Ed EE 18 class of Xavier University School of Education proudly poses with their crafted instructional materials they
utilized during the activity. Supplied photo. 

In fulfillment of their learning experience, the Ed EE 18 (Teaching English in the Elementary Grades - Literature) class of Xavier University School of Education successfully conducted their service learning activity “Kwento at Kalinga: Bringing Stories to Life” at Oro Habitat for Humanity Inc, Sitio Calaanan, Brgy Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City last 29 March 2025.

Recognizing the crucial role literacy and storytelling play in shaping young minds, especially among children from marginalized communities, the activity aimed to promote literacy, creativity, and a love for reading among young learners aged 3 to 14 years old in Sitio Calaanan, Brgy Canitoan. Engaging pre-service teachers in a service-learning activity allowed them to develop their storytelling skills while fostering an enriching and interactive learning experience for the children. Xavier University School of Education’s Arrupe Educational Center (AEC) through its program Lamdag of ACT (Acceptance of Children towards Transformation), made available the valuable support and resources needed to for the students to gain hands-on experience in teaching literature and English to young learners and engage in service-learning that aligns with the Jesuit mission of forming men and women for others.

Ed EE 18 students prep their storytelling session with fun activities. Supplied photo.

Before their deployment, the students first had story writing sessions with Mr Anito R Librando, Jr, Ed EE 18 instructor, from which three (3) original or adapted stories were chosen by each storytelling group to be shared with the children. This was also followed by an orientation and training of the pre-service teachers on effective storytelling techniques and strategies, as well as practice sessions and creating instructional materials and prepared post-storytelling activities (e.g. props, story books, and activity worksheets) to be utilized in their sessions.

A feedback session, evaluation, and reflection journal writing with the storytellers was conducted to assess their service-learning experience.

“Storytelling has significantly enhanced my skills as a future educator in several ways.  First, it honed my ability to connect with others on an emotional level. Second, storytelling has improved my communication skills.  Constructing a compelling narrative demands clarity, precision, and the ability to articulate complex ideas in an engaging manner. Third, storytelling has fostered creativity and critical thinking. Developing original stories or adapting existing ones requires imagination, problem-solving, and the ability to analyze different perspectives,” according to storyteller Evangeline Monasterio.

Through “Kwento at Kalinga: Bringing Stories to Life,” it is hoped that pre-service teachers will gain valuable hands-on experience in teaching and community engagement, while children will develop a love for storytelling and reading. This highlights the transformative power of literacy, nurturing young minds and building a bridge between education and community service.

Children from Sitio Calaanan, Brgy. Canitoan appreciate the animated storytelling session by the Ed EE 18 students. Supplied photo.