Week 2: Resources Reflection

Week 2 provided more useful and interesting resources. I liked how the PIBBA Blog helps keep Pacific Islanders from different cultural backgrounds informed about news, events, and activities. It’s a great way to stay connected and learn what’s happening across the region, no matter where you live. I also enjoyed exploring TeachThought. I like that it offers evidence-based teaching strategies and resources for educators. The article about the One-to-One classroom was especially interesting, and I appreciated how organized and clean the website was.

My favorite resource this week was The Guardian article about screen-free days for students, teachers, and parents. It was interesting to read how a simple idea from students encouraged both teachers and parents to rethink their own screen habits. We often hear about the negative effects of screen time on children, but we don’t talk as much about how it impacts adults. As teachers, we remind students not to use their phones in class, yet it’s not uncommon to see adults at school checking their social media or emails during the school day. As a parent, I’ve also experienced times when my kids wanted to play or ask my something, but I was focused on work on my phone or computer. Even though I was working, I realized it could make them feel like I wasn’t fully present. Sometime last year, I started noticing that I was spending more time on my phone at home than I wanted to, so I've made a conscious effort to leave it in another room whenever possible. Like some of the parents mentioned in the article, this has helped reduce distractions and allowed me to be more present with my family.

The idea of a screen-free day at school is something I would love to try. I know it would probably receive negative responses from both students and teachers, but it would be interesting to see how everyone responds and whether it could have a positive impact on engagement throughout the school day.

Reflection for Week 2 (Jun 8-12): Readings on Articles & Video References

Week 2:  Reflection on Readings / References

I love the resources & references presented this week because they provided me with clear understanding on the usage of blog,  The difference between Wiki, blog, and podcast is clearly explained. Now, I am confident to share with my peers and develop blog for our CHamoru teaching activities in the program.  This way we can network on our lesson topics and develop activities shared by one another through blog publishing. 

TeachThought is another reference that linked with Critical Thinking, Assessment and Learning Theories that are useful in teaching methodology. These are vital references also in asking questions to ensure that students are learning the objectives as well as the students could develop questions to further their curiosity on the assigned lessons.  I also opened the link on Educational Technology by David Lee and the presentation and examples provided was clear and concise.  I enjoyed this presentation.

Thank you Dr. Rivera for providing us the opportunity to engage on these references.

J. Dela Cruz - Reflection for Week 2 Readings/Resources

 I appreciate all the resources and reading for this week. This helps with creating a blog. Blogging is important when posting information on the website. I feel that we need to monitor our students when accessing the internet. Some information may not be appropriate for them.  

I do believe that the use of the internet can be both good and bad, and the importance of monitoring both our children and students is essential. As a parent, I try my best to monitor my children's social media. I try to at least let them know of my expectations on what they are viewing and what they are posting. I just only hope that my children listen and understand where I am coming from. 

I am also glad that Dr. Rivera shared the other blogs from the past classes. This gives us an idea of what is expected in our class blog assignment. I enjoyed seeing them again. 

Reflection on Story Time, June 6th

 The read aloud at the library was so much fun! One of my favorite things to do is read aloud to kids and get them as engaged as possible. It was awesome that there were children physically present, because sometimes it is more challenging to interact in a read aloud in a virtual setting. 

Estella's read aloud was also fantastic and relevant to the kids. The children were engaged and actively listening. It was great that it was a topic that all children can relate to!

Reflection on story time for Saturday, June 6, 2026

 Reflection on Story Time - June 6, 2026

As I reflected back to the library room, I saw an environment filled with excitement and listening interests.  The audience was a mixture of age group and it make it more interesting that these audience made up the ESL audience.  I was so amazed of the readers in the stories because their presentation made the children happy because the books they read were caught their interest levels. The book about the Ocean Life, showed different animals is a great book for the primary grade levels.  I enjoyed listening about each animal's description and the amazing rhyming words and colorful pictures for each animal.  I remember in one of my lesson about animals in land, water/ocean, air, I used color pictures and words puzzle that students work as individuals that they put together to form the different ocean animals.  

Cianna SN did an awesome reading for the children.

I also enjoyed listening to Estella as she read the book about The Night Before Summer Vacation.  The audience were engaged in her reading.  She did an awesome job.  Kuddos to this Saturday readers.

Lastly, of course, to Frances, good job Anching on the two CHamoru words for the day.

June 6 - Reflection on the Literacy Session at Hagatna Library

Today's Story Time was extra enjoyable because it was the first session I attended in person. Ciann and I wanted to do our read-aloud in front of the kids, and I'm really glad we did. Although most of the kids came in late, it was nice to see parents making an effort to bring their kids to story time at the library. I think the book Ciann and I chose is great for ESL learners because the sentences were simple and easy to follow, while still teaching students about different ocean animals and what makes each one unique. I especially liked how some of the questions we asked sparked additional thoughts and discussions about ocean life. Books that encourage children to think, wonder, and share their ideas are always valuable.

I also enjoyed The Night Before Summer. It was actually one of the books I considered reading today. I think it's another good choice for ESL learners because it takes a familiar story that many children already know and adapts it to fit the summer season, making it easier for kids to connect with the book. Lastly, my favorite part of the day, aside from being there in person, was the Chicka Boom song. Ciann mentioned that she might use it during summer school, and I think that would be a great idea. It would be so much fun to end each week with a Chicka Boom sing-along! LOL

FRANCISCA C. BLANCO

 

Buenas yan Saludu Everyone,

My name is Francisca Camacho Blanco.  I live in the most grassiest village on the island of Guam, which is, Central-Mangilao.  Professionally, I am a high school CHamoru Language and Cultural Program since the late 1980s.  And with this in place, I also have many years in elementary school levels,  from the 2nd - 5th grades.  I am a devoted mommy of three children also; which are all adults now and are all active in their professional goals.  One of them is a physical fitness trainer,  another is a probation officer and the last one is a real estate agent.  Moving along  from my teaching profession and familia, I am also involved in Community Services in various Guam organizations and clubs.  I am a President for one of the Lion's Club of Guam.  In another, I am the secretary for a local Guam Language Org.  Lastly, I am involved in creative and unique arts and cultural activities all around the island and I always make it my goals that I get involved, I teach, I guide and I encourage.