Education Archives - Page 10 of 11

The New K-12 Grading System: The Meaning of A, P, AP, D and B

With the implementation of K-12 system in our education, the Grade 1 students of SY 2012-2013 are the ones most affected. They have a new curriculum, with a priority on mother tongue and less on English as well as a new grading system. I am not familiar with the computation of the grades or if there are changes on that, but what I am familiar with is thew new values written on the report cards.

So what does A, P, AP etc. really means?

When I went to school to get my son’s report card, that is what written on the black board ^

For grades 90 and above, A (Advanced) will be reflected on the report card

P (Proficient) for grades 5-89

AP (Approaching Proficiency) for grades 80-84

D (Developing) for 75- 79

B (Beginning) for 74 and below

Of course, as a parent seeing those letter on the report card, you want to know what is your child’s exact grade.. right? Good thing, you can ask the teachers to show you their grades in numbers.

As for character, they also have a new grading system:

The new curriculum for K-12 is still new to me.. specially I heard that they will soon be using new books.. I am still at lost on what to teach/ tutor my first grader.. specially now that second quarter is fast approaching.

How about you fellow moms, how’s your first graders so far?

Must Have Educational Materials

Having 4 kids of different ages, my living room looks more like a classroom than a living room. No fancy decors, no lamps, no carpets, just posters of Alphabets, numbers and the likes. I still feel that it lacks the basic educational materials that my kids can use. So I made this post to remind me as well as to share with you some basics or must have educational materials on your home.

For kids ages 1- 3 years old:

Simple Alphabet Chart. Look for charts with colorful illustration but refrain from buying charts with unfamiliar words/ objects. Also if you can find charts with pictures only and now words, that would be better. I know we want our kids to learn how to read early, but words may just confuse the early learners or they would resort to memorized reading.
Primary and Secondary Colors Chart. It would be better if shapes are integrated on the chart 🙂 I don’t buy color charts, instead I create mine, like making a yellow triangle, red circle and so on..

Simple 1-10 Number Chart. Your goal is not for them to learn counting by age of 3 but more on to familiarize them with counting and numbers. Choose a chart with familiar objects on them. Or you can make your own chart too.
Board Books. Based on experience, this is the only kind of books that can tolerate the chews and what not of a toddler.
Crayons and Pencils and some papers. Though they won’t be learning to write too soon (there’s a proper age to teach the kids to write)

For kids ages 4-6 years old:

Alphabet Chart with more complex images as well as with words/name of the image
Number Charts from 1-100. It will expose them more to counting but make sure that your kid already knows how to count to 20 and slowly with the help of the chart, they will learn how to count to 100.
Color Chart in complex objects. It would be better if you have objects with different colors on it, it will help their eye coordination as well as their sense of comparison.
Comparing objects chart. Buy charts with small and big, short and long and so on.
Paper book.. yes by this age, I am sure they already know what to chew and what not to chew. Buy them simple story books and more alphabet book as well as simple text books.
Paper, Crayons, Pencils, Scissors and other art materials.
Days of the week chart. This chart will give them the idea of time and as the days go, you can also add a clock on your educational materials
Simple Puzzles

For kids 7 and up:

More complex Math charts (Roman Numerals, Multiplication Table). This charts will be very helpful since this is what was taught in their school.
Maps and Globe. Kids at this age are very inquisitive of places and location, make your life easier by having a ready map and a globe in your home.
Dictionary. Also at this age, they start to learn new words and would often ask their parents what’s the meaning of it. Teach them how to use the dictionary. It will also help increase their vocabulary
Books, pocket books, almanacs and the likes.
Art and Crafts materials.
Board Games/ Puzzles

Now, as I go through my check list, I still have to buy a lot! Starting off with the map.. I have an obsession with locations eh.. and I think my kids are as curious as I am.. It will also make travelling more fun!

Understanding Kumon, Benefits of Kumon and KPEPS 2012

I have always been curios with Kumon and why parents enroll their kids at Kumon, when it is not a tutorial center. What makes Kumon Method different? What are the benefits of enrolling a kid to Kumon? What will the kid learn from Kumon. There’s so many questions on my head about Kumon and so when I received an invite for Kumon’s upcoming KPEPS press launch, I just have to go.

The Origins of Kumon Method

Ina Duller (Public Relations Division Leader of Kumon Phils) took us back to 1954, the time when Toru Kumon started developing the Kumon method. Mr Kumon is a high school Math teacher, his wife asked him to take a look on their first son’s arithmetic studies. Mrs Kumon was not satisfied with results of their son, Takeshi had taken. Mr Toru Kumon armed with the beliefs that each child posses an undiscovered potential and abilities, that it is a responsibility of the educators to uncover it, he developed a collection of original problems that Takeshi would be able to complete progressively. The series of problems will allow him to develop his skills gradually. Mr Kumon continued to create the learning materials everyday and it was from this process that the Kumon method emerged.

The optimum development of each individual’s ability, irrespective of age or grade- the pursuit of potential.

Toru Kumon believed that if it was possible for one child, then it is possible to many, hence he offered to as many children possible the chance to study the method.

More than 50 years since, the Kumon Method is now accepted in 46 countries and regions and here in the Philippines, there are 230 Kumon Center, including their head office in Makati.

What makes Kumon Method different?

K kindness movements

U Understanding the student

M Mastery of the basic skills

O On their own, the kids study on their own

N No to children are alike, hence in Kumon it is individualized learning

What are the benefits our kids can get from Kumon Method?

Kumon Method teaches the basic skills and discipline. During the press launch, there were questions asked that made us understand Kumon Method better. Some of the questions asked were, what is the appropriate age to enroll in Kumon? If the kid is already good on Math, should they go for English at Kumon? Do they hold a special class for kids with special needs? If a child was enrolled at Kumon and is already in the advance phase of the subject, say Math, wouldn’t the child be confused as he is way ahead from what was being taught on the school? What is the assurance that all centers have the same quality?

Teacher Susi Tsoi, Kumon instructor said that there is actually no appropriate age, any kid who can hold a pencil and follow instruction is accepted at Kumon. If you think your kid is ready, bring her/him to the nearest Kumon Center and they will assess you also said that even if the kid is already good on Math, the Kumon method for Math is still advisable as this will teach them discipline and the basics in computing. As for the question on special class for kids with special needs, teacher Susi said the Kumon Method is individualized teaching, so there is no special class as each student gets a unique approach.

When it comes to the child being advance and might be confused, Teacher Susi said, the child will not be confused in any way. A child maybe answering a Grade 4 Math worksheets but is actually a Grade 1 student, why he will not be confused? well because in Kumon Method, it is the basics that was being taught.

Ina Duller explained that though each Kumon Center is a franchise, the methods are the same and each center were trained the Kumon way. In fact, before anyone can open a Kumon Center in the Philippines, they need to attend orientation, pass the math and reading tests, pass the interview, attend the New Instructor Training and In-class Training (more info on Kumon Philippines Franchise). And that’s how Kumon assure us that all Kumon Centers are the same quality.

My words are limited to explain about Kumon, as I have mentioned before, I have many questions about the Kumon Method. Good thing Kumon offers a FREE Seminar for us parents: Kumon Philippines Education and Parenting Seminar (KPEPS)

Kumon Philippines Education and Parenting Seminar (KPEPS) will be held on May 19, 2012 (Saturday) 2:00- 4:30 at Cinema 4, SM North EDSA, The Block. This year’s theme is “Achievers of Today, Ready for the Future!” (How Parents Can Guide Their Children Amidst the Changing Landscape of the Philippine Education)” will give parents an understanding on the current chance in the countr’s educational system, the k-12 program. Mr. Henry Tenedero, an Education Reform Advocate will be there to talk about the changes in education and the role of the parents in the learning department.

KPEPS is a FREE EVENT, to register, just email your complete name, mobile number, and general address to parentingseminar@kumon.ph or call 885 0226.

*Kumon Philippines Price is 500 PhP for enrollment fee (one time payment) and 1,800 PhP per module per subject for younger students (grade school to grade six), P1,950 per module per subject for grade seven / first high school or older students. Each module is good for one month.