The Impact of Community involvement in the Improvement of Reading Comprehension of Grade 2 Pupils at Buck Estate Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

When K-12 curriculum was introduced, the teaching of English as one of the learning areas started in the third grading period for Grade 1 pupils. Phonics is taught in this stage unlike in the previous curriculum where phonics is taught in the first grading period. The teaching of reading continues in the next grade level. It is expected that at the end of Grade 3, pupils should be able to read and comprehend. Non-readers are eliminated at an early age. To answer this problem, a reading program called Book in Bees was implemented at Buck Estate Elementary School. The program is focused on improving reading performance of 22 grade two pupils, particularly in word recognition. It is expected that the project will help the grade two pupils to read well in English by the end of Grade two.

METHODS

This action research is focused on the project Book in Bees which involved all teachers, PTA Officers, parents, and volunteers from the community. The research employed the use of the PHIL-IRI test which was administered to Grade II pupils. This tool is used to determine the respondents. The second was the survey form used to interview pupils as to what reading materials catch their interests most. Then the last one is Monitoring Tool designed by the adviser used in the Pre Test and Post Test to determine pupils’ growth in reading comprehension.

RESULTS

In the pre-assessment test, twenty (22) pupils were at the frustration level. This has improved in the post-assessment test where only 3 pupils were in frustration level, 11 in instructional level and 8 pupils in the independent level.

DISCUSSIONS

Pupils were given a pre-assessment comprehension check-up, as well as a post-assessment test, designed by the adviser. The same comprehension assessment given on a pre-test was given on the post-test comprehension assessment to observe students progress throughout the project.