else and seen through a computer monitor can not compare to being “there” wherever there is: savoring the breeze, smelling the scents, tasting the flavors, feeling the sun’s kiss on the skin, taking it all in.

Spending time outdoors is a better alternative than experiencing outdoors while indoors and connected.

Have a great weekend y’all

Photo of a fun and colorful toucan balloon here in my other blog.

Last summer when I went to take photos of sunflowers, I chanced upon a flock of birds walking. I slowly and quietly walked to where they were and followed them, taking several photos. These winged creatures didn’t seem to notice me.

Until one sort of turned around and saw me. I froze.

They changed course and I managed to take several photos until another one looked at me again before they vanished among the grasses that hid them completely.

Of course it was fun while it lasted. I just wish I knew the names of the birds.

Have fun doing PH!

photohunt

A few months ago, I got a new battery pack for my (several years old) mobile phone.

Up until now, I am still holding on to my old battery pack. Not that I am wishing it will still be used but because I have yet to go to a certain mall where they have depository for batteries to avoid being thrown just about anywhere.

Why is it important to dispose battery packs properly?

• Battery packs are should NOT be disposed of just about anywhere because these are hazardous to the environment.

How should people dispose battery packs?

• Disposal should be done in approved disposal sites. FYI, there are disposal areas in several malls here in MegaManila.

• Battery packs are not to be thrown in a fire,  thrown in a trash bin not intended for these and discarded just about anywhere (like in one’s backyard where a pile of leaves are waiting to be burned)

• Battery packs should not be pierced, nor hammered nor stepped upon.

• Should you notice any leaks or odors, discoloration or deformity, return to where it was purchased to be replaced.

Let us all be kind to Mother Nature. Little things like proper disposal of battery packs can go a long way.

We Filipinos have a very musically-inclined culture. We love music. Many a gathering these days seem incomplete with the guests belting out their favorite masterpieces in front of a videoke or karaoke for others.

We have a lot of untapped and undiscovered talents out there, waiting to be discovered. And waiting for that chanced to be given a contract to sign up with.

Now this is going to come true for 7, yes, seven grand winners who will be picked to win one-year recording contracts with Jeepney Music through MTV Emerge.

Apl.de.Ap of Black Eyed Peas is the founder of MTV Emerge.

What is MTV Emerge?

This MTV, Jeepney Music, and Department of Tourism collaboration aim to have unsigned music talent in the Philippines to show their talents and be able to grab the opportunity to win a one-year recording contract with Jeepney Music. The winners will be mentored by none other than Apl.de.Ap himself. The contract also includes artist management and promotion, digital distribution of 3-6 songs and marketing strategy plans to penetrate not just the local market but the international market as well.

Featuring the hottest unsigned music talent from all genres of music, MTV Emerge is an online community where local fresh musical talents are waiting to be discovered.

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