Constrained the multi-dimensional crisis of the country, the Good Shepherd Sisters in Magyikwin organized a summer program for the children who have limited access to education and protection. There were about 120 children who participated in the program and the program was facilitated by Sr.Rosaline Lay Khine and the Good Shepherd sisters in Magyikwin who were assisted by the teachers from “Pyinya Sanyae”.
The objective of the program is “to ensure the children’s access to education which is accessible, efficient, enjoyable and adaptable”. Moreover, it aims the children to develop their skills in arts by discovering their talents and creativity. The program is inclusive to all the children who are interested regardless of their ethnic and social background. The children come from different religious practices such as Christians, Catholics and Buddhists.
Meditation: The purpose of doing meditation is to boost the children concentration before taking the classes for the day. It helps the teachers to calm down the students and begin the day with peaceful minds.
Action song and dance: Action song benefits children’s mental and physical wellbeing which enhance them to be active, feel relax, increase motor fitness, etc. We also believe that children can improve their energy by dancing and have fun with their friends.
Game: It encourages team work spirit, children attention, fine motor and gross motor skills and being fresh. By playing game, children learn to take turns, work together with team members, listen to their peers and build respect and relationship with their friends.
Moral stories: We aim to teach the children indirectly by telling stories. We create a time for the students to reflect their actions and behavior based on the message of the stories. It allows the children to reflect, decide and practice what is good and bad, what is right and wrong.
The level- 1 students learned single letters, double letters and some puzzle words during summer camp. After learning many sessions, they acquired the ability to pronounce the sound of the letters as well as the sound of words and their endings. It also makes them easier to sound out the unfamiliar words. Without teacher’s assist, their reading becomes better as they know the sound of the letters and could pronounce them correctly. We could see their improvement and have fun learning moments during summer camp.
We emphasize the language lessons with the story based learning. Each story carries six lesson plans such as vocabulary, reading, speaking, grammar, writing and one lesson for review.
The overall outcomes of one-month summer program are:
Through our observations, we’ve noticed a positive transformation in our students as they gain confidence and recognize their potential to learn and grow through consistent engagement with basic English language skills. Notably, their joy, happiness and enthusiasm for learning have become evidence.
We used different methods and strategies to handle the student’s behaviors like teaching them indirectly by telling stories, using attention grabber, applying nonverbal sign, having behavior chart, encouraging them to treat their friends politely, helping them to line up, etc. We noticed that students are teachable with patience and guidance. We can foster positive attitude and behaviors gradually.
We are also aware the students’ improvement working among their friends not only in class but also outside of the class activities, for example, lining up, doing group discussion, playing game, playing outdoor activities, etc. Through these collaborative experiences, they build trust and establish relationship, enhance communication skills, exchange the ideas, listen to one another and so on. They also got to know how to cheer, support and encourage their friends while participating and working in groups.
At the end of the summer camp, the students could come up with role play performance. Based on the story that they have learned, the teachers guided them to practice the scripts, actions rehearsals, performance and the flow of the overall role play. As the day of the performance arrived, they eagerly took to the stage, presenting their roles with enthusiasm in front of an audience, parents, teachers, Sisters, and friends. It was a moment of pride and accomplishment for everyone involved, seeing their hard work and dedication throughout the summer camp experience.
Every Saturday, children have a chance to engage in outdoor activities. The goal is to ensure they have fun while enhancing their motor skills and fostering friendships so they got to learn the art of negotiation and cooperation with their friends. Additionally, outdoor activities provide an opportunity for relaxation, allowing children to recharge their energy. Moreover, physical exercise not only strengthens their bodies but also boosts their immune systems, promoting overall health and well-being. It is time for children to bond with their friends and have enjoyable environment.
In this CBCT, there were two types of sharing the contents which are learning theories and doing observation in real classes. For the theories, we provided the topics like multiple intelligence, motivation, learning styles, Hierarchy of Needs, teaching strategies, teacher -centred approach, child- centred approach, lesson planning, classroom management, assessments. Apart from that, we also shared the games, action songs, activities to the local teachers. Moreover, they have to do practical observation in different classes. We provided some guidelines and they were required to observe based on the given outlines. Then, we gathered to the classroom and share what they have observed from the teaching. It was a wonderful sharing as they could connect the theory while doing observation. Besides, they actively tried to participate and engage the discussion throughout the course.
Most of them shared that their expectations are met since they gained new knowledge about Multiple intelligence, types of motivation, learning styles, teacher’s role, classroom management, and many ideas for games and activities.
There are also some challenges. The electricity was on and off so sometimes we could not use Power point presentation as we planned. Our plan B was sharing ppt to their group chat, but internet connection was poor. They have to focus on the small screen for a long time and it reduces the interests on the topics. There were inconveniences, but we managed to complete the course successfully. Overall, it was a meaningful sharing experiences and we learnt from one another.
Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd Sisters and
The teachers from Pyinya Sanyae
Magyikwin Community
Good Shepherd Sisters Myanmar