In Montessori De Sagrada Familia (MDSF), the school administration and the language teachers believe in the importance of reading as a transformative skill. As a learning institution, MDSF has been aiming to produce graduates who are not only leaders but also readers.
This pandemic disallows the students to experience going to the school library to read books that will satisfy their curiosity and will provide them a means to relax and enjoy their breaks. However, MDSF shed light on those students who missed seeing physical books in the library through its subscription to Scholastic Education. One of its services is the Scholastic Learning Zone (SLZ) that allows the students to determine their reading level after taking the Literacy Pro Pre-test and read various ebooks according to their reading level, interest, and preferred genre. SLZ is not only for the bookworms but also for those who would like to spare their time to read and to look for the answers to their inquiries. Through SLZ, the school would like to foster a passion for reading among the students.
Why invest in reading? Let us read some thoughts from the MDSF faculty.
In SLZ, there are a lot of interactive and colorful ebooks that could be enjoyed by preschoolers. From the perspective of Ma’am Esperanza Manuel, the Preschool Department Head, reading develops early literacy skills needed by the children to succeed in school. “Reading and exploring these e-books [in the SLZ] also ignites the spark in our children’s ingenuity, stimulates their curiosity, and helps their social skills and communication skills develop more,” she added.
Aside from stories, students can also access non-fiction books in the SLZ that can be used by the students as sources of information. Sir Melchor Cruz, Subject Area Supervisor in English in the Elementary Department, encouraged the students to read more because it develops their critical thinking and activates their brains. “Reading books is so important because it allows us to learn various subjects from various sources which makes us learned and scholarly. It also improves our memory vis-a-vis develops our thoughts. Likewise, it gives us endless learnings and keeps our minds definitely active,” he explained.
Ma’am Vina Minorka Angeles, the Subject Area Supervisor in English in the High School Department, discussed that reading promotes imaginative and reflective thinking among the students. “Reading is a dynamic process that allows students to have meaningful learning experiences. On the one hand, it promotes deeper introspection to oneself. On the other hand, as reading develops independent thinking, students gain a wider perspective of our society,” she mentioned.
Meanwhile, Sir Juim Abanag, one of the English and Research teachers in the High School Department, noted that reading widens the vocabulary and improves the comprehension of the students. Furthermore, he enunciated that reading also provides the students with facts that will make them culturally aware and sensitive. In SLZ, students can read books that feature various cultures in the world. “Through reading, students can understand cultures. From their understanding, they will learn to be sensitive and to respect others’ diversity,” he discussed.
Reading has been an important skill not only in language learning but also in honing individuals into their better selves. Reading does not only make someone learn but it can also create individuals who can make a difference in the world.