Rocking Reading

As part of our Language/Literature/History reading assignment, I have decided for Gia to read our very own "Noli Me Tangere" before tackling the other classics.

Noli Me Tangere

And yes, we have "returned" to the past. The best way we know how. The most effective way to enjoy a book, to impart a lesson or life's values, or just plain enjoy a good book - - - reading-aloud at bedtime! And oh how we are enjoying these bonding moments!

Looking forward to the adventures we shall encounter as we immerse ourselves on more books.  :)

Because it is raining. . .

Decided not to do anything outside, today. The rain was just unstoppable. 

With the unpredictable weather, we decided to stay home the rest of the day.  "Curled up" as we catch up on our homeschool backlogs.

Planning to cook our lunch myself, but Gia decided to "help" me. She ended up cooking it, instead.  TLE/Homeroom activity alert!

I just love it when you get to have  a chance to enjoy learning while doing simple housework. :)


After lunch,  we finished the following Science backlogs on Unit 1 -- Taxonomy:

. . .our identification of our ref magnet collection (in photo, bottom), flowers (in photo, top), and dogs (not in photo) using dichotomous key...

. . . and our "field work" - - - identifying our garden plants by scientific name, family, genus, species and common names. . .

What a fun, fun way to spend a rainy, lazy Sunday at home. . .  :)



Writer's notes:
* Excuse the typo errors
* Photos taken from the internet as part of our research work. Credits to the respective photographers.

Playing Taxonomist. . .

. . .for a day the past 2 weeks,  as a concluding activity for our Science Unit 1 lessons, we played "taxonomist". . .

Simple plant and animal identification based on the key-- the simplest being a dichotomous key.

..we practiced identifying with available fruits. . .writing a key for our ref magnet collections and flowers. . .

"Is the outside of the fruit reddish in color. . . is it firm to the touch. . .is it round or almost round. . ."

" Is the flower yellow or yellowish in color. . .does the leaf have parallel or netted veins. . ."


It is fun to make a key to almost anything you can think of . . .

Simple animal key:

image from: ikeepbookmarks.com

 . . . and a simple candy dichotomous key :)  fun!

image from: ikeepbookmarks.com

After a month. . .

Yey! we have crossed the 1st month with barely a scratch!

We could not believe that we have done so much for a newbie. Thank you Lord!

It was not as smooth sailing as everyone thinks it was. Just like any homeschooling household, we had our own share of bumps. But we are determined to see this through. . .

I have learned that, Learning should not be as rigid as regular schools. Learning takes place everyday.  Though, we have to have some sort of order, it is okay to be behind in some lessons. . . or to be advance in some. You set the pace. You set the deadlines. We have 10 months to work on.

I thank the Lord for leading us to great homeschool groups and forums that proved to be helpful partners in this journey. We are, indeed, all in this together!

Homeschoolers in the Philippines on Facebook

Alabang Homeschoolers on Facebook

Pinoyhomeschool at Yahoogroups

The 3rd week: "The world is our classroom"

Whew! what a very busy week for both Gia and I.

Aside from getting the hang of things --- learning, researching, reading, discussing --- this week was just cramped with so many things to do. Thank God for the strength and stamina!

Music/PE Class
Photo courtesy of Michelle Remulla

One of this week's highlights is Gia's 1st day with SPARKS Homeschool organized by VCF Alabang. It's Writing and Music/PE for Gia for the 1st quarter. So far, so good. Who says, homeschooled kids lack social skills? You should have seen the kids of all ages! . . . and Gia? she says she likes both her classes and new found friends, and she is looking forward to Friday again.


Another highlight is Gia's 1-day-notice as guest performer at Bloomfield Academy's Parents Orientation representing Ballet Philippines/CCP Dance School. You see, BP/CCPDS has a satellite dance school in this institution. With barely 1 hour of rehearsals the day before by Teacher Vic, Gia danced the Bluebird Variation from the Sleeping Beauty as if she has danced it for a while now! Of course she was super nervous! Glad she did well.

But the best highlight of all is the realization that with just 3-weeks into homeschooling, I have now fully understood and imbibed what others referred to as "the world is our classroom".

The long drives home or in between errands has turned to be learning moments for us. Whatever topic we are talking about has been made more meaningful as we relate it to Bible scriptures, to values formation, to Science, to Math, to History, etc, etc. And I think that is just awesome!

. . . and because of a major family errand we have to do this week, our scheduled field trip to La Mesa Ecopark will have to be moved next week.

Thank you Lord for another week full of adventure, full of learning experiences and blessings! To God be the glory. . .