Song for teaching poetry (Sayawit sa Pagtuturo Ng Tula)

The continuous decline in Filipino children’s reading and comprehension skills has become alarming, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports from the OECD and World Bank show that a large percentage of students in the country struggle to read simple texts. Lack of resources, poor internet access, and limited adult guidance further hindered learning. This highlights the need for innovative teaching methods that go beyond reading and answering questions and instead stimulate children’s emotions and interest. One such strategy is Sayawit—a combination of song, dance, and poetry recitation—designed to make learning more colorful, lively, and meaningful.

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of Sayawit in teaching poetry and its impact on students’ reading comprehension. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the research assessed learning levels, barriers, and positive outcomes. Participants were Grade 4 students divided into an experimental group (using Sayawit) and a control group (traditional method). Results are expected to show that Sayawit increases enthusiasm, self-confidence, and comprehension, while also fostering collaboration, interaction, and emotional expression. Overall, Sayawit is presented as an innovative response to reading difficulties, promoting higher learning and appreciation of Filipino language and culture.