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Posted on November 15, 2011October 13, 2013 by admin

Where Is Santa Claus?

Like everyone else, you have probably dreamed of meeting Santa Claus, sitting on his lap and playing with his white mustache. When you were a kid, you must have written a letter to him and asked for a remote-controlled toy car or a pretty doll that sleeps when rocked. And because you were nice to everyone, the elves didn’t miss your name in the list.

The proof? The present in the stocking or under the Christmas tree with a Yuletide card that said, “For the most lovable child in the world”.Before opening the gift, some kids would run around the house or look up to the chimney with a where-is-Santa-Claus expression, hoping they can still hear his jovial ho-ho-ho trademark or say hello to red-nosed Rudolph. This lack of interaction made Apple Kids Play School come up with the idea of bringing Santa to their students’ house

When they implemented the idea on December 23 last year, it was a busy night for the teachers. They escorted the most sought-after man at Christmas to each destination, bringing all the gifts the accomplices elves inexhaustibly and specially purchased wrapped. The students had different reactions when they saw Santa and their present in his bag. Here are some photos taken during that memorable night.

Some were tickled by joy.

Some didn’t want to let Santa go.

Some couldn’t believe Santa visited their house.

Some were scared.

Some sulked in his presence.

Some didn’t want to stay away from their parents.

Some kids in the neighborhood asked for a moment, too.

All adults requested for a photo with Santa.

But the main purpose of the school wasn’t purely fun. They also took the occasion an opportunity for personality development. They found a way to creatively motivate the students to behave in a better way. Santa didn’t only give away gifts. In every conversation, he showed off his memorization skills by appreciating the students’ great characteristics and discouraging their naughty habits. One student was surprised why Santa knew he was an active boy but a poor sport.

The students soundly slept that night without having to ask their parents, “Where is Santa Claus?”

Apple Kids Play School is a Korean preschool in Mabolo, Cebu City. They follow a play-based thematic curriculum for their regular students and provide authentic learning for young ESL students. For inquiries, you may call (63) (32) 268-7733.

Posted on October 17, 2011October 13, 2013 by admin

Halloween History and Traditions

Do you know the story behind the spook and thrill October 31 brings? You may be aware that Halloween is an annual tradition everyone celebrates through costume parties, fun games, trick-or-treating, entering haunted houses and sharing scary stories but you may be surprised that it’s actually religion, paganism and superstitions rolled into one event.

The Origin

It originated from the Celtic culture of Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe more than 2000 years ago. The Celts used to have a festival called Samhain, a celebration of harvest before their new year begins on November 1. Since the date also marked the beginning of the winter’s cold weather and longer nights, it was associated with death. On October 31, they believed the deceased would come back to earth to damage their harvested crops, inflict sickness and play evil tricks to people. Because of this daunting superstition, they would wear scary costumes, put on masks and make sacred bonfires to drive away the spirits. Some also left out treats to appease them.

During the conquest of the Roman empire over Europe, the Catholic church combined two of their holidays with this tradition to Christianize the Celts. The missionaries already considered them as pagans who needed spiritual guidance. November 1 and 2 were declared as All Saints Day and All Souls Day, respectively. The night before November 1 was called All Hallows Eve but eventually, it was shortened to Halloween. Since some Celts continued to firmly practice their customs on this day, it may be the reason why it has been transmitted from the ancient to the present generation.

Trick or Treat

Aside from the historical information stated above, this can be traced to a Mid-European practice called souling. On All Saints Day, early Christian beggars would ask for a piece of cake from the villagers. In exchange, they would pray for the dead relatives of the donors the following day. At that time, it was believed that prayers can facilitate a soul’s entry to heaven.

Through media, trick-or-treating has spread around the globe. Currently, children wear awesome costumes and collect treats in their neighborhood on Halloween. However, there are still countries who don’t practice it like the way Europeans and Americans do. For example, in the Philippines, Filipinos prefer to visit the graves of their dead loved ones. In Japan, some make use of Halloween decors but they pay homage to the souls in August during Obon.

Pumpkins, Turnips and Jack-o-Lanterns

The famous Jack-o-Lantern is an Irish folklore about a drunkard, selfish man named Jack. When he passed away, he wasn’t admitted to heaven because of his misdeeds. He wasn’t welcomed in hell either because he once tricked Satan. So he hollowed a turnip, placed an ember in it and returned to earth without knowing where to go. It is supposed that until this time, he’s still roaming around with his lantern.

Carving of turnips was originally done in Scotland and Ireland. However, North Americans preferred to use pumpkin since they’re larger than turnips and readily available. It is said that pumpkin carving is still practiced to remember the souls in purgatory.

Apple Bobbing

This most popular Halloween game consists of a large basin of water with floating apples on it. The first person who can bite it with his teeth without using the hands is assumed as the next one to marry. In some cases, the organizers hang the apples on the string.

When the Romans dominated the Celtic area, they introduced apple as the symbol of Ponoma, the goddess of beauty and fertility. Remembering her in October too is most likely the reason why parties have apple games on Halloween.

Posted on October 16, 2011October 13, 2013 by admin

My Students are My Birthmarks

Cindy Velasquez believes students leave a mark, a very beautiful mark.

Ang langgam ug ang hulmigas
(the bird and the ant)

Last week, my students from my English 37 class (Children’s Literature) went to Mahayahay, specifically a small school for children, this place is a squatter area facing SM Cebu. We had storytelling. We had games and light snacks too for the children. We went to this place because of two major reasons. First: this was their final exam. Second: to serve. But surprisingly, I was amazed by my students. It was like I went somewhere else.

Listening to their big sisters

I wrote this poem for them.

Birthmarks

There is a story: in Arabic, birthmark is called wiham, it translates to wishes, according to folklore they are caused by unsatisfied wishes of the mother during pregnancy. And another story: in Iranian folklore, a birthmark appears when the pregnant mother touches a part of her body during a solar eclipse.

I stop.

I feel a strange spots growing on my skin. It stains like color blue with a mixture of black whenever I try my best to simplify the most difficult part of the lesson inside the class. I find these birthmarks beautiful. I can hear its border shaping on my yellowish skin whenever I let my students see animated films, especially Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. Then without a hassle, I appear living in my past life. Everything was facile. I was a mother with eleven daughters, their names I could still remember: Priscila, Carmel, Catherine, Glennyl, Prety, Sweet, Venus, Cherry, Lucille, Joplyn and Shiela. And I made wishes for them.

But in their second lives, I was not their mother. Strangely, those birthmarks return to me like a seal, it footmarks on this earth. It becomes a landmark on my skin. It returns to me, but not to them. But they don’t know I can still see my wishes on their skin. I see their birthmarks whenever they say: thank you. I see it whenever I hear their voices speaking to the children and sharing what they learn from our class. Then, I see a solar mass in a telescope, tonight in my dreams, there will be no full moon. I will see a dragon eating the moon. I will be back in my past life. I will wait for the monsoon’s gas. Tonight, I will touch a part of my body just like the story.

Posted on October 14, 2011October 13, 2013 by admin

What I Learned Today

Cindy Velasquez tells us that flowers, tears and literature can be beautifully interwoven.

It was the last day of school. And my students were performing poetry, songs, and dance. They told stories about a soldier, a wash-woman, and a nightingale. Suddenly they called my name. They asked me to stay in the middle of the classroom. One of my students started singing a song. It said: “Thank you for teaching me how to love. Showing me what the world means. What I’ve been dreamin’ of. And now I know, there is nothing that I could not do. Thanks to You.”

I tried to fit everything what I felt in that instant with a single tear drop.

And I asked myself: Is there a word for that feeling when you believe you are so thankful in the most unexpected place and people; is there a word for that? I wish there is.

I knew at that moment, my tear learned more than my mind did.

While my students started to stand up slowly, one by one, they looked at me as they continued to sing the song. Then, I wrote a letter for them, to each one of them inside my heart even if I had not memorized all their names. I sent letters into their memories. But I prayed hard, asking a mail man to send those letters into their memories. I prayed that the mail man would be familiar with my words. I wished that the mail man would carefully give my letters in the right time. Yes, in the right time. Those letters, the lessons I taught them and the lessons they taught me.

Suddenly, they gave me a bouquet of flowers.

THANK YOU to all my students!My first bouquet was given by my students. As I carried it going home, I carried it like a baby, a five month old baby. Five months, five months of being with my students, I was determined to hold it right. Not too firm, not too tight, just right so that the petals remained perfectly. I was glad I was a holding a five month old baby.

Posted on October 10, 2011October 13, 2013 by admin

Block by Block Ideas

Whether they are flat, cylindrical, rectangular, conical or cubic, wooden blocks are used to form objects. Children enjoy building houses, department stores, hospitals, schools and other buildings. They either spread them out on the floor or construct them on a three-dimensional basis. Wooden blocks don’t have hinges that connect them to each other. Kids therefore learn the concept of balance, the value of considering small details and the attitude of patience.

You can make one tall building together to foster teamwork and camaraderie. Through this, you would know who has leadership qualities, who are cooperative team players and who bums around. Then you can gather around it, act like the wolf in the Three Little Pigs traditional tale and blow it hard. When the building has fallen down, laugh out loud together and rebuild it again.

You can also ask them to build a specific building on their assigned area. When everyone’s finished, provide each of them a car and allow them a few minutes to go joyriding around the town. You can also give each of them a few blocks and they take turns in contributing to put up one unique building. The list on how to deal with the blocks goes on and on. It just depends on the teacher’s creativity.

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