Sinamar Elementary School's Digital Library

12/07/2025

27/06/2025

27/06/2025

Reading is essential because it helps expand knowledge, improve cognitive abilities, and enhance communication skills. Here are a few reasons why reading is so important:
1. **Knowledge Acquisition**: Reading allows you to acquire a vast amount of information on various topics. Books, articles, and other written materials can introduce you to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives. The more you read, the more you understand about the world.
2. **Improved Vocabulary and Language Skills**: Regular reading exposes you to new words and sentence structures. This can help expand your vocabulary, improve your writing skills, and enhance your ability to express ideas clearly.
3. **Cognitive Development**: Reading stimulates the brain, keeping it active and engaged. It helps improve memory, concentration, and critical thinking. It also encourages analytical skills as you process information and make connections between ideas.
4. **Emotional Intelligence and Empathy**: Fictional works, in particular, allow readers to step into the lives of characters, experiencing different emotions and viewpoints. This can build empathy and improve emotional intelligence, helping you understand and relate to others better.
5. **Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being**: Reading can serve as an escape from daily stresses. Immersing yourself in a good book, whether it's fiction or non-fiction, can reduce stress, lower heart rate, and calm the mind.
6. **Personal Growth and Self-Improvement**: Many books focus on personal development, self-help, and motivation. By reading such works, individuals can learn valuable life skills, enhance their problem-solving abilities, and gain insights into their own behavior and thought patterns.
7. **Enhancement of Focus and Discipline**: In a world filled with distractions, reading helps improve focus and attention. It encourages individuals to engage deeply with a text, honing their ability to concentrate for longer periods of time.
In summary, reading is not just a passive activity—it's a tool for learning, growth, and self-improvement. The more you read, the more you expand your horizons, and the richer your understanding of the world becomes.

24/05/2025

A generation of kids growing up without reading books isn't just a generation that reads less - it's a generation slowly losing the muscle for empathy.

Because books aren't just stories.

They're training grounds for imagination, for slipping into someone else's life, someone else's grief, joy, fear, or mess. They teach you to sit with feelings that aren't yours.

Without that, how do you learn to care about people who aren't like you?

How do you build a world where you pause before judging, listen before reacting, understand before dismissing?

-Warpaint Journal
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AmjR6bEeH/

A generation of kids growing up without reading books isn't just a generation that reads less - it's a generation slowly losing the muscle for empathy.

Because books aren't just stories.

They're training grounds for imagination, for slipping into someone else's life, someone else's grief, joy, fear, or mess. They teach you to sit with feelings that aren't yours.

Without that, how do you learn to care about people who aren't like you?

How do you build a world where you pause before judging, listen before reacting, understand before dismissing?

-Warpaint Journal

03/12/2024

Isang Linggong Nakapalda
Kuwento ni Rhona May Lopez
Guhit ni Efraem Reyes

Sa isang malayong baryo, patuloy pa rin ang tradisyunal na pagtutuli o tuling de pukpok sa kabila ng makabagong pamamaraan.

Nang makita ni Andoy ang pamamaraan ni Mang Akyong sa pagtutuli, umatras siya. Lalong nag-ibayo ang kanyang takot at pangamba.

Kaya bang harapin ni Andoy ang kantiyaw Ng kaniyang mga kaibigan kung mananatili siyang hindi tuli?

Anong hakbang ang kaniyang gagawin upang malagpasan ang pagsubok ng pagpapatuli.

Mga katanungan:
1. Sino ang pangunahing tauhan sa kuwento? Ilarawan ang kanyang katangian.
2. Nais nang magpatuli ni Andoy, ngunit ano ang pumipigil sa kaniya?
3. Sino-sino ang mga tumulong kay Andoy upang malagpasan ang pagsubok ng tuli?
4.Mahalaga ba ang kanilang kontribusyon upang lumakas ang kanyang loob? Paano?
5. Ipaliwanag ang pakiramdam ni Andoy nang sa wakas ay nakapagsuot na siya ng palda.
6. Anong aral ang hatid ng kuwento?

03/12/2024

Alamat ng Duhat
Kuwento ni Segundo Matias Jr.

Basahin ang kuwento at i-type sa comment section ang sagot sa mga katanungan.
1. Ilarawan ang mga Ata. Bakit pinili nilang manirahan sa kagubatan?
2. Ano ang pinapangarap ni Apo Tatang para sa kanyang anak na si Duha? Paano natupad ito?
3. Sino Ang nakilala ni Duha sa lungsod? Bakit umiwas si Armando sa kaniya matapos makilala Ang kanyang mga katribo?
4. Anong nangyari matapos masaktan si Diha sa ginawa ni Armando?
5. Anong aral at halagahan ang hatid ng kuwento?

03/12/2024

Where’s the Box?
Story by Teacher Rhona

1
“Good morning, son,” Mrs. Reyes greeted Alan, already reading stories to his brother Ali, “I hope you slept early last night.”
“Good morning, Mom. I slept as soon as I finished writing my story, Mom,” Alan replied.
Alan loves writing stories. Every night, he writes a short story and reads it to his younger brother, Ali, the following morning.
2
As soon as Alan finished reading to Ali, he prepared for school.
“Alan, I have something to tell you,” Mrs. Reyes gently told her son and sat him down. She has been thinking of the right time to break the news to her son. “I know that you are aware of our situation with Ali. Lately, it has become really difficult…” she trailed off as she could hardly find words to lighten up the situation, “Son, I’m afraid you will have to stop going to school next school year.”
“I understand, Mom,” Alan replied sadly and left for school.
It made him sad to know that he would not go to see his Grade 5 classmates next year.
3
Mrs. Reyes quickly cleaned their house. She then bathed her 4-year-old son, Ali.
Ali is a special child. He hasn’t said a single word since birth. He could hardly use his hands and feet.
He was diagnosed with Ataxia which made him lose muscle control in his arms and legs. It also affected the muscles that he used for speech.
“Come on, Ali. We have to be early today,” she hurriedly said.
Mrs. Reyes is a housemaid in a big house. That day, there is a party to prepare that is why she is in a hurry.
4
Before leaving the house, Ali suddenly throws a tantrum. He started crying and mumbling sounds.
“Ali, please. Not now. We don’t have time for that now. We are in a hurry.” Mrs. Reyes pleaded in a desperate voice.
“Waaah!” wailed Ali while pointing at the box which belonged to Alan on top of the cabinet.
Mrs. Reyes took the box immediately and gave it to Ali. Ali abruptly calmed down and fell silent.
5
The whole day, Mrs. Reyes was busy helping in the kitchen. Visitors kept coming in and there were a lot of things to do.
Despite this, she still managed to attend to Ali from time to time.
Thankfully, Ali behaved the whole day and was just sitting quietly in his wheelchair, while playing with his toy plane.
Alan’s box was sitting on his lap.
6
“Finally, we’re done. Let’s go home, son,” said Mrs. Reyes and started pushing Ali’s wheelchair.
Ali had already fallen asleep when they reached home. Alan was waiting for them.
“Son, here is your dinner from the party. Please help yourself. I am too tired today,” she mumbled while lifting Ali to the bedroom.
7
Alan ate his dinner, washed the dishes, and took a shower.
He brought out his pen and paper and started writing.
Alan writes whatever story that comes to his mind.
After nearly two hours, he stopped and read his output.
He smiled. He was satisfied with his story for the night.
He looks forward to reading the story to Ali in the morning.
8
He walked towards the cabinet.
“Where is my box?” he thought while trying to recall where he placed his box this morning.
He looked all over the place but didn’t find it.
“Mom? Mom?” Alan said trying to wake his mom up, but Mrs. Reyes was too tired to respond and didn’t even move a bit.
9
Alan was not able to sleep well that night. He was so bothered.
His treasure box is missing!
In the morning, as soon as his mom woke up, he asked her.
“Mom, where’s my box? Have you seen it?”
“Your box? Wait,” she said while trying to remember where she last saw the box, then she realized she hadn’t seen it when they got home. “I gave it to Ali yesterday before we left because he was having a meltdown and wanted to bring your box with him,” she recalled, “I’m sorry, Alan. I will find it today in the big house.”
10
“Mom! Why would you give it to Ali? That’s my treasure box! It’s my box, not Ali’s! Why does it always have to be Ali? Everything is about Ali! Dad left because of him. I will have to stop schooling because of Ali! Then now, my box is gone because of Ali! I wish Ali wasn’t part of this family, then maybe I would be happier!” Alan burst it all at once out of desperation and anger.
Mrs. Reyes was taken aback by Alan’s outburst but quickly responded, “Don’t you dare say anything like that, Alan! How could you blame your brother for our misfortunes? I thought you knew better! I thought you understood our situation. Ali didn’t wish for our family to be like this!” Mrs. Reyes has a lot more to say about Alan’s sudden outburst but a knock on the door interrupts whatever she still has to say about their argument.
11
Mrs. Torres, Mrs. Reyes’ employer, was standing outside with another woman.
“Good morning, Mrs. Reyes. We’re sorry for coming too early in the morning. My sister here wanted to speak to you,” said Mrs. Torres, smiling.
“Good morning, Ma’am Torres. Please, come in,” Mrs. Reyes politely invited the visitors.
“It’s all right. We’ll be quick. I found this,” the woman said, showing Alan’s treasure box.
“Oh, thank goodness! This box is my son’s treasure. Thank you for bringing it back. We were just discussing it when you arrived,” said Mrs. Reyes.
12
“Your son is very talented. I’ve read all his works and I’m very impressed. I work in a publishing company. I would like to offer him a scholarship. He will become a good writer someday. Please, here is my number. Call me.”
Mrs. Reyes was speechless. She couldn’t believe their luck. Tears started to form in her eyes.
“You didn’t know how much this mattered to us, ma’am. The Lord bless your good heart,” she said in a croaky voice while putting the card in her chest.
13
Mrs. Reyes silently closed the door behind her and sat on the sofa.
“Alan, please come and sit beside me,” she called Alan who was still sulking at the corner.
Alan’s face lit up upon seeing his box. He ran to get the box from her mom’s lap.
“Alan you have to understand that Ali doesn’t have to do with our situation right now. Just like you and me, Ali is also a victim of our cruel situation,” she said with tears in her eyes, looking at Ali who is very silent at the moment.
14
Mrs. Reyes could see remorse in Alan’s eyes but remained quiet.
She knows her son very well. No one loved Ali more than anything but Alan.
“I will never do it again. Mom, I’m sorry,” Alan said in a very quiet sincere voice.
“Here, son,” she handed Alan the business card she was holding tight. “That box became your ticket to your dream. Mrs. Torres’ sister is offering you a full scholarship.”
“Really, Mom?” it took him a few seconds to process what he heard.
He couldn’t believe the sudden twist of his fate.
15
Alan ran to Ali who was watching them the whole time.
Hugging him tightly, Alan apologized to Ali.
“I’m so sorry Ali and thank you for making my dreams come true,” he said to his brother and kissed his forehead.
“B..b..box,” says Ali softly, looking at Alan’s box and smiling.
Mrs. Reyes, who was lovingly watching the exchange between the brothers, and Alan were surprised. They couldn’t believe what they’d heard and almost jumped for joy.
Ali’s first word is box!

Comprehension Check-up:
1. Describe the situation of Alan's family.
2. What is Alan's hobby?
3. Is Alan a good brother to Ali? Explain.
4. If you have a family member that has the same case to Ali, how are you going to deal with it?
5. What do you think will happen now that Alan has received scholarship because of his talent in writing?
6. What lesson did you learn from the story?

03/12/2024

Atang ni Inang

“Umaykan, Ruben. Di ka agbatbati,” paulit-ulit na bigkas ni inang.
“Inang, hayan ka naman po. Kinikilabutan ako sa tuwing sinasabi mo po iyan,” reklamo ko kay Inang.
Ayaw na ayaw ko talagang pinapakinggan ang ritwal ni Inang tuwing pauwi kami mula sa ibang lugar.
“Apo, kailangan mo iyon para hindi maiwan ang bahagi ng iyong kaluluwa dito sa Baryo San Felipe,” madiing sagot ni Inang.
“Inang, wala na pong ganoon sa panahong ito,” pamimilit ko sabay takbo nang makita ko ang matandang puno ng akasya na madadaanan namin. Sigurado kasi akong sunod-sunod na namang uusal ng ritwal si Inang pagkatapat sa punong iyon.
“Ruben!” sigaw na tawag sa akin ni Inang pero hindi ako lumingon.
Dinatnan na ako ni Inang na naglalaro ng holen. Iiling-iling na tumingin sa akin.
Kinagabihan, hindi ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko. Bigla akong nilalamig.
“Bakit di ka mapakali diyan, Ruben?” tanong ni Inang.
“Inang, nilalamig po ako,” sagot ko. Hinipo ni Inang ang noo ko. May sinat daw ako.
“Inabot ka naman kasi ng gabi sa kakalaro mo sa labas. Hala maupo ka rito at papahiran ko ng langis ang mga kamay at paa mo,” tumindig si Inang para kunin ang langis sa taas ng lumang aparador.
“Inang, gusto ko po nang kumot,” samo ko kay Inang.
Agad siyang kumuha ng kumot.
Matapos ang ilang sandaling nakakumot, mas lalong uminit ang pakiramdam ko.
Muling tumindig si Inang, kumuha ng gamot at tubig.
“Uminom ka muna ng gamot para bumaba agad iyang lagnat mo,” tinulungan ako ni Inang.
Matapos uminom ay bumaluktot na ako sa aming papag.
Hindi ko namalayang nakatulugan ko ang nararamdamam ko. Nakita ko si Inang na nakaupo sa aking paanan at nakatulog na sa pagbabantay sa akin.
Dahan-dahan akong tumayo para uminom ng tubig.
Naalimpungatan si Inang. “Kumusta ang pakiramdam mo?” agad niyang tanong sa akin.
“Inang, medyo mabuti naman na po,” sagot ko. Sinalat muli niya ang aking noo.
“Kung mainit ka pa rin hanggang bukas ay magpapatingin ka na sa doktor,” suhestiyon ni Inang.
Alam kong naitawag na rin ni Inang sa aking mga magulang ang nangyari. Si nanay ay isang kasambahay samantalang ang aking tatay ay isang hardinero. Pareho silang nasa Maynila. Tanging si Inang ang kasama kong namumuhay sa aming kubo.
Dahil patuloy pa rin ang aking hindi magandang pakiramdam, napilitan si Inang na dalhin ako sa bayan.
“Maayos naman lahat ng resulta ng tests ni Ruben, Inang. Magpahinga na lang po siya ng maayos. Bihisan ninyo po siya ng mas preskong damit,” sabi ng doktor.
“Ganon pa man, magrereseta po kami ng gamot para bumaba po ang kanyang lagnat,” dagdag ng doktor.
Nagpasalamat ang aking Inang at inakay na ako sa sakayan ng tricycle.
“Inang, gusto ko na pong humiga,” samo ko sa kanya.
Mataman akong tinitigan ni Inang. Hindi ko alam kung anong iniisip niya.
Hindi ko namalayan kung saan kami nagpunta ni Inang basta ang alam ko huminto ito sa isang lumang kubo nanapapaligiran ng matataas na puno.
“Inang, saan tayo pupunta?”
“Ipapatingin kita kay Mang Peping. Siya ang pinakamagaling na albularyo dito sa atin, apo.”
“Inang, masakit po ang aking ulo. Pwede na ba tayong umuwi?” samo ko.
Hindi ako pinansin ni Inang. Kumatok siya at pinagbuksan kami ng isang matanda.
Naupo ako sa isang tabi habang nag-uusap si Inang at si Mang Peping.
Nakita kong kumuha ng palanggana si Mang Peping na may lamang konting tubig. Sindihan ninya ang kandila. Nag-umpisa itong umusal ng mga salitang hindi ko maintindihan. Pagkatapos ay ipinatak ang tulo ng kandila sa tubig.
“Naiwan ang kaluluwa ng apo mo sa daan,” wika ni Mang Peping habang nakatingin sa nabuong porma mula sa kandila na ipinatak sa tubig.
Tahimik akong nakikinig, kunot ang noo.
Isa bang magikero si Mang Peping? Isang salamangkero?
Pagtatawas daw ang kanyang ginagawa sabi ni Inang.
“Ano ang dapat nating gawin, Mang Peping?” tanong ni Inang na pumutol sa aking imahinasyon.
“Kailangan balikan ang lugar kung saan naiwan ang kanyang kaluluwa at mag-alay,” malumanay na sagot nito.
Walang inaksayang panahon si Inang. Agad kaming umuwi sa aming kubo.
Sa isang malaking bilao, pinanood ko si Inang na ihanda ang lahat ng kailangang sangkap para sa “atang”.
“May alak, sigarilyo, dahon ng betel, royal, nilagang manok, murang niyog, kakanin, nilagang itlog, at barya,” bulong ni Inang. Kaibisadong-kabisado niya ang kanyang ginagawa.
Nang hindi ko na matiis ang nararamdaman ko ay nahiga ako sa papag. Hanggang sa tuluyan na naman akong makatulog.
Bago mag alas-tres ay ginising ako ni Inang.
Pupuntahan daw namin ang puno ng akasya na kinatatakutan ko. Ayaw ko sanang sumama ngunit nagpumilit si Inang.
Inilagay ni Inang ang bilao sa kanyang ulo. Hawak ang aking kamay ay sabay naming tinungo ang lugar.
Inilapag ni Inang ang alay sa harap ng puno ng akasya. Sinindihan ang kandila at naupo siya.
Tahimik ko lang siyang pinapanood.
Nang maupos ang kandila ay tumayo na ito. Nakayukyok pa rin ako sa isang tabi.
“Umaykan, Ruben. Di ka agbatbati,” paulit-ulit na bigkas ni Inang.
Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi ako tumakbo.
Hindi pa man nagtatagal ang pauli-ulit na bigkas ni Inang ay naramdaman ko na ang ginhawa.
Matuwid akong tumayo at mahigpit na niyakap si Inang. Ngumiti si Inang.
Kinuha niya ang bilao at muling ipinatong sa ulo. Hinawakan ang aking kamay at nag-umpisa kaming maglakad.
“Umaykan, Ruben. Di ka agbatbati,” sabay naming bigkas ni Inang.

Sagutin ang mga katanungan:
1. Ano ang pakiramdam ni Ruben sa tuwing inuusal ng kanyang Inang ang ritwal?
2. Ano ang paniniwala ng kaniyang Inang kapag galing sila sa ibang lugar?
3. Bakit kinailangang lumapit ng Inang kay Mang Peping?
4. Ginagawa pa ba ang "atang" sa inyong lugar? Paano ninyo ito isinasagawa?
5. Naniniwala ka ba nakakapagpagaling ang "atang"? Bakit?

14/11/2024

Reading Activity #18

14/11/2024

Reading activity #16

12/11/2024

NAKAGAPOS ANG AMING BAHAY

1. Madilim na ang kalangitan. Paparating na ang inaasahan naming bagyo, ang bagyong Nika. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang bagyo na ang dumaan dito sa amin. Basta ang naalala ko, ang mga nakaraang bagyong Kristine, Leon, at Marce.
2. Sabi ng titser ko, umaabot daw hanggang dalawampung bagyo ang pumapasok sa bansa kada taon. Mula sa unang letra sa alpabeto na A hanggang Z. Daanan pala talaga ng bagyo ang ating bansa.
3. Ang bagyong Nika ay malakas daw ayon sa balita at isa ang lugar namin sa maaapektuhan. Kaya naman maaga pa lamang ay naghanda na sina Tatay at kuya. Kumuha ng tali at kahoy si Tatay. Tinulungan ko naman si kuya na pagulungin ang mga malalaking gulong na nasa kamarin.
4. Umakyat si Tatay sa bubong ng bahay. Pinagtulungan nila ni kuya na ipatong ang mga gulong sa mga yerong tagpi-tagpi. Magsisilbing pabigat ang gulong upang hindi ito ilipad ng hangin.
5. Paitim na ng paitim ang kalangitan. Ramdam ko na ang papalakas na hangin. Agad bumaba si Tatay. Pasalubong sila ng aking kuya sa pag-ikot ng makapal na tali sa buong bahay namin. Pagkatapos ay itinali niya sa isang malapit na puno.
6. Bago dumilim, nag-umpisa nang pumatak ang ulan. Mahina hanggang papalakas ito. Ganon din ang hangin. Isinira nang mabuti ni Tatay ang mga bintanang yari sa nilalang dahon ng niyog maging ang aming mga pinto. Sama-sama kaming humarap sa mesa. Naghain si Nanay ng mainit na lugaw.
7. Pag-aalala ang mababakas sa mukha ni Nanay. Gaano ba kabagsik ang bagyong Nika? "Paano na ang ating pananim," pag aalala ni Nanay. "May awa ang Diyos, Apeng," sagot niTtatay.
8. "Itinaas na sa signal number 4 dito sa bayan natin, kailangan maging alerto tayo mga anak,” paalala ni Tatay. "Baka mas makabubuting pumunta na tayo sa evacuation center, Tatay," suhestiyon ni kuya. "Marami ng bagyong napagdaanan ang ating bahay. Palagay ko'y kakayanin nitong malagpasan ang bagyong Nika," sagot ni Tatay.
9. "Matulog na kayo ng kuya mo, Bimbo," sabi ni nanay matapos kumain. “Kami na ng tatay ninyo ang bahala dito."
10. Magkatabi kami ni kuya sa higaan. Iniwan namin sina Tatay at Nanay sa kusina. Dinig na dinig ko ang pagngangalit ng hangin. Nakabibingi rin ang lakas ng ulan sa aming yero. Nag- umpisa na ring maglagay si Nanay ng kaldero at palanggana sa mga tumutulong bahagi ng bahay.
11. Kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ako makatulog. Nakararamdam ako ng paggalaw ng aming dingding. Tila ba mabubunot ng buo ang aming kubo sa lakas ng hangin. " Huwag ka ng lumabas, delikado," babala ni Nanay kay Tatay. "Kailangan kong siguruhing nakatali ng mabuti ang ating bahay," pagpupumilit ni Tatay at lumabas na nga ito tangan ang isang flashlight.
12. Taimtim na nagdarasal sa isang tabi si Nanay. Palakas na ng palakas ang hangin at ulan. Tila sila magsing-irog na nagsasabay umindak sa saliw ng isang mabilis na tugtog.
13. Bumalik si Tatay makaraan ang ilang sandali. Kakayanin daw ng pagkakagapos ng aming kubo ang bagsik ng bagyong Nika. Hindi ko na napigilan pa ang aking mga mata at tuluyan ng naidlip sa gitna ng kalampagan ng mga yero sa aming bubungan.
14. Humupa na ang ulan kinabukasan. Tahimik na ang paligid. Paglabas ko sa aming kubo, tumambad sa akin ang naparaming kalat sa paligid. Naroon na sina kuya, Tatay at Nanay, abala na silang ayusin ang mga dapat ayusin. Sira ang lahat ng aming mga bintana. Nag-umpisa na akong mamulot ng mga kalat upang tulungan sina Nanay at Tatay.
15. Hindi pa inalis ni Tatay ang paikot na lubid na nagsilbing gapos ng aming kubo. Maging ang mga gulong sa taas ng bubong. Ang galing ni Tatay! Alam na alam niya ang gagawin upang hindi tuluyang tangayin na parang saranggola ang aming munting bahay.
16. Dalangin ko, sana mas banayad na ang bagyong Ofel kaysa sa nakaraang bagyong Nika.

Sagutin ang mga katanungan:
1. Ano ang pinaghahandaan ng pamilya sa kuwento?
2. Paano naghanda ang pamilya para sa darating na kalamidad? Isa-isahin ang mga kasagutan.
3. Bakit mahalaga na maghanda ang bawat isa sa mga kalamidad tulad ng bagyo?
4. Bilang bahagi ng pamilya, paano ka makatutulong upang maging ligtas ang lahat?
5. Iguhit ang mga mahahalagang bagay na kailangan sa oras ng sakuna o kalamidad.