"Learning to Read:Reading to Learn"

ARMM Beginning Reading Program promotes "Learning to Read:Reading to Learn". The key points in the program are:
- an understanding that learning to read also involves writing, speaking and listening skills
- assessment of the students' reading skills as an ongoing activity
- monitoring of the program to support the implementation
- the principles of teaching and learning for early childhood
- the use of literature as well as phonics
- encouraging a whole-school approach to supporting and development of reading
- strong support from the school community, district and division

Two pilot elementary schools in each division were selected for inclusion in the pilot, based on the following criteria:

• reading was on their school improvement plan (SIP)
• there was a strong support from the school head
• there was a supportive local community
• they were in an EQuALLS2 barangay
• they may have electricity

The program consists of two cycles of training with implementation of the strategies and monitoring between cycles, with a third cycle being the review and evaluation day. All Grade I teachers at the pilot school, their school head, the District Supervisor for the school and the Division Education Supervisor I (English) were included in the training to ensure knowledge and support for the teachers and the program.

The program will be extended to the Grade II teachers in the pilot schools in 2008 and a group of trainers were identified from among the Division NEPP trained Mentors. They were trained to deliver the 2 cycles of training and then support the teachers in their implementation through mentoring and school visits in their Division, while the District and Division Education Supervisors will monitor the program.

ARMM Beginning Reading Program Pilot (Grades I-II Teachers)

The ARMM Beginning Reading Program Pilot for Grade I and II teachers is a joint BEAM and EQuALLS2 (USAID) development program. It arose as a response to support DepEd's Every Child a Reader (ECARP) strategy to make every child a reader in English by Grade III, from our needs analysis of teacher's training needs and from the Action Plan No. 2 "Beginning Reading Program" of ARMM Leaders following a Study Tour to Australian in 2006. Teachers do make a difference - the quality of teaching has a huge impact on whether a child learns to read. Teachers must have a PASSION for reading and KNOW and be able to TEACH strategies on how to read and assess their students.
Both projects were working in schools in the ARMM and the decision was made to collaborate on this pilot to maximize the resources an support available for the ARMM. The decison was made to pilot the program, evaluate it, revise it in the light of the evaluations and then make it available for a wider roll out.
The pilot began in January 2007 with commitment given by the Secretary of Education, DepEd-ARMM. An ARMM Reading Coordinator (Geneva C. Hajal) was appointed and a Technical Working Group (TWG) of Education Supervisors from the Island Divisions, BEAM and EQuALLS2 officers, established to oversee the development, implementation and evaluation.

Problem on losing and gaining weight???

It was on May 15, 2008 in Grand Estosan Hotel, Cotabato City when I met these amazing and incredibly unbelievable products. Joan Protacio from EQuALLS2 (USAID Project) introduced HERBALIFE to me. She patiently and substantially explained to me the information about these inner and outer nutrition products.

After the conduct of my baseline free body fat analysis, I decided to go on with the program prescribed to me by my Personal Wellness Coach. My program to lose weight is: 3 times HERBALIFE tablets, 2 times nutritional shake mix and 1 colorful meal with fruits and vegetables. My coach said that I have to follow this program if my goal is to achieve my desirable weight based on my height and my age.

I did not hesitate to follow my weight loss program. I started on the evening of May 15. Day by day, the program is always on my mind. I believe I am on a healthy diet.

Unbelievably, just after a week, I noticed that these products made some significant changes on me personally. I weighed 61 kls then, but after consistent taking of the tabs and shake for a week, I incredibly lost 7 kls. I just can't believe this!

More importantly, I would happily tell you guys, I am now experiencing regular bowel movement in a daily basis. I am proud to tell you this because before HERBALIFE, I used to experience irregularities in my movement. I also suffer from migraine, hyperacidity and body pains...but after HERBALIFE, I tell you guys! all of these pains and health problems just naturally perished. my energy has increased. Yes! i can feel it. I do not take any other vitamins other than these HERBALIFE tabs.
Today, I am happy to tell you that I weigh 49 kls from 61 and my waistline measures 26 from 32 inches.
Thanks to these GREAT products! I will be using HERBALIFE for the rest of my LIFE!!!!

All about L-I-F-E!!!

Like so many of you, this humble author I will tell you has walked her way through LIFE'S road. That's every human being's dream to be able to overcome the crossroads of LIFE. And so today, we are living it.

First, LIFE has no limits. LIFE has been unpredictable, thrilling and awesome. And to live LIFE fully, we've got to seize opportunity, roll with the punches, be a little daring, and above all, keep our head in the game!

To succeed, we've got to have focus- the ability to see the big picture, the courage to dig in and persevere -- so that when LIFE throws us a curve, we don't get derailed.

Because LIFE keeps us guessing.

Sometimes the road stretches straight ahead. Sometimes you're stuck in traffic of problems in LIFE. Sometimes we're just trying to find the nearest exit.
And one thing we'll discover is that--more often than not- what at first appear to be roadblocks and setbacks are the very things that'll get you where you were meant to be.

I certainly never thought I'd be in the DepEd ARMM Regional Office, working as Regional Coordinator for Reading. When I was working my way through college, when I spent years uncertain of my career path, I could never have predicted or planned where I find myself today.

But, while I may not have always known where I was heading, I had focus and faith. If you believe in yourself, others will too. And if you have confidence in who you are, there is no end to what you can accomplish.

As I tell myself: Stand and Deliver.

When I first got to the Regional Office, I felt completely out of my element, surrounded by educators with high positions in the department. But, I stood and delivered. I did my best. And before long, I was meeting with Schools Division Superintendents, Education Supervisors, Principals, talking with Literacy people and other Reading enthusiasts and helping the DepEd Secretary perfect his plans for Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. We're still positively working for the SUCCESS of these plans.

It just goes to show the only boundaries to what you can achieve are the ones you set for yourself.

Always aim high. Don't settle for what you know you can accomplish. Challenge yourself to pursue the impossible, and you'll go further than you could ever imagine.
So, don't let anyone else take the measure of your worth and capabilities. Always stand proud in who you are!

We must remember this - "If all we ever do is all we've ever done, then all we'll ever get is all we've ever got."

It's easy to get caught up in LIFE'S routine. Take time to pause and make sure that we're living LIFE and LIFE isn't living us. Have a plan, but don't be afraid to improvise. Get off the beaten path. Explore the detours and back roads. Don't be in such a hurry to get where we're going that we miss some amazing scenery along the way.

No matter what we do in LIFE, let us find some way to give back. The impact of that choice will not only improve the LIVES of others, it will enlarge and enrich ours as well.

We're all LIFElong learners. So let us go forward. Believe in ourselves. Never give up. And have a LIFE lived well and with purpose.

Come with me to this LIFE's ventures...

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,......

My favorite poem of all times is Desiderata. It has helped me many times in my life especially when times come that I feel all alone in this dark world. Forgive me for it is very long, but it is worth the read.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

.....Save the BEST for LAST!

This day will most probably mark another milestone in my whole life as educator.

In a person's life, pleasant experiences are expected but one must remember that we are also obliged to experience humiliations and frustrations. These two negative terminologies make my day.

The issue is, whether we like it or not, embarrassments and disappointments must be felt by any living human being in the universe. It is not therefore true, that even if we make a person's day, you are already assured that this person will be deprived of the feelings of embarrassments and frustrations. Believe it or not, one person's morning might be full of sunshine and a reflection of happiness would be prevailing; THESE are not guarantees that a person would end his or her day with SMILES!

Let me take you through this phenomenon...

I woke up early this morning though I must admit I am a sleepy head guys... I have to tell you that I went to bed late last night because I worked hard in the Materials Development Center just to finish the production of the Beginning Reading Program stuff. I have and I must do all of these just to meet deadlines. (not so bad, you know...). Anyway, there were people who had been there with me through thick and thin. Not to mention, Fernan, Coicoi, Flordy, Gagah, Gina, Tatah, Jector, Jimboy, Allan and all other BEAM fellows who make my life more productive and more meaningful with my immersion into Literacy world...

I arrived the office at about 7:10 AM and sat down outside the Mat. Dev. Center while waiting for Gagah who wa supposed to open the office in an earlier possible time. Soon after the city siren sounded, Gagah arrived and excitedly opened the office because she knew that we would be facing more rigid works and that we would be entangled with hectic schedules. We only thought of one simple objective that moment - that is SETTING our PRIORITIES for the day. It was our Training of Trainers day. We would be training group of teacher-mentors who will be delivering various Beginning Reading modules to ARMM teachers during our Cycle 4 Training for Phase II.

We started the Opening Program at about 8:30 AM and as usual, BEAM-conducted trainings were always one of a kind! Everyone was impressed upon the Introduction of the Program Overview and Early Years Learning Principles done by our knowledgeable Australian Lady Adviser. The feelings of contentment and satisfaction were evident from the participants' faces. The training indeed went smoothly. As the coordinator of the Reading Program, I was also amazed by the tremendous SUCCESS and REALIZATION of this ambitious dream of the ARMM teachers to be able to let our young learners read by Grade 3. (quite rewarding huh?)

Just like the calm and serene sea, I thought my life this day would go on smoothly. It would not also be a surprise for me to know that a calm sea would not forever remain calm. There comes a time when the sea will become rough and bustling and I, of course, know that this happens because it is caused. Oftentimes, turbulent weather causes the sea to yell angrily. You might be thinking that I was gnashing my teeth this day but nope...to tell you the truth. I just was just in a brain "downshift" when I heard from somebody that our Beginning Reading Program was a complete DISRUPTION! Who would believe that? All the while, I thought the Program had been relevant to the Project's goals and objectives. I wasn't able to control my feelings and I finally burst into tears. I poured out all my regrets of leaving my family just to help the Project just to hear that negative word - DISRUPTION....I shouldn't hear this word, should I? I was never been embarrassed in my whole life just like the humiliation I felt today. Because of this feeling, I only thought of one simple decision and that decision was as clear as my tear drops. I have to quit from my Coordinator's role and most importantly, I would not renew my contract any longer.
I know that this may not be the right way of healing the wound but I am pretty sure that TIME heals a broken heart. I might be broken hearted today, but one thing I'm sure of is that tomorrow and as times go by....my life shall be filled with laughter.
I have to SAVE the BEST for LAST....

Looking for a greener pasture...

It was a rainy morning on the 21st of August, 1982 when my father left for Malaysia. He left our home with sweet promises that he would be back after a year. He would try to look for a greener pasture just to realize his dream for her daughter. The night before was indeed a celebration of a very memorable farewell party. Even now, I could still vividly describe to you guys the happiness felt by everyone in the family and of course, the happiness was reflected on the happy faces worn by everybody.
Sorry....I have to go....I will continue this later...promise..

Musing over my life's experiences...

"I have to go out of the country soon because I want my daughter to become a Doctor of Medicine someday...In 10-year time, I can earn more than enough to support her studies and send her to one of the best universities in Western Mindanao..." These were some of the statements I heard from my dear father who had been away from us since 1982. (My parents were on a serious discussion re my father's adventure to Sabah Malaysia.)

These words were inculcated in my mind during my tender age of 8. Yes, these words had been humming all the times in my whole life, especially during my toughest battles with life's difficulties which came in various forms and in different degrees. There were times when the battle had to be very hard and bloody and there were times, too, when I had to fight moderately. Nevertheless, I will say it with pride that I fought all of these battles and most often than not, I ended up the victorious!

One of the possible questions you may ask me now is - Who was with me during those fights?

The answer will be on my next post....Have to go for a very crucial editing with some Beginning Reading stuff..

Don't you think this can be a very good beginning and a valuable hobby of reminiscing the joyful experiences and painful struggles in the author's life?

Till then..