What: Block Four of Abot Tala’s Self-Directed and Interest-Led Learning Program
When: January 16-March 10, 2023
Where: Abot Tala’s Slack Workspace, Zoom, Gather Town, as well as different locations every other Monday for our in-person sessions.
Who: Young people, ages 12-22 who would like to be part of an interest-led learning community. We welcome teen homeschoolers, unschoolers, and those who are taking a break or gap year, especially during this global pandemic.
Special dates to remember for this block:
Please note that none of these activities/events are required. It is open to those who want to be part of it.
January 9-13 – Teen-led Week
Before classes officially start, teens may want to get to know and spend time with our community members during our virtual Teen-led Week where teens are in charge of all the activities and special sessions.
January 23 – SDL Monday at SaLaro
This will be at our favorite SDL venue, SaLaro along Maginhawa St, Quezon City.
Feb 6 – SDL Library Day
This will be at Union Church Library in Makati.
February 20 – SDL SaLaro Monday
This will be at SaLaro in Quezon City
March 6 – Field trip
(Details to be discussed during the block)
March 11 – Block Presentation
This is when teens show the community the class and passion projects they’ve been working on throughout the block. This will be an online event.
March 25 – Send-off/Graduation
Since a lot of our teens are moving on to senior high school and college, we’re holding a special send-off for them. This is also a send-off for the mentors who are moving on to their next adventures. It will be discussed throughout the block if this is going to be an in-person or online event.
*Please note that there are fees for SDL sessions and the field trip.
For those who can only join us virtually throughout the block, we also have a fun virtual center on Gather where teens can hang out and have fun anytime they want.
This is a preview of our center on Gather. Clubs and mentors have their own hubs and teens have a wide array of choices for meeting and hang-out places within our virtual center.
HOW DOES THE ABOT TALA HIGH & LAUNCHPAD SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING PROGRAM WORK?
- Our teens get to choose and join the classes they’d like to be part of based on their interests and curiosity.
- They have the freedom to design their personal schedule around the classes they’ve chosen, so they’d also have time to collaborate with other teens and work on their passion projects and homeschool requirements (if they have a homeschool provider).
- When they join our classes they won’t be graded. The motivation to be part of a class is purely to learn and not to earn grades.
- Each teen is also paired up with a mentor for one-on-one sessions where they get to talk about how their classes and activities are going, what keeps them busy, what projects they’re working on, whatever direction they wish to take, and more.
Teens and young adults may choose to join the Launchpad program. The minimum age to join is 16 if the teen has been with Abot Tala High for at least one block, and 17 for new members.
Launchpad is a specialized program wherein members will have access to portfolio, apprenticeship, and business start-up mentors. Launchpad aims to support young people as they develop future-proof skills, connect to a thriving network of professionals, and take on real-life passion projects. However, if you feel that your teen is ready for the Launchpad program and is not yet 16 or 17, please let us know so we may discuss it.
WHAT ARE THE CLASSES?
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
SDL Mondays
Mondays are for SDL Learning: Spontaneous, Dynamic, and Liberated Learning! It’s the best way to transition from the weekend to a full-on week! Show up with or without an agenda! Learn about what you’re currently into with peers and mentors. From watching films or shows to playing games, working on crafts, or just hanging out and collaborating with the Abot Tala community. SDL Mondays are available both in-person and in different locations every Monday. It is also available virtually on Abot Tala’s Gather Town space.
TUESDAYS
Magkwentuhan Tayo kasama si Bb. Icia Encinas
Wala tayong ibang gagawin sa klase na ito kundi ang pakikipagkuwentuhan gamit ang wikang Filipino! Dito, malaya tayong makapagpapahayag ng ating saloobin, kaisipan, at kahit na anong gustong pagusapan. Ang klase na ito ay espasyo kung saan ang lahat ay tanggap upang masanay sa pakikipagtalastasan sa ating mga kaibigan.
Math Gym B with Ericho Fuentes
This math class covers pre-algebra topics such as integers, fractions, percentages, and basic geometry. The objective of this course is to equip the learners with basic, practical mathematics knowledge that will prepare them for real-life applications and higher mathematics. This course will be administered asynchronously while utilizing online resources from Khan Academy and Tutorials in Taglish to address the varied learning paces and levels of the members of the class.
Wise Wallet with Louie Lao
Do you ever feel like the only exercise you’ve been doing is running out of money? *ba dum tss* It’s time to start gaining interest in managing your money (iykwim)! In this class, we’ll talk about setting personal financial goals, creating personal budgets, defining and implementing savings and investment strategies, considering the appropriate role of debt and credit use, and lastly developing financial risk management strategies. Sounds boring? Let’s make a game out of it!
History of Music with Ligaya Escueta and Mikey Amistoso (first 4 weeks of the block)
The music we listen to today was inspired by the music before that, which was inspired by the music before that, and before that, and so on. Join Mikey and Abby and ponder with them about the evolution of music as we know it today!
Voice Acting & Storytelling with Trish Cabral
Do you want to learn how to do voice acting and dubbing? Then this class is for you! Learn from someone who currently works with several post-production houses to provide the character voices for actors for various soap operas in Tagalog, Spanish, Korean, and Portuguese that are dubbed into English for export
Script Analysis with Joyce Buen
Math Gym A with Ericho Fuentes
This class covers algebra, geometry, and precalculus. This course will be administered asynchronously while utilizing online resources from Khan Academy and Tutorials in Taglish to address the varied learning paces and levels of the members of the class. This course is recommended for teens who are considering a career in science, engineering, and finance.
WEDNESDAYS
Event Management with various mentors (first 4 weeks of the block)
Managing an event, in-person or online, is now a life skill everyone must learn coz let’s face it – we’ll all have to throw an important event in our life sooner or later. Learn how to manage projects and events from seasoned events managers.
Mise en Scene with Mich Alagao and Micah Fernandez
A film appreciation and analysis class. Join us as we talk about our favorite (and least favorite) movies, why certain films are considered classics, and various themes and elements in movies.
- Suitable for teens 13 and above due to the age rating of some of the films we’ll be discussing.
- Participants are required to watch specific movies before the class.
- Access to a Netflix account is needed, since most of the movies for class will be available there.
Creating Believable Characters: Dialogue Edition with Mich Alagao
Dialogue in stories isn’t just about making your character sound witty, and it definitely isn’t all about infodumping. Well-written dialogue can level up your story in many different ways!
This class for young writers will focus on tips and strategies for creating characters that not only feel believable but SOUND believable.
RPG with Ericho Fuentes
In this class, the members will play as characters in two original RPG story campaigns. The players will be able to exercise their acting, improv, and puzzle-solving skills as they complete their adventures. The class will be using Open Legend as the RPG System for this class. The class will be limited to only 20 participants.
THURSDAYS
Life Lessons & Musings with Owie dela Cruz
Since this is tita Owie’s last hurrah in teaching a class at Abot Tala, she’ll be sharing 8 important life lessons, musings, and nuggets of wisdom she’d want teens to take with them wherever they go in life. Think of it as tita advice you’ll thank her X years from now.
Lyrics and Poetry with Mich Alagao
If you really think about it, the lyrics of a song are essentially a poem with music added to it… right? Yes? No? What are song lyrics anyway and how can I write them??
Join this class to find out the connections, similarities, and differences between songs and poems, and hopefully learn some tips on how to write your own original lyrics along the way!
Time Management with Diane Gabriel
Does time often feel like it’s running ahead of you, turning around the corner just when you thought you finally caught up? Or you think “just 10 more minutes” and before you know it, you’re struggling because an hour has passed? Or tried working on an assignment while updating your social media and juggling 3 dinners for the boys, baking, and some half-finished laundry? Ok that last part may be just me. But nevertheless, time management is a life skill that definitely won’t stop after high school, so let’s all learn together how to joyfully manage our time, be it work, rest, or play!
Game Show Hour with Ericho Fuentes
History, Science, Art, Movies, and anything under the sun, really. Lead your team to victory in the weekly Game Show Hour — our version of your typical Quiz Night! Game Show Hour is open to all block three members of Abot Tala.
FRIDAYS
Learning Historians X How to study effectively with Nat Sundiang
History isn’t just being aware of events from the past. Perhaps even more significant is how we choose to reflect upon past narratives. In this crash course, students will learn how to better interpret world history not only as a social science, but also as part of the humanities; as it can aid us to better make sense of the world, and in turn, our part in shaping it. Throughout the course learn tips and tricks on how to study effectively too.
FREEDOM FRIDAYS
It’s our way of making sure that there’s one day a week that’s available to all of our members so we can build a stronger community of self-directed learners. These classes and activities are mostly teen-led. They can also hold their club meeting and watch parties on this day. It’s their day, their rules.
The following mentor-led clubs are also available (schedule to be decided by club members):
Abot Tala Radio with Gabe and Diane Gabriel
Join the community’s internet radio station club that streams once a week!
Musician’s Circle with Mikey Amistoso
Hang out with musicians in our community and geek out about music!
Clueless Coders Club with Alex Francia
Interact with fellow coders!
Scientific Research Club with Ericho Fuentes
If you’re interested in science and/or research, then this is the club for you! Consult with our Academic mentor and begin your own scientific research project!
Ano Ba Yarn?! with Mich Alagao
Spend a relaxing hour knitting, crocheting, or cross-stitching while listening to music or chatting with other yarn-fanatics!
Mugs of Character with Miguel Urgino
Creating your own characters has never been more popular, but not everyone knows how to express their characters through art in a way that satisfies their vision. Your babies deserve better! Join me in this club for drawing characters as I share all the things I’ve learned over the years trying to do my own bois justice!
To read about our mentors, click here (staff) and here (guest mentors).
FEES
Please note that all of the programs include the following as well:
- Weekly mentor-led community events (Community Huddle and Game Show Hour)
- Mentor-led and teen-led clubs (please note that these are free for block four members)
- Freedom Fridays (teen-led classes & activities)
Please note the additional rates for those who would like to join our in-person SDL sessions and our field trip:
- For Three (3) SDL locations/in-person sessions: additional ₱1,500.00,
- Selected SDL location/in-person session: ₱600 per location per session
For those who are part of the Launchpad program:
- Portfolio Mentoring: additional ₱1,000 per month per mentor
- Apprenticeship Mentoring: additional ₱1,000 per month per mentor
- Business Start-up Mentoring: additional ₱1,000 per month per mentor
For those who would like to know more about our fee breakdown and how to pay in terms throughout the block, please visit our fees page or click here. Please note that if the number of classes you choose includes a .5 value(e.g. 3.5, 6.5, and so on), it is rounded up.
MEMBERSHIP PROCESS
- If you have any questions or clarifications about the program, you may email us at abottalahigh@gmail.com or launchpadsde@gmail.com.
- You may register for the block HERE.
- Expect an email to confirm your registration. Please note that we’ll be processing registrations from Monday to Friday 9:30 am-4:00 pm only. If your teen submits the form beyond that window, please expect an email the day after.
- Set a family meeting (for new members only) and choose your preferred meeting schedule HERE.
- Expect your invoice and our bank details via email. Please note that invoices will also be processed from Monday to Friday 9:30 am – 4:30 pm as well.
- Once payment has been made (via online bank transfer, GCash or Paypal), please email our billing address a copy of your proof of payment. This is a very important step because this allows us to trace payments.
- After we’ve received a copy of your proof of payment, an invitation to our Slack workspace will be sent to your teen so they can start to get to know the community through the non-class channels. We will also add your teen to his/her class channels on Slack.
For more photos of our past activities, visit our Instagram accounts here: www.instagram.com/abottalahigh/ and www.instagram.com/atlaunchpad/
For more information, send an email to abottalahigh@gmail.com or launchpadsde@gmail.com or call/send a message to 0915-2864494.
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