Benguet State University Elementary Laboratory School (BSU-ELS)
Hello Everyone😀!
I am glad to share with you my experience as a SEA Teacher delegate in the Philippines. First, I would like to tell about the school where I was placed for my practice teaching. I was placed in the elementary laboratory school of the College of Teacher Education of Benguet State University also known as BSU-Elementary Laboratory School (BSU-ELS) located at Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.
But before that, did you know that Benguet State University is a state university located in the strawberry capital of the Philippines which is the municipality of La Trinidad in the province of Benguet. It was originally named Trinidad Farm School in 1916, but on January 12, 1986, the school was converted into a chartered state university. For now, the school is soaring high in its 100 years of age. Besides having college campuses, BSU has also elementary and secondary campuses. The elementary is called Elementary Laboratory School (ELS) and the secondary as the Secondary Laboratory School (SLS). Both relate to the College of Teacher Education by helping college students practice teaching children and adolescents. I am lucky that I had the chance to teach in their laboratory school also.
Meanwhile, the BSU’s elementary laboratory school started its history in 1939 as the La Trinidad Agricultural School (TAS) training department was created. The department served as a training ground for the students of the Special Secondary Normal College of TAS prior to practice teaching in the elementary schools over the mountain provinces. It was then headed by Dr. Bonifacio Sibayan, who later became the president of the Philippine Normal College.
Fifteen years later, the management, administration, and operations of the department were turned over to the Department of Education. This is the creation of the Ilang Elementary School (IES) in 1954 with Mr. Albert P. Laoyan as the Head Teacher and first Principal.
On January 1, 1977, the IES with Prof. Teresita S. Badua as Principal and 30 two faculty and staff, was formally affiliated with the Mountain State Agricultural College. It was signed by Dr. Bruno M. Santos, MSAC President and Undersecretary Narciso Albarracin (Ministry of Education), led to the renaming of the school from Benguet State University Elementary Training Department under the Presidential Proclamation No. 2010, 1986 series by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, to Elementary Laboratory School (ELS). And now, Dr. Marcelina L. Bolona has been the principal of the Elementary Laboratory School (September 16, 2015 to present).
Regarding the building, the school building is simple. The school consists of two levels, the first floor is for grades 1, 2 and 3, while the upper part is for grades 4, 5, and 6. Meanwhile, the principal, the teacher and the secretary’s offices are on the first floor and the library is on the upper floor.
Fifteen years later, the management, administration, and operations of the department were turned over to the Department of Education. This is the creation of the Ilang Elementary School (IES) in 1954 with Mr. Albert P. Laoyan as the Head Teacher and first Principal.
On January 1, 1977, the IES with Prof. Teresita S. Badua as Principal and 30 two faculty and staff, was formally affiliated with the Mountain State Agricultural College. It was signed by Dr. Bruno M. Santos, MSAC President and Undersecretary Narciso Albarracin (Ministry of Education), led to the renaming of the school from Benguet State University Elementary Training Department under the Presidential Proclamation No. 2010, 1986 series by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, to Elementary Laboratory School (ELS). And now, Dr. Marcelina L. Bolona has been the principal of the Elementary Laboratory School (September 16, 2015 to present).
Regarding the building, the school building is simple. The school consists of two levels, the first floor is for grades 1, 2 and 3, while the upper part is for grades 4, 5, and 6. Meanwhile, the principal, the teacher and the secretary’s offices are on the first floor and the library is on the upper floor.
BSU-ELS Building
And next, the school has 12 classrooms having two available classrooms in each grade level. In each grade level there is a class/section called "Camia" and the other one is named "Rose". Camia and Rose are types of flowers, very interesting😀. You can see the class example in this photo.
Grade VI Camia and Rose
Also, the average number of students in each class is 40 pupils having one class adviser.
The Grade VI Rose Pupils are Answering Some Questions from Their Teacher
Regarding the curriculum, the Elementary Laboratory School uses the K-12 curriculum. Friends, we need to know that The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. (source: www.spideylab.com/k-12-philippines-curriculum-guides)
Curriculum K-12
And the following are grades 1 to 10 subjects:
1. Mother Tongue
2. Filipino
3. English
4. Mathematics
5. Science
6. Araling Panlipunan
7. Edukasyonsa Pagpapakatao (EsP)
8. Music
9. Arts
10. Physical Education
11. Health
12. Edukasyon Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP)
The BSU-Elementary Education aims to develop the spiritual, moral, mental, and physical capabilities of the child, provide him with experiences in the democratic way of life, and include ideas and accessary processes for enlightened, patriotic, upright, and useful citizenship. Elementary Laboratory School principled to print the output of students who have:
1. Achievements in the academic field
2. Having the ability to think critically
3. Become someone who has effective communication skills
4. Involve yourself in community activities
5. Being a learner who can direct with himself.
Furthermore, related to BSU-ELS teaching system, Elementary Laboratory School uses American System. We need to know that the American education system is aimed at children aged 3-18 years and the focus is on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Students' cognitive abilities are developed through applicable science and creativity without losing the importance of social intelligence. This education system is considered attractive because it is able to encourage students to love science and technology, the learning style is discussion-based where information acquisition is not only passive, teaching-learning processes are digitally based, and the teaching and learning process is active and problem-based so that students can think critically.
The Teacher is Teaching, and She is Using A Game
Regarding the academic support system, the BSU-Elementary Laboratory School has blackboards, books, and computers to support the education system. Furthermore, related to materials and other learning sources, Elementary Laboratory School uses two technologies namely Low Technology and High Technology. Low Technology itself is defined as traditional devices (without electrical devices) such as whiteboards, paper, pictures, and books. Whereas High Technology is defined as a modern device (using electricity) such as LCD, Video and TV.
The Teacher Uses A Blackboard, Book, and TV for Teaching
Related to the lesson schedule every day, students learn with a fulltime system from Monday to Thursday. The school starts at 7.40 am with each day starting with a flag ceremony for approximately 15 minutes. Classes will start at 8.00 am. Every day has the same subject schedule. Each lesson is allocated in one hour (50 minutes). Students have a break at 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., where the time can be used by students for lunch time. After that the class will start again at 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm. And especially on Friday, students do not have classes and only do extra-curricular activities.
You can see in this photo the teaching schedule of Sir Albert.
The Teaching Schedule of My Mentor Sir Albert
Friends, the BSU-Elementary Laboratory School has extra-curricular activities. Extra-curricular activities like clubs and organizations are opportunities and opportunities for elementary children to discover and develop their skills. The following are some of the curricular activities and clubs of the ELS:
1. Pupil Govement Organization
2. Sports Club
3. Dance Club / Choreographics
4. Mountain Spring Choir
5. Campus Journalism
6. Gymnastic
7. Art Club
8. Girls Scout Club
9. Teatro Club
10. Science Club
11. Match Club
12. Reading Club
13. Cooking Club
14. Cultural Dance
15. Badminton Club
16. Table Tennis Club
The Pupils are Doing An Exercise in the Field
Related to teaching plan, based on my observations the teachers here make a daily log to determine the planning of the material to be taught. The Daily log contains the determination of topics every day that will be taught to students. But the determination of this topic may change if there is a suspension of classes that the government will declare (due to holidays and weather disturbances especially typhoons, earthquake or hurricanes). Here I will show the Daily Log made by my mentor Sir Albert.
Daily Log of Sir Albert
And here, I will show a video of flag ceremony at BSU-ELS. You must know that I’m surprised when I listened their voice. When they sing, they all make a beautiful melody and pleasant. I think you must watch this video of them! 😁
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