To  make teaching effective,a teacher must utilize  different teaching strategies to facilitate learning not only in  Araling Panlipunan but also in other subject areas.As an Araling Panlipunan Teacher,one must see to it that students actively engage in the learning process and the teacher can do this by giving opportunities to students to participate in classroom activities.One effective strategy that an Araling Panlipunan  teacher can use in teaching historical events,is the use of “ Readers  Theatre”.This is valuable tool for any classroom.It allows students to take virtually any piece of historical literature,analyze it and adapt it  into a script.This script can then be performed with a minimum time of preparation,props or scenery.

            There are two different ways to use readers  theatre,with your students according to Aaron Shephard.

1.Have your students discuss the story with the teacher.Ask the students to read again,rehearse and perform a previously script in class.Discuss the performance as a whole then invite students to give constructive criticism on their acting.

2.Have your students find a historical literature related to the lesson at hand,then adapt it into readers theatre script.Students will then rehearse,read and perform their script in class.Feedback will be given not only on students’ performance,but also on the creativity that went into their script adaptation.

            While the first option is certainly the easiest to execute in your classroom,the second allows the students to really become involved in the historical literature,which is what readers theatre is all about.The students will unconsciously perhaps,be involved in analyzing the story,the structure,characterization and description used in the literature.They will be stimulated to creatively adapt their piece and will really “own” their presentation.

            The following historical literature are ideal for Readers Theatre:

1.”1896”by Aureli S.Alvero

2.”Mactan”-1521 by Virginia B.Licuanan

3.”Lapu-Lapu,the Victor of Mactan”-by Francisco and Conrado Benitez

4.”I am a Filipino”-by Carlos P. Romulo

5.”Like the Molave”-by R.Zulueta De Costa

            The students can also translate the literaly articles in Filipino as they do their scripts.

            Educational trends change from time to time.Students’ learning styles as well change.With these,teacher are expected to go with these changes for optimum success of the teaching and learning process.

By: Gemma V. Sale | T-II | MARIVELES NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-CABCABEN