Philippine, Texan students share unique culture

Philippine Science High School students from Dipolog City, Philippines and Alternative Education students from Odessa, TX, USA shared their unique cultures with each other using Padlet. As part of their lesson in Social Science under the mentorship of Mr. Araibo Elumba, Social Science teacher, Philippine Science High School students studied globalization and the cultural influences on globalization. On the other hand, as part of their paired texts lesson in English, Alternative Education students read Tehuelche and Linguist on Mission to Save Inuit "Fossil Language" Disappearing with the Ice and studied the cultures of the Tehuelche people and the Inughuits and analyzed how the loss of language as a cultural element important in both texts. After their respective lessons, as an enrichment activity, both student groups shared their unique cultures with each other online. Texan students enjoyed learning about some Philippine cultures and traditions such as bayanihan (strong spirit of communal unity, work and cooperation), harsh discipline, kamayan (eating with a hand), bahala na (come what may), mano (pressing one's forehead on an elder's hand as a sign of respect), parent-mediated courtship, kuya and ate as terms of endearment for older brother and older sister respectively, fiesta, extreme hospitality, extreme generosity, superstitious beliefs, 9-day funeral novena, and many others. Philippines students, on the other hand, were amazed learning about some Texan cultures and traditions such as quinceañera, Día de Muertos, Mexican food, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Easter, and many others.

American students revise Spanish “for” or “against” essays

Alternative education students from Odessa, TX revised essays from students at Instituto de Educación Secundaria IES Prado Mayor in Totana, Murcia, Spain under the advisorship of Mrs. Aranzazu Mouriño Loretto. Students from Spain explained if they were for or against technology, plastic use, or mainstream media, under very catchy topic titles: “Where is My Charger,” “No Straw, Please,” and “Too Mainstream.” Just like any other countries, Spain and U.S.A. do not only benefit but also suffer from the effects of technology, plastic use, and media. Some of the societal realities Spanish students discussed were cyberbullying, fraud, plastic pollution, marine hazard, harassment, fake news, and many others. Common advice Spanish students gave was to use technology, plastic, and media wisely and in moderation. Alternative Education students revised the essays using ARMS strategy. The activity was a good revising and editing practice for the Alternative Education students in preparation for their statewide testing in English.