ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES DURING CATCH – UP FRIDAYS

EDWINA MARIZ L. GUEVARRA

The Department of Education (DepEd) recently initiated Catch-Up Fridays to enhance learners' academic performance, especially in reading. This initiative targets students classified as frustration readers, aiming to concentrate efforts on improving their reading abilities. Instead of extending remedial classes for one to two hours, educators now dedicate entire Fridays to this purpose.

Teachers have noticed the necessity of grouping students based on their reading proficiency into three categories – independent readers, instructional readers, and frustration readers – to effectively tailor their programs. They also have the flexibility to employ an integrative teaching approach, using the subject matter to bolster students' reading skills.

The primary focus of Catch-Up Fridays is on enriching students' reading abilities, fostering an inclusive environment for those struggling with reading. These activities not only strengthen reading skills but also promote deeper engagement with the content, encouraging critical thinking and analysis. As teachers, it is essential to establish best practices in developing learners’ skills in reading. Learning activities during the implementation of Catch – Up Fridays comprises of various performance task that focuses on reading enhancement of learners such as Read Aloud, Choral Reading, Game – Based Reading Activities, independent reading and the like.

The power of encouraging learners to read is really a significant role of every teacher. It is therefore important to sustain the inspiring practices of teachers to achieve the holistic development of our young learners especially in achieving basic literacy.

-oOoTHE AUTHOR IS TEACHER III AT SAN ANTONIO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROPER