"Project Torch" (Three O' Clock Reading Campaign Habit"): A Reading Program to Improve the Reading Skills of Grades – 1 to 3 Pupils at Julian D. Luna Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Reading is an essential skill for learners in English. For most learners, it is the most important skill to master in order to ensure success in learning. With strengthened reading skills, learners of English tend to make the greater process in other areas of language learning. Reading should be an active, fluent process that involves the reader and the reading material in building meaning.

This project was conducted to improve the reading skills of Grades 1 to 3 pupils of Julian D. Luna Elementary School through the implementation of the Project TORCH. The output of this project is the result of the Post Oral ReadingAssessment.

METHODS

This is descriptive research that aims to assess the effectiveness of Project TORCH in enhancing reading abilities among Grades 1 to 3 pupils. The respondents of the study are all the Grades 1 to 3 pupils who have a poor reading level or those that are slow, very slow, and struggling readers.

The researcher used data gathering procedures. The result of the District Oral Reading Assessment for School Year 2017 -2018 was the basis of assessing the reading level of the subjects of the study. It served as the baseline data of their reading level. After applying the solutions, the researchers conducted the Post Oral Reading Assessment to determine if there was an improvement in the reading skills of the pupils. The data gathered were tabulated, evaluated, and analyzed using percentage to identify the reading levels of the pupils.

RESULTS

There were 87 pupils with reading difficulties in English on the Pre Oral Reading Assessment from Grades 1 to 3 pupils.

It can be deduced from the table that the obtained difference between the pre-assessment and the post-assessment of the pupils' reading level is significant. This means that there is a great improvement on the reading skills of Grades 1 to 3 pupils.

DISCUSSIONS

The results demonstrate that more than one half of the total enrolment of each class had reading difficulties based on the Pre Oral Reading Assessment. Project TORCH was implemented to address the needs of the pupils in enhancing their reading skills. The Post Reading Assessment revealed that after implementing the project, there was an increase in the level of their reading performance.

Since Project TORCH was found effective in teaching reading, teachers are encouraged to use this program in remedial reading instructions especially for Grades I-III pupils.