Nanay in Japan

Mar. 23, 2008

3rd grader no more!!!

YATTA! Here is Japan, people say YATTA (shortened version of the phrase 'yoku dekima****a' that is even shortened to 'yokatta') to mean "Good job!", "You did it!", "Galing!".

We moved here last summer (August 2007) at a time when my son N was the middle of his 3rd grade. We were glad that N found new friends a lot faster than we did. He is now so much at home with our new town.

His accomplishments with respect to "partial" homeschooling are:
1. Finished Scholastic Phonics level A Workbook
2. Can read all words found in Word Families (54 flashcards), Beginning Sight Words (55 flashcards), Action words (95 flashcards, Trend Enterprise).
3. My Phonics Readers B (with CD, bought in the Phils., published in Malaysia)
4. Little Bear (All I can read book)
5. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (Dr. Seuss)
6. I Can Practice Writing Cursive (Grades 2 - 4)

I know we are going painfully slow coz I had to compete with his playtime with friends (twice a week, a group of 3 to 5 boys visits our place to play with N), his Nintendo DS and watching English anime (sometimes Japanese ones) on cable TV.

But what can I do? N loves his regular school so much, he's a social kid and we are in this Japanese society.

H-E-L-P!

I already have a list of books to buy from the local store or to order from an exporter company.

I have a week to decide between AOP or Sonlight? Or just handpick some good books from them?

In the meantime, I have 2 weeks of spring vacation with N. Time to visit bookstores, the library, local museums, take a short train-trip to somewhere (not to the Mie Ninja Museum again, I hope).

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Feb. 22, 2008

Homeschooling Pinoy OFW's Kids

Being an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) here in Japan, it isn't that easy to ensure that our child can get the right education he needs to prepare him later on. For one, the medium of instruction is Japanese. They do have English classes in their school (one 50-min a week class), but I can say that my son isn't learning much from it.

At home, we speak to our son in English and Tagalog since we came here but his mother tongue is now Japanese. He can speak English and Tagalog though but he needs more practice with reading and writing.

At this rate he is going, it may be impossible for him to pass the entrance test to our dream school (Philippine's top science high school) for him mainly because science here is not taught in English.

I am trying to give him regular supplementary classes in English and Bible studies. There's always this possibility that he'll do his high schooling or college degree back home.

We are at present scouting for a Philippine Department of Education (DepEd)-certified home school program for him. Some resources for you:

1. ANGELICUM: Part of their reply to my inquiry:

“Yes, we have an online study program and in fact a number of foreign students have already graduated from this. It is accredited by DECS. But the student taking this program should see the facilitators personally to take the achievement tests. So you need to come here to the Philippines to have the tests taken. If you have more questions, feel free to email me or better, Ms. Grace Donadillo, the Home Study Program (HSP) Coordinator, at gqd70@yahoo.com.”

2. Sing Spell Read & Write
- Language Arts
- For Kinder 1, Kinder 2, and Level 1 (or Grade 1; for 3 years; order from the US at around $250.

3. Math U See
- Exclusive distributor in the Philippines is Ms. Tasha Mison 0918.432.4661 (CCF Alabang Homeschooler, mother of three).

4. TMA Homeschool (The Master's Academy)
- Uses the Alpha Omega Curriculum.
- Accredited by the Philippine Department of Education.

5. School of Tomorrow

6. School of Tomorrow Philippines
- Accredited by the Philippine Department of Education.

7. Beginner's guide to homeschooling (Inquirer news article)

8. A to Z Home's Cool

9. Sonlight

You may request for a catalog and they’ll send it to you free of charge. I requested for one, but am still thinking about the best program for my son. US-based curriculum.

10. Bob Jones ... Abba Homeschool Academy

To my beautiful "subordinate" Ellen, thanks for these info.

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Nov. 16, 2007

Preparing to Homeschool

Yokoso!

Welcome to my site! This is my first entry and honestly, I don't know where to start this blog.

I'm a mother to a 3rd grader here in Japan. We are looking for resources and contacts for homeschooling.

I hope I can write more next time.

Ja mata ne.

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About Me

A Chemist Mom in Japan