Reading and Pagbasa Month, Children's Month, and Values Month
Celebration
Ampon National High School celebrated a month-long joint observance of Reading
and Pagbasa Month, Children's Month, and Values Month. The celebration aimed to promote the
love for reading, instill positive values, and highlight the significance of children's rights and
well-being. With a range of activities that engaged students, teachers, and stakeholders, the event
successfully created a culture of reading and values formation. The activities included Project
DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), Reading Pantries, Spelling Bee, Slogan-Making Contest,
Choral Reading, Storytelling, Vocal Duet competitions, and a grand book parade. These events
encouraged active student participation, collaborative learning, and creativity.
Kick-off Activities
To jumpstart the month-long celebration, a vibrant kick-off event was held. Students
brought their favorite books to class and enthusiastically shared them with their classmates,
explaining the reasons behind their choices. This sharing activity allowed students to showcase
their love for specific books and inspired their peers to explore new stories. Moreover, the
"Reading Buddy" system was launched, where students were paired with classmates to read and
discuss books together. This initiative fostered peer support and promoted collaborative learning.
Another key highlight of the kick-off was the introduction of Project DEAR (Drop
Everything and Read). During this activity, students paused their regular tasks at a specific time
to engage in focused reading. They were free to choose any reading material, fostering a sense of
autonomy and intrinsic motivation to read. This simple yet impactful activity helped instill a
daily reading habit among students.
Sustainable Reading Pantries
As part of the long-term vision for reading development, Reading Pantries were set up
in each classroom. These pantries served as mini-libraries, stocked with various books and
reading materials that students could access at any time. By making books readily available,
students were encouraged to read regularly and independently. Furthermore, students were
invited to contribute books to their class pantry, fostering a sense of ownership and
responsibility.
To ensure continuous engagement, a Reading Log was implemented. This tracking tool
allowed both students and teachers to monitor reading progress, providing insight into students'
reading preferences and habits. What makes this initiative even more remarkable is its
sustainability. The Reading Pantry project is designed to continue beyond the celebration month,
creating a lasting reading culture within the school community.
Pre-Culmination Activities
As the celebration progressed, students eagerly prepared for the highly anticipated pre-
culmination activities. These events were designed to challenge students’ creativity, critical
thinking, and literacy skills. Among the most engaging events were the Spelling Bee and the
Slogan-Making Contest.
The Spelling Bee tested students' spelling accuracy and vocabulary skills, encouraging them to
master essential language concepts. Meanwhile, the Slogan-Making Contest required students to
craft compelling messages related to the themes of Reading Month, Children's Month, and
Values Month. This activity not only honed students' literacy skills but also inspired them to
reflect on the importance of reading, children's rights, and moral values.
Culmination Day
After weeks of preparation and excitement, the culmination day marked the grand finale
of the month-long celebration. The day's events began with a colorful Book Parade, where
students and teachers showcased their creativity by dressing up as their favorite book characters.
From classic fairy tale figures to modern literary heroes, the parade featured a vivid array of
characters, capturing the attention of the school and the surrounding community.
With great enthusiasm, the students and teachers paraded from the school, marched
through the community streets, and returned to the school grounds. This symbolic walk aimed to
promote the value of reading within the community, allowing parents, guardians, and local
residents to witness the school's commitment to literacy development. The book parade also
highlighted the students' growing love for books and storytelling.
Following the lively parade, students showcased their talents, creativity, and teamwork
through a series of competitions. The main events of the day included:
1. Choral Reading Competition – Groups of students performed synchronized readings of
literary pieces, showcasing their oral fluency, unity, and dramatic expression. This event
required precision and collaboration, as students worked together to achieve a
harmonious presentation.
2. Storytelling Competition – Students captivated the audience by narrating engaging tales
with vivid expressions and captivating delivery. This event aimed to enhance students'
public speaking skills, confidence, and love for literature.
3. Vocal Duet Competition – Pairs of students performed musical renditions that reflected
themes of values and culture. This competition encouraged musicality, collaboration, and
self-expression.
Each event was met with excitement and encouragement from teachers, classmates,
and parents. The sense of camaraderie was palpable as students cheered for their peers and
celebrated each other's accomplishments. To add even more anticipation to the event, the
announcement of the Best Reading Pantry Award became the highlight of the day. This special
award recognized the most well-maintained, resourceful, and creative reading pantry among the
classrooms. The recognition motivated students and teachers to maintain and improve their
classroom pantries as sustainable learning spaces.
Reflection and Impact
The joint celebration of Reading and Pagbasa Month, Children's Month, and Values
Month at Ampon National High School successfully achieved its goals of promoting literacy,
values education, and children's welfare. By organizing interactive and meaningful activities, the
school fostered a love for reading, improved students' communication skills, and highlighted the
importance of values in daily life.
The impact of the Reading Pantry project, in particular, stands out as a lasting initiative
that will continue to benefit students beyond the celebration. This sustainable project ensures that
students have access to reading materials at any time, encouraging independent learning and self-
improvement. The use of Reading Logs added an extra layer of accountability, making it easier
to track students' reading progress and growth.
The Book Parade also left a lasting impression on students and the community.
Walking through the community dressed as book characters sent a powerful message about the
value of reading and how literature connects people from all walks of life. The support from the
community further reinforced the idea that reading is a shared responsibility.
Through competitions, shared learning experiences, and peer collaboration, students
developed confidence, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for literature and moral values. They
also learned the importance of teamwork and perseverance, which are essential life skills. The
month-long celebration became a platform for students to showcase their talents, discover new
books, and develop a sense of pride in their school and community.
The month-long celebration of Reading and Pagbasa Month, Children's Month, and
Values Month at Ampon National High School was a resounding success. From the initial
sharing of favorite books during the kick-off to the lively book parade and competitions on
culmination day, each activity contributed to a holistic learning experience. The sustainable
Reading Pantry project, Project DEAR, and the Reading Buddy system ensure that the love for
reading will continue to flourish beyond the celebration. By instilling a love for literature,
reinforcing positive values, and promoting children's rights, the celebration became a powerful
testament to the school's commitment to holistic student development.
