I have been doing a LOT of learning about the history and culture of the Philippines since I arrived in Manila! I learned that the Philippines is an archipelago (large group of islands) with more than 7,100 islands! WOW! The 3 largest islands are Luzon, Visayazs, and Mindanao. During my visit, I will be on the island of Luzon. The three stars on the Filipino flag represent these three islands. For my Randolph readers, can you find the flag of the Philippines hanging in our cafeteria? I also learned there are two national languages in the Philippines: Filipino and English. However, there are more than 80 major dialects, or a variation of a language that differs from the standard language. I’ve been practicing some of the useful Filipino phrases I’ve learned so I can use them when I visit with teachers and students. I have also been learning about the educational system here. In some ways it is very similar to education in the U.S., but there are some differences, too. For example, the national government controls the schools. Students learn the same things at the same time all throughout the country, no matter where they live. Students begin school in Kindergarten at age 5. It is only required to go to school through grade 6. When students are in grades K—3, instruction is done in their “mother tongue” – the language of the province they speak in that area. Starting in grade 4, instruction is in English or Filipino. One big change that is happening is that this is the first year that grade 11 will be offered. Next year, grade 12 will be offered. One other difference is that the school year begins in June! Next Monday (June 13) is the first day of school!
More to come soon! Hanggang sa muli, paalam! (Until then, goodbye!)
4 Comments
Mrs. Kowalevicz's Class
6/10/2016 09:01:50 am
We loved hearing about school in the Philippines! When is the last day of school? How long is their school day? What holidays do they celebrate? We love you, Mrs. Kowalevicz!
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Mrs. Kowalevicz
6/13/2016 10:06:10 am
Great questions, first graders!
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Mrs. Kowalevicz
6/14/2016 08:48:25 am
Wow! Their schools are SO BIG! We go to school for 7 hours, which is about the same as the students in the Philippines.
Mrs. Kowalevicz's Class
6/13/2016 08:21:34 am
We hope you have a great first day of school today!
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