Reading is of utmost importance, thus, kids should be encouraged to read early. I grew up with bookworms...my grandparents, Dad and Mama, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I still remember us swapping books and reading them at night or on weekends. That's how I built my vocabulary and gained knowledge beyond the textbooks provided by the schools I attended. When I was in college, I would save up my stipend and find a good read. The other scholars opted to spend their stipend on a new shirt or some fancy food but I would trek to the bookstore and buy me one good title. Each book that I bought was my "gold medal". I just loved the feel of every page and voraciously bore into every book or reading matter I could lay my hands on. I still have that feeling and excitement every time a new book is added to my library.
A lot of students now don't have that much interest. They would rather spend time exploring their cellphones and other gadgets, checking out the latest app. Their comprehension and spelling have deteriorated. Well, how can these kids spell if they don't read? If they don't read,they can't come across words. So they end up challenged. Some get failing grades due to online addiction ( facebook, twitter, games, ...). I pity the parents who come with a litany of their woes and sacrifices just to send these off-track kids to school and a stream of tears to find out their kids had spent more time in computer shops rather than their classes. The result? Some of the online games made the students develop unwanted skills...skills to destroy, kill or steal ( the very skills the devil has). Sometimes, these skills seep through their being, resulting to violent incidents, misdemeanors on or off campus.
I always tell my students to read, read, read. There is a wide array of things to peruse. As what Francis Bacon wrote in his essay "Of Studies": some books are to be tasted, others are to be swallowed and a few to be chewed and digested.
With my advocacy for teaching reading to the young, I finally realized my dream of having a Read-Along Project last February 22. I tagged along with me the members of my team, INCAT Natan-ok, to the first recipient of my project : Brgy. 6 Day Care Center in Laoag City with the approval of Bgy. Captain Marlon Blanco (my brother). We shared stories, songs and dances. The team members distributed books and toys and made the kids happy with some donuts and juice.
The main purpose was to let the kids know that reading is fun. Once reading is enjoyed, it becomes a part of one's existence. What a person reads can shape him and his future.
Read,read,read!
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| He wanted them all! |
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| toys,toys,toys |
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| Vanni,Alpha, Kaye and Teacher Ritchelle (SkyBlue) |
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| Kaye, Hilario and Carlo dancing with the kids |
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| John Mark in deep thought while kids listen to the stories |
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| Christie reads " The Very Hungry Caterpillar" |
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| Kids enjoying the break |
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| Denver distributes the snacks |
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| sip,sip,sip |
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| Teacher Ritchelle of INCAT and Mrs. Juan of Bgy. 6 Day Care Center |
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| All smiles after a good read-along session |
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| Teacher Ritchelle with her team. (L-R) Carlo,Giovanni, Denver,Christie,Hilario, Reinier, Erwin, Kaye, John Mark,Alpha, Genghis and AJ |
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| Kaye and little sweetheart |
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| SkyBlue with pupils of Bgry. 6 Day Care Center |
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| The INCAT Natan-ok Team warming up with the kids |
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| Leighton and Chris |
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| Carlo interprets the very hungry caterpillar |
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| Reinier clicks on |
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| Teacher Ritchelle hands the books to Mrs. Juan, Day Care teacher |
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| Alpha with her fans |
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| The Team in action |
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| Starting 'em young. |
copyright(C)ritchelleblancodejolde 2013
