Another graduation day...

A third graduation ceremony for kiddo.

2008 - five months of Nursery level (Nov. to March) at a small private learning center

2009 - home home home...

2010 - seven months of K1 (?)

2011 - full year of K2 at a regular school

This is the full-year term that we had really worked for his graduation day. So this one's a bit more memorable than the previous ones.

The graduation ceremony ran for an hour and a half. It turned out quite a good one saved for a few glitches. Location was at school: well-ventilated (air-conditioned auditorium) and space just enough for the number of people attending. The program flew by, without any long speeches given by adults! It was really a neat program put together by the school.

Later that day, hubby and I ended up comparing the program with the previous ones we've attended so far. Here's what we've come up with:

GC1

Good:

• small number of people in a VERY spacious air-conditioned auditorium (it was comfortable)
• the program served as a yearbook-like thing

Bad:

• the choice of speaker was a bit self-serving (a very bad point according to hubby),
• uncontrollable picture-taking by the parents
• **awards for kids were ranked (kiddo didn't get any, he has barely turned three at that time *winks*)

GC2

Good: **not much to say except maybe that Kiddo got a silver medal (?evil grin)

Bad:

• location (open air but hot, coupled with two power outages, uncomfortable benches)
• time - program started very late and took too long since it has a lot of kids
• more than 2 adult speakers who didn't seem to think of the audience's discomfort but just a chance for campaigning (Sorry --- I really think that politicians should have no place in graduation ceremonies, specially in preschoolers! Who are we kidding!)

GC3

Good:

• location (air-con, appropriate stage)
• well-planned program (no adult speakers at all!) just kids all throughout
• adults simply said a few lines of "I confer..." and helped handing out the certificates and awards
• made use of a projector with cute slides of graduating kids' photos (optional and quite fancy but it sure added some fun)
• started almost on time
• kids were not ranked (although kiddo got quite a satisfactory number of awards, I do think that it was wise not to rank them as it seems too early and takes the joy of simple learning for them)

Bad:

• the ever-present parent-pseudo-photographers (including me)
• there were some more minor glitches but not much I can say here

** this point can is debatable and bias of course!! *sly grin*

Bottomline of the activity today? We think it was a decent one: worth the time, money and effort of everyone. As for my son, he wants to enroll at the same place next year. That we still have to think about. Cheers!

And since I had written something nice about the third GC (Graduation Ceremony), I won't be feeling bad on posting some photos of P's souvenirs (mala-wedding collection ang dating.)

Until the next graduation day! (Hopefully, that would be roughly in six years time.)

March Blues:A look back

Graduation Fever is on!

As I start cleaning up the books and papers P has used this year, I look back to the first days of his K2 life at his school. It is the first time that he has started and finished from June to March. As in a REAL whole year and not a few months short.

It seems quite sad for DM to finally say goodbye to his pre-school years. The more formal schooling will begin soon and hopefully, he'll be able to continue his eagerness on learning. Sure, we did have our setbacks but graduation this time will feel different. We managed it for a year! Think of getting up early to get to school, doing homeworks, packing the snacks, attending school meeting and going to school activities and trips.

To date, we have attended:

1. Approximately at least four times of homeroom meeting, plus extra ones for activity meetings.

The first homeroom meeting I've been to in this school was quite disappointing as I had hoped to get feedback on how the kids are doing at school generally: what they are learning, would be learning and stuff like that. Unfortunately, the general consensus of the group seems to be concern on the election of officers, the class project for the year (which I totally don't agree much on everything that was listed) and other money-generating concerns. Ah! Expenses, rather.

What were those on the list? Hmm...

cleaning materials for the room/toilet

a linoleum for the classroom

a book shelf

some water related item

I don't believe that material things such as the ones on the list is the end of all things in ensuring the kids learning. It's not the just the existence of a bookshelf that will help the non-readers learn to love reading. There are still K2's in their that can actually read. It isn't just the teacher's responsibility to instill early literacy but a collaboration between the teacher and other parents as well. Oops! I really don't want to get started on this. I'm sure almost all the parents would be able to afford hiring a private tutor for their kids. That is another road to take. Nevertheless, a stronger literacy school program for reading should really reinforce whatever they should be learning.

Let me go back to the list.

- The linoleum is all tattered and torn now. Good luck to the new students (or should I say, parents) next year. Better buy a thick carpet next time, perhaps?

- The water thing didn't last until the next report card.

- The book shelf is left at the corner, I really doubt if the books inside got changed at all. As for the kids reading level? Beats me.

Giving the report card was the highlight of the meeting and some parents barely got to attend and just simply pick up the cards. This I was able to figure out right away and kept in mind for the following meetings. Hah!

2. Extra-curricular activities (some of them has special meeting called and almost would have additional expenses again--the cost of having sending a child to school)

a. Filipino Day

b. Foundation Day

c. Family Day

d. Christmas Party

e. Field Trip

f. Pre-school Day

Some of these meeting has been basically to inform the parents of the details of the activities and I am grateful for that. As for the other matters, well...

Let me just continue to reminisce of the things that my kid was able to bring home this past year:his unzipped bag (I have to constantly remind him of stones-off consequence for this), dirty clothes from playing--finally (only started around after a few months), test papers, small and giant colorful stars and circles (for well-behaved kids or if he gets perfect score on tests), and stories of ups and downs in the very short hours that he has stayed at school. There were a few tears but there were more smiles as the year comes to close.

Graduation is coming fast. He'll miss his friends, but there is an idea of seeing them again a few months later. Still, DH has raised the idea of going back to homeschool or changing school. It makes me think and rethink some more, should I still send my kid to school next year?

Moving on.

P.S. Next post will most likely be about how the graduation program will turn out. I still have to post my thoughts on the Preschoolers Activity Day. Daume.

Learning the Multiplication Table of 2 for K2?

P is learning the multiplication table of two at school. Isn't it a bit too early for this gen? I've never heard of multiplication until after I was in grade school.

Simply put, this is actually skip counting in two's and they sure can do that. But I think, they should focus more on building the foundations on addition and subtraction families before moving on to multiplication. They should first be adept at simple addition and subtraction so as not to be overwhelmed to face higher maths. This makes me a bit apprehensive.

Bring out the flash cards!

Recommended Places for Preschoolers Trips (for kids ages 4-8)

1. City Library – Books, books, books! Need I say more? Ah, perhaps a very interesting presentation about the parts of the library and how fun it is for everyone. (Free, may need LoR for a large group.)
2. Palawan Museum – Pique the interest of the kids on local history. A little warning though, do not overdose and leave them having a boring concept of a museum. (Minimal fee for kids @ P2 up to 15 for adults, may need LoR for a large group.)
3. City Fire Department – Most kids are interested in fire trucks. This is also related to the community/language topics covered in preschool subjects. (Free, may need LoR for a large group.)
4. Wescom Hangar – See some aircraft up close and even go on board for some pictures. There are very friendly soldiers who will show the way around and even escort your vehicle around the camp. Isn’t that cool? (Free, needs a Letter of Request 14 days in advance.)
5. Butterfly Garden – Insects that would straightaway bring metamorphosis lessons in action. They provide a little outdate video clip before getting in the enclosure. (They charge an exorbitant fee for a very small space and limited time. Some might be discouraged with the ratio of cost and space.)
6. Demo Bee Farm – Another option of insect lesson sans the fee, plus a possible tasting of honey for free. A bit out of the way but still around the area of Croc Farm (CFI). (Free, may need LoR for a large group.)
7. Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center/CFI – Taking care of animals, conservation of wildlife and its habitat is a sure way of bringing classroom science lessons to life.
8. Baker’s Hill – The only good place to let kids play in a playground, along with animal lessons and food to boot.
9. Mitra’s Ranch – They finally have horses in this ranch and it’s quite getting better for picnics that can accommodate a growing number of people. Another good place for kids to roam around.
10. Aloha House – This is actually an orphanage and organic vegetable grower that supplies some produce sold at the store downtown. If lucky, kids can probably see how the veggies are grown and picked. They can even buy some at reasonable prices. (Vegetables may be bought, may need LoR for a large group.)

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.

It is recommended not go to these places all in one day. This would leave more impact on the children. Allot enough time for these places without the pressure of hurrying on to the next stop. At least two days, or even three, would give the children enough time to enjoy and appreciate the trips to insure it to still be educational. It’s an educational trip after all.

Learning is not only by sight. Let the children experience and explore each place. Present a semi-structured activity in case some gets bored right away.

Some more tips:

1. Teachers should also know about their places of interest and be able to draw out the connection of these places to the things covered in the classroom.
2. The teachers and parents should be aware of what to expect to do in each of the places. These would help satisfy the curious kids’ questions that the teacher may not be able to answer during the trip.
3. There should be a point-person to lead the kids and share the information about the place with everybody. This could be the teacher or someone from the point-of-interest.
4. Parents are there to keep the kids safe and discipline during the trip in order not to cause unnecessary disturbance when the teacher/resource speaker is talking.
5. Secure all the necessary permits and accurate details as to activity, and fees before the trip.
6. Teacher should provide activities that can possibly keep the little tots occupied during down time.

There are other suggested places and activities that can be explored which can be more apt for older students (mid-elementary to high school).

1. The City Landfill at Bgy. Sta. Lourdes – See and smell where our everyday trash go and realize how we can minimize.
2. Lawiswis at Bgy, Irawan – Organic living, with soap-making. Chemistry in nature.
3. Puerto Princesa Port/ Airport – Transportation and communication in town up close. (Although it may be a bit dangerous for little ones. It needs more double checking.)
4. A Vegetable Farm at Bgy. Sicsican or at the Dept. of Agriculture in Irawan – Go organic! Dig that fresh produce for good health!
5. Fishpond or Right on a fishing ground around – Go fishing!

K2 Field Trip 2011

27^th, Thursday – Preparation day for P’s “school field trip.” I got busy in the kitchen with the Chicken ala King that I had drummed up to try making this week.

28^th Friday – Another school field trip today! This would probably 2^nd or 3^rd school activity that P and I had attended that required us to get up early and a day together somewhere. Since it is a new school, I wasn’t sure how it will turn out. After today, I was able to compare how the previous school activities fared against this latest one.

Here are some key points:

1. Itinerary – the choices of places were somewhat predictable but useful. Most were suitable for preschoolers save for one. I’m not really sure what the underlying theme was it was like a typical “pinoy” educational trip where everybody was whisked from one place to another without much explanation or information. For this trip, here is the list and how it turn out:
1. Capitol (Palawan Heritage and V-Governor’s Office) – I really have no clear idea why this place was included since nothing much happen here. It was a land-and-run mostly. The Heritage room (?) is not that big enough to accommodate the 50 plus kids and adults in the trip. It should have arranged to divide the group a bit.

The Provincial Gym was next and everybody managed to get in. We were allowed to roam and try most of the equipment freely. It was fun for most. (Although it made me think if they do clean the rubberized floor after everyone has trampled on it. I guess the gym’s not generally one the cleanest places to be.)

Last place to be explored was the V-Gov’s office. I am not really sure if the office tenant there would appreciate the way the kids played on the swivel chair and inspected every interesting decor in the luxurious office. The office struck me as uninhabited. It seems like nobody uses that place much except for official functions but not where the real action takes place.

2. City Library – As I know how small the place inside is, I didn’t get in anymore. The kids went in and were out just in a few minutes. I was hoping that some short storytelling took place at all. It made me wonder if the library made any impact on them.

3. Palawan Museum – Another land-and-run place. Most of the people just paid, got in, look a bit downstairs, dashed upstairs and explored the small place as quickly as they can. Again, I am not really sure if there was anything new they picked up save for the strange things they’ve seen. There wasn’t any guide around but a guy who is in charge of cleaning the second floor I think.

4. Plaza Cuartel – Nothing much of explanation for this place except for the memorial marker that has been recently erected there (2009). Without that one, whoever that will ask what the place is about will have to suffice with whatever the little information the teacher can provide. For preschoolers, it’s almost something that they may not grasp very well yet.
   

Memorial Marker at Plaza Cuartel

5. Baker’s Hill – This is a generally good place for kids. There is the playground for kinesthetics and animals (mostly birds) for science. Bonus part is the array of food available. Stayed there for a while, just almost enough time if only we’re starting to get hungry to head down to the next stop.

A lucky shot of a peacock in full display of its grandeur.


Another kind of peacock who happens to be asleep when we took the photo.
Or was it really asleep or dying? I sure hope it's not the latter.

6. Mitra’s Ranch – A regular place for picnic, sight-seeing and space to run around some more for the kiddos. Too bad that there was also a little more than usual people around and I felt that we didn’t stay long enough.

7. Demo Bee Farm – Good place for kids although a little out of the way and awful dusty road to get there. The only place in the list where there were some people who really explained the place to the kids.

2. Logistics – Three buses were provided as everybody has paid quite handsomely for the price. The drivers were pretty good at their job (parking very close to the stops, reasonable speed and mindful of the little hands and head sticking out of the windows).

3. Overall Educational Relevance and Impact – As I had described each place above, some of these choices were quite muddled in terms of relevance to preschoolers without the proper person to really explain or simply share information about each place. Yet, there were really places that stand out from the rest.

Puppies on the Way!

This month has been quite eventful for our little household, along with kiddo's school life.

It was middle of the month when we finally figured out that our two-year-old dog is pregnant. We kind of had an idea about the impregnation time but wasn’t really sure the doggy wasn’t showing yet until a couple of weeks ago. We noticed that Su-ni has swollen breast ready to feed future puppies.

25^th – We noticed today that Su-ni has been moving about in a confused manner. She seemed to be unusually anxious about something. We guessed that she was getting ready to give birth as she looked for a possible place “nest.” Before I left that afternoon, I was expecting that she would have probably given birth by the time I got home. But lo and behold – there wasn’t much change when I got back. We tried to tuck her to a nice made-up shelter for her comfort for the night.

26^th - We were surprised to see the next day that she has moved to a natural ground and had 2 black things moving near her belly. She has finally given birth sometime at night. We still have to think up of some names for the puppies.

First Tooth Out!

The first tooth is finally out! Unfortunately, we lost iT down the drain as he was brushing with his D.

It has been a long time coming. I had already thought about bringing him to the dentist to properly extract the loose tooth but we've put it off. Until tonight as DF was helping brush his teeth, it just fell off. The new tooth can finally make its way out nicely after being stuck behind the old one. I just hope it would still be able to align itself properly.