Tinikling Between Two Wor(l)ds

Katreena Tolentino
  • 5.0 (11)
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This is not meant to be a one-way street with me as a "sage on stage." My goal is to share a poem that will inspire others to write. Each episode will include an original poem, a brief discussion or interview, and a prompt for the listener. This was made for you, for me, for us.

  1. 04/21/2023

    Episode 19: Promotion

    For today, I want you to think about the most important life lesson you learned. It could be from experience, an elder, a friend, a teacher, or anything in between. It could be about friendship, money, love, failure, death, hope, or countless other themes. Share your insight, wisdom, and values. I hope to learn from you.

    7 min

  2. 04/07/2023

    Episode 18: Teachers' Blues

    Now, let's take a moment of silence.  In fact, let that be our focus this week. Sit with silence. Reflect on a time when you had to be silent. Was the moment uncomfortable, peaceful, painful, hostile, or a mixture of emotions? Was it ceremonious, voluntary, or forced? Was it political, religious, personal, or accidental? Were you alone? Some moments with tension and silence revolve around death, goodbyes, longings. Explore wherever the silence leads you.

    5 min

  3. 04/01/2023

    Episode 17: Lesson Plan (March 26, 2014)

    For this week, I want you to think about a lesson you learned (or taught) while at school that did not involve academic standards. Through that experience, you might have developed character, self-awareness, pride, confidence, or some other attribute. Those are the moments that make my job worthwhile. As Lola Ida used to say, "Teaching is not just a profession; it is a mission."

    8 min

  4. 03/24/2023

    Episode 16: There are books here (after Jamaal May)

    Now, it is your turn. I want you to think of something that is missing from the classroom. If you are choosing something tangible, do not make a supply list. Focus on one item: tissue paper, markers, flexible seating. It could be something more abstract: a course (art, home economics, woodwork) or even subject matter (SEL, diversity, financial literacy). Whether a student, teacher, parent, or visitor, your observation matters. Why is that item or topic so important? What are the possibilities when it is accessible in the classroom?

    5 min

  5. 12/16/2022

    Episode 15: Daily Routine

    CDK: Either they could write about how they have faced a similar hurdle in their life where they struggled with self confidence, or how they would approach someone else going through this—like a close loved one. KT: I think that would be an interesting spin-off.  CDK: I would like the listeners to respond to how they would approach—say a loved one or just a friend—going through a hurdle in their life, battling self-confidence, and low-self esteem.

    14 min

  6. 12/09/2022

    Episode 14: Confidance

    This week's prompt is about confidence. Too much of it can lead to hubris, ignorance, and pride. Too little can result in low self-esteem, doubt, and even depression. For your writing, pick an extreme. Life is all about balancing the thin lines between two words, but the reality is we often lean one way or another. The journey is worth telling and exploring.

    5 min

  7. 12/02/2022

    Episode 13: Tongue Twister

    This week, I want to focus on the sound of language. Students often assume that poetry has to rhyme. When they only consider words by matching the ending sound, their final poems are often limited, forced, and corny. That's where lessons on alliteration, assonance, and consonance come in. The repetition of sounds can either be a vowel or consonant that is placed at the beginning, middle, or end of words. Have your writing explore one or more of these literary devices.

    5 min

  8. 11/18/2022

    Episode 12: Halo Halo

    Rather than focusing on the content of this poem, my challenge for this week is to go back to the basics. This poem centered around CVC words and simplicity. Have the majority of your writing include simple CVC words. Enjoy exploring a childlike voice with wonder, amusement, worry, or any other strong emotion. Have fun.

    5 min
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About

This is not meant to be a one-way street with me as a "sage on stage." My goal is to share a poem that will inspire others to write. Each episode will include an original poem, a brief discussion or interview, and a prompt for the listener. This was made for you, for me, for us.

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