Posted by Teacher Ria in Multimedia Center, Toys and Playthings | 2 Comments

Dear Santa, Love Teacher Ria

Yesterday I had my kids write their letters to Santa. I do this every year and much as I’ve never really been a big fan of Christmas, this is something that always makes me smile. Since my kids are now in the Seniors class, I try to encourage them to work on writing by themselves, which includes spelling. Yes, they often misspell words because they still approach the task in a very phonetic manner and they have not mastered phonetic rules much, but I am one who places a lot of value on this part of the process: the invented spelling part.

Before I let them put their letters in envelopes, I discussed with them the different parts of a letter and what should go on the envelope. Because it was to be sent to Santa, I asked them where they would send the letters. And this is what they said:

Dear Santa....send to North Pole, Far far away

Cuuuutie right?!? Hehe. Oh, and can you figure out what this little girl wanted?

As for Teacher Ria, this is what she would have said:

Dear Santa,

I’ve been so super good this year, but yes, I’ve had my moments so maybe I don’t deserve that iPad or iMac yet, but but but…that little red Sony VAIO P Series Pocket Style PC sure would make me soooo super happy. Please, please with a cherry on top? Okay? Thanks, Bye.

♥,

Teacher Ria

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Posted by Teacher Ria in Lesson Plans, Preschool, Teaching Resources | 0 Comments

Where Would You Wanna Go?

I want to ride the airplane! I will go to....

While discussing the theme transportation, I overheard my students talking about where they would like to go if they could ride an airplane. Since they were so caught up in their conversation, I decided to have them make an activity out of it. I asked our other teacher to prepare some paper airplanes (errr….I seem to suck at paper folding haha) then I had the kids design their planes and we did a show and tell activity.

It was fun to hear their opinions and ideas about what it would be like to ride in a plane, and I was able to have some of the kids who have been on planes talk about their experiences. They described how it feels to have their tummies feel all funny during turbulence, how the clouds look when it’s right outside their windows, and one even so perfectly imitated the sound of one of the toilet flushing in those cramped bathrooms in airplanes.

Before they ended their turns, I asked them where they would like to go if they were on an airplane. As expected, the typical answer I got was “Hong Kong Disneyland” but here were some cute responses:

• I will go to the province to visit my lola
• I want to go to Japan because it’s snow (errr…that’s how she said it!)
• We will ride the airplane and live in Canada in May (their family is relocating there soon)
• I wanna ride the airplane and go to Africa because I wanna go on a safari and see the elephants and the zebras and the dinosaurs. Then Basti can come with me.
• I will go to Daddy in Qatar (awwwww nice, right????)

but my biggest laugh came from this:

• I wanna ride the airplane so I can go to SM with Mommy and Daddy. (ay kalayo man ng SM!!!!)

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Posted by Teacher Ria in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

It’s The Happiest Day of the Year!

Oh no….I’m not talking about Christmas here….for people like me, Cyber Monday sure can beat Christmas as the happiest day of the year, teeeheeeheeee….

Being such a gadget enthusiast, I am sure looking forward to what great deals would be available then and yes, I have commissioned my dear sister to help me out with the shipping of things should it be better to have it shipped to her instead of directly to me. If I had an unlimited supply of free flowing cash to splurge with, I sure wouldn’t mind getting the following on Cyber Monday:

• an iPad
• a projector for school!
• my dream machine: the iMac
• the Sony cybershot camera with sweep panorama in 3D (errr…I forget the model right now mwahaha)
• an LCD TV
• an android phone

yes…Cyber Monday is the ♥. Now if only there was enough cash stocked up in my Paypal account teeeheeeheeee…

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Posted by Teacher Ria in Arts and Crafts, Teaching Resources, Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment

Unexpected Crafts

I think I have written about this in the past, but today, I came across a photo in Flicker that I fell in love with. Lookie:

Photo: “Star's Fault: Cigar Box #1” by Eileen Terwilliger, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved

So cute right! I think this is one of those boxes you get when you buy wholesale cigars or something like that, rather than by the piece. I remember we used to have a whole bunch of them lying around the house (alongside a whole lot of wine bottles) then for some reason, just when I get into my whole mosaic mode (so much so that I created Project Sunshine as a mural on my wall), it disappeared. Wouldn’t handmade boxes and unexpected crafts like this make such wonderful Christmas gifts??? Sigh.

Anyway, for next weeks class, I asked my kids to bring old shoeboxes and I hope we get to do something kinda like this for the holidays. Other favorite craft materials for me include toilet paper rolls, big match boxes and plastic containers. Yep, I like boxes and cardboard a whoooole lot teeeheeeheee.

So, in preparation for Christmas (be it for decoration or for presents) I am getting ready to get into the artsy-fartsy mode once again. Wish me luck

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Posted by Teacher Ria in Life Lessons, Reflections | 0 Comments

Little Bits of Sunshine

One of the things I will miss the most when I no longer teach my Little Chickens (a.k.a. the seniors class. For some reason they’ve taken to calling me Momma Chicken (or shark, or tiger, and lets not forget cougar at times!). One day they decided that since I’m their momma whaterver, they became little chickens), are the random bits of sunshine they throw my way. From unexpected hugs to hilarious comments, and even those little endearing puppy-dog-please-please-please-teacher-eyes they send my way, these are little bits of sunshine that brighten up even the most dismal and difficult days.

Not too long ago, I was having a really bad day. But one of my little chickens threw such a bright ray of sunshine my way I couldn’t help but feel the love.

oct. 15, 2010. today wasn't all good.... blame in on bad dreams and kulit dogs that don't let me sleep, being too nice to people who i should know better than to be nice to (but then again i'd like to still think being nice is a good thing...butbutbut...lets not go there), knowing i hurt some people without meaning to, having to deal with unexpected requirements... but...lookie what i found in my bag ♥ dear god, thank you for these little reminders that despite everything, there is always something nice in every day ♥

happy, happy sigh

I am so gonna miss this.