Wednesday, July 30, 2008

"Learning to Read:Reading to Learn"

ARMM Beginning Reading Program promotes "Learning to Read:Reading to Learn". The key points in the program are:
- an understanding that learning to read also involves writing, speaking and listening skills
- assessment of the students' reading skills as an ongoing activity
- monitoring of the program to support the implementation
- the principles of teaching and learning for early childhood
- the use of literature as well as phonics
- encouraging a whole-school approach to supporting and development of reading
- strong support from the school community, district and division

Two pilot elementary schools in each division were selected for inclusion in the pilot, based on the following criteria:
  • reading was on their school improvement plan (SIP)
  • there was a strong support from the school head
  • there was a supportive local community
  • they were in an EQuALLS2 barangay
  • they may have electricity

The program consists of two cycles of training with implementation of the strategies and monitoring between cycles, with a third cycle being the review and evaluation day. All Grade I teachers at the pilot school, their school head, the District Supervisor for the school and the Division Education Supervisor I (English) were included in the training to ensure knowledge and support for the teachers and the program.

The program will be extended to the Grade II teachers in the pilot schools in 2008 and a group of trainers were identified from among the Division NEPP trained Mentors. They were trained to deliver the 2 cycles of training and then support the teachers in their implementation through mentoring and school visits in their Division, while the District and Division Education Supervisors will monitor the program.

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