CLASS BLOG: Marianas Local Favorites

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Marianas Local Favorites 

FAREWELL DR. RIVERA AND CLASSMATES

It has been a pleasure having you in this class. I will miss working with you, but I am confident that you will continue to use the technology tools and instructional strategies you have learned to help English learners grow in confidence, language skills, and creativity. Continue using these skills to give your students a voice and support their success.

Best wishes as you continue making a positive difference in the lives of your learners!

Warm regards,

Dr. Rivera

Blog/Anthology Finalization Details

Our group has just about finished finalizing the details for our blog/anthology. It has already been created, shared with all members, customized with a theme, and is now fully set up and ready for members to begin posting their reviews. The details of our blog are as follows:

1. Blog Name: Marianas Local Favorites

2. Description:
The blog will feature reviews of our favorite local businesses, foods, and destinations throughout Guam and our neighboring Mariana Islands. Each group member will contribute at least two reviews from any of the topics listed below.

3. Review Topics:

• Favorite Local Businesses (art, jewelry, retail, restaurants/food trucks, and other locally owned businesses)
• Favorite Places to Visit/Relax (leisure destinations, hiking spots, sports facilities, music & nightlife, night markets, etc.)
• Favorite Foods (barbecue, burgers, pastries, desserts, drinks, local specialties, favorite items from mom-and-pop stores, etc.)

4. Post Requirements:
Each review will include detailed information about the topic, photos or videos, and contact information, if available.

PD894 Class Photo

J. Dela Cruz - Reflection for June 13 meeting

 It was nice to attend the ILA meeting and to witness the installation of the officers for this year. Though they are the same individuals, its great to see their committment to ILA. It is always great to continue the promotion of reading and literacy to the children of our island. I love how books are donated to community groups such as Erica's house and the Lion's club. Thank you Dr. Rivera for the opportunity to attend this event. It was really nice. 

Also, I appreciate the clarification for our class blog for this course. It gives us all a better understanding. I am excited with our theme; "Local Favorites" 

Have a great weekend everyone!

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.

J. Dela Cruz - June 6 - Reflection on the Literacy Session at Hagatna Library

 I enjoyed today's session at the Hagatna Library. The books that were read by the star readers were great selections. I always enjoy books about the ocean and their animals. I know students enjoy pictures books that help describe the author's intention and story. The pictures were beautifully illustrated. I know that with students who are second language learners, picture books help them better understand the book presented to them. Many times as teachers who have ESL learners, we use resources such as picture cards to assist with the lesson being taught. I know that I use this strategy in my classroom. 😊 It definitely helps. 

I also enjoyed the story "The night before summer..." This is an awesome book to read to students at the end of the school year. With the summer finally here, I believe it is important that parents continue to keep their children busy. I remember hearing in our session today that As parents, we are our children's first teachers. So encouraging with reading books during the summer, going to the library, and going to a summer camp are ways we can make their long summer vacation fun and a great learning experience. This will be beneficial for our ESL learners as well. 💗 The Coast Guard water safety presentation was another perfect way to discuss water safety with summer here. Many of our families go to the beach, go on boats, go to the swimming pools. Understanding the important of water safety especially living on an island is very important. 

Week 1: June 1-7 - Comments for Angie's and Jackie's Reflection Blog

Due to publishing issues that I've encountered for this weeks comments I created a new post as an alternative way to comment to my peer's blog.

For Angie's Reflection Blog:

This is an impressive reflection that I too, gained knowledge and information to jumpstart the new school year on Professional Development plan.  Thank you for your sharing.

For Jackie's Reflection Blog:

It is also important to balance the usage of technology.  So many times WASC will emphasis the schools to integrate teaching with technologies.  This is correct but nevertheless sometimes new programs were introduced with minimal training.  This class has not only introduced me to blogging but also instilled self-confidence as a new user.   

Week 1: June 1-7 Reflection (2nd Post)

 

Reflection

The resources shared by our instructor has provided positive learnings and information that are very important for me.  Although, I am teaching for a long time, I must admit that I need to learn how to use technology in my teaching activities.  I may be an old school that I prefer the traditional deliverance of teaching but 20th century had sifted the teaching methodology to technology.  

I've enjoyed the presentation and learned the meaning of Educational Technology, its theory, and insights of its practices, the different usages of technologies.  This vital resource is very important to relate to my teaching colleagues in our program because I see the need make full usage on the existing technologies in our daily teaching both for presenting lessons of activities to student learnings in various ways.

Busy Teacher is another resource that provided information for me.  Although it entailed for English learning structure, I can use it and modify to fit the CHamoru program for our Curriculum Standards.  It is very resourceful.  

Cool Cat Teacher is also pointing out that real learnings happen outside the classroom through traveling to places to experience hands on - real life learnings as it is explored by the 3 teachers in this video presentation.  A good example is about my class that went on a field to all the historical sites here in Guahan during COVID when schools were on virtual learnings.  I almost give up my position because I didn't know how to present this fieldtrip on line.  So, when face to face went back to normal, I took my class to the actual historical sites in person and they were happy learning the historical events of the history.

Lastly, Educational teaching and mobile learning as in AI assisted, I need to explore more on this type of compute usage because my students do not use computers.  The program did not issue any to the CHamoru classes.  

I love and enjoyed the poems by Dr. Rivera - Educational Technology and about the typhoon Sinlaku.  These are resourceful references for the teachers.  I want to translate them into CHamoru language for my teaching activities next school year.

Week 1: June 1-7 Resources Reflection

Thank you for sharing this week’s resources, Dr. Rivera. One of my favorites was the Cool Cat Teacher Blog. I’ve always found that talking with other educators is one of the best ways to get new ideas, solve problems, and even relieve some of the stress that comes with teaching. It was also interesting to read stories and perspectives from teachers in other places, not just here on Guam. 

I also enjoyed exploring Education Technology and its articles about AI. This is a topic I’ve been thinking a lot about lately because I’m currently struggling to find the right balance with AI use in my classroom. I don’t mind students using AI when it is used appropriately, but many middle school students still do not understand how to use it as a learning tool. Too often, they see it as a shortcut and use it in ways that result in plagiarism rather than helping them develop their own thinking. As AI continues to grow, I think it is important for us to teach students how to use it responsibly and effectively.

The ILA and Poet's Club sites were another nice addition. I think your poems would be great to use in the classroom because they are based on experiences and topics that our students can understand and relate to. When students see themselves and their culture reflected in what they read, they are often more engaged.

Lastly, I found the introductory YouTube videos to be very helpful. I think they would make excellent additions to future professional development sessions. One video discussed the importance of understanding the different types of technology available, knowing how and when to use them, and making sure they are integrated properly into lessons. That message really stood out to me because I believe there needs to be a balance between traditional teaching methods and new technology. One quote that stuck with me was, “Technology is not the solution, but an aid.” I think that perfectly sums up how technology should be viewed in education. Another important point from the videos was that schools often spend a lot of money purchasing technology but do not always provide enough training for teachers. As a result, some of that technology ends up being underused or not used to its full potential. This is something I believe the Guam Department of Education should keep in mind when investing in new technology. Providing quality training and support is just as important as purchasing the technology itself.

Week 1: June 1-7 Reflection - J. Dela Cruz

 As a teacher in this generation, I believe that the use of technology and keeping yourself updated is very important. Many students as young as kindergarten have great knowledge about technology. In many classrooms that I have been in, I see teachers using many educational websites to assist with their lessons and class discussions. I have seen teachers use Kahoot, IXL, quizlet and many other educational resources. But I also believe that “the teacher will always be the most important element in learning,”  that technology can assist, but can not solely be responsible for teaching the class/students. Knowledge and understanding the use of  technology is not only important as a teacher, but also in general.  When I have a question or don’t understand something I google it or search “how to” videos on youtube. I also use CHATGPT to get ideas and suggestions for anything. I am always willing to learn new things about technology use in the classroom. Thank you Dr. Rivera for sharing all the resources. I always enjoy reading your poems; the Sinlaku and the tribute to Tata.

Angela Anderson

Hafa Adai! My name is Angela Anderson, and I am from Pago Bay. I began teaching in 2009 and have dedicated my entire career to Inalahan Middle School. I have always taught 7th grade Language Arts, but more recently I have become a combo teacher, working with both 6th and 8th grade students as well. I am also very involved in coordinating school activities and served as a yearbook advisor for many years. I truly enjoy creating memorable experiences and making school enjoyable for students both in and out of the classroom. After all these years, I still genuinely love teaching middle school students and ensuring they have a memorable experience at IMS. Teaching definitely keeps me feeling both young and old at the same time! 

6/1-6/8 Resources

 Thank you for sharing this week's resources, Dr. Rivera! It's always great to find new resources, especially ones that are free. I especially liked the worksheets and posters provided on the Busy Teacher blog. I am constantly looking for quick-checks that I can use in class, and these worksheets look like great examples. The posters are also good quality, and also free, which are fantastic. I was previously an IRA member before I moved, and this week's resources reminded me that I need to rejoin the ILA soon. It was also really cool to read some of your poems! I enjoyed the poem about Typhoon Sinlaku, and I think students would appreciate reading poems that they can relate to. 

Introduction

  Hello!

My name is Ciann San Nicolas, from the beautiful village of Inalåhan. I was a 2nd grade teacher for the first 3 years of my teaching career, then moved to the middle school reading space for the rest. I was also lucky enough to be a middle school reading specialist when I lived in Denver for two years! I have a five year-old daughter named Nyla Joy. In my spare time, I love reading fantasy books and watching reality TV. 

Jovie Taimanao

Buenas yan Hafa adai.

My name is Jovita M. Taimanao, aka Jovie, from Sinajana, Guam, and originally from Rota, CNMI.  My professional career is in education, and my goal is to spread the CHamoru learning through oral, written, and reading. I am a CHamoru teacher at Agana Heights Elementary School and enjoy being part of the Bumblebee family there. I look forward to expanding my knowledge in this course and learning more about the effective use of technology in education.