World Read Aloud Day 2021: An Online Author Visit at Keys School Manila

 

Today is World Read Aloud Day! Yesterday, I spent it with K-3 students of Keys School Manila. I read aloud my story My Daddy! My One and Only! (illustrated by Jomike Tejido, Lampara Books 2012). Nothing beats a face-to-face session, but doing an Author Visit online for the time being since it is the age of the pandemic is fine by me. 

In this medium and learning environment, the definition of engagement and participation changes. A 30-minute session is already a long haul for learners in K-3. In my experience since the pandemic started in March 2020, my storytelling plans must include visuals that are colorful, appealing to the eyes, music that is short and lively, a well selected story and activities that students can do asynchronously.

I am still learning as I go. If anything, that is one of the good things that this pandemic has brought me.  

Author Visit at Keys School Manila

Thank you to the teacher librarians of Keys School Manila, Teachers Alfred and Van, for hosting my author visit with their students in kinder, grade 1 and 2 levels. I had a wonderful time sharing about my life as a writer, the stories behind my published books and the structure of writing I use for my stories. The Keys students were curious, confident and authentic inquirers. 

Thank you so much to my publisher, Lampara House for setting up a booth to display and sell my books. Signing copies of books that students bought took me an hour! I am excited to see my new book launched at the Manila International Book Fair this September.

The visit was like a reunion for I have met former co-teachers and children of friends I knew from my librarian days in Xavier School. Now I look forward to continuing partnership with the teacher librarians in Keys School as they have recently been authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. It is in the IB where collaboration, resource sharing and networking truly happens. Let’s see what’s in store for us Filipino Librarians in the IB network!