Hello! My name is Samantha Rejoyce Calanog Cadiong, and you may call me Rejoyce. I am 6 years old and a Kindergarten homeschooler. My days of learning are filled not only with lessons, but with stories, conversations, beautiful things, time outdoors, family life, worship, play, and wonder.
In our home, we believe that education is more than finishing books or completing activities. My Daddy, Restie Cadiong, and my Mommy, Stephanie Joy Cadiong, together with my whole family, make up the beautiful atmosphere in which I learn and grow. They read with me, talk with me, answer my many questions, take me to new places, let me observe the world around me, and help me form good habits little by little.
Our home is one of my first classrooms. I learn while listening to stories, helping at home, noticing flowers and little creatures, drawing what I see, singing songs, travelling with my family, meeting people, asking questions, and enjoying the ordinary moments of our days together.
Tap a quarter to see my photos, what I learned, my marks, and Mommy's note.
The beginning: new books, new habits, and learning to pay attention.
Rejoyce's first quarter has been a lovely beginning to her Kindergarten journey, with a special focus on Language Arts.
Through living books, poetry, narration, copywork, storytelling, and meaningful conversations, I have watched her grow more confident in listening, speaking, a little bit of reading, and expressing her own ideas.
More than simply learning words, she is learning to love language, enjoy beautiful stories, and communicate what she has understood in her own way.
As her Mommy and teacher, my prayer is that she will continue to grow in confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning.
The quarter of a hundred questions. Mostly about why the moon follows us in the car.
Rejoyce's second quarter has been a sweet and remarkable season for us, especially as we focused on Bible and Values Education.
Through Bible stories, Scripture, songs, prayer, and simple everyday conversations, I've seen her slowly understand more about who God is and how His Word can guide the way we live.
What I loved most this quarter was seeing these lessons show up in small ways, when she chooses to be kind, says sorry, shares, obeys, or remembers to pray.
These may seem like little things, but for me, they are beautiful signs that the seeds we are planting are beginning to grow.
As her Mommy and teacher, my prayer is simple: that as Rejoyce grows in knowledge, she will also grow in character, in love for others, and most of all, in her love for Jesus.
I got braver. I told my whole narration out loud and my voice only shook a little.
Rejoyce's third quarter has been a fun season of discovering more about people, places, history, and the world around her through Social Studies.
Through stories, maps, timelines, conversations, and even the places we visit as a family, I've watched her become more curious about where things are, how people live, and what happened long before her own little story began.
What I love most is seeing her realize that the world is much bigger than what she sees every day, and yet she has her own special place in it. Little by little, she is learning to appreciate different people and cultures, understand the past, and see how we are all connected.
As her Mommy and teacher, my prayer is that she will continue to explore God's world with curiosity, respect, compassion, and a grateful heart, and grow to become someone who cares well for the people and community around her.
The last quarter. I can do things now that I could not do at the start of the year.
One year ago she was learning her letter sounds. Today she reads to her cousin and tells us stories we did not know she was listening to. Homeschooling Rejoyce has been the hardest and best thing we have done, and she made it easy to love.
Some of my best lessons didn't happen at my desk. Here's where we went and what I found out.
I visited the home of the legendary boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao, and got a selfie there!
The museum was full of old paintings, and I learned about Noli Me Tangere there.
So many animals were there, some that live in water, some on land, and even ones that fly!
We found statues showing the parts of the human body, an astronaut, insects, spiders, and different kinds of leaves.
We stood beside the statue of General Douglas MacArthur, and explored an old historical house in Leyte.
Every day after lessons I move my body. It helps my brain wake up, and it's the loudest part of my schedule.
Not everything fits above! Here are more photos and videos from my school year.
The most precious part of my education is learning to know God and to grow in my love for Jesus. Through Bible stories, worship, prayer, friendships, church life with my Light Church Kids family, and the example of people who love Jesus, I am slowly being formed.
I am learning to be kind and compassionate, even when it costs me my turn.
Telling the truth the first time, and learning to say sorry when I get something wrong.
Every night I say one thing I am thankful for. Usually it is my family.
Doing what is asked, right away and with a happy heart. I am still practising.
This portfolio is a little record of my Kindergarten journey: the books I have met, the places I have explored, the things I have observed, the ideas I have wondered about, the work of my hands, and the memories our family has gathered along the way. It is not simply a record of how much I have learned. It is a glimpse of how I am slowly growing in knowledge, character, wonder, and love for God.
Welcome to my living education.
Rejoyce, age 6