Monsters vs Aliens

TGIF! My son finished the first week of his summer class. He easily adjusted and he was very eager to attend his class. Two weeks more to go! I decided to give him a wonderful treat today by going to the movies. We went to see Monsters vs Aliens at Gateway Mall. I took a picture of him holding our tickets.

I am not a big fan of animated films but it turned out that this one is good. No one is too old to watch this movie. Even adults would be entertained. The characters are unique and the script is funny. The story's emphasis is on team work.

Once in a while, I glance at my son to see if he's enjoying the movie. I think he really liked it because his eyes were glued to the screen the entire time.

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First Day of Summer Class

I have mentioned before that my son is enrolled in the Reading Readiness class at Pail and Shovel. Today is the first day of his summer class. It's a good thing that he did not go through a separation anxiety. My little boy did not cry at all. Although I noticed that he seem very quiet in class, he remembered what was taught to them. Since it's the first day, parents were allowed to stay inside the classroom. Based on my observation, the teachers were very dedicated and they exhibited a lot of patience in dealing with the students. After his class, we played for a few minutes on the school playground. I asked him if he wanted to go to school again tomorrow and he readily said YES with a big smile.

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Art Center SUMMER 2009 Creative Workshops and Seminars (PowerBooks)

I'm trying to instill in my child the love for books. Today, I decided to bring him to the bookstore. While we were at Powerbooks in Megamall, he noticed the Art Center corner. He wanted to try painting. The butterfly and the painting materials only cost 95 pesos.

I learned that they are having Creative Workshops and Seminars this summer.

The ART CENTER together with POWERBOOKS, bring you their SUMMER 2009 Creative Workshops & Seminars for Both Young and Old!

contact 0917-8111655

Venue and Time:

Powerbooks Activity Center, Greenbelt 10:30 AM – 12:00 NN (Tentative Schedule)
Powerbooks Activity Center, Megamall 4:30 – 6:00 PM

Rates:
Classes are P2,500 for four sessions, where materials are c/o The Art Center
Classes marked with (*) are at P4,500 for 8 sessions where materials are c/o student

To Enroll:
Get your order slip from the Art Center staff (Megamall) or the Customer Service (Greenbelt)
Fill out and submit the Summer Workshop 2009 application form.
Pay directly to Powerbooks but present the OR no. to Art Center staff (Megamall) or the Customer Service (Greenbelt) for their records.
Come on time for each session.

Important:
Protective aprons will be used during the sessions but clothes may still get stained.
Pre-registration is necessary to ensure materials are available for all enrollees.
No refunds and Non-transferable
12 Slots Per Class Only

Painting*
April 6,13, 20, 27 and May 4, 11, 18, 25
1:00-3:30 PM
For ages 6 and Up (adults welcome!)
After learning the basics, get to work with acrylics on canvas

Drawing*
April 7,14,21,28, and May 5, 12, 19, 26
1:00-3:30 PM
For ages 6 and Up (adults welcome!)
Start from the basics and work your way up to a psychological portrait.

Sculpture*
April 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
1:00 PM-3:30 PM
For ages 10 and Up (adults welcome!)
Decorate a trash can, make a puppet and picture frame, then cast your hand and finish off with a self-portrait

Kiddie Crafts
April 14, 21, 28 and May 5
For ages 3-6
Let’s just keep ‘em creatively productive! Come in clothes which are acceptable for messy art sessions.

Bead Craft
April 15, 22, 29 and may 6
For ages 13 and Up (adults welcome!)
Learn how to make useable, sellable jewelry with this workshop!

Music and Movement
April 16, 23, 30 and May 7
For ages 3-6
Great for kids who need aerobic exercise and an outlet for all their happy energy!

Crafting with Polymer Clay
April 17, 24 and May 1 ,8
For ages 5-11
Scuplt, carve and bake your own works of useful art

Art You Can Use
April 20, 27, and May 4 and 11
For ages 6 to 9
Paint, embellish, and personalize your own things!

Reconstruct Your Tees
May 12, 19, 26 and June 2
For Ages 13 and Up (adults are more than welcome!)
Be hip, be resourceful, recycle and express yourself by

Working with Felt Cloth
May 13, 20, 27 and June 3
For Ages 7 and Up (adults are more than welcome!)
Make cases, trim headbands and embellish just about anything with colorful felt.

Creative Writing and Book Making
May 14, 21, 28 and June 4
For Ages 7 and Up
Constant tangible creativity will keep our young thinkers busy and productive

Papier Mache (and Others)
May 15, 22, 29 and June 5
For ages 8-10
Learn to make basic shapes using papier mache then improve on them with your imagination.

Storytelling with Craft
May 18, 25 and June 1, 6
For ages 3-6
Make a craft project and retell the story

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Progressive Preschool

For me, blogging started as a hobby more than 2 years ago but I rarely blog about personal stuff. Let me think, is there something worth-writing (or worth-reading) about my life? I don't know about that. :)

My son would be attending school for the first time and I want to have a record of these milestones in his life. I enrolled him yesterday at Pail and Shovel Integrated School, a progressive school in Quezon City. Teacher Myles and Teacher Jackie were very accommodating. It's a small world! Teacher Jackie and I were dorm mates at Kalayaan Residence Hall during our freshie days in UP Diliman. How time flies!

I have put a lot of thought in deciding which school would I send him. Looking at the pros and cons of being in a traditional and progressive school made me decide to enroll him in a latter type. The insights I have gathered about different preschools in Quezon City from forums like GIRLtalk (FemaleNetwork) and Smart Parenting helped me a lot in my decision-making.

Most progressive education programs have these qualities in common*:

* Emphasis on learning by doing – hands-on projects, experiential learning
* Integrated curriculum focused on thematic units
* Strong emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking
* Group work and development of social skills
* Understanding and action as the goals of learning as opposed to rote knowledge
* Collaborative and cooperative learning projects
* Education for social responsibility and democracy
* Integration of community service and service learning projects into the daily curriculum
* Selection of subject content by looking forward to ask what skills will be needed in future society
* De-emphasis on textbooks in favor of varied learning resources
* Emphasis on life-long learning and social skills
* Assessment by evaluation of child’s projects and productions

*wikipedia

My son would be joining the nursery class this coming school year. He'd also attend the Reading Readiness class, a summer enrichment program of the Pail and Shovel Integrated School. I am very excited for him.

Sending a child to a progressive school may be generally more expensive than sending him to traditional school, but it's all worth it. With my son's personality, I think that he'd be more encouraged to learn and be more responsive in a progressive school setting. Good luck baby! Mama is always here to guide you!

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