To organize pupils, to inspire them to get involved in a community based research required much motivation and patience. The teachers considered that the children necessarily should be able to relate to their topic that they may sustain their interest all through the process. They made sure that the pupils were involved from the choice of the research topic, the formulating of the focus questions, and the gathering of data. And it was because the children were active in the building of the research road map that they were full of zip especially during the meetings when they shared with the team whatever were their findings. It was noted that the pupils were eager to discuss their issues as well as air their opinions.
During the brainstorming meeting done on August 15 at teacher Francis’ classroom, the team were one in the decision to focus on Bicol’s celebration of the 300th devotion to the Virgin of Penafrancia. And to maximize the pupils involvement in the project, the teachers got into tasking right away.
Together the team identified persons from the community to interview about their personal experiences of certain miracles happening at some point in their lives, and that has bearing on INA. Stress was made on the significance of their experience and its impact on their lives.
Some pupils volunteered to do the interview; some to do the library research, while the others suggested they surf the net.
And thus with the various tasks mapped out, the timeline drawn, the team started on the voyage… the discovery of the many moving miracles that had changed lives and forever enthroned Ina in the hearts of the Bicolanos.
The sail was not always smooth. But all in all, the team had fun. And all have learned.
