MindGym Philippines

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin

It’s 47 sleeps to go before your big day – the March 2012 LET.

For the few who chose to join MindGym’s Intensive Coaching for the LET, you are on track.  The General Education module drills that you will be taking on Saturday, January 28, 2012 may give you that extra confidence to face the LET’s very broad general education competencies, the signal for extra time and effort on doing the drills and reading more, or added push to focus on your LET target.  Make the most of the next three days to review for English, Math, Filipino, Social Studies, ICT, and Science so that when you see your scores you will have the feeling of having levelled up from the diagnostic test you took when you joined MindGym’s coaching for LET.  If you feel like needing reinforcement or even just the motivation to move on forward, call on your coaches or ask help from a friend or study buddy or get a hug from a loved one.  If you’re all by yourself (and this is almost impossible with all the social networks everyone has with the advent of the internet), talk to your cat or dog and its approval purrr or arf! arf!

For the many who are reviewing with other colleges, universities, and review centers, you should be on track as well.  If you want to experience our LET coaching at MindGym, you may register for our Final Coaching on February 24 to 26.  Registration will be until February 11.  Joining us for the final coaching will give you the extra boost to your LET confidence as our speakers give you some power refreshers for their subject expertise and the inspiration to pass and top LET as you listen to our LET topnotchers and special LET reviewees who were able to hurdle their challenges despite their odds.

For the many who continue to canvass from us and remain at a lost as to where they will start their LET preparation, you should be working up you knowledge, skills, and minds NOW.  With the commitment of MindGym to help determined LET takers to pass this March, the creativity of coaches to make time for special sessions, and some remaining modules still to be conducted, you still have relatively enough time to prepare.  Here are some MindGym options for “crammers”:

Option 1: Catch up with Professional Education module to start on January 29, Majorship weekend on February 18 and 19, and Final Coaching on the last weekend on February.  You may opt to either: a) pay for the materials for Warm-ups and General Education or b) materials for ProfEd, majorship and final coaching only.  This comes with a FREE diagnostic test.

Option 2: Self-review using whatever reviewers you have and register for our Final Coaching.  Under this option, get a FREE diagnostic test from to help direct your review.

Option 3: For the very disciplined and self-propelled LET taker, try our online LET review at www.myreviewcoach.com for only P 2,950.  Study the review materials and do all the drills at your own time and pace for at least 4 hours a day.  If you decide to take this option, we’d also be happy to have you at our Final Coaching.  We have a special discount package available for this option.

Option 4: If you only need brushing up or enrichment in particular subjects, we have one-on-one coaching at MindGym.  Your coaching package cost will depend on your needs, the time needed to coach you, and the subject matter that you need coaching on.  Friendly MindGym rates would apply.  Prior appointment is needed.

There’s still 960 hours (assuming that you take a rest a week before LET) on your hands to prepare for LET.  Reviewing for at least 4 hours a day is realistically possible.  It only means foregoing the movies, the shopping, and the online social network sites which have been proven time wasters for many students.

Act now.  Increase your chances of passing the LET.  Target to pass LET on first take.  Face LET stronger as a retaker.  And realize your dream of getting your PRC teaching license this Year of the Dragon.

Let us help you with your LET target.  Contact 437-5880 or email: mindgym.inc@gmail.com or post at FaceBook page: mindgym philippines

You have only 82 days left before the March 11, 2012 LET date.

Give yourself a bigger chance of passing or even topping the LET by preparing early:

• Retrieve your books, notes, reviewers, and other references.
• Start planning your review schedule this Christmas season.
• If you haven’t yet registered at PRC, it’s time you go there soonest to avoid the last day rush.

Also, if you are still canvassing for a LET review center that will help you succeed in LET, why not try MindGym Philippines?

To help prospective LET takers, MindGym gives FREE diagnostic or LET readiness tests to interested parties. Call 437-5880 or text 0927-8770800 (your name, school, major, and if first timer or retaker; date of visit).

Enjoy MindGym’s interactive, fun, and effective intensive coaching for the LET as MindGym coaches (LET topnotchers and high raters) lead you through LET competencies in a 17-day session every Saturday and Sunday, to start January 7 until the end of February.

Just in case, if studying at your own pace and time, whether by yourself and in the confines of your home or office, our online review at MyReviewCoach might be more viable for you.

Whether it’s self-review, live coaching, or online study — START NOW!

1. Which among the following is a mood disorder?

A. Bipolar disorder

B. Obsessive/compulsive disorder

C. Phobias

D. Selective mutism

2. It is the placement of a disabled child who is enrolled in a special class, in a regular school, where a student could participate in some activities with nondisabled peers.

A. Normalization

B. Mainstreaming

C. Integration

D. Inclusion

3. This is the inability or loss of ability to manipulate arithmetic symbols and do mathematical calculations

A. Congenital Arithmetic Disorder

B. Gerstman Syndrome

C. Dyscalculla

D. Acalculla

4. It states: “Where needs warrant, there shall be at least one special class in every province, and if possible, special schools for the physically handicapped, the mentally retarded, the emotionally disturbed and the specially gifted. The private sectors shall be given all the necessary inducement and encouragement.”

A. Declaration of the Rights of the Mentally Retarded

B. Education Act of 1982 (Batas Pambansa 232)

C. Child and Youth Welfare Code (PD 603)

D. Rights of the Disabled

5. This is defined as any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.

A. Abnormality

B. Disability

C. Handicap

D. Impairment

Do you find doing  our drills helpful?  For this post, we’ll start with Professional Education.  But, before we do that, you may check your answers yesterday.

Of all parts of the Professional Education module, questions on the principles of teaching should be the easiest—they are mostly situations which ask for your appropriate response as a teacher. Try out these questions to see how prepared you are for the LET and for teaching:

1. Which is a sound classroom management practice?

A. Establish routines for all daily needs and tasks.

B. Avoid establishing routines; routines make your student robots.

C. Apply reactive approach to discipline.

D. Apply rules and policies on a case to case basis.

2. To encourage class participation, which should the teacher NEVER do?

A. Call on non-volunteers to recite.

B. Ask non-directed questions.

C. Pose high-level questions.

D. Reject a student’s response at once.

3. For which may you use the direct instruction method?

A. Become aware of the pollutants around us

B. Appreciate Milton’s Paradise Lost

C. Use a microscope properly

D. Distinguish war from aggression

4. Which activity should I use when I want to generate possible topics for panel discussion?

A. Task group

B. Forum

C. Debate

D. Brainstorming

5. Which statement on “wait time” is CORRECT?

A. Wait time turns off slow thinking students.

B. The higher the level of the question the longer the wait time.

C. Wait time discourages the brighter group of students.

D. For quality response, “what and why” questions require equal wait time.

Answers to DAY 7’s LET questions for social dimensions of education:

1. C. Emphasis on religious instruction

2. B. Existentialism

3. A. Confucius

4. A. No, only elementary education is compulsory.

5. D. teachers in the tertiary level.

Here’s more for Math majors from Glenn Gilongos.  Other majors can learn by doing these drills, too.  Answers below.

1.  How many minutes after 2:07 pm will the hands of the clock form 126 degrees for the first time?

2.  A can do a job in 8 hrs while B can do the same in 10 hrs. A has already worked for 1 hr when B came and together they worked for another 40 mins. A left B, how many more minutes will B finish the remaining work?

3.  Find the equation of the line that passes thru pt (8,6) that will make the triangle (formed by the line and the positive x and y axes) with the minimum area.

4.  Find the domain and range: y = sqrt(12 + x – x^2)

5.  What is the area bounded by y = x^2 + 4 and y = 20?

Answers to September 18 drills:

1.  42
2.  117/125
3.  22
4.  (2x^4 – 3y^6 + 5x^2y^3)(2x^4 – 3y^6 – 5x^2y^3)
5.  4 2/3 days

Answers to the above drills:

1.  26 9/11 mins
2.  435 mins
3.  x/16 + y/12 = 1
4.  domain is [-3, 4] and range is [0, 7/2]
5.  256/3 sq units

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We’re now offering an online-based LET review. Click here to know more.

Here’s another set of Math questions to work with:

For September 2010 LET takers and other readers,  see how well you remembered your rules on subject-verb agreement with these exercises. Simply choose the correct verb.

1.  Everyone (has, have) done his/her homework.

2.  Many a child (dream, dreams) about becoming famous one day.

3.  Some of the water in the jug (is/are) gone.

4.  A number of people (grow, grows) tomatoes in their backyard.

5.  None of the students (has, have) done their Set B drills in Math.

6.  The number of flood relief volunteers (increase, increases) each day.

7.  There (is, are) two main reasons why they broke off.

8.  Aleli (is, are) one of those who (enjoy, enjoys) reading comic books.

9.  My glasses (was, were) on the bed.

10.  The pair of scissors (is, are) on the table.

11.  Our thanks (go, goes) to the MindGym coaches who unselfishli helped us review.

12.  Mumps (is, are) a contagious disease.

13.  Four and four (is, are) eight.

14.  The jury members (has, have) been arguing for three days.

15.  Thirty per cent of the students (is, are) in favor of attending classes at night.

16.  How (is, are) the neighbors taking the disturbing news?

17.  The teacher, together with her students, (has, have) prevented the fire from spreading throughout the building.

18.  Neither the actors nor the director (is, are) coming on time for taping.

19.  Some of the books (was, were) scattered on the floor when we arrived.

20.  Both (do, does) a good deal of work around the office.

Easy?

Here are the answers to the drills last 3 July:

1.  C

2.  D

3.  A

4.  D

5.  A

Today, give some literature-related items a try. Here’s an easy starter.

1. “Nothing happens in this world by chance, it is all part of a grand design.” The author speaks of one’s _________.
A. ambition
B. luck
C. destiny
D. dream

2. The Master said:
“Only one who bursts with eagerness do I instruct. Only one who bubbles with excitement do I enlighten.”

These lines give one the idea that true learning ________.

A. makes man a disciple of instruction
B. involves patience and a dash of lethargy
C. is capable of making man
D. comes with commitment and passion

3. Which of the following line is a simile?

A. “Holding wonder like a cup”
B. “Eyes that love you, arms that hold”
C. “Life has loneliness to sell”
D. “Buy it and never count the cost”

4. Read the following lines:

“Midnight, not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost its memory
She is smiling alone
In the lamp light the withered leaves
Collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan.

These lines means:

A. Confusion
B. Optimism
C. Eagerness
D. Loneliness

5. “Life is but a walking shadow, a pun player that struts and frets… And is heard no more.”

In this line, life is portrayed as:

A. Passing
B. Goes by stages
C. Has its end
D. eternal

Answers to yesterday’s (July 3) drills:
1. D
2. A
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. C
7. D
8. D
9. C
10. C

After the warm up drills in English, here’ s another round of multiple choice items to keep you going in your review for LET.

1. Wise people can _________ with frustrations.
A. cope up
B. cope on
C. cope in
D. cope

2. My grandpa had some “lucid moments” before he died. He was ____________.
A. thinking clearly
B. sad
C. confused
D. ambiguous

3. The measure of choosing well is whether or not a man likes what he __________.
A. has chosen
B. is choosing
D. choose
C. chose

4. All except this one word sounds like the “wh” in “when”?
A. While
B. Whole
D. Whiz
C. Whine

5. Which does not belong?
A. Foot
B. Kilometer
C. Centigrade
D. Mile

6. I saw a nasty _______ between two cars this morning.
A. happening
B. damage
C. accident
D. danger

7. What correction should be made to this sentence?

Most fire-related death’s result from household fires, yet many people do not have fire extinguishers in their homes.

A. Remove the comma after fires
B. Change result to results
C. Change have to has
D. Replace death’s with deaths

8. Which passage is expressed effectively and without structural error/s?
A. Having called the other students and they, the secretary went home.
B. Having called the other students and ourselves the secretary went home.
C. Having called the other students and we, the secretary went home.
D. Having called the other students and us, the secretary went home.

9. ________ not making the most of _____ opportunities.
A. You’re – you’re
B. You – your
C. You’re – your
D. You’re – you

10. The seatwork is difficult for Alfonso and _____
A. Myself
B. I
C. Me
D. Himself

Answers to yesterday’s (July 1) drills:
1. c
2. c
3. d
4. b
5. c

Are you taking the LET this September? How do you plan to go about reviewing? Are you reviewing by yourself? with a study partner? or with your college chums? Or are you currently attending a review class at MindGym or another center?

Do you know what specific topics to cover in your review? Which topics are your strengths? or weaknesses? Have you allocated time for a daily or weekly review? What review materials are accessible to you? Are these materials adequate and reliable?

It’s barely 3 months or 87 days to go before the 26 September 2010 LET (Licensure Examination for Teachers). By this time, you would have thought about or done your LET review plans. You may probably have started refreshing your stock knowledge with the use of a commercial reviewer, your old university references and notes or MindGym’s intensive coaching materials (if you’ve joined us last May 15). You may have received hand me down LET reviewers and study tips from family and friends. So the ball is in your hands.

The coaches at MindGym still have 2 groups of reviewees to coach starting July 17 and 18. Our reviewees would surely find reviewing effective, meaningful and fun — with us. Although we want to enable as many entry-level teachers aiming to pass the LET, we can not yet reach as far nor accommodate as much in our La Casa MIA center. We have yet to gather enough resources to meet varying demands of LET takers. We have yet to make our reviewers more attuned to a bigger and more heterogeneous group. We have yet to “clone” ourselves to make sure that our LET reviewers are cared for by equally committed newer and younger coaches.

In the meantime, we want to share what we have on hand, through this series of FREE online LET work outs — mainly for the benefit of the many aspiring teachers all over the country whose only means to hurdle the LET would be to self review and get a little guidance from their remote kapamilya at MindGym. May these workouts also serve all others reviewing for the LET in their journey towards becoming professional teachers.

This July 1, we’ll start what is supposedly the easiest subject for many LET takers: English.

For the LET, English would comprise 20% of the General Education (GenEd) competency or roughly 30 items. Based on the Professional Regulatory Commission Board of Professional Teachers — Table of Specifications for the LET), English would cover and have weights relative to total GenEd items as follows:

Study and thinking skills 6%

Writing in the discipline 5%

Speech and oral communication 3%

Philippine literature 4%

Master works of the world 2%

So, here’s the English quickie for today.

1. Your mother is paying for your plane ticket, ___________?

A. isn’t it C. isn’t she

B. is she D. aren’t you

2. The words “inappropriate, illegal, irresponsible, and unaware” have prefixes which are classified as _________.

A. positive C. negative

B. common D. neutral

3. Which among these words has the “z” end sound?

A. Maps C. Laughs

B. Jokes D. Buys

4. What figure of speech is in the following line from the poem “The Brook”?

The second time it was a tiny snake.”

A. Personification C. Simile

B. Metaphor D. Apostrophe

5. The person in the lines below could be characterized as __________.

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rage at close of day;

Raged, against the dying of the light.

-Dylan Thomas

A. pessimistic C. courageous

B. violent D. strong

We hope you find these exercises a good warm up for the succeeding MindGym work outs you’ll have to accomplish. Answers will be posted tomorrow.

What can you say about these warm up items in English?