Session 1

Laying the Foundation

Objectives

1. To set the tone for the learning atmosphere of the course

2. To give the students sufficient information about NSTP-CWTS and about

Course 1 – Formation.

3. To reflect upon the concept of the human person based on Scriptural

passages

Summary of Flow

ACTIVITIES EST. TIME

REQUIRED

1. Unfreezing 30 min
 Introduction of Learners
 Module Overview
 Sharing of Expectations

Session 1 – page 11
 ACTIVITIES EST. TIME
REQUIRED
2. Course Orientation 45 min
 Overview of the NSTP and CWTS
 Course 1 Process and Requirements

3. Christian Humanism 1 hour and

 Reflections on Bible Passages about Being A Person 15 minutes
 Plenary Discussion of Group Reflections
 Synthesis

Requirements

NSTP-CWTS Orientation Materials to be distributed before starting Activity

2

Letters to Parents with Permission Slips to be distributed before starting

Activity 2

Paper: “Who in Heaven’s Name Are We?” to be distributed before starting

Activity 3

Paper: “Christian?” to be distributed before starting Activity 3

Paper: "What the Bible Says About Us …" for your reference only, not to be
distributed to the students during class.

Session 1 – page 12
 Suggested Process

Activity 1: Unfreezing

This activity is meant to set the tone for the learning atmosphere of the course.

INTRODUCTION OF LEARNERS
This is an opportunity for the students to get to know each other and feel at ease
with the other learners. If the students belong to the same block, you can use this
as an icebreaker. You can do other methods you know but it is important to bear
in mind that a CWTS section is composed of a large group of at least 30 students;
thus the time for these introductions should be brief.

To set the tone, begin and demonstrate that you are willing to loosen up so that
the other learners can be more comfortable in relating with you.

The Animal Metaphor process is suggested in which each learner introduces

himself/herself in the following manner:

“I am … [name of learner]. If I were an animal I would be a.. [The

animal the best describes his personality] because I [reason why that
animal describes him/her]”
Example: “ I am Peddie Baclagon. If I were an animal, I would be an ant
because I’m hardworking.”

If the class is not a block section, the students can also mention their course
major or what they plan to major in. As facilitator, you may also add some other
information about yourself.

The Animal Metaphor is suggested because it could be a used as take off to

introduce the discussions on Christian Humanism (Activity 3).

Session 1 – page 13
 Checking of attendance could already be incorporated in this activity.

OVERVIEW OF THE SESSION

Explain the objectives of the session and the process flow.

EXPECTATION SHARING
The class will be divided into six groups. The number of groups is suggested so
that there will be no more need to form another set of groupings for the activity
on Christian Humanism. Give the groups 15 minutes to discuss their hopes and
concerns and to write them down in a manila paper.

PRAYER FOR FHE COURSE.

Lead in prayer and offer the hopes and concerns listed in the manila paper

Activity 2: Course Orientation

Distribute the NSTP-C1 Guide and the Letters to Parents. The discussions
during this activity will revolve around the NSTP-C1 Guide. The following are
some important notes:
1. Relate the concerns raised by the students posted in the manila papers
with the information being shared about the course.
2. Share the learner-centered principles as discussed in the Introduction of
this Manual after sharing course outline.
3. Explain that the letters are given to provide the parents a good idea about
the course and to seek their permission regarding their son/daughter’s
participation in the whole course.
4. Emphasize the deadline for submission of the permission slip and the
host organization/area of exposure assigned to the section.
5. Advise the students to drop the NSTP-CWTS if their parents have strong
objections about their participation in the course. No student will be
allowed to join the community exposures without the signed permission
slip from their parents.

Activity 3: Christian Humanism

Session 1 – page 14
INTRODUCTION
If you used the Animal Metaphor in the self-introduction, you can introduce the
topic as follows:

“Our Biology teacher taught us that we belong to the animal kingdom. In

many ways people look like animals, behave like animals, and have
personalities that can be associated with animal behaviors. But we know
that we are so much different from them.”

“What is a person? What makes a person human? What defines our

humanity? The last activity that we will undertake for this session will
attempt to answer these questions. Since De La Salle is a Catholic-
inspired university and most of you are Catholics, we will try to find some
answers from passages that what Christians believe as the Word of God –
the Bible."

Who o

am I?
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Session 1 – page 15
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GROUP REFLECTIONS
1. Divide the class into six groups. The same grouping in the expectation
sharing may be adopted.
2. Distribute the papers: “Who In Heaven’s Name Are We?” and
“Christian?” to the students.
3. Ask each group of students to reflect on and discuss what the Bible
passages reveal about who we are as:
 Persons in Relation to Ourselves
 Persons in Relation to Fellow Humans (Society) and Country
 Persons in Relation to Other Creations
 Persons in Relation to God
 Christians in Relation to God and to Fellow Christians
 Christians in Relation to their Mission in the World
4. Emphasize that the use of the Bible is not meant to discriminate beliefs of
other religions. Take note that the Bible is used just to have a common
reference.
5. Give the students 20 minutes to discuss their insights on the passages.
6. Ask them to select a presenter and to document their insights in a manila
paper.

PLENARY DISCUSSIONS

Each group will present a summary of the outcome of their discussions. Set a
time limit of five minutes for each presentation. After all the groups have
finished, inquire if there is any student in the section who is not Catholic or
Christian. Ask them if he/she knows what their religion tells them about the
concept of being human. Encourage them to share their religion's
teachings/doctrine about the topics discussed.

Synthesize the presentation as provided in the hand-out and challenge the

students to abide by what the Bible says especially about our relationship with
fellow persons and fellow Christians.

Session 1 – page 16
 DON'T FORGET BEFORE THE END OF THE CLASS TO …
1. Take note of some administrative matters:
 Ask students to submit an index card (the smallest size) with an ID
picture pasted, with their contact telephone numbers, and e-mail address.
 They can download reference materials by opening the DLSU-CWTS e-
group address:
www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/NSTP_CWTS_DLSU
2. Announce that their section is assigned to do community service in
___________ and their partner organization is ________________. Change
in area will not be allowed.
3. Announce that the last day for dropping is _____ and/or the last day for re-
adjustment is __________ for those who have changed their minds about
taking CWTS.
4. Remind students to give letters to parents/guardians as soon as possible and
to submit the permission slips on _________________ (the following
session).

Session 1 – page 17