Chalkboard could not be happier to join HAPI in celebrating the National Homeschool Week! Homeschool Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) is a non-profit organization that aims to support homeschoolers and equip leaders to shape and grow the national homeschooling movement. Their vision is to see homeschooling recognized as an available and respected form of education, shaping leaders and movers who build our nation.
Here in the Philippines, we are mostly used to traditional learning where students go to school physically. It is not until the pandemic in 2020 happened that the Department of Education imposed a need for distance learning to students. And this is also the time where it is more needed to educate and inform everyone about homeschooling.
And because of this, celebrating the National Homeschool Week can help raise more awareness to many parents that quality education at home is also achievable and economical. It is a week-long celebration that was held last March 1-5, 2021. This annual celebration aims to deter the stigma of homeschooling by promoting the actual benefits of this kind of learning. That’s why Chalkboard is grateful to having been a part of this mission to bring homeschooling closer to many Filipinos.
Since it was a week-long celebration from March 1 to 5, many organizations were asked to participate. Chalkboard was scheduled to host a morning of fun games and activities on March 4, 2021 at ten in the morning. The program was spearheaded by Ms. Sharon Santiago, the head of Chalkboard’s marketing department along with other staff to host the activities we prepared for the participants.
PART 1: TRIVIA GAME (KAHOOT)
Charisse Bacurio hosted the Kahoot game to start off the fun celebration. In this trivia game, anyone can join as long as they get to register to the game link. There are 20 questions about different subjects and facts. Each of the players can answer by just selecting their answer from the multiple choices provided. By the end of the game, the player named Paris Roman was able to top the game!
PART 2: SOCIAL DIS-DANCING
Will a celebration be ever complete without some lively dancing? We don’t think so! That’s why Dorothy Vargas-Calma along with Coach Josh hosted the second segment of Chalkboard’s program. Social distancing is very important but some social dis-dancing might just be the best option to bring out more fun and excitement!
Participants were asked to turn on their cameras so that the choreographer, Coach Josh, can see their groove and enthusiasm. They will do their best to learn and memorize the choreography as much as possible in a very limited time. At the end of the segment, all participants will be asked to perform all at the same time and Coach Josh will pick who’s the closest to the steps he taught and will be declared as the winner on the spot.
We chose a song that many know, and it is BTS’ Dynamite! Coach Josh provided a choreography that our dear participants would surely love and enjoy. Because of the energy and great performance of our participants, they were all announced as winners in the end.
PART 3: SHARING OF THOUGHTS
To wrap things up and end with a smile on all of our faces, we decided to have a question and answer activity. Through this, we mainly wanted to know the thoughts and ideas of those who are homeschooled and how they can put it into words. To help us in judging our last segment, we invited our very own Chalkboard tutor, Sir Ronald Go, he masters in English language and Literature teaching.
Homeschooled students were very participative and had shared with the rest of us their beautiful thoughts on various topics that we chose.
Everyone who won the games and fun activities of the entire morning were given prizes to show how deeply grateful we are for their cooperation and participation. All winners received a Chalkboard T-shirt and a thermal flask.
Ultimately, it was a worthwhile experience for us in Chalkboard and we hope that those who participated in our event felt the same way too. We would not have been able to share our advocacy to many if not for the National Homeschool Week celebration. We are thankful for the opportunity to share happiness and fun to everyone. Hope to see you next year!
