Kindergarten: What your child should know Part 1

"Republic Act 10157, or “The Kindergarten Education Law” made Kindergarten the compulsory and mandatory entry stage to basic education. Section 2 of this Act provides that all five (5)-year old children shall be given equal opportunities for Kindergarten Education to effectively promote their physical, social, emotional and intellectual development, including values formation so they will be ready for school. This was so since the Department of Education (DepEd) believes that Kindergarten is the transition period from informal to formal literacy (Grades 1-12) considering that age five (5) is within the critical years where positive experiences must be nurtured to ascertain school readiness.

Various researches support that this is the period of greatest growth and development, when the brain develops most rapidly and almost at its fullest. It is also the stage when self- esteem, vision of the world and moral foundations are established.

Teachers/parents/caregivers/adults should therefore be guided to facilitate explorations of our young learners in an engaging and creative curriculum that is developmentally appropriate which immerse them in meaningful experiences. Provision of varied play-based activities leads them to becoming emergent literates and, helps them to naturally acquire the competencies to develop holistically. They are able to understand the world by exploring their environment as they are encouraged to create and discover, that eventually leads them to becoming willing risk takers and ready to tackle formal school works.

(Source: Official Website of the Department of Education www.deped.gov)

No two kids are alike in all aspects as each child has different mechanisms to cope up with their everyday lives. But parents should have at least an idea what skills their child should have at their level. 

At any point of their Kindergarten year (more so before the schoolyear ends), the five- or six-year old child should have the following concept: 

1. Myself - concepts and ideas that help the learners understand himself/ herself better so that he/she will develop as an individual
2. My Family - concepts, ideas, practices that guide the child to be responsible and proud of himself and his family
3. My School - concepts, ideas, practices, and situations that help the child understand how to be an individual and socialize with other learners, teachers, and other school personnel
4. My Community- concepts, ideas, practices, situations, and responsibilities that the learner should acquire and understand so that he/she will a become functional and responsive member of the community
5. More Things Around Me - all other concepts, ideas, practices, situations, and responsibilities beyond themes 1 to 4, but which may be relevant to the community, culture, and interest of the learner 

15-year-old inventor wins int’l award for biodegradable plastic bags

Source: Yahoo.com/Philippine Star September 17, 2015

Fifteen-year-old Amin Hataman, a student at the Fountain International School in San Juan City, Metro Manila, is now a certified international award-winning inventor of biodegradable plastic bags.

Last May, Hataman won a bronze medal in the 2015 International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering and Environment Project (I-SWEEP) Olympiad held in Houston, Texas.

Hataman won for inventing biodegradable plastic bags made from nata de coco, a byproduct of coconut, last year for a Science project requirement in their school.

The biodegradable plastic bags also won another international award for Hataman last year: a gold medal in the 2014 International Young Inventors Olympiad in Tbilisi, Georgia.

DepEd sets out career guidance campaign and early registration guidelines for incoming SHS students

Source: www.deped.gov.ph


The Department of Education (DepEd) has rolled out a Career Guidance Program (CGP) for incoming Senior High School (SHS) students to guide them on their career path in time for the National Early Registration for Grade 10 completers in October.
 
Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said the CGP will assist Grade 10 students make informed choices regarding their preferred SHS track. “We want our students to be aware of the importance of choosing a track that suits their interest while at the same time matches the available resources as well as job opportunities that await them,” he added.
 
The four major tracks in the SHS Program are Academic, Technical-Vocational Livelihood, Sports, and Arts and Design. 
 
As specified in Department Order 41 series of 2015, one of the activities of the CGP is the discussion of the Career Guidance Manual containing three modules to be conducted by the class adviser during their Homeroom Guidance class.
 

My Teacher, My Hero Selfie Contest

Celebrate National Teachers' Month 2015 with U.P. GURO: Mathematics and Science Teaching Society by joining its Selfie Contest. Just follow the mechanics shown on the photo and get a chance to win cash and NTM shirts for you and your teacher! 

Jollibee celebrates National Teachers' Month!

In celebration of National Teachers' Month (September 5-October 5, 2015), Jollibee has special treats for all teachers nationwide!

Vacation is Officially On!!!

Officially, summer is here and it is vacation time! For now, you can forget about books, papers, teachers, and school. You do not need to worry about getting late for your classes. Summer vacation is really here. For sure, you only have one thing to complain about. That is the scorching heat of the sun. Hey, that's why it is called summer vacation because of that heat. The best way to beat the heat? Hit up with your friends and enjoy your summer. Swimming time! Enjoy!

DepEd-NCR to host the 6th ASEAN School Games

The Department of Education National Capital Region (NCR) will be hosting the sixth ASEAN Games on November 29 - December 7, 2014. 

There will be 11 sports to be played in the ASG which will take place in the City of Marikina. Athletics, swimming, badminton, golf, tennis, sepak takraw, gymnastics, table tennis. basketball, volleyball, and wushu will be participated by delegates from the different ASEAN nations. Delegates from the Philippines will be selected from various private and public schools nationwide by a separate selection committee. 

DepEd Ssecretary Bro. Armin Luistro is the honorary chairman of the 6th ASG Governing Board tasked to provide directions in planning, organizing, and implementing the hosting of ASG. Other offices if the Governing Board include the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),  the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Districts I and II of Marikina City. 

ASG is an annual competition of various schools among the neighboring countries in the Southeast Asia region. The event aims to promote solidarity and foster cultural exchange among the youth from the different ASEAN nations. This is also a venue to provide the youth an opportunity to benchmark their sporting skills. 

Flash Cards: Adding 2- or 3-digit Numbers to 1-digit Number

For more practice on adding 2- to -3-digit number to 1-digit number, you can check this set of flash cards.

Download it. Cut and paste on a card board. It can be a double-face cards. One side the mathematical statement and the other face contains the statement with the answer.

Start from here.

"Pilipinas" is now "Filipinas." - KWP

Online Learning: Coursera.Org

There are different online courses which you can take at your own pace. There are guided modes and self-study modes. Another interesting website that offers various online courses is Coursera.org. There are several reasons that make this online learning site more interesting. Mentors are experts in their fields from different prestigious universities worldwide like Duke University, Vanderbilt University, University of Toronto, and others. Courses being offered range from Education, Technology, Sociology, and more. Courses can be completed from 5 weeks to 12 weeks depending on its complexities and mostly start on a schedule. 

Homepage of Coursera.org

Welcome SY 2012-2013!

Maligayang Pasko mula sa ICanTeach.ph!

Merry Christmas to all! 

2012 Philippines Holidays

It has been a month since President Benigno Aquino proclaimed the holidays for 2012 through Presidential Proclamation No. 295. These dates are the nationally recognized regular and special days. There are also non-working and working holidays that are decided by the local officials  There will be days that are called a "sandwich" day because it is a day between two non-working days or a non-working day and a weekend. In these cases, the government usually move the day to either on the nearest Monday of that day have a longer weekend for family to enjoy and celebrate the famous people and events as reasons for the holidays. 

Looking back to 2011 - people, places, and events

In less than a week's time, 2012 will greet us hello but it is nice to look back to the months that have been yet another part of the history. There are famous people and events and not-so famous faces and to look back and reminisce in different walks of life - politics, entertainment, education, health, and others.

It was March 11, 2011 when the whole world witnessed how a tsunami hit and heavily devastated Japan. This incident also sent a warning to more than 50 neighboring countries to take full alert for possible tsunami. This event also proved that people from different parts of the world are ready to help even if they speak different languages. Even famous women  and famous native american celebrities  from Hollywood like Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore, and others reached out and called the world to help Japan.

K12 Program in full swing in SY2012-2013

The Department of Education announced recently that the K12 program will be in full swing come school year 2012-2013. With this announcement, it is expected that there will be various reactions from different sectors   - parents, teachers, students, school officials, curriculum experts, and others. 

With this new program, it aims to deliver a better education system to the Filipino students. The question is, are we ready for this? Do we have enough teachers, competent teachers in this matter? Do we have enough classrooms, school facilities, and books? 

How about the curriculum? For sure, there are improvements since additional grades or levels will be included in the curriculum. For sure the competencies in HeKaSi still highlights former President Corazon Aquino as an icon of Philippine democracy during the EDSA revolution in 1986 as one of the famous people and events. But I wonder if it will include  other famous women in history  like Gabriela Silang, Josefa Llanes Escoda, Melchora Aquino, and others. Moreover, I think it is high time that the curriculum also includes  topics or competencies that would let the young learners be familiar with the Filipino national artists in different categories just like the people in the west talk about the famous native American celebrities  and famous volleyball players. 

I want to see what improvements will be integrated to English, Science, and Math competencies. 

NAT IV replaces NAT II starting March 2012

Effective March 2012,  fourth year high school students all over the Philippines will take the National Achievement Test (NAT).

Based on Deped Memo 266 dated November 24, 2011, NAT IV will be on  March 9, 2012.

NAT will be a tool to measure how much the students have learned in his or her 10-year basic education. This will also be a big help to finally institutionalize the K12 curriculum. 

The test was formerly administered to second year high school students.

Get ready for NAT on March 2012

Based on the calendar of activities of the Department of Education, the National Achievement Test for Grades 3 and 6 will be held on March 2 and 8, 2012 respectively.

DepEd Memo No. 266 series of 2011 dated November 24, 2011 reminds every one of the scheduled NAT for next year. 

The tests covers the five major subject areas - Filipino, English, Science, Mathematics, and Sibika at Kultura (Grade 3) or HEKASI (Grade 6). ONly the schools both in public and private with permit to operate shall be allowed to conduct NAT among their students.

The National Examinations and Testing Center shall be in charge of the development and distribution of the the test booklets and answer sheets.

DepEd sets exam for out-of-school youth in November

"The Department of Education through the National Education Testing and Research Center announces that the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) will be held on November 20, 2011 for Luzon and on November 27, 2011 for Visayas and Mindanao.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the PEPT aims to retrieve out-of-school youth and place them in the formal school system if they so desire. “ Through PEPT, we would also like to  validate and accredit knowledge and skills in academic areas gained through informal and non-formal means. In the end, PEPT will pave the way for their  re-entry into formal schooling, job promotion, job training and  employment,” added Luistro.

PEPT targets Filipino citizens who are dropouts from  elementary and secondary schools for at least one  year. It is also for those  who never attended a formal school but can read and write, or those  presently employed but  need to  upgrade their academic level whether  elementary or high school. Moreover, applicants must be at least one year overage for their supposed grade/year level in the formal school system.

Applicants must bring their birth certificate  issued by the NSO or Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated (original and 2 photo-copies),  2 pieces ID picture  and recently taken (size 1”x1”) and school  record  --  original and 2 photocopies  -- of  Form 137 (Transcript of Records with school seal and signature of principal/registrar)  or Form 138 (Report Card with school seal and signature of principal/registrar) for elementary level and  Form 137 for secondary.

PEPT takers will pay P50 for the regular test given every November in designated testing centers all over the country  or P200 for walk-in or special administration which is conducted from January to June at DepEd- NETRC in Pasig City.

For elementary level, the test coverage is Science, Mathematics, HeKaSi (Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika), Filipino and English. In the secondary level, the exam for first year covers General Science, Elementary Algebra, Philippine History (Kasaysayan at Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas), English I and Filipino I; for second year, the coverage include Biology, Intermediate Algebra, Asian History (Kasaysayan ng mga Bansang Asyano), English II and Filipino II; for third year, the subjects  covered are Chemistry, Geometry, World History (Kasaysayan ng Daigdig), English III and Filipino III; for fourth year, the exam will touch on  Physics, Advance Algebra, Trigo-nometry, Statistics, Economics, English IV and Filipino IV.

The PEPT can also be administered to individuals with visual impairment whether Braille or non-Braille readers."

2011 NCAE postponed for September 30, 2011 for Areas Affected by Pedring

From gov.ph

"Due to operational and administrative limitations caused by Typhoon Pedring in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, CAR, and the NCR, DepEd Undersecretary Alberto Muyot announced the postponement of the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) from September 28 to September 30, 2011 to allow for the preparation of test centers and delivery of test materials on September 29.

Depending on the local situation in their areas, regional and division offices may decide to further move the examination date.

All other areas shall continue to hold the NCAE on September 28, 2011 as stated in DepEd Memorandum No. 153, s. 2011 and in the enclosure of DepEd Order No. 28, s. 2011.

The DepEd will continue to closely monitor the situation of our schools in affected areas.  We encourage our school and division personnel as well as communities to report damages in schools to the DepEd Operation Center that will be open 24 hours for monitoring through hotline numbers 09396521111, fax at 6337263, and email at schoolmapping@yahoo.com."

Setting Up a Blog (Using Blogger)

One of the communication skills of the students that must be developed is their writing skill. This skill is not only the students' ability to put letters into words, then words into phrases, phrases into sentences then into a paragraph. (Then into a book, :-) that is another story.) 

But let us face it,  time has changed and so our students. They are more adept in using the technology that we can say some teachers are still alienated with. Students spend time logging on in their accounts in different social networking sites and messaging systems. This is a good chance to introduce to them other uses of the Internet aside from tweeting and updating their status and whereabouts. It is high time to let them write using an online tool - blogging! 

One of the easiest blogging tools to use is Blogger. No, my dear teacher, it is not an alien. It is a friend. Check the following video to know how to set up a blog in Blogger.

You can set up one blog then add your students as authors. It is easy as long as you invite them through their email account. So you do not need to ask them to write an essay on a piece of paper. Ask them to share their work or stories through the blog. 

Every entry can be a subject of discussion in class. I am excited how the students will keep every classroom alive 24 hours a day even outside the four corners of the room.