Mommy Pehpot, Author at Mommy Pehpot

Scotch-Brite™ Clean Up Project @ UP – PGH Cancer Institute

After the Clean Up Project at West Rembo Elementary School, Scotch-Brite™ once again, invited me to join their next Clean Up Project. It was held in UP- PGH, a place I was not familiar with. Trusting the PR agency and the Scotch-Brite™ team, I knew this will be as much fun ad fulfilling as the last cleaning project I attended.

As always, the PR agency provided a shuttle service (now that’s what good PR agency is all about!) fr us. Arriving at UP-PGH is so surreal.. You know feeling of too much emotions? That’s how exactly I felt on that place. The aura is too depressing and I am glad Scotch-Brite™ chose this place for their clean up project. A little sweeping and sanitation here and there can make a big difference.

The Cancer Institute was closed during the clean up project. Part of the project was the donation of brand new Scotch-Brite™ cleaning tools courtesy of 3M Philippines to help the cancer facility sustain its maintenance and cleanliness policies and practices. The donated cleaning tools included outdoor gloves, furniture cloth, mops, mop wringer bucket, among many others.

“We at 3M are committed to help provide people with cleaner, brighter environments. We believe that the best way to achieve this is to give them efficient and high-quality cleaning tools that our Scotch-Brite™ brand is known for. Helping the staff of the UP-PGH Cancer Institute implement their regular general cleaning is a great opportunity for us and our employees to see this commitment through,” said Darwin Florendo, Home Care Division Head of 3M Philippines.

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!