Modeling after Teach for America's once a month Saturday professional development days, Teach for the Philippines (TFP) invited us to share some classroom strategies in a workshop format. The mood was upbeat with high-energy songs, birthday singing and a cake to celebrate July birthdays!. Despite this being a long weekend due to a Friday holiday, attendance was high and the TFP fellows really enjoyed the session as it didn't feel like an unnecessary burden that other professional development sessions sometimes have. They also opened up the training to other teachers in other public schools and also staff from education foundations as well.
Each of the LMU teachers were in groups of two or three and shared on topics like differentiation, group work and data and tracking. The format allowed for us to share 4 different times to 4 rotating small groups at about 15 minutes each. After presenting our topics the first hour, we had a chance to sit and listen to another 4 speakers the second hour. Overall we were able to glean many useful strategies from our peers and partners. Despite the cultural differences in our class, we all face remarkably similar problems relating to topics of differentiation, higher level thinking and management.
Later on we went to Greenhills Mall, a bonanza for semi knockoff goods, where bargaining was the norm rather than the exception. Many things were on sale there from shirts, shoes, backpacks and electronics. There was also a mall attached and a chapel too, should the pursuits of materialism weigh too heavily on your heart.
At night we hopped over to Cubao Exposition, a trendy hangout with many youths indulging in games, fashion, artistic pursuits and beverages. The bars and stores were open late and many people were mulling in the street until the wee hours of the night. Joined by a few TFP fellows, we chatted, played games and enjoyed each other's company as the conclusion to this Super Saturday.
Each of the LMU teachers were in groups of two or three and shared on topics like differentiation, group work and data and tracking. The format allowed for us to share 4 different times to 4 rotating small groups at about 15 minutes each. After presenting our topics the first hour, we had a chance to sit and listen to another 4 speakers the second hour. Overall we were able to glean many useful strategies from our peers and partners. Despite the cultural differences in our class, we all face remarkably similar problems relating to topics of differentiation, higher level thinking and management.
Later on we went to Greenhills Mall, a bonanza for semi knockoff goods, where bargaining was the norm rather than the exception. Many things were on sale there from shirts, shoes, backpacks and electronics. There was also a mall attached and a chapel too, should the pursuits of materialism weigh too heavily on your heart.
At night we hopped over to Cubao Exposition, a trendy hangout with many youths indulging in games, fashion, artistic pursuits and beverages. The bars and stores were open late and many people were mulling in the street until the wee hours of the night. Joined by a few TFP fellows, we chatted, played games and enjoyed each other's company as the conclusion to this Super Saturday.