Sun.Star Pampanga

GETTING STARTED

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The author is Teacher Pampanga

CARMELA M. RAMIREZ

With first questions and concerns tentavely exoplored or held in abeyance, the teacher next moves to get something started in the classroom. The environmen­t is probably a first step. What areas will be arranged?What centers can be organized?With ideas firmly in mind,, the teacher, over a weekend or holiday, carries out a beginning moves. The classroom takes on a new look and the stage is set.

There is no one way to iniate the program. With the environmen­t set, next considerat­ions focus on getting the children started in the way of working. A first stage is introducin­g the children to the new situation:

-Discuss the way of working-why the change, how it is expected to develop, how problems are to be solved, and so on.

-Show the children around the classroom-point out equipment and materials, describe possible things to do at each area, allow the children to touch and look closely at things, and so on

-Answer questions, how the children talk about the one thing that interested them most, and so on hildren have some idea of what is available and how they’re to work, the teacher might ask each child to write on a piece of paper one area he would like to explore further and one thing he might do there. He brings the “plan” to the teacher for comments,suggestion­s, and approval.(if the area is too crowded because of other children working there, the teacher might help

The child make it second choice. Younger children who can’t yet write might tell their choice to the teacher after thinking about it at their seats.

As the children are working , the teacher goes around the room asking questions, making suggestion­s, or discussing the work underway. The teacher initially make some contact with as many children as possible. The intent at this point is to sustain the flow of twork, iron out minor snags quickly,prevent possible mishaps or arguments, and make sure children know how to use the materials. Basically this first engagement is an exploring time, with the children getting familia with the new environmen­t.

— oOo—

II at Baruya Elementary School, Baruya, Lubao,

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