Archive for the ‘Homeschooler Profile’ Category
28 March 2011
Homeschooling Cherish: A 20-year old journey through life (Pt 2)
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Homeschooler Profile.
Homeschooler Cherish Lo was one of only four students to be awarded full scholarship to pursue her A Levels at Alice Smith International School in Kuala Lumpur. Her remarkable achievement is another one in a string of achievements by Malaysian homeschoolers, and one that is mirrored among homeschoolers abroad. Her mother Sally concludes with Part Two of the story of her daughter’s transition from home-educated to top scholar.
NURTURING A CONFIDENT CHILD
AS CHERISH’S MOTHER, THE MAJOR PART OF HOMESCHOOLING was my responsibility. I was not a rigid, structured teacher; I liked variety and spontaneity so we learned whatever came our way. Dad was the structured one and he taught her Math – systematically, always telling her to practise, practise, practise. The point is, do what you know and let your child enjoy learning along with you.
When my daughter was 10, I went back to work and Dad was left to teach her at home. That meant more Math! I did very little with Cherish then, but she was already reading a lot at her age. Later when we realised she needed more structured learning, we enrolled her for IGCSE O Level in April 2009 for an 18-month course. For the first time in her life, she was exposed to Accounts, Business Studies, Economics and Additional Math. She had signed up for 7 subjects in all, including English (First Language), English Literature and Math, but 5 months before her exams, she took one more subject, Physics. At the time we were advised that to qualify for a scholarship, she needed to have 8As.
We prayed Cherish through the decision, and she applied herself to study diligently. The rest as they say, is history. She did very well and obtained 8As in her IGCSE O Level exams and won four awards (Top In Malaysia for Business Studies; Top In Malaysia for English First Language; High Achievement for English Literature, and first place for Best Across Eight Cambridge IGCSEs).
ALL KINDS OF EXPOSURE
Prior to enrolling Cherish in an IGCSE tuition center, there was a 3-year gap in her education due to crises in the family. My father suffered multiple strokes and my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent spinal surgery. Since all I did for Cherish was English while her dad taught Math, you could see why our daughter’s homeschool was interrupted.
In the past we exposed Cherish to all sorts of training courses we felt were appropriate to help open up her mind. She didn’t mind that some of the courses were for adults, for she understood that it was up to her to learn whatever she could. But academically, the IGCSE was the very first time she was subjected to formal studies. Her initial discomfort at being somehow ‘less’ than the regular kids who went to ‘normal’ schools was soon dispelled when she faced them in the battleground of interschool competitions.
At 16, she and her team beat older students from a number of universities and colleges in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. In one particular competition, the team had to submit a business proposal for a home for the elderly and present it before a panel of judges.
Cherish had never done a business proposal before, but she and her friends soon found out how (homeschooling kids have a knack for finding things out for themselves!). The judges were so impressed with her maturity and empathy for the elderly that one of them personally congratulated her and her team mates saying that their parents should be very proud of them (and we certainly were!).
FROM O TO A LEVELS AT ALICE SMITH
Today my daughter Cherish is doing her A Levels at the Alice Smith International School. She received a full scholarship that covered food, travel, and purchase of books, exams fees as well as some school trips. When we found out that she was one of only four recipients of the scholarship, we were in a daze for a week! We did not expect it at all, and indeed, it was the Lord who provided for all of our needs.
(Photo: A beaming Cherish receives her award from Mr John Guy, University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), at Holiday Villa on 22 February,2011)
Alice Smith put prospective students through a computer-based entrance exam to assess their suitability but it was not just bright students they were looking for. We were told they also wanted confident young students with leadership potential. Students had to be interviewed by the Principal, Vice-Principal, and Head of 6th Form. In a separate room, another Vice-Principal (head of Pastoral Care) was interviewing me, and he told me that this interview would decide if a child would make the cut. They liked what they saw and heard, and 2 days later, I had confirmation that Cherish was accepted. She was offered a place in Alice Smith on January 2011, which was a term late (their term starts in September) but she is getting through each day, by God’s grace.
Looking back, I am glad that the Lord prepared the way for Cherish to get her scholarship through all the things she was involved in or exposed to during her growing up years. All the courses and competitions in which Cherish participated were documented (it was a thick file) and we included these with her scholarship application. She had to submit a 350-word personal essay – but what can you say in 350 words? – so that thick appendix did the trick!
KEEP ON PRESSING ON
Many moms often ask how a homeschooled kid could do so well. I always reply, how could they not do well, when they are given an environment to bloom naturally? Did I have my doubts? Plenty. Every Monday, as they say! 20 years ago when we were in New Zealand making the decision to homeschool we had the same questions, half-wanting and half-believing if it could be so, and yet it has come true for us.
Once you make a decision, stick to it, and don’t panic. Homeschoolers will always be in the minority, but press on, for other homeschoolers are walking with you! Besides, would you rather trust God for your children’s education or do you prefer to trust the government to do it for you? Keep on giving your children space, opportunity, and exposure, and eventually their God-given talent will emerge. Remember God is with us all. He loves our kids, and he will help us in our weakness and frailty.
Read the STAR report on the awards here.
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Postscript:
Two other homeschoolers received awards along with Cherish as well. They were, Hans Eli Sha Ho, who was Top In Malaysia for Accounting, and Wong Jian Eu who received an award for High Achievement for History
Related stories on the achievements of other young Malaysian homeschoolers
14-year old Balakrishna’s love for physics pays off
They said, by then 18-year old Rachel Spoelman, who has sometimes been identified as a Malaysian by her friends
Passing the Test, by Jian Eu about his transition from homeschool to formal education
According to his ability about ADHD/special needs child Jianwen who goes to college.
Reading to learn, is straight A’s student Brian Tan’s story
The first days of spring, is Ethan Tan’s journey from eclectic homeschooler to scholarship student at Hardin-Simmons, Texas
A mother’s reflection on 3 boys’ education pathways, From homeschool to O Level
21 March 2011
Homeschooling Cherish: a 20-year journey through life
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Homeschooler Profile.
Recently widowed Sally Ong took a leap of faith to homeschool her only child and favourite daughter Cherish when she was 5 years old. Today, Cherish is doing her A Levels at Alice Smith International School under a full scholarship. She was one of 4 students to be awarded full scholarship. How did she do it? Here’s Part One of Sally’s story:
BEGINNINGS
WHEN CHERISH WAS 3, WE ATTENDED A BILL GOTHARD CONFERENCE IN SINGAPORE. The young people I saw at the meeting were exemplary and I wanted very much for our daughter to be like them. As we prayed to the Lord for directions, He showed us very clearly that homeschooling was the way to go. Not long after, we had the opportunity to spend a week in New Zealand in the home of a homeschooling family. Their family life so impressed us that we began to buy books and more books to take back to Malaysia so I could do my perfect bit as my daughter’s main instructor.
In the first month of our homeschool I followed everything that was recommended in the books. We spent so many hours learning together, it left me exhausted. IT WAS NOT FUN! Fortunately, I met another homeschooling mum who told me to go easy on myself. I had to give up trying to be the perfect teacher-mum and just let my daughter enjoy learning at her own pace, not somebody else’s pace. What a saviour this mum was, and I thank God for sane advice that came at the right time! I started to recover from my fatigue and exhaustion, and began to enjoy learning together.
IT’S ALL ABOUT READING
Initially, we used mainly Bill Gothard’s homeschool materials. We also got ourselves math books from Singapore and English Language books from the US. We had Peter and Jane books as well, but I nearly died of boredom using them. Cherish hated them, and she struggled with reading even at 6 years old. Finally I chucked them away as they were not working for her nor me.
Another homeschool mum advised me to use the Bible to teach reading, and so I did. Using a large-print Bible, I sat her on my lap and read to her 3 times a day. In 2 -3 weeks, she was reading on her own. One day, I saw her read the Narnia Chronicles. Imagine, from not being able to read Peter and Jane, to the Narnia books. I was shocked! Since then she has never stopped. Cherish loved reading. If I bought her a storybook, she would be finished with it before the day was over. This was getting expensive, so I resorted to borrowing and exchanging books with other kids in church. We went to the National Library too, the 3 of us carting home 9 books, to come back again in the next week for another 9 books!
The moral of the story is: get your kids to LOVE reading; somehow it all sinks in. I taught her English, Dad taught her Math. But everything else she learnt from books from the National Library and books from friends in the church.
LEARNING FROM LIFE
Besides books, LIFE itself was our main curriculum. Whatever we saw and heard, whatever happened in our family became talking/learning points. For example, Cherish had a dramatic lesson about life and death when she was 6 or 7. At the time we had a guest in our home who tragically received news that her husband had committed suicide. This guest screamed and screamed in pain and shock. Unknown to us, Cherish was watching this drama unfold. How carelessly we watch killings and deaths on TV. Now the pain of death became a personal encounter. We had to drive this poor sister home and on the way back, Cherish sang a beautiful song about God’s love and care. What death does to the living became a meaningful topic for our conversation the whole of that week.
As you can see, LIFE presents many opportunities for every homeschooling family to cull learning moments for their children. It is NATURAL and not contrived. In this way learning does not become a stressful exercise at all. We did not want to fall into the trap of the ‘education god’ at whose high altar many parents entangle themselves in worry and tension. How easily we forget that education is not about the paper chase but learning and discovering, and always relating what is learnt back to God, family, love, and the nurture of character.
Next post: Nurturing a confident child
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Photo: Sally Ong and her daughter Cherish
7 April 2010
Reading to learn
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Homeschooler Profile.
More and more homeschoolers in the country are turning to O Level as the preferred pathway to college and tertiary education. 17-year old Brian Tan sat for his exams last November and outshone many of his peers. The point is not that Brian did well, but that homeschool is no obstacle to education excellence. Above all, it also demonstrates that whatever homeschool methodology/philosophy or curriculum one subscribes to, being educated at home provides a child the necessary space for nurturing right attitude and inculcating a reading habit, both of which are foundational to future success. A big thanks to Brian and his parents Boon Long and Cynthia who also added their two-sens to the Q&A regarding exam preparation.
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Tell us about yourself and your homeschooling experience.
My name is Brian and I will be 18 this August. I have been homeschooling since Standard 5, i.e. 11 years old.
I liked homeschooling as there was flexibility in my schedule. It was always a holiday during my birthday and my family took holidays during non-school holidays, avoiding peak periods. I’ve enjoyed homeschooling which has made education fun. Spending loads of time with my younger brother and parents, I’ve become close to them and my parents are always at hand when I need advice.
Being an art and reading enthusiast since young, I used much of the break time between studies to draw (by hand and on the computer) and to read. I was read to (when younger) and I read a lot of good literature as part of my homeschooling. I also studied at my own pace.
Did you feel left out socially?
I have been involved in many activities that allowed me to socialise. There was Sunday School, my church Care Group, a Junior Public Speaking Club, Art classes, ice skating classes and badminton (both formal training and socially). I’ve been and am still actively involved in Royal Rangers (an international Christian uniformed group) with lots of activities including camping, hiking, canoeing, first-aid, Christian Service, Community service, various hobbies and opportunities for leadership. At 13, I joined the church Youth Group. I also helped in Sunday School.
When I was 15+, I attended a tuition centre for about a year to prepare for my O level and IGCSE. I also enjoyed the socialisation and learned more of the problems and issues faced by my peers. I also made friends in my church Bible Knowledge classes that I attended for 2 years.
Why O Level, and not SAT?
My parents say that the O Level exam is more widely recognised especially in Commonwealth countries. Local private universities normally advertise a “minimum of 5 O Level credits” as entrance requirement. SAT is mainly recognised for entry into US universities but they also accept O Level qualifications.
How many subjects did you sit for and how did you prepare for your exams?
I sat for a total of 7 subjects: Art, and Bible Knowledge (O level); and Math, English, English Literature, Business Studies and Economics (IGCSE). You could say preparation for English and English Literature began ever since I homeschooled using the Sonlight curriculum and some Singapore workbooks. I switched to IGCSE materials in Forms 4 and 5.
I’ve always used Singapore Math, but in my secondary years I switched to Counts 1-5 and the IGCSE text. For Business Studies and Economics, I started preparation when I enrolled in a tuition centre for about a year.
Prior to the Bible Knowledge exam, I attended my church weekly Bible Knowledge classes for 2 years. The classes actually prepare students for the SPM Bible Knowledge paper but I stayed because it was quite close to the O Level syllabus – Luke & Acts. For Art, I had a teacher for a year who helped me prepare for O Level Art.
I was in the tuition centre until the last 4 – 5 months before my exams. I consolidated my preparation at home by attempting a lot of past year exam papers, read examiners’ reports and comments to get a good view of what the examiners look for.
Your results came out early this year in January. So how did you do, and what’s your next step?
I obtained 7As. In the IGCSE, I obtained As for Business Studies and Economics and A*s for Maths, English and English Literature. In the O level exam (where A*s are not awarded), I obtained As for Art and Religious Knowledge.
My next step is to enrol at the One Academy in Bandar Sunway to pursue my passion in Creative Arts and Design. I’ll be doing a Diploma course in either Multimedia or Animation before going to one of their affiliated overseas universities for a degree.
How would you advise other homeschoolers to prepare themselves for their exams?
O Level /IGCSE normally require 2 years of preparation. I would recommend some tuition classes especially in subjects one is weak at, or where parents are unable to help. The 2 years could consist of a mixed bag of home school and tuition classes.
The tuition classes will also be a good transition from homeschooling to college life as one will be exposed to group discussions and group dynamics.
Finally, intensive practices of O level/IGCSE past year question papers, reading mark schemes, examiner comments and reports a few months before the exams help a lot.
However, homeschoolers should get a good grounding prior to the last 2 years before sitting for the O level /IGCSE.
Pre-O level/IGCSE preparation:
- For Maths/Add Maths, a good program is Singapore Maths from Primary until Form 3 (e.g. Singapore Maths Counts 1-3 or other Singapore Maths texts).
- For the Sciences (Biology/Physics/Chemistry), any Primary program will do but try to do Singapore Science for Forms 1 and 2 or the UK’s equivalent (Cambridge Core Bio/Physics/Chemistry).
- For English/Literature/History, the preparation program is a lot more flexible. Sonlight’s Core curriculum is excellent.
- For Economics and Business which are generally study subjects, homeschoolers should not find these a problem if they’ve acquired good reading/comprehension skills.
- For O level Bible Knowledge, do attend, if available (and normally free of charge) BK classes for SPM students conducted by churches. Syllabus is 90% similar.
Generally, a good base in homeschooling – “Learn to read and then read to learn” – will give homeschoolers the ability to learn independently in the later years, with some guidance from parents/tuition teachers.
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Top Pix: Brian holds forth at a debate
Bottom Pix: Brian (left), Mom Cynthia (centre), and younger brother Kevin (right) agree that homeschooling is fun
Related posts on homeschoolers and O Level
…….and a related post on developing a reading culture at home
11 November 2009
They said
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Homeschooler Profile.
18-year old Rachel Spoelman has been called an actress, a writer, a college student, a Malaysian, an American, a genius, a sister, a char koay teow lover, a Milo addict, a geek, a purple-haired backwards guitar playing cowgirl, and an inside-out banana. Perhaps she is all of these things, perhaps she is none of them – that is for you to decide. 18-year old Rachel is presently in her second year of studies at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. She is taking an Asian Studies Major. In this essay, Rachel tells us why she’s glad to be homeschooled
I WAS A HOMESCHOOLED CHILD. When my mom and dad first told their family and friends that they had decided to homeschool their kids, the relatives all thought that Mom and Dad were crazy. They came up with many objections. They said that Mom couldn’t do it, and that even if she could teach me the elementary school subjects, that she, without a college degree, would never be able to handle teaching me when I reached high school age. They said that she was making a terrible decision for her child, that because of being kept at home and being homeschooled, that I would never develop socially, that my social skills would always be far behind those of my peers. They said that I would lack the opportunity to participate in the sports and extracurricular activities and service that I would have if I went to a private Christian school. They said that I would never be able to go to college if I didn’t have a ‘real’ transcript from a ‘real’ school. They said that successful homeschooling couldn’t be done.
But my Mom did not let everything they said stop her from doing what she felt was right for her family. She started teaching me the alphabet when I was three years old, and has never looked back.
Thirteen years later, we have found that they were wrong. I have now graduated from my homeschool high school. I have been accepted to college, I have served at my church, teaching children’s and youth classes, helping with VBS, and visiting elderly people in nursing homes for as long as I can remember. My Mom laughs when she remembers those people who told her I would have no friends if she didn’t send me to school; she thinks I spend far too much time having fun with my friends. What is more, some of those close friends are my younger siblings. That’s right, my Mom has had six younger children than me, and is homeschooling each one of them, so that all of us kids can stay together everyday and not be separated like we would be if we were sent to school. We have grown up all going to school together in the schoolroom in our house, and we have loved it.
I am so thankful for the decision my Mom and Dad made all those thirteen years ago. Sometimes people may say all kinds of things of discouraging things about the decisions you make or things you do in life, but I’ve learned that those ‘people; might not know everything there is to know. After all, they all said Mom couldn’t do it, that she couldn’t homeschool her kids, but today I am so glad that my mom did not listen to what they said!
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This essay was originally published in The Random Writings of Rachel, and is reproduced with the kind permission of the author. To buy a copy of Rachel’s first self-published book, please email rdeen_phillips(at)yahoo.com
9 September 2009
Balakrishna’s love for Physics pays off
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Homeschooler Profile; Homeschooling Achievers.
[Malaysian homeschooler Balakrishna M. Pillai is 14-years old. But as he is apt to say, "Don't hold my age against me; judge me by my knowledge and skill." Indeed. This young man and a team of students he led was awarded first place in the international Global Challenge 2009 competition for students in the Best Global Business Plan Category (see previous post). We're thrilled and pleased for Balakrishna and his parents! Recently HOMEFRONTIER caught up with this homeschooler-in-a-hurry and interviewed him via email]
1. Tell us, who is Balakrishna M. Pillai?
Homeschooled. Secured the New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement Levels 1 and 2, about 2 years ago. I am 40 credits away from getting Level 3. Put off completing NCEA as I want to pursue an education in USA. Completed the SAT last year, my first public examination. I got full marks in SAT II Math and scored 30 marks shy of a full score in SAT II Physics.
I am by nature a very curious individual. I like to fiddle and take things apart and very often do not succeed in putting them back. Every button I see needs to be pushed and every switch flicked. It is no wonder my parents figured I would not survive school. I think perhaps they were more concerned for the teachers. Being homeschooled allows me to study areas which fascinate me. I am fascinated with Physics, more specifically theoretical Physics. Hopefully I will get an opportunity to attend a university. Unfortunately I am 14 years old and have got a fair bit of waiting to do. That is the most excruciating part.
2. Your parents Murali and Juliana Pillai have done a great job educating you at home. What’s it like to be an only child and a homeschooler?
I must say I have had a wonderful education. I choose what I want to learn and I never had to worry about exams until late last year. So I pretty much enjoyed the process of learning at my own pace. I much prefer this to going to school. The system would have sent me to the Tanjung Rambutan Institute for the Study of Mental Illnesses. I enjoy being an only child and I don’t think I am none the worse for wear for being an only child.
3. Could you tell us how you developed your passion for Physics?
When I see a mountain I admire its beauty. And then I stop and ask, “How do the sub-atomic particles that make up the atoms that make up the molecules that make up the rocks, snow, and ice that make up the mountain interact to make up the mountain?” I have, and have always had since I was a child, dozens of questions about the inner workings of the universe swimming around in my head. Studying Physics may bring me closer to answering these questions and satisfying my passion to find out how the universe works.
4. With all these questions swimming around in your head, do you have time for anything else besides Physics?
I am constantly working on physics problems, so there is no moment when I am not busy with physics. I like photography, painting, scuba diving, and going on nature walks and when I do these activities I am thinking about physics. I did too drag my parents up a mountain in New Zealand! I also occasionally walk through glass doors, usually resulting in a visit to the hospital.
5. Well, your passion for Physics paid off. You got more than just a crack at an international competition for students, the Global Challenge. How did that happen?
I was invited by a Malaysian student to participate in the competition. The competition is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics intensive program. It is open to high school students so generally students who are 15-19 years participate, but as you can see it is not a hard and fast rule.
The Global Challenge requires students to work in teams of 4 and invent a device that can reduce the effects of climate change. The team is then required to prepare a global business plan for that device. By so doing the participants are exposed to real life considerations like manufacturing, marketability and profitability of the product. The Business Plan has to prove that the device works, and that it is marketable, and can generate a profit.
6. Tell us about your submission. You must have put in a lot of work; what did you actually have to do?
There is a lot of reading and you must have a wide breadth of knowledge. Packaging the whole idea is also very challenging. I made my presentation differently and kept the reader pretty much in view. A lot of effort went into it and although I had a team I did everything from the conception of idea to writing the whole business plan. That was primarily because I had the luxury of time on my hands while the others were really hard pressed for time given their hectic schedules. So my first draft was pretty much the final work.
When Yu Yu, a returning participant in the Global Challenge invited me to participate in this challenge I was skeptical if I would enjoy it. I must confess while I am aware of the problem of global warming and climate change, like millions out there I cannot see myself doing anything which could solve the problem. In short, it is not top of my list of priorities. My passion is Physics and I could not see very much Physics in this competition.
7. You were ‘skeptical’ but you went on ahead anyway. And you picked up new experiences, learned new things, made new friends. How do you feel about that?
I said yes since I had nothing better to do anyway and now I am glad I did say yes. To say I learned new things would be an understatement. I am sure an expert reviewing the work done for the Global Challenge will find more holes in it than you would find in a piece of cheese but I sincerely feel it is a good start. For the first time I see the relevance in things like industrial analysis, market analysis, political and financial feasibility. I would not have given these areas any notice at all previously, so all said and done, it was and continues to be an enlightening experience. It was good teaming up with young people from America.
I learned they are under as much pressure as youths who go to school in Malaysia. I enjoy talking with Ivan (my team mate). He is constantly advising me about college in USA and that is nice. I appreciate that and will always remember that. I enjoyed working with Yu Yu too and we had some fruitful face-to-face meetings in the early stages. While Ivan is chattier, I found Yu Yu more laconic and I still have difficulty understanding what she says. In the later stages there were some tense moments and differences of opinion between us and I dealt with them as best as I could.
8. Were your parents involved in any way?
I would like to thank my mother, who has sprouted several gray hairs due to this competition, even though she was not directly involved, and my father, who came up with several ideas for this competition (none of which were actually workable). What is important is both my parents are always there to lend support, encourage me and cheer me up when the chips were down.
9. That’s wonderful! Now, could you tell us a little about the idea behind your team project?
About my idea: In an average day, a human expands an enormous amount of energy going about his daily activities. Consider for a moment our daily activities such as walking, sitting, opening and closing doors and the like. Most of the energy expended on these tasks is wasted without us giving a moment‘s thought.
What if we could capture this energy and put it to good use? With this in mind the MEG was conceived. The MEG, an acronym for the Multipurpose Electric Generator is a device in the form of a tile that consists of a flat plastic plate with 5 magnets attached to its underside. A coil of wire is positioned directly under each magnet.
When pressure is exerted on the plate, the magnets are thrust into the coils, creating an electrical current in the coils through electromagnetic induction. This electricity is captured and stored, ready to be used in any application. It cannot be denied that the energy generated by the MEG is small. However, small amounts add up just like tiny drops make a mighty ocean. The versatile MEG can be placed in any location where pressure is frequently applied by humans. It can be placed on floors of homes in areas where there is the greatest activity or frequency of use, for example near toilets and staircases.
10. That won you first place in the business plan category. Congratulations! What was the award you won, and do you have anything to say about it?
It was an all-expense paid trip to Vermont to attend a week long summer program at the Governor’s Institute of Vermont, USA. Winning the competition was no big deal, but it is very nice to get a free trip. However, I did not like the summer program at the University of Vermont. It was more Engineering-based than Physics-based. I preferred my stint at MIT in Massachusetts which was a 6-week physics course on linear algebra and quantum mechanics.
11. Finally, what advice do you have – if any – for homeschoolers who have problems with subjects like science?
You must develop a passion for it and that passion comes from understanding it. I would say just learn and do not obsess with grades and being better than others.
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Balakrishna is presently offering his services as Physics tutor to anyone but he much prefers teens. He is also selling away some of his Physics books and you can take a look at his booklist on our NOTICES (September) page. Email Balakrishna personally at balakrishnapillaim(at)gmail.com