Catch up friday learning program as learning introduction to address learning gaps

By Josephine E. Barquilla

Today we now have access to a diverse range of reading materials, including books, periodicals, newspapers, comics, and the most recent e-books. We still don’t make it a habit to read. A recent survey found that the majority of citizens do not read very much. In our modern era, in order to become a successful person or a top-tier student, we must first acquire appropriate knowledge and perspective. Instead, residents in industrialized countries such as Russia, China, Japan, Korea, and Australia are increasing their knowledge and information. First and foremost, reading is an excellent way for us to expand our knowledge. It is undeniable that bookstores are now swamped with a variety of reading materials covering a wide range of topics. Reading a variety of book genres allows us to diversify our perspectives. For example, we can always read publications or books to get expertise and information on specific topics. Magazines and other educational books provides a massive amount of information about science and the most recent technologies. Those who are interested in technology will have the opportunity to have a thorough understanding of the subject, which will help them land a good employment in the future. Aside from that, reading allows us to stay up with the current happenings in the globe. Additionally, reading helps us improve our linguistic skills. It has become an undeniable fact that the majority of people around the world are not fluent in English, an international language. This is because they prefer to communicate in their native language. Unfortunately, they do not understand the value of English. In order to master the language, we must develop the habit of reading. Reading introduces us to a thousand and one terms that are rarely used in speech but may come in handy while writing. Persons who do not read much will struggle with essay writing since they lack the necessary writing skills.

As a result, now is the time to make reading a priority.

The school realized the importance of cultivating a reading culture early on, so DEAR Day became a celebration of storytelling, imagination, and the limitless possibilities that books provide. Each school kept a careful check on student involvement and development throughout the DEAR day. Regular feedback sessions with teachers helped identify successful practices and areas for improvement, ensuring an ongoing commitment to making future Catch-Up Fridays even more effective. The school looks forward to building on this initiative and exploring further opportunities for inclusive and effective learning experiences as outlined in the educational directives set by DepEd.

Catch Up Fridays, as per DepEd Order No. 001 Series of 2024, began on January 12, 2024, with an orientation session followed by the first day of activities. The program seeks to give additional support and learning opportunities for students who may have had difficulties during the previous academic year, ensuring that they have the required skills to succeed. Similarly, to strengthen the fundamental education priorities established in the MATATAG Agenda and accelerate the achievement of education targets set forth in DepEd Order (DO) No. 013, s. The 2023 title, Adoption of the National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP), emphasizes the importance of Values, Health, and Peace Education. Values education remains a priority in accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 11476, Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC), and the Values Education Act, which acknowledges the critical role of youth in nation-building. The urgency for Peace Education is a prompt response to the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, which reveal that bullying remains a pervasive problem in public schools, and the need for Filipino learners as global citizens to acquire and strengthen peace competencies, allowing them to become peacemakers and advocates in their individual communities, whereas Health Education necessitates more advocacy to maintain learners’ general health and well-being.

The day began with a complete orientation session for kids, parents, and educators at the school. The first day stressed the importance of Catch Up Fridays in closing academic gaps and creating a good learning environment. During the orientation, the objectives, schedules, and activities for Catch Up Fridays were discussed. Parents were advised on the curriculum, teaching methods, and expected results for their children. Teachers reviewed personalized learning plans suited to each student’s specific requirements and gave resources to help home-based learning. Following the orientation, the students headed to their separate classrooms to begin the inaugural Catch Up Fridays session. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm as educators implemented engaging activities to assess students’ current academic standing and identify areas that needed more attention. Teachers used a variety of instructional strategies, such as interactive discussions, group activities, and one-on-one consultations, to accommodate diverse learning styles. Diagnostic evaluations were used to determine the learners’ competency levels in important topics. At the end of the day, a quick feedback session was held to elicit views from students through the use of Reflection journals. Initial observations and progress were examined, and any issues identified were addressed immediately. This feedback method is critical to the adaptive aspect of Catch Up Fridays, ensuring that the program remains attentive to the students’ changing needs. The introduction and first day of Catch Up Fridays marked a successful beginning for this effort. With a solid foundation built on comprehensive planning, devoted instructors, and active participation from students and parents, the program is ready to have a beneficial impact on children’s academic journeys this the academic year.

Recognizing the individuality of each student’s learning approach, we classified students based on their reading levels. This thoughtful categorization enabled the school to tailor activities, ensuring that every student could participate in meaningful learning experiences on Catch-Up Friday. On Catch-Up Friday, schools paused regular classes to immerse the entire school in a reading-focused day. The DEAR day provided an opportunity for each kid, regardless of reading proficiency, to have a personalized plan for the day centered on the joy of reading. Activities were planned to meet the children’ reading levels. For novices, comfortable reading areas with bright picture books were built. Intermediate readers engaged in group reading sessions, while advanced readers were assigned more difficult topics. Teachers gave support suited to each student’s reading level throughout the day. In addition to academic catch-up, Catch-Up Friday aims to promote a love of reading.