Reading in Filipino: Oras Na Para Sa Alpabasa

Alpabasa is a curriculum that teaches reading in Filipino. This is
something I haven't heard of before because most reading materials that
I've encountered are in English. But this video shows how public school
kids can learn to read in 18 days using the Alpabasa methodology. I
believe in their system because I taught Rainie and Sunnie how to read
in a manner similar to this but I did it using gut-feel. It's amazing
that they have a methodology and curriculum that can be replicated
many times over. Please click the link and like their video on Youtube.
They're applying for a grant so they can bring Alpabasa to more
schools and the video likes is equivalent to 20% of their final score. I
believe that children, especially Filipino children, should have an
equal opportunity to broaden their horizons and spread their wings
through learning. I know you do to. If we support these kinds of
endeavors, we can someday create a caring community that looks out for
good learning materials that would be useful and enjoyable for our
children. 

Book #1: When Zero Left Number Land

I have been meaning to write about books for children.  Not as an endorsement but as a way of imparting resource materials that might be useful to parents who want to be active in educating their children.  And as a mom who almost always gave in to read-me-a-story requests or teach-me-how-to-read activities, I have seen how my kids progressed from single-letter readers to book finishers.  

I have a love affair with children's literature.  I have enjoyed every moment reading short stories for kids.  As a single woman, I have cherished the times I volunteered as a storyteller for Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines.  Seeing children's eyes light up with every story has become a very rewarding experience for me.  When I became pregnant, I started reading stories to my still unborn baby.  And I never stopped. Booksale and National Bookstore became my favorite go-to place.  I have learned to reward my kids with books. And books became their favorite pasalubong.  I became a fan of Filipino authors and illustrators.  Book-shopping became a must in almost all mall visit. 

I'll start with this post.  I would want to share a book I've found interesting.  I hope you'll share one too.  This is in the hope that we'll eventually create a caring community that encourages reading and love of learning.  

TITLE: When Zero Left Number Land

AUTHOR: Maita Songco Salvador

ILLUSTRATOR: Iori Espiritu

PUBLISHER: Adarna Books

LANGUAGE: English and Filipino

WHERE I BOUGHT IT: Adarna House, 109 Scout Fernandez cor Scout Torillo Sts

Brgy Sacred Heart, Quezon City, Philippines

AGE-APPROPRIATENESS: 6-7 years old (good for kids who are learning how to count beyond 10)

SUMMARY:

When Zero Left Number Land is a story written as a poem.  It narrates how Zero decided to leave Number Land when his fellow numbers rallied against him because they thought he's a number of no value. The same bunch convinced him to come back when they realized that they badly need him.

I think every concept becomes easier to digest when it's explained through a story.  When Zero Left Number Land points out a simple mathematical premise - that zero is a number that's very much needed to progress counting after nine.

Happy reading!