Project BAMBOO: An Instructional Package for Beginning Readers of a Public Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Reading is one of the most important skills that learners should acquire because it serves as a vehicle in learning other learning areas. This prompted the teacher-researchers to find a way to make oral reading easy for the beginning readers through the use of appropriate reading materials and techniques in teaching reading.

METHODS

This study utilized the descriptive-qualitative method in determining the effect of the localized and teacher-made reading materials dubbed as BAMBOO (Basic Accessible Materials for Beginners, Open-Minded and Oriented) in getting the interest of the beginning readers in reading.The researchers used different reading materials such as Bingo Basa, Siit ng Pantig, Luksong Salita, Tulay ng Salita at Bingwit Salita. These materials were written in Tagalog syllables, words, phrases, and sentences; integrated with photos and images; and hand-written in the indigenous material of the municipality-bamboo.

Pupils were selected through pre-reading assessments. Thirty (30) out of one hundred sixty-five (165) pupils of Grade Two belong to beginning readers. They were subjected to this reading intervention. This was conducted during the first and second quarter of SY 2018-2019 during the time of Power It Up.

RESULTS

Project BAMBOO was utilized in reading. The researchers exerted much effort to make all the materials used in this project possible. Through this project, pupils enjoyed much reading while learning.

Out of thirty pupils who underwent this study, 87% of them or twenty-six out of thirty pupils improved their reading level. Pupils' reading level was categorized as frustration, instructional, and independent. The result revealed that 4 or 13% of the pupils belong to the frustration level, 15 or 50% of them belong to the instructional level, and 11 or 37% of the pupils are now independent readers. The result showed the effectiveness of the Project BAMBOO towards improving the reading level of the pupils.

DISCUSSIONS

Project BAMBOO was really effective in improving the reading level and in boosting pupils' interest towards reading. It is a complete instructional materials package suitable to primary pupils.It helped them developed interest and love for reading. Intermediate teachers may also use these materials to their pupils who still belong to frustrated readers and may also conduct parallel study on improving pupils' reading level.