INTRODUCTION
According to the PISA 2002 assessment, the Philippines ranked among the lowest in reading comprehension, with an average score of 347, significantly below the OECD average of 498. Only 24 percent of Filipino students attained Level 2 proficiency or higher in reading, which was just a third of the OECD average of 74 percent. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve reading literacy in the Philippines, especially for younger students, including those in Grade 6. Traditional teaching methods that focus on rote memorization and lecture-based instruction are common in the Philippines, potentially leading to low engagement and lack of deeper understanding among students (Salvador & Magno, 2020). There’s a growing need for innovative approaches that tap into students’ natural love of storytelling and foster a deeper understanding of text. This gap in performance points to underlying issues in the teaching and learning processes.
A recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS, 2022) found that Filipino students often struggle with comprehension, particularly in understanding the complex texts. This struggle is often attributed to factors like limited access to quality reading materials and a lack of emphasis on active reading strategies in traditional classrooms. The current educational landscape faces a pressing need to enhance reading comprehension skills, particularly among middle school students.
Addressing diverse learning needs: S.T.R.I.D.E recognizes that students learn in different ways. By incorporating a variety of storytelling techniques, the intervention can cater to diverse learning styles and create more inclusive learning environment. It accommodates various learning styles through storytelling, incorporates cultural relevance by including diverse narratives, and adapts to different reading levels with differentiated materials. This approach builds empathy and social skills by allowing students to understand different perspectives, fosters creativity and critical thinking through imaginative engagement, and keeps students motivated with interactive activities. Overall, S.T.R.I.D.E creates an inclusive and supportive learning environment that enhances literacy skills and promotes a love for reading.
This action research aims to address the critical challenge of reading comprehension by introducing a unique and engaging intervention that leverages the power of storytelling. S.T.R.I.D.E offers a promising approach to enhance reading comprehension for 6th grade learners, fostering a deeper understanding of text, a love of reading, and a more engaging learning experience. Where the clear goal to enhance reading comprehension by using the S.T.R.I.D.E approach, which aligns with the goals of the Phil-IRI by providing engaging and effective strategies to help students improve their reading skills. By incorporating storytelling, imagination, depth, and engagement, your approach addresses the diverse needs of students and helps them achieve better reading comprehension outcomes, as measured by tools like the Phil-IRI.
https://doi.org/10.65494/pinagpalapublishing.203
