Writer: NOVY H. FACUN

Current Position: Teacher II

School: Quezon City High School

Topic: Teaching Strategies

Title: 

Enhancing Algebra Mastery Through Math-Breaker Map and Engaging Teaching Strategies

Mathematics often challenges students, but with the right approach, it can become an enjoyable learning journey. This was exemplified by Teacher Novy H. Facun in a lesson on the square of a binomial. Through interactive activities, creative tools, and real-world connections, the session showcased innovative teaching that resonates with students.

Objectives and Standards

The lesson aimed to:

1. Teach the mathematical rule for squaring a binomial.

2. Illustrate concepts with teaching tools like the “Math-Breaker Map.”

3. Foster collaborative problem-solving.

4. Enhance computational accuracy and speed.

5. Promote teamwork.

Aligned with the Department of Education’s standards, the session connected algebraic expressions to real-world problem-solving, bridging theory with practice.

Key Highlights

1. Engaging Preparatory Activities

The lesson began with a lively discussion about favorite cartoon characters, leading to a story about Darna, a beloved Filipino superhero. Music and movement created an energized classroom atmosphere, sparking student interest.

2. Review of Foundational Concepts

A quick review of squaring numbers refreshed prior knowledge. Positive reinforcement encouraged active participation and built confidence.

3. Collaborative Learning with the Math-Breaker Map

Students worked in groups using the “Math-Breaker Map,” an interactive tool simplifying algebraic operations. Each group had assigned roles like presenter, investigator, and material master, ensuring equitable participation. Patterns in binomial squares emerged during problem-solving and fostering conceptual discussions. Group presentations allowed students to share insights and deepening understanding.

The Math-Breaker Map cultivates systematic problem-solving skills, enabling students to breakdown complex problems into manageable steps, fostering critical thinking and mathematical proficiency. By utilizing the Math-Breaker Map, students develop essential analytical skills, transferring pattern recognition and strategic thinking to diverse mathematical challenges and lifelong learning. This innovative tool facilitates students' mastery of binomial squares.

4. Real-World Connections

Algebra was linked to practical applications, such as calculating the area of shapes.             A problem inspired by the Darna narrative demonstrated how mathematical concepts apply to everyday scenarios and making learning more engaging.

5. Reflection and Emotional Engagement

Students reflected on the session using emojis to express confidence and understanding. This activity encouraged self-awareness and provided feedback for the teacher to improve future lessons.

Assessment and Further Learning

Assessment was embedded throughout the session:

• A formative quiz reinforced concept.

• A creative task challenged students to design their own Math-Breaker Map, combining artistic expression with algebraic skills.

• Multimedia resources, such as video tutorials on YouTube and Facebook, supported independent learning beyond the classroom.

Conclusion

Teacher Novy H. Facun’s lesson demonstrated the transformative power of creativity and collaboration in mathematics education. By integrating interactive tools, storytelling, and real-life applications, the session made algebra both accessible and enjoyable for Grade 7 students.

This approach underscores the importance of fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and a love for learning in modern classrooms. By connecting abstract concepts to practical experiences, educators can inspire students to view mathematics as a vital skill for academic success and everyday life.

Information Communication Technology (ICT) Integration for Academic Librarians Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Margarita S. Ronan, RL, MLIS

 Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines 

ABSTRACT

Maintaining up-to-date with emerging technologies is an essential part of keeping University libraries and Academic librarians’ responsive to the changes and to keep abreast of trends and developments in ICT. This study used the Quantitative Descriptive Method to assess the level of ICT Integration for Academic librarians’ Continuing Professional Development in terms of their Attitude and Perception; the effectiveness of ICT Integrated CPD programs, and the challenges they have encountered. This study has 206 Academic librarians as respondents coming from the selected Universities in Region IV-A CALABARZON and used the clustered random sampling technique. The Questionnaire was researcher-made using both the questionnaire checklist and Google form. Based on the findings, most of the respondents are 36-40 years old, and there were more females, have 6-10 years of Professional experience, majority came from Government Sectors, and with Bachelor’s Degrees. Respondents perceived that attending a CPD program with ICT Integration will help them advance both personally and professionally. However, it reveals that the respondents are low in terms of the support of their current employer to attend CPD. Moreover, the result shows that a CPD program with ICT integration is effective in improving the skills of the respondents. The challenges encountered were the reluctance of their employer as well as the insufficient fund allocation. Lastly, the result shows that there is a significant difference in terms of Sex, but no significant difference in terms of Age, Years of Professional Experience, Employment Sector, and Highest Educational Attainment.

Access the FULL PAPER here.

The Last Mambabatok: Apo Whang Od’s Legacy

Antonio G. Rivera Jr., LPT, MA CDDS [1]

Leah C. Jimeno, MA CDDS [2]

The story of life around the Kalinga Province in the Philippines stands out as one of the rare long-standing cultures that survive today. Most people are familiar with the tattoo artist Maria Oggay, also known as Apo Whang Od, known as the last “Mambabatok”. She was born in 1917 and belongs to the Butbut tribe of Barangay Buscalan, where she embodied a cultural practice that stretches back centuries before modern tattooing techniques emerged.

Her tale goes beyond being a personal history. It also speaks of a great cultural legacy that these Kalinga people have, tattoos mean something in society and culture more than being mere ornamentation. For example, women get tattoos in representations of triumphs, high social standing, and successful travels while warriors do the same in terms of commemoration of victories during combat. She learned her talent from her father who was a respected “Mambabatok” of their tribe. He uses the thorn of the "lukban" or better-known grapefruit, charcoal, and a small mallet to create tattoo designs, and this technique has not changed over the generations. This traditional technique, known as "batok", is a meticulous process that requires exceptional skill, precision, and cultural knowledge. Each design is patted into the skin by hand, a technique that is more painful than modern tattoo techniques but has a deep spiritual and cultural meaning.

Apo Whang Od is one of the living cultural treasures. Her designs do have its own stories, for instance, headhunting tradition, the experiences of the tribe, and its history. Every tattoo is unique; it shows the journey of the individual as well as the collective memory of the Kalingas. As a matter of fact, she was given the "Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Award" last 2018, by the Philippine government. GAMABA is equal in rank with the National Artist. It is conferred by the National Center for Culture and the Arts, the country's highest policy-making and coordinating body for culture and the arts, on Filipinos who are at the forefront of the practice, preservation and promotion of the nation's traditional folk arts. It was institutionalized in 1992 through Republic Act No. 7355 (Legaspi, 2018) as she is an important personality to recognize.

In recent years, with the increase in tourism and interest in traditional practices, visitors from all over the world travel to her village to get tattooed. The sudden influx of attention from abroad brought both opportunities and challenges. This has helped maintain awareness of this ancient art form, but it has also raised concerns about the potential commodification of a sacred cultural practice.

Despite her age, Apo Whang Od continues practicing her art, at the same time, she has started training her nieces so that this art will be in the tribe. Grace Palicas and Elyang Wigan, her nieces, are learning not only the technical skills of tattooing but also the cultural significance of each design. Apo's passing on of his knowledge represents an important detail in the preservation of culture, ensuring that the art of traditional tattooing is not lost in her generation. Additionally, her life is not only the act of tattooing. For she is living records of history in every tattoo made by her. Each has its own story of a people's cultural identity, survival, and resistance. The marks on her body tell stories beyond mere ornamentation. As an important symbol, Apo Whang Od shows that the world of the diverse and deep indigenous ways can exist in a seemingly increasingly homogeneous world. The popularity of the Butbut tribe is replaced by a fear of preserving their culture. Blending traditional practice with modern tourism raises pertinent issues on cultural authenticity and how preservation may lead to turning sacred practices into commercial labor. This activity also posed challenges in sustaining its spiritual and cultural significance.

In her 107th year, Apo Whang Od's story now has power in its own as a narrative of cultural resilience. She finds importance in the value of oral and traditional arts, strength in indigenous knowledge, and value in the preservation and honoring of cultural heritage. Her work as an entirety is a very good illustration of the importance of knowledge transfer from one generation to the other and the perpetuating strength of cultural traditions. The legacy of Apo Whang Od is tattooing but it's more preserving a race, their stories, and their identity through her hands an entire cultural history engraved on the skin of those who wished to remember and honor the traditions of the Kalinga people.

Websites: 

Gumiran, A. E. (2024). What You Should Know about Getting a Tattoo in Buscalan Village. https://thequeensescape.com/what-you-should-know-about-getting-a-tattoo-in-buscalan-village/ 

AMITA LEGASPI,GMA News. (2018, February 28). Whang-Od nominated for Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/644975/whang-od-nominated-for-gawad-manlilikha-ng-bayan/story/ 

Gawad Alab ng Haraya and Dangal ng Haraya. (n.d.). https://ncca.gov.ph/sentro-rizal-3/programs/organizational-awards/gawad-alab-ng-haraya-and-dangal-ng-haraya/ 

Nomoto, S. (2023, November 3). Why I want to get batok (Traditional Filipino tattoos). Cold Tea Collective. https://coldteacollective.com/batok-traditional-filipino-tattoos/ 

Dumaraos, G. (2024, October 30). Meet Apo Whang-Od, the Last Kalinga Tattoo Artist in the Philippines. Culture Trip. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/meet-apo-whang-od-the-last-hand-poke-tattoo-artist-in-the-philippines 

Krutak, L., & Krutak, L. (2021, January 26). THE LAST KALINGA TATTOO ARTIST OF THE PHILIPPINES | LARS KRUTAK. Lars Krutak | Tattoo Anthropologist. https://www.larskrutak.com/the-last-kalinga-tattoo-artist-of-the-philippines/ 

Howard, A. C. (2022, February 28). The rebirth of a 1,000-year tradition. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20160106-an-ancient-ink-technique-sees-new-blood