Literacy Month in the Primary Levels

by: Mrs. Lorna Tayag, Kinder Class Adviser

        Last October 7, 2019, the Primary Grades of Xavier School Nuvali concluded its month-long celebration of Literacy Month. This year’s theme, “Into the Reading-verse” encouraged our young readers to explore different genres that will not only broaden their learning horizons but also heighten their reading experience. 

        Activities such as DEAR time, Book Talks, Book Trade, and Book Cart gave the students a chance to share their favorite stories and genres to each other, and consequently persuade others to try out different types or genres of books. Through the Parent Storytelling and Lunch-a-Story events, parents and teachers alike were also to promote love for reading by holding story-telling sessions using fun and creative methods like the use of puppets, costumes, music, role-play, etc. The students were thrilled to have their parents and teachers act and/or voice out scenes or from the featured stories. 

        One important objective of our “Into the Reading-verse” theme is to be able to provide everyone access to the “reading-verse.” A fun run and book drive aptly entitled “A Book for Everyone” allowed our students to do this by sharing their pre-loved books with children in Mangumit Elementary School, Vesta Plain Day Care, Mayapa Elementary School, and the children of our Alta Serve maintenance personnel. 

        Another highlight of the Lit Month festivities were the grade level performances which were held during Monday general assemblies, the Appreciation Day Program, and the “Into the Reading-verse” culminating program. Grade 3 set the bar high with their reader’s theater performance of an excerpt from the book, “James and the Giant Peach” during our launch last September 16. Grades 1 and 2 amazed their teachers and schoolmates, and made the Appreciation Day doubly memorable for the Primary School community with their choral presentation of “The Three Little Pigs” and reader’s theater performance of “The Story of Creation” respectively. And of course, the Kinder students “meowed” their way to their audience’s hearts through their chorale presentation of “The Three Little Kittens” by Paul Galdone during the “Into the Reading-verse” culminating program. 

        Literacy Month 2019-2020 ended with a literal bang lead by our Cat in the Hat drummer, Mrs. Domingo and our whistle-wielding Maleficent, Mrs. Garcia as the children paraded in their costumes, most of which are creatively made from repurposed materials by their parents. Teachers and students in the Kinder level were dressed as the characters in “The Three Little Kittens” by Paul Galdone. The Grade One students and teachers wore costumes inspired by characters in fantasy stories. Legends and myths are the theme for Grade 2’s costumes while Grade 3’s costumes evoked action and adventure. 

        This year’s Literacy Month celebrations have truly drawn everyone involved “into the reading-verse” and it is definitely safe to say that the whole XSN is looking forward to what next year’s Lit Month will hold for everyone.