Snapshot of Presentation - Research Questions

The above image is a screen shot of the research questions I'll be presenting on April 28, 2010. Just in case you're unable to view the image, here's the description on the slide:

------------------Research Questions------------------

Research Questions

The researcher asked the following questions in her interviews:
1. Are you a weaver? If not, skip to question 4.
2. How long have you been weaving?
3. What crafts do you weave?
4. How long does it take to weave certain crafts?
5. Is there a pattern that must be followed in weaving? (eg. Counting by 3’s, 5’s, 8’s)
6. What math activities would you recommend for grades 1, 4, and 7?
7. Why is coconut weaving an effective activity for teaching math?
8. Why is coconut weaving important to our Chamorro culture?
9. What special message would you like to pass on to our people regarding the importance of coconut weaving?

----------------Research Questions------------------

Snapshot of Presentation - Methodology

The above image is a sreen shot of the Methodology I'll be presenting on April 28, 2010. Just in case you're unable to view the image, here's the description on the slide:

-------------Methodology Slide------------

The research was conducted by interviewing indigenous coconut-leaf and pandanus-leaf weavers, as well as laborious reviews of offline and online published books and articles on the Chamorro culture. The researcher consulted with Chamorro teachers knowledgeable about weaving, a recognized Master Weaver, a researcher who has done extensive research in Chamorro history and has published several books on the Chamorro culture, and her mother who is a coconut-leaf weaver.

-------------Methodology Slide------------

Once again, good luck to all of you as you finalize your research paper!

All the best,
Matilda

Snapshot of Presentation - Introduction

The above image is a sreen shot of the introduction I'll be presenting on April 28, 2010. Just in case you're unable to view the image, here's the description on the slide:

---------------Introduction Slide--------------

My research paper describes selected examples of contemporary coconut-leaf and pandanus-leaf weaving in Guam. It will explore utilitarian items, such as hats, headbands, fans, mats, bracelets, and baskets, as well as decorative items, such as roses, grasshoppers, whips, and fish.

---------------Introduction Slide--------------

Once again, good luck to all of you as you finalize your research paper!

Project MACIMISE Featured in the Spring 2010 Pacific Educator

Dear Fellow MACIMISERS,

Congratulations! Project MACIMISE was featured in the Spring 2010 Pacific Educator! Sandy's article was well written, as he described details of the project and its importance pertaining to mathematics, and more! View the article below or visit the following URL http://www.prel.org/products/paced/spring10/14_MACIMISE.pdf to view the article. BIBA PROJECT MACIMISE!

Snapshot of My Coconut Weaving Presentation

The above image is a snapshot of the first slide of my coconut weaving presentation schedued for April 28, 2010. You'll notice different pictures of my first grade ESL groups that I service, along with a picture of my Mom teaching me how to weave with coconut leaves, as my youngest son observes the process. My students are pictured with the coconut-weaved items I personally created, with the exception of the hats, which were weaved by my Mom. They were happy to wear and show off the weaved items, especially since it was Chamorro Month! Biba Chamorro!

My Personal Interviews

It has been a long, yet rewarding Project MACIMISE journey for all of us. In particular, we are all currently finishing up the details of our research paper. In light of this, I'd like to share with you the names of those I've interviewed, and of which are located below. Good luck in completing your paper!

PERSONS INTERVIEWED

Arceo, A. Personal INTERVIEW. 20 March 2010.
Female, age 42, Agat. Founder of Huråo Academy with 20 years of teaching Chamorro and expertise in Chamorro language and culture.

Bamba, J. Personal INTERVIEW. 14 March 2010.
Male, age 29, Agana Heights. Coconut-leaf and pandanus-leaf weaver of 15 years and translator for the U.S. Air Force and foreign language instructor for junior translators.

Cruz, J.A. Personal INTERVIEW. 12 March 2010.
Male, age 33, Mangilao. Coconut-leaf and pandanus-leaf weaver of 15 years and English instructor for the University of Guam’s TRIO Programs, Student Support Services.

Cruz, J.Q. Personal INTERVIEW. 12 March 2010.
Male, age 64, Barrigada Heights. Guam Education Policy Board member, former University of Guam President, retired UOG Administration and Supervision Program Advisor/Associate Professor.

Cunningham, L. Personal INTERVIEW. 22 March 2010.
Male, age 67, Agat. Researcher, educator, and author of ancient Chamorros and traditional navigation and seafaring.

Guerrero, A. Personal INTERVIEW. 20 March 2010.
Male, age 62, Chalan Pago. Chamorro teacher of 25 years with specialization in Chamorro culture and language.

Gumataotao, A. Personal INTERVIEW. 17 March 2010.
Female, age 43, Toto. Teacher assistant with specialization in cooking Chamorro food.

Gumataotao, L. Personal INTERVIEW. 15 March 2010.
Female, age 59, Agana Heights. Former administrator and ESL teacher in the Guam Department of Education.

Lastimoza, R. Personal INTERVIEW. 16 March 2010.
Female, age 46, Tamuning. First grade teacher in the Guam Department of Education.

Laguana, R. Personal INTERVIEW. 15 March 2010.
Male, age 50, Mangilao. Adminstrator for the Guam Department of Education Chamoru Studies Division with specialization in the following: Chamorro language, culture, history, translating, editing, transcribing, interpreting, and tour guiding.

Naputi, J. N. Personal INTERVIEW. 23 February 2010.
Male, age 59, Tamuning. Farmer, writer, and agriculturalist for over 50 years.

Naputi, J.S. Personal INTERVIEW. 6 February 2010.
Female, age 56, Tamuning, Coconut-leaf weaver with specialization in arts and crafts.

Rojas, D. Personal INTERVIEW. 17 March 2010.
Female, age 61, MongMong, Chamorro teacher in the Guam Department of Education.

Sablan, P. Personal INTERVIEW. 25 March 2010.
Male, age 46, Santa Rita. Coconut-leaf weaver, cultural tattoo artist, stone sculpture and body ornamentation (shell) specialist.

Salas, A. Personal INTERVIEW. 26 March 2010.
Female, age 52, Piti. Chamorro teacher with specialization in the Chamorro language and culture.

A Teacher's Math Prayer

The mathematics research is ongoing for me, but I also think that it's important for us to pray every now and then to give us the strength and move forward to complete our goal of completing our research paper and ultimately impacting our students' mathematics skills. Please see the brief prayer below.

A Teacher's Math Prayer

Dear God,
Today's a busy day.
Please hear my Math wish.
In Math, I want to teach students
That bad deeds are reduced to their lowest terms
When good deeds are multiplied.
Give them the skills that will increase their knowledge
To understand that good things will come
If we add good routines and subtract the bad ones.
Help them to know that
For every action
There is an equal and opposite reaction.
That the grade they receive
Is dependent on their good deeds.
AMEN.

Source: Anonymous