On Being a Special Education Teacher: The IEP

The IEP

An IEP, Individualized Education Program, is essential for a child with special needs. The Sped teacher, preferably in collaboration with other experts in the field, should make an IEP tailor-fit to the concerned child's needs.

For a child who does not have an IEP yet, it is best to focus on the ADL or Activities of Daily Living, self-help tasks to make him/her less dependent on the parents, guardian, or caretaker.

 The IEP that I made for a child who had developmental delay was personally implemented and indeed, I saw dramatic changes in him. Even one single change, no matter how small, is very fulfilling enough for a Sped teacher like me.                          --ARV

An Original Tagalog Poem (Tula): "Maraming Salamat, Panginoon"

Nung una kitang makilala,

binalewala kita

Kasi noon ay napakasaya ko

kasama ang aking esposo

Pero nung ako’y kanyang iniwan,

Kita’y muling nasilayan

At buhat nun ay litrato mo na ang aking itinago

sa pitaka ko para mabigyan ng lakas ang aking puso

Maraming salamat po, o Panginoon ko

Ang kaligayahang nadama ko buhat nang kita’y makilala ulit

ay sa katauhan ko’y bumalot na nang husto

at habang buhay ko, ang kasayahang ito’y ibibitbit

Sa pagmamahal mo’y wala na akong mahihiling pa

Habang tumatagal ay minamahal na rin Kita

Habang ako’y nabubuhay ay lagi kitang susundin,

mamahalin, at rerespetuhin

Maraming salamat, o Panginoon naming lahat, Panginoon ko

Ang kaligayahang nadama ko buhat nang kita’y makilala ulit

ay sa katauhan ko’y bumalot na nang husto

at habang buhay ko, ang kasayahang ito’y ibibitbit

Masayang-masaya ako ngayon at dahil sa Iyo ito

Maraming salamat, Panginoon   --ARV

Short Story Analysis: "A Night in the Hills" by Paz Marquez Benitez

I. A Night in the Hills

by Paz Marquez Benitez

II. SYNOPSIS

         Gerardo Luna, a jewelry store salesman in his 30’s, has always dreamed to go to the forest which he regards as a beautiful place. One day, when Ambo, an orchid gatherer who buys some jewelry for his wife’s store, tells Gerardo about living in the forest for weeks at a time, the latter gets more interested, and tells his wife about it. However, his wife is eyeing only the business aspect of such idea. Hence, he never mentions his dream again.

         Then Gerardo’s wife dies. At last, he can fulfill his long-time dream, especially that Ambo has come again, with stories regarding newly opened public land on a forest plateau. So, the two of them plan to go to the forest.

         Before actually going to the planned trip, Gerardo’s Ate Tere is not so keen on the idea. She wants him to marry Peregrina who will surely take him the minute he proposes.

       Ambo and Gerardo go to the hills, and it is among the foothills where they spend noontime. Gerardo is tired and sweaty, and he asks for water, which, according to Ambo is ten minutes away. They walk and walk, and along the way Gerardo experiences nature in a manner that is not that wonderful for him.

         Finally they enter the dim forest. Gerardo is uncomfortable on his bed of small branches and twigs. He cannot sleep that night; he thinks of his wife, not fondly, though. He also thinks of God. He is oppressed by nostalgia.

         There is an eerie light in the forest, and Gerardo hears strange sounds that are caused by tree worms. Then he hears water from afar. All in all, he feels that he will never understand the forest.

         Gerardo goes home, first getting his house’s key from his Ate Tere. There he meets Peregrina whom he tells “Pereg, as soon as I get these clothes off I shall come to ask you a question that is very—very important to me.”

         As she smiled eagerly but uncertainly into his face, he heard a jangling in his hand. He felt, queerly, that something was closing above his hand, and that whoever was closing it, was rattling the keys.

III. SHORT STORY ELEMENTS

A. CHARACTERS

1. Gerardo Luna - a jewelry store salesman in his 30’s, Protagonist, Developing

2. His wife – Antagonist, Flat, Static

3. Ambo - an orchid gatherer who buys some jewelry for his wife’s store, Flat, Static

4. Ate Tere or Sotera – Gerardo was a younger brother to the former mistress of her also younger brother, Flat, Static

5. Peregrina – Flat, Static

B. PLOT - Linear

     a)  Introduction

Gerardo Luna is being introduced, with the mention of his secret long-time dream of going to the forest.

b)  Rising Action

He tells her wife about such dream, but she brushes it off; thus, he forgets about that dream. Then she dies.

c)  Climax 

   The peak of this short story is when Gerardo is finally in the forest, and he experiences things that he has never though the forest has.

       d)    Falling action 

          Things start to “fall” when Gerardo realizes that the forest is not exactly what he has always dreamed.

       e)    Denouement

         When he goes back home, Gerardo feels he should get back to reality.

C. SETTING

a)  place – in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

b)  time- a long time ago

c)  weather conditions- fine

d)  social conditions- Gerardo has a nice job

 e)  mood or atmosphere- light

D. POINT OF VIEW

       The Point of View used in this short story is the Omniscient Limited - The author tells the story in third person (using pronouns they, she, he, it, etc).  We know only what the character knows and what the author allows him/her to tell us. We can see the thoughts and feelings of characters if the author chooses to reveal them to us.

E. LITERARY DEVICES

         For me, the literary devices used in this story are Symbolism and Irony. Gerardo’s dream of going to the forest symbolizes the freedom he has always longed for. Meanwhile, this dream is ironic because the forest is not what he thinks it is.

F. THEME

         In my opinion, the theme things are not always as they appear to be is applicable to this story. 

G. CONFLICT

         The conflict here is Internal, that of Man vs. Himself. Gerardo has always dreamed of going to the forest, and he has kept this within himself.  --ARV

A Song Analysis: The CLAUSES in David Pomeranz's "Got to Believe in Magic"

Got to Believe in Magic 

By David Pomeranz

Got to believe in magic,
Tell me how two people find each other
In a world that’s full of strangers;
You’ve got to believe in magic,
Something’s stronger than the moon above
‘Cause it’s magic when two people fall in love.

Got to believe in magic,
Tell me how two people find each other
In a world that’s full of strangers;
You’ve got to believe in magic
Something’s stronger than the moon above
‘Cause it’s magic when two people fall in love.

Got to believe in magic,
Tell me how two people find each other
In a world that’s full of strangers;
You’ve got to believe in magic
Something’s stronger than the moon above
‘Cause it’s magic when two people fall in love.


Source of the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2mChdVbwxo

An Original Tagalog Poem (Tula): "Mga Pangako"

Mga Pangako

Kalahati ng buhay ko

ay inalay ko sa ‘yo

Minahal kita’t pinagsilbihan,

nirespeto’t inalagaan

Masaya ako sa piling mo,

lalo na sa ‘yong mga pangako

na habangbuhay mo akong mamahalin,

aalagaan, pasasayahin, at rerespetuhin

Ngunit isang araw ay may dala kang balita

na talagang ikinagulat ko at ako’y nabulagta

Nahulog ang loob mo sa iba,

at ikaw ay sasama na sa kanya

Nasaan, o nasaan, ang iyong mga pangako

na ako’y habangbuhay mong mamahalin, aalagaan, pasasayahin, at rerespetuhin?

Bakit mo ako iniwan nang ganito?

Di ko na alam ang aking gagawin

Pero lahat ng sakit na ‘yon ay may isang taon na ang dumaan

buhat nang ako’y iyong iiwan

Pero hindi na ako naghihinagpis ngayon

kasi natuto akong kumuha ng lakas sa Panginoon

Noon, sa aking pag-iisa ay aking nalaman

na ang tao pala ay may mga pangakong

pwedeng mabali at makalimutan

Pero hindi ang Diyos na Maykapal

kasi hinding-hindi Niya tayo iiwa’t pababayaan

at ito’y kasama sa mga pangako nya sa ating mga naniniwala sa Kanya

Nasaan, o nasaan, ang iyong mga pangako

na ako’y habangbuhay mong mamahalin, aalagaan, pasasayahin, at rerespetuhin?

Bakit mo ako iniwan nang ganito?

Pero ngayon, alam na alam ko na ang aking gagawin,

at ‘yon ay ang Panginoong Diyos ay habangbuhay kong rerespetuhin, susundin, at mamahalin

An Outline on An Essay about "Television"

Thesis Statement: Television, which has evolved from a luxury item into an educational tool, accelerates and distorts learning, instruction, and value formation.


I. Television has first come out as a luxury item.

            A Television has become a common household item.

            B. Television has evolved into an educational tool.

II. Television as a medium accelerates and distorts learning, instruction, and value formation.

            A. Television is useful in education and value formation.

                        1. Teachers can easily deliver lessons.

                        2. Learners benefit from its ease and convenience.

                        3. Families spend quality time together.

            B. Television may also pose as a negative influence.

                        1. The teacher’s creativity is hampered.

                        2. Teacher-student interaction is limited.

                        3. Watching television may lead to physical and behavioral problems.

III. Television has contributed to education and morality today.

A Personal Essay: How Can a Marriage Be Saved?

         Actually, there are usually no fixed guidelines on how a marriage can be saved because one couple differs from the next. Of course, there are rules that can be followed, but not all of these are applicable for a certain married pair. In this regard, the general steps, approaches, or methods to be followed in order to fix the problems or conflicts within a particular union are typically only secondary to every involved couple’s determination, patience, willingness, commitment, and sturdiness in saving the matrimony. Immediately following these characteristics should be the feelings of love, care, trust, respect, and affection of the spouses toward each other.

         These stressful and fast-paced times frequently leave no room for married couples to nurture their partnership. And, like a plant that is not cared for, the feelings within affected unions start to die. If nothing is done in this common scenario, each concerned marriage end up literally dead. Then, separation or even divorce is highly possible. Fortunately, with the immense help of marriage counseling plus the above-mentioned characteristics, the perished feelings can be brought back to life. However, it is unfortunate that not all deteriorated matrimonies can be rescued. Hence, before the feelings are totally gone, an affected couple must do something so as to save the union. Otherwise, this marriage is really doomed…And that was what happened to mine :(  -- ARV