Getting Reading for Student Led Conferences

Student Led Conferences are well on its way. In addition to their ongoing reflection of the work throughout the term, the students of 3A have chosen key pieces which best represents what they have learned in our classroom. After reflecting on their strengths and challenges in all curricular area and life skills, the students have set their goals for the remainder of the year.

Jungle Gym

During last year's Animal Unit, the students sang and danced to Jack Johnson's Jungle Gym. They wore their animal hats which they created in Art class.

3A 2008 Animal Project

As a culmination activity to our Animal Unit, the students were assigned the task of researching an animal. A report on their animal of interest had to be written the formally presented to their classmates. They had to research their animal's anatomy, diet, life cycle, enemies and how they protect themselves. 3A was enthusiastic right from the start.

Due to the overwhelming amount of information in the internet, it was important for students to learn how to skim and detect credible information for their research. In conjunction with our school librarian, they learned The Big 6 (http://www.big6.com/showarticle.php?id=415), a series of steps to guide students through the research process. The students also created posters to highlight their animal facts, create cue cards, rehearse and present their finished products to their classmates and the elementary principal.

Prior to their presentation, the class generated a list of qualities we find in an effectived presentor (volume, eye contact, preparedness and presence) and good audience member (listening,with your eyes, ears and body language). I was then able to create a rubric according to these qualities, which gave the students a better idea of what was expected of them. It was a proud moment to see them do a fabulous job and be supportive with each other. Students gave constructive feedback to each other by giving them 3 stars and a wish. This consists of three positive points about their presentation and one one thing that they can improve on. As audience members, they asked interesting questions and with their comments, made connections to their own lives and the animals being presented.

Hello World!

I am currently teaching 3rd grade at Seoul International School in Seoul Korea. Living in Seoul for 4 years was the last thing I thought I would ever do, but the kids and parents make teaching here a truly rewarding experience.

I was born in the Philippines but spent most of my life in Canada with a few years in New York and New Jersey during my late elementary and middle school years. Moving around during these formative years was difficult but I beleive that those experiences had a great impact on the international life that I chose to live. As soon as I turned 24, I wanted to venture out to other countries to live, work and be immersed in the unknown. Before graduating from teacher's college, I spent a month long internship at Brent International School in Manila and I was truly hooked. I worked as a 2nd grade teacher in Toronto but all I could think of was where in the world should I teach next year? One year later, I made my way to Thailand and found a job at the Early Learning Centre, a Reggio inspired school in Bangkok. The following year, I taught a multi-age primary classroom at Escuela de las Americas in Puerta La Cruz, Venezuela and then moved out to Seoul and I have been here since.

My husband, Jesse is the 8th grade Language Arts teacher at SIS and together, we are passionate about teaching, traveling to new places and meeting new people. In the last 4 years, we have traveled to Thailand, the Philippines, Canada, The United States, Turkey, and Singapore. As international teachers, we hope to continue this lifestyle and become immersed in the culture of the places we choose to live in. We feel fortunate to have these rich experiences that some only dare to dream.

During my free time, I enjoy reading, jewelry making, exercising, and dancing. Just last year, I began making my own jewelry and started creating my own line called EresDesigns. With all of our travel opportunities, my husband and I both get the chance to dabble in photography. During our last spring break (2007), we took a 3 day photography course with a friend of ours in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Since then, we have been overly meticulous with our photographs to the point that we never really get a chance to develop any of them.

One of the benefits of being an SIS teacher is being around very fit staff members. If you walk into the school fitness room, especially on Mondays, there will be teachers in the cardio machines and various smaller groups of teachers working out in unison. When I can find the time, I try to join one of these groups and let them put me to shame.