Homeschool "Ate" (ah-teh)

• Jul. 24, 2008 - Living Saints Homeschool Support and Tutorial Center

For Filipino homeschoolers out there: The Living Saints Homeschool Support and Tutorial Center is your ultimate Catholic homeschool support center. We offer tutorials for those who are homeschooling, consultation, curriculum help and recommendations, field trips and assistance to homeschools.

Homeschool Support Program

Our Homeschool Support Program package is a complete homeschool assistance service! Those who avail of this program can drop in at our center on any day of the week, Mondays through Fridays, to avail of tutorial assistance. Our goal is to provide a common learning center environment for homeschoolers. This program includes all of our services: catechism/Sacrament preparation, tutorials, PE activities, field trips and lesson planning.

We also offer our services individually:

Catechism and Sacrament preparation for Grades 1-2 (This is FREE for those who avail of our complete homeschool support program!)
Small group tutoring in academics (Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies)
PE activities
Field Trips
Lesson planning and Teach-At-Home consultation

Please do call our Center at 723-6609 for information. You may also email: living.saints.tutorial at gmail dot com. God bless!

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• Jul. 14, 2008 - Parent Seminar, July 26, 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Posted in Living Saints

To all parents:

I would just like to remind you to keep signing up for the Parent Seminar. To register, or for inquiries, please call 7236609 for more information, and look for Teacher Gen Aspillaga.

Living Saints Homeschool Support and Progressive Little Saints Learning Center invite you to participate in our Parent Seminar

Topic: Television's Effects on Our Children
Hosted by: Little Saints Learning Center
Date of Seminar: July 26, Saturday, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Venue: Seminar Hall, Elim Global Headquarters, 51 10th St, Rolling
Hills Village, New Manila, Quezon City 1112 (near St. Luke's Medical
Center)
Admission: Free.

* This seminar will talk about the shocking effects of TV and Internet
and other media on our kids.

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• Jul. 7, 2008 - Our New Homeschool Support and Tutorial Center in Cebu

We have a new Living Saints Homeschool Support and Tutorial Center in Cebu. Located in the suburbs of Lahug, a residential district in Cebu, the new center is spacious and homey as well!

Reception area: Coaches and reading material for waiting parents, kids and guests to the center. Communal prayers are said here, and it is also used for meetings.

Common Study Area. If you want to find a place to just to study and do your academic work quietly, then this study area is ideal. Students can also use the Internet connection available here. The bookshelf on the other end stores study aids such as dictionaries, thesauruses, textbooks and reference materials.

The Meeting and Faculty Area is where students can meet with tutors to do tests and get work graded or corrected. It's located in the middle of the center, and is also equipped with computers for doing online tests and exams.

Study Rooms. Homeschoolers and tutors who want more privacy for one-to-one tutorials may use the study rooms available. There are three rooms in the center: (1) Primary Kids (those in elementary levels), (2) Senior Kids (those in middle school), and (3) Teens (those in high school levels). Each Study Room is supervised by a Head Teacher who oversees all small study sessions.

For more information on our new Living Saints Homeschool Support Center as well as how to enroll in one of the tutorials, please email: living.saints.tutorial@gmail.com.

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• Sep. 17, 2007 - Homeschooler Bowling Clinic (August - November 2007)

The 16 slots we had for the Bowling Clinic filled up immediately! We'd like to thank all the families who joined. Every Friday, we meet at the SM MegaMall Bowling Center for a two-hour session with our esteemed coaches, Coach Florence and Coach Ron, who are among the champion bowlers in the country! (Special thanks goes out to Tita Bong Coo, who helped us score a great deal with SM Bowling Center.)

For more information on our future PE programs (we offer them from June - March each academic year), call 723-6609 (Manila only).

GET READY... (pre-session, practicing the pendulum position and ball swing stance)

GET SET...(Practicing proper form and how to hold the bowling ball)

GO FOR THE STRIKE! (Teens taking their first swing)

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• Sep. 17, 2007 - Math and Social Studies -related field trips

Posted in Living Saints

It's been a while since I've updated (tutoring a whole bunch of kids is no joke!) But the kids had fun on their field trips this past quarter. I've included here pics from three events:

1. Money Museum (July 20)
2. Take a Trip! (on commuting a budgeting) (July 25) - sorry! No photos!
3. Budget Tripping (July 26)

Money Museum - July 20, 2007

We weren't allowed to take photos, but the kids encapsulated their Money Museum experience in lapbooks entitled "The History of Money in the Philippines." The documented the history of money (from the earliest days when shells were used in place or barter trade), to the development of cash and coins, and finally the institutionalization of money by the Bangko Sentral. We also got to see some real Greek drachmas from the time of Alexander the Great, a lot of coinage from the Chin Dynasty, and some rare gold artifacts from the pre-Hispanic era.

Take a Trip! (Learning to compute, commute and budget) - July 25, 2007

The elementary kids wanted a hand at learning how to budget their own money, so armed with P100.00 to spend on commuting and food, we traipsed our way to the Gateway Mall. The kids first found their route using a to-scale map of Metro Manila, and then made their own self-made maps. We tabulated the expenditures on an Expenses Log, which taught them how to account for expenses and balances. Upon reaching the mall, the kids had to make sure their meal at the food court would still be within their budget with enough money for the commute home. To wrap up the trip, the kids compiled their maps, routes, expenses log and narrations into another lapbook. (Next time, they say, they want to commute all the way to Mall of Asia!)

Budget Tripping (Grocery shopping with a fixed budget) - July 26, 2007

The teens were given the order: Plan a meal menu for a family with only P700.00. The parents and their kids set to work, planning a menu and a grocery list against the fixed price. Kit and Mary Anne managed to stay within budget; Gelo and Priyen found that feeding a family of five is no joke at all! (They went over budget a couple of hundreds only, so it wasn't so bad!) Our Cebu Living Saints counterpart also did their own Budget Tripping!

STEP ONE: Take a tricyle (Make sure you can fit.)

STEP 2: Always count your change and demand exact fare!

STEP 3: Using a grocery list, take note of each item by beginning with your income; make sure to balance out each time! (Remember: you can live without junk food!!!)

STEP FOUR: Haul the bags home! Well done, guys!

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• Jun. 25, 2007 - July Events for homeschoolers

Living Saints Homeschool Support and Tutorial Center has events lined up for the entire academic year for 2007-2008. Each month, we investigate a facet of our homeschool lifestyle as Pinoys, as Catholics, as families. There is a theme each month and a listing of corresponding activities. Check out our activities for homeschoolers next month!

Month: July

Theme: Money

Guiding Principle: (Matthew 6:19-21) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

JULY 13: Budget Challenge
A simulation: Teens will get a feel of how mom and dad spend for the weekly food budget! We'll be doing this in WalterMart along E-Rodriguez Avenue, Kalusugan, Quezon City (near St. Luke's Medical Center). *Part of the experience for those who leave nearby also includes commuting to the supermarket from home or from the Living Saints Center.

Time: 9:30 - 11:00 AM

Age group: Grades 8 to 12

Instructor: Teachers Joy Uy and Martine Cosio

JULY 20: Money Museum
We'll be taking a guided tour of the Money Museum at the Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas, and see how money came into Filipino society. We'll also investigate the history of our local currency. Meeting time is at 9:00 AM at the Bango Sentral Ng Pilipinas.

Time: 9:30 - 11:00 AM

Age group: Grades 6 to 12

Supervisor: Teacher Martine Cosio

Facilitator: c/o Money Museum, BSP

Dates subject to change. Please call the Center to keep updated, or leave your contact information via email to martinecosio@gmail.com

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• Jun. 24, 2007 - Adopted Nostalgia

Posted in Living Saints

June 22, 2007: "IF THESE WALLS COULD SPEAK" - Tour of Intramuros by Carlos Celdran

The Living Saints teens went on the first of our field trips this year. Threaded throughout the field trips this year is the theme "Changing Outlooks on Our Nation," and they all are geared towards creating an awareness in our homeschoolers on the history (both the good and the bad) of our beloved Philippines. Our first field trip was a three-hour walking tour of the San Agustin Museum, Father Blanco's Garden, the San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila.

The talented and animated Carlos Celdran facilitated our group. Theatrical to the core and a Manileno at heart, Carlos punctuates his commentaries with bits and pieces of historical trivia, delivered with his particular blend of humor, wit and irreverence. It kept the homeschoolers entertained and engaged, especially the boys (whom everyone knows are the hardest audience to please!)

For more information on Living Saints Homeschool Support and our monthly field trips for kids and teens, please do email or drop a line here. God bless!

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• Jun. 9, 2007 - Living Saints Homeschool Support and Tutorial Center

Posted in Living Saints

For Filipino homeschoolers out there: The Living Saints Homeschool Support and Tutorial Center is your ultimate Catholic homeschool support center. We offer tutorials for those who are homeschooling, consultation, curriculum help and recommendations, field trips and assistance to homeschools.
We'd like to announce our homeschool support activities, field trips and other events for the first quarter of the year:

June 15, Friday: Intramuros History Walk with Carlos Celdran, 9:00 am - 12:00 nn (Gr 7-12)
June 22, Friday: Intramuros History Walk with Marilen Mapa, 10:00 am - 12:00 nn (Gr 4-6)

Other Services:

Catechism and Sacrament preparation
Tutoring, K-12
Drop-in Kinder-Grade 2 learning group, M-F
PE activities
Field Trips
Homeschool Consultation

Please do call our Center at 723-6609 for information. You may also email: living.saints.tutorial at gmail dot com. God bless!

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• May. 31, 2007 - Relaxed Homeschooling... (este, fun, wala lang, et al)

Posted in Living Saints

Some fun moments with the members of Living Saints 2006-2007 group:

1. Mary Anne and Josh's year-end video: http://maryannecollantes.multiply.com/video/item/27?mark_read=maryannecollantes:video:27

2. "Buhay Homezkool", Living Saints' public Multiply: http://livingsaints.multiply.com

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• May. 14, 2007 - Getting Wisdom

Posted in Homeschool (general)

The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom. At all costs, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

How does a child become wise?
When he or she has learned to make Our Lord's priorities his or her own.

A child that is wise is not the Promil kid or the spelling bee champ or the first on the honor roll. The wise child is the one who knows the Lord, who enjoys the days of his youth learning and discovering the vastness of God's love.
wall climbing 2006

"The Lord is my Rock" (Ps. 18:2) Living Saints 2006-2007 wall-climbing club, June-July 2006, PowerUp!

I'm not a parent. I'm not even married. But after being homeschooled in a close-knit family and now working closely with homeschoolers, I think I know enough to share my two cents worth on the matter of a child's quest to "get wisdom." For me, this means training a child to seek out God's special calling for him. It means investing in opportunities for that child to try out different interests and learning curves, not merely putting him through school. It means having an eye for each child's God-given potential and pouring in resources, time, effort and ability into that potential. In "training a child in the way he should go," a parent, a tutor, a teacher then becomes a partner in making that potential come to fruition.

Last year, the 3rd year of Living Saints' operations, was a blessing of fruition. When I recall our experiences with our student-wards, I am amazed at how God continues to birth giftedness in each one. I am also thankful that the parents have chosen to continue the journey, with us as their support system. It's a far cry from the days when we were thought to be oddballs with goodness-knows-how-they-re-raised kind of kids. I'm proud to say that I've been a witness to uniqueness, to potential-in-progress, to the wisdom of God's intricate designs.

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• Jun. 3, 2006 - LIfe to the Full

"I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

While most parents nowadays homeschool from babyhood and up, I was
homeschooled starting at age 15. Quite late! My parents enrolled me
with an American home school program when we came back to live in the
Philippines back in 1994, after living abroad for 11 years. They soon
decided to homeschool all of us (myself and my two brothers). I'd say
my homeschooling experience was rather eclectic, though. We used a
school-at-home approach for "traditional" subjects, but we gained a
lot of real-life learning experiences through our involvements in
youth ministry.

Having started homeschooling at a late age, the experience was, at
first, a difficult concept for my relatives to understand. Of course,
grandmother expected me to go to her alma mater, as all her other
daughters had done. I had to deal with the fact that I wasn't like my
other cousins who went to exclusive girls/boys' schools like Ateneo,
and the like.

But nevertheless, our family went on homeschooling. While
homeschooling, I also did odd jobs, like copy edit and write for an
inspirational magazine. I did illustrations for publications. I did
several apprenticeships in the editorial field, even the music field,
and I got heavily involved in youth ministry. When I finished my
formal high school education, I eventually got a US high school diploma.

After high school, I went on to unconventional (what I call
"uncollege") career path, taking up vocational courses in journalism
and creative writing. (I was in an apprenticeship at a publishing
company then.) I went on to work on the editorial staff of a
publishing house, moved on to be assistant to the publisher. I also
started scriptwriting and producing audio-video productions for
promotional materials. Three years ago, I eventually landed the job
I'm in now, a tutor for a homeschool support service. Last year, I
completed a distance learning course in early childhood education.
Aside from this (my day job), I'm a member of a singles ministry and
handle a group of single professionals. I am also the staff manager of
three Christian websites (including the 3-time CMMA-award winning
genrev.net).

As for my brothers, one's a fulltime youth pastor and writer; the
other is a budding graphic designer.

I've had a very full life. Full of learning experiences. Full of
opportunities to do what I love, and love God while I do them.

I've never stopped appreciating the homeschooling movement, and I
continue to advocate it now. I'm thankful that I was allowed to learn
in freedom. I'm thankful that my experience was unique, and that my
life is full of color.

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About Me

"Ate" (ah-teh) is Filipino for "big sister." That's me! A big sister, teacher, tutor, mentor, facilitator to homeschoolers based in Manila, Philippines. I'm dedicated to homeschool advocacy, support and fellowship. I'm 29, married, and currently head teacher at Living Saints Homeschool Support and Tutorial Center, QC, Philippines.