EDR 221 and All That Jazz

Our EDR 221(Literature-based Reading Program) class sustains my gusto for children’s literature.

Because of this class I have read books for kids, blog entries and news updates related to children's literature, author blogs and (comment) threads of discussions regarding children's literature. Then I realized that IT has engulfed a large portion of my heart (and budget). Our class has proven again that I am made to love IT. I have come to the point of no return.

National Children's Book Day 2011

Now I plan to live up to the unwritten expectations I have set for myself that circle on sharing my love for children's literature because nothing compares to the joy of 'being changed' as you flip, peruse and devour the pages of a book. I also plan to be a more dedicated children's book enthusiast by taking part in literacy campaigns and by balancing the genres of my children's book collection.

However, I still wonder if I have the needed skills to come up with a convincing literature-based reading program that I could (and should) present to my superiors. I also wonder if I could make the reading-writing connection happen in me. Do I have what it takes to become a writer for children too? Or should I just remain an enthusiast, a collector, a reader and advocate of children’s literature?

Nevertheless, I feel honoured and challenged at the same time when people compliment my zest for children's literature. Children’s literature has enabled me to do things I’ve never imagined before. I always show off my newly-autographed books to my pupils, co-teachers and friends.

Priceless.

 I celebrate over brief Facebook conversations and exchanges of ideas with my favourite authors. I’ve become a Booksale denizen. I’ve become a teacher who does book talks on a weekly basis. Sometimes, I label myself as a ‘professional’ stalker of children’s literature personalities--authors, illustrators, bloggers, advocates and the books themselves.

It may sound like a cliché, but children’s literature has made my life more colourful, more exciting and more worth-living.

The Days are Numbered

After reading the Newsweek article on new reading, a sudden surge of impulsive instincts has overthrown all my preconceived notions on e-book reading.

I first heard about it last year in a TV news report, then followed by a considerable number of facebook wall posts of my friends 'in the literary world' announcing that they have purchased  the e-book reader. I was a little skeptic (for lack of a better term) about it during that time.

Why would they want to replace books? What would happen to publishers? Would they have the same plight that Kodak Company had experienced when digital cameras dominated the market? How about the thousand collectors of brand-new and second-hand tomes? Would there be panic buying scenes?

The string of worries and fears seemed to be endless. Then unknowingly I have turned into a hypocrite, selective Luddite living in the twenty-first century. (According to the dictionary installed in my computer, a Luddite is an opponent of technological or industrial change. It was coined after Ned Ludd, 18th century farm worker in Leicestershire, England, who destroyed machinery.) My love for the physical book, particulary children's books, fueled the reluctance for the e-book but not to other gadgets (e.g. mobile phones, computer, mp3 player).

But after going through this article by Steven Levy, I was urged to make a better and more informed decision.

The mental weighing I have done tells me that for every downside of new reading there is a better upside, or three.  The first problem that comes to mind is the price of the Kindle. 

For a second-hand bookstore denizen like me, an internationally-published book priced at two hundred bucks would instantly elicit second-thoughts. (But this one really depends on a person's socio-economic status.) If your pocket couldn't afford a brand-new, hard-bound ShelSilverstein poem collection, then where's the hope of getting a pricey Kindle? This might not pose any problem to the middle and upper classes whose buying power commands (/is controlled by) these manufacturers and distributors, but for a mimimum wage earner it does. To a Marxist, new reading is another potent source of class struggles--particularly a digital divide.

After a closer look, one would find out that in the long run, a reader, i.e. Kindle-using reader, who buys e-book online would get more value for his money than the one who purchases physical books. A Kindle user could get away with the 30% to 50% mark-up or the postage and import costs that he has to pay to import books from England or the USA because in fact many out-of-copyright books are available for free already.  Thus, he'd be able to buy and read more works of literature. Soon, the price of an e-book and the reader would plummet once there are more publishers and manufactures who would succumb to this trend. 

One major argument that has stemmed out is the way this technology-mediated reading affects traditional typographic reading. Some educators have raised their brows when the supporters of new reading suggested that physical books be replaced with e-book readers. In that case, students won't hear their teachers  classic line" Class, bring out your (name of subject) book and open it to page (number)". Instead, it would be like this "Class, turn on your e-book reader and open the file…" For the new generation of teachers and students, this may sound sophisticated, thus, making learning more appealing.

With the memory capacity of an e-book reader, owners are entitled to a wider range of books--making it possible to learn a broader range of information that can be used for a variety of purposes. Technology, in this case, helps the reader realize the functional purpose of reading in one’s life--personally in the form of ludic or pleasure reading, professionally  and as an active member of the society.

The role of the teacher now becomes more challenging and extra exciting for he needs to provoke that something which physical books have elicited from their patronizers--the sense of wonder for learning. (Some call it serendipity.) I can see that there's a possibility for that sense of wonder to vanish from the e-book reading scene. With the bombardment of fast-paced images of computer and video games, technology has created a generation with shorter attention span. Nowadays, rarely would a reader stop and be fixated with a scene or  dialogue and savor the message and image it conveys. Readers in this generation couldn't resist the impulse of knowing how the loose ends in a story be tied. Teachers need to inject that "Aha" moment to their students, in this way giving justice to the effort exerted by men of letters.

The way reading would be taught gets more stimulating because photo, audio, and video sharing becomes easier. Visual and aural learners may find more motivation to participate actively in reading activities. Activating prior knowledge using pictures, songs and video clips wouldn't pose any problem given that the ratio of e-book reader to students is 1:1. Helping children with visual problems like myopia and hyperopia would easily be addressed because font size can be adjusted based on the need of the reader.  But drawing from experience, reading things on my computer screen has led to my declining eyesight.

An added job to the teacher is the need to teach children the proper handling of the e-book reader and the information it gives. Just like a book, an e-book reader should also be handled with utter care for just like any gadget, once trouble gets into the software or its hardware, repair, i.e. expensive repair, is needed.  Responsible handling of information must be instilled to the users. Gadgets like the e-book reader, plus internet connectivity, make plagiarism a constant lurking enemy.

Other pros of using e-book readers include the ease and comfort of carrying  lighter schoolbags--the top answer in an informal survey I've made among Grade 6 pupils in a private school and sparing trees from being cut off and making learning more fun (whatever they meant by that).

In the long run, it’s the education sector--the curriculum developers and education officials--who will decide whether new reading, i.e. the use of e-book readers, will be a boon or bane.

But for the meantime, let’s enjoy the remaining days of the physical books. Lend books,  scour through the shelves of your favourite bookstore, join book clubs, get the autographs of your favourite authors…for the days of the physical books are numbered.


Note: I wrote this paper for my Psychology of Reading class. Shoot! Academic writing is so challenging.

The Return of the Comeback

I don't know how to begin this entry. Perhaps I would just blabber about why I was away from the blogosphere for so long (which you don't need to know, but I still I want to talk about).

I am still not sure if it's the 'sweet-and-sour'  life as a grade school teacher which is better left unexplained that pulled me away from the writing muse.  Or it could be the equally demanding graduate school courses that made me forget that I have a blog where I can vent. Have I been too engrossed with all the books that I (have to) read 'simultaneously'. It could be the combination of these excuses. Or maybe I am just making up all these excuses to cover up the thing-which-must-not-be-named.

Nevertheless, it feels good to have written again something which is not required of me (e.g. reaction paper, test drafts, written reports).

Now, let me take you back to the last two months of2011. (This is the part where this post becomes quite personal, hence, you should stop reading and visit another webpage instead.)

November marked the commencement of another /scholastic endeavor. Naks! It was reminiscent of my first year in UP--the seemingly endless trips to different offices and buildings just to get that piece of paper that says " Jerson, you ain't dying yet. Go and chastise yourself. Enroll. You are physically fit". (Buti na lang libre ang medical exam pero hindi ang tuition.)

December 2011 is the best(est) month ever. I can give you a thousand reasons to support my claim, but one is enough--my God-given family. Naks! For the first time, the seven of us got to celebrate Christmas and New Year in our province. That's epic!

How about a family picture by the river?

Why?

My parents and youngest brother stay in Misamis Oriental. My two younger siblings live with me here in Bulacan. My eldest sister, with her husband, is based in Washington. Literally, we're all over the place.

Ideas have gone haywire, so I'll end this out-of-the-blue post with this:

The joy of having a family is the best gift that I could ever have.

Minding My Own Busyness

What more can I say? I'm blessed with things that keep me busy (and lazy) enough to visit this blog. I almost had a nil. Oh blogging, fluctuating!

The blog post ideas in my head are still in a clutter. I still haven't written a post about my 31st MIBF trip, the school events that ate up my social life and sapped my energy but transformed me into a better multi-tasker (and a more optimistic human beans, right BFG?) and the challenges of running a household.

But there's still a plethora ( I love this word!) of reasons to welcome each day with a smile while singing Hairspray's version of Good morning Baltimore (versus the new Nescafe commercial).

One. I survived the UP College of Education's Master's Admission Test in Education (MATE) so I'll be a student again, graduate student this time starting November 2011. I have five years at the most to finish my  M.A. in Reading Education. So wish me luck with all the papers, case studies, readings and pressure and THE thesis of graduate school.

Two. Project Pass-a-book-on's facebook page got 12 likes already so all the more enthusiastic I am to encourage people to donate books and make a difference in their kababayan's life.

Three. God never runs out of blessings for us, so he finally gifted us with a green portable radio. Oh how I long for it! And it's green.

That's all for now.

Oops! One more. Someone very close to my heart is giving her android phone to me. Another hand-me-down which I don't mind.

Project Pass-a-book

The Big Os

The project aims

·         To instill a love for reading among Filipino children

·         To build a community of children who can and will read

·         To make the Filipino children appreciate our children's literature

·         To provide marginalized Filipino children opportunities to read authentic Philippine children's literature

The Mission (I'm) Possible

Project Pass-a-book is  a collective effort of literacy advocates, non-government organizations (NGOs) and private institutions to provide children in Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental opportunities to read and enjoy locally-published children's books.

The people backing this project strongly believe that reading, as an important life skill, should be developed and nurtured inside and outside the school.  The proponents of this project believe in the power of reading to tickle one's imagination, to quench a person's thirst for knowledge and to transform people's lives. Thus, creating an opportunity to read is a must.

The Challenge

Project Pass-a-book aims to distribute new picture story/books to school-aged children in a far-flung place where buying a book (and reading) is a luxury. The picture storybooks would be coming from the different individual or group donors. Each new picture storybook to be donated must

a.       be covered with clear plastic to ensure its durability,

b.      have the donor's message/dedication to the child who will receive the book to make the experience more personal . The message could be in Cebuano, Filipino, and English (with Filipino translation).

Other ways to make the gift-giving more personal are highly-encouraged (e.g. attaching a picture).

The Setting

After 14 years, I'm gonna see again this mountain.

The heart of Cabalawan.

Project Pass-a-book aims to distribute new picture story/books to school-aged children in Cabalawan, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental on the third week of December 2011.  Cabalawan is a small barrio that is almost nine kilometres away from the main road/high-way. It houses an elementary school that has 4 teachers and a number of students (no sufficient data as of today). Magsaysay is a fourth class municipality. (Keep posted for the pictures of the place and school profile written by one of the school officials.)

The Mission (I'm) Possible II

The project would also like to tap volunteers from the beneficiary barangay, preferably the teachers   to facilitate "literary circle" activities. A literary circle is an unorthodox way (for lack of a better term) of grouping the children for book talks and other enrichment activities. Activities include discussion about the book (e.g. plot, illustration, genre, etc.), enrichment activities (arts and crafts, music). The literary circle could be formed based on the reader-child's interest, reading ability, instructional needs and the book's literary genre. Thus, generic literary circle activities (e.g. lesson plans/ideas, graphic organizers) would also be given to the teachers during the short project orientation. (You may also share your 'photocopy-able' teacher resources/materials.

The said volunteers will also smooth the progress of the ‘passing of the book’ from one child to another. The project aims to introduce to the children the wealth of children’s literature that this country has, in doing so, the books that they have should be shared to other children in the literary circle. It’s the volunteer-teacher’s job to monitor the rotation of the books in the literature circle. This explains the need for the books to be plastic-covered.

The Possible FAQs

1.       What kind of books should I give?

a.       New picture books/picture storybooks in English with a Filipino or Cebuano translation published in the Philippines  (Know your local children's literature.)

                                       i.            Adarna House books

                                     ii.            OMF Lit-Hiyas books

                                    iii.            Anvilbooks

                                   iv.            LG&M-Vibalbooks

                                     v.            Lamparabooks

                                   vi.            Tahananbooks

                                  vii.            Others

2.       Where are the 'drop-off' points?

a.       School of Saint LaSalle of QC in North Olympus Subdivision, Zabarte Road, Novaliches. Look for T. Jerson or leave it/them to the guard on duty.

b.      TBA. (If you want to volunteer your office/place as a drop-off point, send an email or SMS to brojersrc@gmail.com / 0906-204-5044)

3.       Is there a way for me to know that the book has really reached its new owner?

a.       All activities will be documented through photos and some written documents. A blog post in www.misterserendipity.blogspot.com will serve as the "State of the Donation Address' or SODA before 2011 ends.

4.       What if I'm 'tinatamad' na 'mag-plastic cover?

a.       Think again if you really want to donate. If the answer is still a yes, get the book, plastic, scissors and tape. This activity doesn't happen every day, so your katamaran (e.g. going to the bookstore, writing a message) is not a valid excuse.

5.       What if I want to share my old books?

a.       Sharing your old books is good but only new books are accepted. The children in Cabalawan are so used to receiving old textbooks from the Department of Education. I think they deserve new ones too.

6.       What if I want to share other stuff like bags and pencils?

a.       Great! Then we can have another outreach activity in April or May.

7.       What do I get from this?

a.       A reward from God (well, if you have the right motives)

b.      A hope for a better Philippines

c.       A million thank-yous from the children of Cabalawan

So what are you waiting for?

a.       Go to the bookstore. Share this very-demanding project to your friends. Make a pledge. Start saving  for that Php 70-book. Give because you have something to give.

b.      Shrug it off. Make excuses. Wallow in apathy.

Children’s Book Creators’ Forum at the MIBF

Wow! Another Children's Lit conference. Book enthusiasts like me, let's attend!

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is inviting all writers, illustrators, and children’s book enthusiasts to participate in Sulataktakan: Conversations on Children’s Literature. The forum will focus n what makes an award-winning children’s book, as well as work styles of known children’s book authors and illustrators. The event, which will be onSeptember 17, 2011, Saturday, from 2pm to 4pm, will be held at Meeting Room 3 of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Guest speakers are children’s book creators Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Mailin Paterno, Jomike Tejido, Russell Molina, and Beth Parrocha-Doctolero. Tejido and Molina have authored books that won the 1st Philippine National Children’s Book Awards in 2010.
The forum will be followed by book signing, so attendees are encouraged to bring along books authored/illustrated by the guest speakers.
The participation fee for the forum is Php100. For inquiries, email pbby[at]adarna.com.ph, or call 352-67-65 loc 120 and look for Lance.

Children's Lit news from Adarna House's blog.


Se you there! 

32nd MIBF

Thanks Prime Trade for the publicity materials for our school.

Friends and online buddies, see you there!