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From Book to Big ScreenMonday, October 31st, 2011

When a novel i s turned into a movie, would you rather read it or just watch the

flick? We say, both!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Coraline J ones (Yes, its Coraline and not Caroline as most people often assume) is an adventurous

young girl whose parents are too busy for her and whose new apartment complex is filled with

nothing but eccentric old people. One day, she discovers a door and a key. Beyond that door isanother mother and father who dote on Coraline and indulge her whims. Will Coraline be tempted to

stay in the alternate world beyond the door or fight her way back to her real parents? In this modern

dayAlice in Wonderland, Neil Gaiman creates a dark world reminiscent of those gloomy rainy days.

The movie version ofCoraline was created using claymation. The use of claymation allows it to

capture many of the eccentricities of the story and the characters while giving it a more realistic,

eerie quality. One major change in the story is the addition of Wyborne, a young boy around

Coralines age who is the grandson of the owner of the apartment complex. The addition of Wyborne

gives the story a friendship aspect as Wyborne helps Coraline despite his cowardly tendencies.

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Flipped illustrates the truth that there are two sides to every story. For Bryce Loski and J ulianna

Baker, it is something they have yet to figure out. The minute J uli Baker sees Bryce Loskis blue

eyes, she is captivated and convinced that he will be her first kiss. But the sight of J uli Baker makes

Bryce Loski want to run and hide. Throughout their childhood, J uli does all the chasing. But in the

eighth grade, things happen that change their outlooks in life and their feelings towards the other.

Told from two perspectives, Flipped is a story about family, first love, and growing up.

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The movie version ofFlipped, though mostly faithful to the story, even down to minute details, made

one significant change that enhances the overall feel and tone of the novel. Flipped the novel is

presumed to be set in the present time or at least after 1980. The movie version however is set in

the 50s or 60s. The setting allows the movie to capture the innocence and child-like perspective that

the book tries to espouse. This child-like innocence allows the movie to tackle deeper issues such as

social inequality, prejudice, and mental disabilities with a lighter tone. Overall, Flipped the movie

effectively brings the book alive. Both are worth seeing and appreciating.

How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

On the Isle of Berk, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is beginning his training to become a full-fledged

viking. The only problem is, despite being the son of the Chief, Hiccup is probably the complete

opposite of what a viking should be. Each viking in training gets to pick their own dragon and Hiccup

ends up with the most useless, selfish, and definitely the smallest dragon, whom he names

Toothless. The series follows Hiccup and Toothless on various adventures in which Hiccup

surprisingly proves to be the hero despite all odds being against him.

The movie version ofHow To Train Your Dragon deviates from the books in many aspects. In fact,

only the concept of vikings and dragons seems to remain constant. In the movie, Hiccup is still

considered the useless son of the Chief, but Toothless is actually a rare and dangerous dragon.

Vikings and dragons are enemies and the viking children are trained to defeat dragons. Hiccup is

more of an inventor and he creates a machine that eventually ends up injuring Toothless and

capturing him. The movie follows Toothlesss recovery and Hiccups attempts to train him. The movie

has more emotional pull and character development, while the books are more humorous. The

movie will make you want to read the books and vice versa.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill A Mockingbird, set in the 1930s, is a story about growing up. The story is told from the
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perspective of Scout Finch, a six-year-old girl, who lives with her older brother J em and their

widowed father Atticus, a lawyer. The novel actually delves into serious societal issues such as

racism and prejudice. It chronicles the children growing up in the town of Maycomb, Alabama. Most

of their summer adventures involve the social recluse Boo Radley, who the children find fascinating.

Although he never shows himself, he makes his presence known by leaving small tokens for the

children. The main conflict in the story occurs when Atticus is tasked to defend Tom Robinson, a

black man accused of raping a white woman. It is during this trying time that Atticuss moral

character is tested and J em and Scout have to endure taunting and teasing. As the story is told from

Scouts perspective, we see the events unfolding through her innocent eyes.

The movie was made in 1962 and was most definitely a testament to the book. All the characters

were acted out well, especially the role of Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck who went on to win

an Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal. Though the movie is shot in black and white, somehow it

lends to the films authenticity and the feeling of a sleepy town called Maycomb, Alabama. The movie

and book are said to be an autobiography of sorts and Lees father served as the inspiration for

Atticus Finch. The book and the movie complement each other well, but its really the story itself and

the values it presents that are worth reading and learning.

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TEACHERS RESOURCE BOX: Mahabang-Mahabang-MahabaMonday, October 31st, 2011

Whats in a name? This fun story will teach your students how to love themoniker they were born with.
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A little boy feels unhappy about the fact that he has an unusually long name: Gatpuno Ping Emilio

Juanito Santiago R. Lakanilaw. Writing down this lengthy name in school always tires him out and

lets him miss out on playing with his classmates. When he talks to his mother and admits to beingfrustrated with his name, she surprises him by explaining the reasons why he got every single one

of them. In the end, the little boy learns to appreciate his extraordinary set of names.

IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Our Heroes Names

As mentioned in the storybook, the term Gat once indicated that a person was a hero. Ask your

students to research about the meanings of their favorite Philippine heroes names and share them

in class. Take the lead by discussing these examples:

Dr. Jos Rizal
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Our national heros full name is Jos Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. Jos is a Spanish

name derived from the Hebrew name Joseph which means God will multiply. His second name

Protasio is said to be taken from Saint Protase whose feast day falls on June 19 (Rizals birthday).

It is Greek in origin, and is defined as the preferred one. The surnames Rizal Mercado come from

his fathers side (Rizal is from the Spanish word Ricial which means green fields, while Mercado

means marketa term that pays tribute to his familys Chinese merchant roots) whereas Alonso

Realonda comes from his mothers side.

General Emilio Aguinaldo

Derived from the Latin name Emil, Emilio is a name that suits the first president of the Philippines

because of its meaning: to strive or excel. As a member of the KKK, he strived to free our country

from the grips of Spanish colonizers.

Gabriela Silang

Maria Josefa Gabriela Cario Silang was the wife of Diego Silang, the well-known leader of the

Ilocano uprising. Her names have deep spiritual weight since they are variants of the names of holy

beings Mary (the mother of Jesus) and Gabriel (the archangel who delivered Gods message to

Mary). Meanwhile, her second name Josefa is a Hebrew name that stands for the Lords addition.

2. Naming Practices Around the World

These customs may provide surprising reasons for peoples names.

Africa Parents believe that the name of a baby can influence the course of his life and his

familys future, thats why they take many things into consideration before making a choice. Some

African babies have two namesone is given as soon as theyre born, and the other is given

during a later celebration.

China Its no secret that the Chinese give utmost importance to the family unit, making it

common practice for the surname to come before an individuals two-character name. Traditionally,

the male members of a generation (siblings and cousins) share the same first character to signify

their relations.

France The French pass on the fathers name to the daughter by simply changing one or two

letters to make it sound more feminine.

Hawaii Hawaiians love giving their children descriptive names based on nature. For example, the

first name of actor Keanu Reeves means cool breeze over mountains. Names that start with

Kelii- (chief) or end in -lani (sky) could only be used by those with high social standing.

Ireland Depending on the babys gender, the firstborn child adopts the name of the paternal

grandfather or maternal grandmother as a way of honoring their elders.

Japan In some Japanese families, you can tell the chronological order of the boys because their

names simply state them. Ichiro means first son, Jiro means second son, and Saburo means

third son. Girls, on the other hand, are given more virtuous names such as Akiko (bright child)

and Kimiko (noble child).

Sweden Before the Names Adoption Act was passed in 1901, family names in Sweden were

originally patronymic. The most common surname was Johansson, which meant that the person

was the son of Johan.


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3. Say What?These lengthy, mind-boggling names will make your students gasp for air

while saying them.

Kananinoheaokuuhomeopuukaimanaalohilo

This Hawaiian name has got 37 letters to it! Believe it or not, the masculine moniker stands for

the beautiful aroma of my home at sparkling Diamond Hill is carried to the eyes of heaven.

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateahaumaitawhitiurehaeaturipukakapiki

maungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu

A 305-meter hill found in New Zealand, this land formation gained popularity due to its lengthy

name that means the summit where Tamatea, a man with big knees, a climber of mountains, a

land-eater who traveled about, played his nose flute to this loved ones.

Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop

Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan

Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit

This is the actual name of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It roughly translates to the land of

angels, the great city of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of Ayuthaya, the grand capital

of the world endowed with nine precious gems, a happy city abounding in an enormous Royal

Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by

Indra and built by Vishnukarn. Definitely a mouthful even in English!

4. Name Game

Challenge your classs vocabulary by doing this short activity.

For the first round, ask your students to describe themselves using the first letter of their names

such as Jolly Joanna or Boisterous Beth. Each student should give an adjective that has not been

used by his other classmates. Applaud the students who come up with unique and creative

descriptions for themselves.

For the tougher second round, make them pair up with their seatmates and come up with fitting

adjectives for every letter of their seatmates name.

For example:

C Cute

H Hardworking

E Energetic

S Sincere
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K Kind

A Animated

Challenge them even further by asking them to come up with adjectives for every letter of their

last name as well!


No Lipstick for MotherMonday, February 28th, 2011

Teach your students about inner beauty with this fun story.


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When Riding a Vehicle

1. Wear your seatbelt, especially if you are sitting in front, whether as a passenger or driver. This is

mandated by Philippine law (Republic Act No. 8750).

2. Also stated in the law, no children under the age of six should be allowed to sit in the front seat.

3. Do not distract the driver.

4. Do not text or call while driving!

Skin Deep

This book is an excellent jump off point for discussing with students the qualities that make people

beautiful. It is very easy to focus on a persons physical beauty (or lack of it). On the other hand, it

can be difficult to go beyond the physical to see ones inner qualities.

1. You can start off by having them think of one person they think is beautiful on the outside (it

would be helpful if this person is somebody they know personally). Provide your own example and

illustrate the exercise on the board: a smaller circle inside one bigger circle. On the outer circle,

make a list of the physical characteristics that make this person beautiful. In the inner circle, write

down those qualities you appreciate (honest, good natured, kind, generous, etc).

2. Next, have your students think of somebody they dont find attractive and do the exercise again.

Gently remind them that this exercise is not meant to hurt others by targeting plain or unattractive

individuals, but to help them focus on other (better) qualities that make an individual stand out.

3. Finally, do the exercise a third time but this time have them focus on themselves. There is a

danger that young children get too caught up on outer beauty, thinking only of themselves as

pretty or ugly and neglect to recognize the other qualities that make them special and wonderful

individuals.

4. To end the exercise, have them create two cardsone for each of the individuals they focused on.

Have them fill in the blank in this sentence: I think you are beautiful because _________. Have

them list down only the inner qualities. Then with the list they made of their own qualities, theycan create a poster. In the middle is the statement, I am beautiful because ________. Here they

can list both the outer and inner qualities. It is always good to have your own reminder of what

makes you beautiful. And youre never too young to learn to seek the good in everyone!


Writers FavoritesSunday, February 27th, 2011

Get to know Star Teachers contributors as they share with you whats on their

bookshelves or night stands

Chinggay Labrador

Hunting and Gatheringby Anna Gavalda

Anyone fascinated by the Frenchtheir language, history,

culture, and cuisinewill want to visit the Paris depicted

by French writer Anna Gavalda. Her book, Hunting and

Gathering follows Camille, an anorexic artist, as she opens

her tiny little world to new experiences, new friendships,

and the possibility of new love in all its incarnations.

The introverted charactersPhilibert, a bumbling postcard

salesman who is heir to a huge family fortune; Franck, an arrogant chef who spends his days

worrying over Paulette, his aging grandmotherare as charming as the Paris and the French

countryside Gavalda paints. The storyline is quiet, unpretentious, and absolutely real. Whats most

French about it is that it does not put on any airs and simply banks on the beauty of day-to-day

details. The French title, Ensmeble cest tout, literally means Together, is everything.

The best part of finishing this book is seeing the story come alive in the 2007 film adaptation

starring Amelies Audrey Tautou.

Steph Esguerra

Kafka On The Shoreby Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakamis Kafka On The Shore initially struck me as strange and

deeply perplexing. The fi rst few scenes send you into an odd world of

fantasy: A teenage boy runs away from home to escape a frightening

prophecy from being fulfi lled and to search for his long-missing mother

and sister. The other protagonist is a dull-witted old man who cannot

understand his incapacity for basic activities. A series of unexplained

incidents involving fi sh falling from the sky and talking cats start to occur.

The two protagonists peculiar experiences lead them to one another.

Although the story takes on a fantastic tone, the illustration of the
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characters distinct personalities and inner struggles are so beautifully told

that I found myself becoming fond of their quirks. The tale is very

unpredictable and will keep you on the edge of your seat with every page.

Marica Lim Llenado

The Polar Expressby Chris Van Allsburg

One of the best books for children Ive read is The Polar

Express by Chris Van Allsburg. It is a book I picked up for

my daughter but it quickly became one of my own

favorites. Its a Christmas story without the overdose of

holiday spirit that makes other Christmas stories corny.

The narrator is lying in his bed waiting to hear the sound of Santas sleigh bells, a sound his friend

said hed never hear. As hes lying there, waiting, he hears a different soundthat of the Polar

Express pulling up to his house. He climbs on board and he, together with a train full of young

children, goes all the way to the North Pole. At the town square, amidst a crowd of eager elves,

Santa makes his appearance and chooses from among the children one lucky child to whom he will

give the first gift of Christmas. Of course he chooses our narrator! But of all the things he could

have asked for, the young boy asks for one of Santas sleigh bells.

Once at home, he finds that only he and his sister could hear the tinkling of the bell; his parents

thought it was broken! Over the years, he found that all of his friends and even his sister could no

longer hear the bell, and only heand those who truly believedcould still hear its beautiful

sound.

Anne Macalino-Santos

The Time Travelers Wifeby Audrey Niffenegger

The first time they meet, Clare is six and Henry is 36. The

next time they see each other again and fall in love, Clare

is 22 and Henry is 30 and has never met her before. This

is an unusual love story between a typical girl and a not

so typical boy with a genetic condition called Chronic

Displacement Disorder. That is, Henry involuntarily travels

back and forth in time.

Author Audrey Niffenegger seamlessly and convincingly

tells the story from both Henrys and Clares points of viewthe first moving back and forth in

time, the latter progressing naturallywithout confusing her readers. Witness how Henry and Clare

find happiness against their extraordinary circumstance. It is literally a love story that transcends

time and space. A testament to comings, goings, and the waiting in between.

While I cannot decide whether the ending is tragic or joyful, I am sure that the story will tug at

your heartstrings. It is one of those rare stories you cannot wait to finish and wish would never

end.


Mga Anak ng ArawSunday, February 27th, 2011

Bakit Iba-iba ang Kulay ng mga Lahi

(Children of the Sun: Why Different Races Have Different Colors)
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This charming tale of how the earths first people came to be can open up several

enriching discussions on creation and unity in diversity.

Mga Anak Ng Arawweaves the legend of how Bathala

created the earths first inhabitants, who were given color

with Mother Suns rays. The story tells how the different

races came to be. In the morning, the white people were

created, the brown people at noon time, and the black

people during the evening. Yet despite their varying skin

colors, they remain tied together as brothers and sisters

because of their single origin.

IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION:

A. Legends and Creation Stories

What are legends?

Legends are famous myths or stories passed down from earlier times detailing how certain things

came into existence.

Creation Stories

Famous stories of creation include Charles Darwins theory of evolution, which states that the

human species originated from a common ancestor. Certain beneficial traits are preserved through

time and passed down to the next generation through a process called natural selection. Natural

selection refers to how the most successful in adapting to the changing environment survive, thusthe phrase, survival of the fittest.

One example of a local story on creation is that of Malakas at Maganda,which originated from

the Visayas region. In the beginning, there were only the seas and the sky. A magnificent bird

wished to find land to perch on, and asked help from the gods of the seas and the sky. The two

gods ended up arguing over who was more powerful and in the midst of whirlwinds, land was

revealed to be underneath the seas. As the battle drew to a close, the bird happened to hear

voices from inside bamboos asking him to free them so they could maintain the peace and

populate the lands. The bird opened the bamboo which contained the first man and woman.

B. Science of the Sun

The Sun, source of life-giving energy to the planet, also plays a role when it comes to skin color or

pigmentation. Three pigment factors contribute to skin color:

a) melanin, dark brown pigment granules found in the epidermal cells

b)melanoid, a dissolved material in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin)

c)carotene, an orange pigment located in the outer layers of the skin

There are different skin colors because of the different amounts of pigment in the skin. Skin color

ranges from the lightest (Caucasian), yellow-brown (Chinese, Eskimo, and North American Indian),

to the darkest (Negroid).

Generally, people who have descended from a line hailing from tropical regions or those in higher

altitudes have darker skin because of greater exposure to ultraviolet light, found in sunlight.

Sunlights Ultraviolet B radiation is a primary source of Vitamin D, which is greatly beneficial to

ones health. Some of its benefits include the potential to inhibit the growth of certain cancers.

However, excessive exposure to sunlight can cause certain diseases like skin cancer. Warning signs

include brown blemishes on exposed body parts, skin thickening, inflammation and ulcerationwithout healing. The lighter your skin color, the more sensitive you are to sunlight.

C. Sarimanok

The Sarimanokcomes from the Itotoro, or legendary bird of the Maranao tribe in Mindanao. It is

believed to represent good fortune. The Sarimanokis a chicken-like creature with colorful wings

and a long feathered tail, holding a fish in its beak or its talons. (In this story, he is simply known

as tigmamanukin, Bathalasfirst companion.)

A certain Islamic legend tells how Islam founder, Muhammad, discovered a rooster in the first of

the seven heavens. Due to the sheer enormity of the rooster, its head had already reached the

second heaven. When it crowed, it awakened every living thing except man. Should the rooster

stop crowing, it would signify that Judgment Day has arrived.


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D. Is Whiter Really Better?

Stop and think

Have you ever counted how many whitening products there are in stores?

What about print, TV, and billboard ads talking about the benefits of fair skin? l Have you ever

wanted your own skin to be lighter?

Why is our culture so obsessed with being white?

Do darker-skinned kids in school have derogatory nicknames?

Are our students learning that having darker skin is bad?

Talk about this with your peers and see what insights they have on the topic.

E. Cultural and Ethnic Diversity

Discuss the reality of diverse nationalities and cultures present in our country, and how there is a

need for acceptance and openness to embrace these differences.

Ask your students:

1. What do you think of when you hear the word Muslim? Intsik? Kano? Hapon?

2. Do you think all people of these races are what you think they are?

3. Do you think its possible for them to be just like you?

4. Where did your beliefs about them come from?

Teaching your students to be more aware of where their beliefs come from is the first step to

critical thinking.


Better Filipinos for a Better PhilippinesSunday, February 27th, 2011

This little book teaches us how we can reach a bright future for our country, ourselves,

and our children.

In this age of globalization and mass immigration, being a

Filipino is more than just having a birth certificate or a

passport that states you are one. Neither is it just placing

your hand on your chest as you sing Lupang Hinirang. A

Filipino is someone who has a genuine concern and

respect for the Philippines and his fellow Filipinos.

Living in a third world country like ours, simply being a

good citizen can be quite a challenge.

Let it not be said that its up to our newly electedpresident to turn the Philippines around. We cannotand

should notexpect him to single-handedly solve the

problems of our country. There are a million problems to

be tackled and so much to be done. The good news is

that there are over 90 million of us who can help him!

Believing that, the answer is in us as a people; that hope

is in us as a people, lawyer, columnist, and philanthropist

Alexander Lacson wrote the book 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country. Its

funny how his 12 little things are so simple and make so much sense, yet a lot of us still dont

practice them. Here are some ideas from the book:

1. Follow Traffic Rules. As Mr. Lacson puts it, traffic rules are the simplest of our laws. Even a

preschooler can understand that red means stop, green means go, and yellow means slow down

(not speed up!). If we cannot follow simple traffic rules, what more the important and complicated

ones? Its really just a matter of getting into the habit. Lascon says when it becomes a habit, it

becomes a way of life, and then it becomes discipline. We all know that discipline is a basic

requirement for achieving ones goals.

2. When you Buy Something, Always Ask For An Official Receipt. Most products and services

we pay for include taxes (Value Added Taxes or VAT)taxes that need to be remitted to the

government. By asking for a receipt, we help build funds for the government and enable vendors

to be honest citizens by declaring taxes. The government needs our taxes to fund things like school

buildings, salaries of government employees, and more. Never mind the corrupt government

officials who do magic tricks with our taxes. Let P-Noy and his executive powers handle that. Lets

do our part and pay our own taxes too!

3. Buy local. Buy Filipino. Do Not Buy Knock-offs Either. I personally believe it is much better

to buy a good quality Bench bag vs. a fake Louis Vuitton. A local brand is likely to be more durable

than a knock-off and you pay more for the name thats not even real. Buying local means loving
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your own. For example, if your child or niece joined a bake sale in school along with her

classmates, you will surely purchase her product and even encourage others to do so. Its the

same thing. If we buy local, we help local entrepreneurs grow their businesses, thereby helping

create jobs and making our economy grow.

4. When you Talk To Foreigners, Speak Positively Of Our Country . We are all ambassadors of

our country, not just the Department of Tourism or Consulates. While admittedly, there is so much

to complain about, there is also a lot to be proud of, both the Philippines (beautiful beaches and

mountain scenes, local products and produce, affordable RTW, delicious food) and Filipinos

(friendly, honest, hospitable). Im sure you can come up with your own list. Whenever we get the

chance to meet foreigners, whether here or abroad, lets paint a nice, honest picture of our country

and our people, to encourage them to visit us and tell other people about us. Who knows? Perhaps

it will eventually put the Philippines on their list of top three countries to visit in Asia.

5. Respect Your Traffic Officer, Policeman, Soldier, and Other Public Servants. I know this

is hard, especially after hearing stories or actually experiencing when they abuse their power.

However, Alex Lacson correctly points out that if we respect people and what they do for a living,

they are likely to feel respect for themselves, feel dignified with the jobs they hold, thereby

(hopefully), inspiring them to be proud and be good at what they do. Respect is when you treat

them right and that includes not bribing them. A bribe, whether accepted or not, is a form of

corruption. We complain about corruption, therefore we should not be part of it. This is not to say

that we should also turn a blind eye to anything that is not right. Dont be afraid to get their

names and report them. As Rizal once said, It is enough for good people to do nothing, for evil

people to succeed.

6. Do Not Litter. Dispose Your Garbage Properly. Even children know that trash should be

placed in the trash can. If we threw a candy wrapper out a window, even just once, then we have

contributed to the floods that wreak havoc. The devastation brought by Typhoon Ondoy was a

wake-up call to all of us. Certainly, we do not want that to happen ever again. Aside from this,

Lacson points out that if we dispose of our trash properly, we help save a great amount ofgovernment funds that are used to clean up the streets and gutters, and use the savings for more

important things.

7. Vote. Its One Of The Easiest And Most Powerful Things We Can Do As Filipinos. As

John F. Kennedy said, The people always get the government they deserve. Dont let anybody

buy your vote nor coerce you into voting for someone you do not believe in. If you do, then you

do not have the right to complain about our government. Study your candidates and go for what

your conscience dictates. If everyone does the same, then we can really have a government we

can believe in, support, and help to make this a better country.

8. Be A Good Example. As Alex Lacson quoted in his book Sa mata ng bata, ang mali ay nagiging

tama (kapag ginagawa ng matanda). Lets pave the way to a brighter future for our children by

simply being good people. We all know that a good foundation is what will make a person

successful in all aspects of his life. If our nation is filled with people with a firm belief of whats

good and whats right, then our country will be just thata good and righteous one. When you

think about it, its really simple. If we do whats right, we become good individuals. If we all

become good individuals, then our nation will be filled with people who only want whats best forall. If we have a country running with goodness, then it will progress and become a country that

we all want to live in.

Words of hope from President BenignoNoynoy C. Aquino, III

Excerpts from his inaugural speech at the Quirino Grandstand last June 30, 2010

Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sa bayan bilang

isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan.

Kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus, ay kakayanin natin ito, gaano man kabigat.

Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap Ito ang mga prinsipyong tinatayuan at nagsisilbing batayan

ng ating administrasyon.

Palalakasin at palalaguin natin ang bilang ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan, hindi para tugunan

ang interes ng mga naghahari-harian, ngunit para proteksyunan ang mamamayan.

Gagawin nating kaaya-aya sa negosyante ang ating bansa. We will cut red tape dramatically andimplement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make

government an enabler, not a hindrance, to business. Sa ganitong paraan lamang natin mapupunan

ang kakulangan ng trabaho para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Ang naniniwala sa people power ay nakatuon sa kapwa at hindi sa sarili.

Kung kasama ko kayo, maitataguyod natin ang isang bayan kung saan pantay-pantay ang

pagkakataon, dahil pantay-pantay nating ginagampanan ang ating mga pananagutan.


Good ReadsSunday, February 27th, 2011

Check out whats on the bookshelf of your Star Teacher staff!
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eacher Bookshelf

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan

I just finished Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the first book

in a series by Rick Riordan about an 11-year-old boy who

discovers that his father is a Greek godliterally! Its a smash

hit among kids, and has already been turned into a movie that

showed recently in the Philippines. Thats probably because it

has (or maybe borrowed?) a lot of the elements that made

Harry Potter a phenomenon: a hero who doesnt belong, a

funny best friend, a super smart girl to make it a trio, a

beloved teacher-figure, mean bullies, a magical school (or inthis case, a camp), and a powerful villain whose name should

not be said. Despite all the similarities, this book was a good

read. It helped me remember how much I loved Greek

mythology when I was in school. I was reintroduced to Zeus, Medusa, the Minotaur, and many

other characters in the stories I grew up with. I think its a good way to get kids interested in

mythology, while at the same time enjoying some light weekend reading yourself. Therese Ng,

Editorial Board

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows

There are so few books that make you want to read them

over and over again and want to cry because theyre about to

end. This is one of those books. When my cousin lent it to me

under the strict conditions that it had to be light and not full

of drama yet still substantial, she hit the mark. Told through

letters, the story pulls you into each characters unique and

very real personality. The first character I fell in love with was

Juliet, an author in search of a second book to write at the

end of World War 2. Shes funny and totally lovable. When

she discovers the island of Guernsey and its strangely-named

literary society, her life takes a significant and heartwarming

turnsomething you will not only share with her, but wish

you were experiencing as well. She not only finds a story to

write, but she finds her very own happy ending as she leaves her life in London for Guernsey.

With an exciting twist at the end, (which made me wish the story wasnt fiction!) this book has

one of the most original, insightful, and fun stories I have read in a long time. And what makes iteven more special is that it was written by an aunt-and-niece tandemwhich is another

heartwarming story in itself. Ines Bautista Yao, Editor in Chief

I Feel Bad About My Neck (and other thoughts on

being a woman)

by Nora Ephron

Ive always loved the movie When Harry Met Sally, which was

written and directed by Nora Ephron. So when I chanced

upon a collection of her published essays, I couldnt wait to

go home and read it. I wasnt disappointed! It felt like reading

somebody elses journalfilled with intimate experiences and

unedited thoughts on life, love, and lessons about being a

woman. She shares her insights about facing your fears and

considering the alternative when you reach a certain age.The

book starts off with Noras love-hate relationship with her

neck. How she absolutely cannot stand it and would rather

wear turtleneck sweaters every day. Witty quips like, Our

faces are lies and our necks are the truth and That one of my biggest regrets is not spending

enough time during Boardmy youth staring lovingly at my neckand be grateful for it made me

laugh-out-loud at times while reading the book.I especially love her essay I hate my purse,

which discusses how a messy bag reflects hopeless disorganization and a chronic inability to throw

anything away. Noras dry sense of humor translates well in What I wish Id known. Her well-

meaning advice like, Anything you think is wrong with your body at the age of thirty-five you will

be nostalgic for at the age of forty-five, and If the shoe doesnt fit in the store, its never going

to fit reflects Noras humorous take on what matters in life.I Feel Bad About My Neck is a handy


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E|/star%20teacher/Star%20Teacher%20%20Bookshelf.htm[3/1/2013 6:23:56 PM]

help other people. You may opt to make this an essay writing exercise.

Show and Tell Day. Ask the children what they want to be when they grow-up and how they

plan to be of help to others when the day comes. Ask them to bring a photo of what or who they

want to be and maybe even bring gadgets, tools, or uniforms that represent these people.

Help Others Day. Ask the children if they can share a story where someone helped them with

something and how they felt about it. Then encourage them to look for opportunities to help

someone in school, at least once, like carrying a teachers things or helping a classmate pack away

his materials. Then share with the class who they helped, what they did, and how they feel about

it.

Working Together

The objective of these games is to communicate that in achieving a goal, we and the peoplearound us have a role to play. Working together is very important and it can actually be fun, too!

Relay. Divide the class into four groups. Provide each child with a spoon and each group a ball

(tablespoons and a pingpong ball are recommended). Line up the players of each group. With the

handle of the spoon in his mouth, the player must pass the ball to another player using the spoon,

without touching the ball with his hands. First team to pass the ball to the last player without

dropping it, wins.

Paint A Picture. Divide the class into groups of 10 or more. Have a list of scenes and let each

group create each scenario using just themselves as actors and props. Example: Paint a picture of

a wedding. Each group has to decide who will be the bride and groom, priest, entourage, even

inanimate objects like the crucifix, altar, etc. Give them two minutes to discuss, create the scene,

and then freeze the scene when the time is up. Best picture wins. (Other ideas: Paint a picture

of a fiesta, baptism, or birthday party.)

Bridge. Divide the class into four groups. Provide each group with one newspaper spread. Each

group should have a point A and a point Bboth points having ample distance from each other

(six feet would be ideal). Using only the newspaper, the objective is to have all players of each

group get from point A to point B, without their feet touching the ground.

Parachutes

Give your students the lowdown on this interesting device.

What is a parachute? A parachute is a device that is designed to slow descent by providing

drag, causing the falling object (or body) to slow down. The word parachute comes from the

French words: para (protect or shield) and chute (the fall), so it literally means fall protection.

What is a parachute used for? DuringWorld War I, parachutes where used as escape devices

for observation balloon controllers. Due to military needs, it was quickly adopted by different

countries as an escape device for pilots and soldiers onboard or to deploy soldiers. Nowadays,

parachutes are used not only for military purposes, but also to shorten the landing of aircrafts, to

soften landings on celestial bodies, or for the simple hobby of parachuting.

Did You Know?

One of the first hats to be depicted was found in a tomb painting at Thebes and shows a man

wearing a coolie-style straw hat.

The first known written account of a parachute is found in Leonardo Da Vincis notebook, dating

late 14th century. It was a sketch showing a mechanism made of cloth material pulled tightly over

a pyramid-shaped structure. Although Da Vinci never made the device, he is given credit for the

concept of lowering a man to earth safely using something to allow gradual deceleration.


My Muslim Friend (Ang Kaibigan Kong Muslim)Friday, January 28th, 2011

Teach your students to accept and love their peers despite having different faiths.

WRITTEN BY: Mary Ann Ordinario-Floresta

ILLUSTRATED BY: Joanne de Leon

PUBLISHED BY: ABC Educational Development

Center (with English and Tagalog text)

This story tells of an enduring yet unlikely friendship

between two girls who are compatible in every way,

save for one difference: the narrator is Christian and

her friend, Jamella, is Muslim. Their friendship

begins in their childhood when Jamella is assigned

the seat next to the main character. They become

fast friends and enjoy learning and teaching each

other about their respective cultures and faiths.

Theirs is a friendship that sees them through college

in different cities, careers, and families. It shows that
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eacher Bookshelf

Copyright 2011 Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation.

All rights reserved. Reproduction of material from Starteacher.ph without written permission is prohibited.

people can have strong friendships that last a

lifetime despite differing faiths.

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Posted in Bookshelf| 1 Comment

A Little InspirationWednesday, January 26th, 2011

When youre in the mood for a story to tug at your heart strings and give you

perspective, pick up a novel by Mitch Albom.

Tuesdays with Morrie

A true story based on Mitch Alboms visits to his favorite

professor, Morrie Schwartz, who had ASL (Lou Gehrigs

disease). Mitch, highly driven by his job as a sports journalist,

had hardly enough time for anything else. What is supposed to

be a visit or two turns out to be a deeply spiritual pilgrimage as

Morrie softens Mitchs heart to the life lessons only a true

teacher could impart to his student. Over the course of their

lessons, and as Morries illness slowly worsens, Mitch realizes

the value of healthy relationships over a successful career.

Life Lesson: This book is a reminder to take a breather from

the hustle and bustle of life. We all want to be successful;however, Morrie shows us that professional success does not

equate to success as a human being.

Quotable Quote: The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love and to let it

come in.

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