A Heartfelt Journey Through the Legend of the Ampalaya

On January 31, 2026, a reading and comprehension lesson was conducted focusing on the

story La leyenda de la ampalaya (Bitter Melon) written by Augie Rivera. The lesson lasted approximately 45 to 60 minutes and aimed to help students understand a Filipino legend through guided discussion, movement-based activities, and creative expression.

The lesson began with an introduction of vegetable vocabulary to capture the students’ interest and activate prior knowledge. The teacher , who is Josephine Barbi Balilia, presented illustrated cards showing common vegetables found in the Philippines. Each vegetable was introduced by showing its image and saying its name in Filipino and in Spanish. Students listened, repeated the words, and shared if they were familiar with the vegetables. This activity helped build vocabulary and prepared students for the story, especially the focus on ampalaya.

After the vocabulary introduction, the book La leyenda de la ampalaya was presented, and the author was introduced. The story was then read aloud by Anna Mae Cortez. She read the story expressively while showing the illustrations, allowing students to follow along visually and listen carefully. At certain moments, group participation was encouraged to maintain engagement.

Following the reading, the class participated in a comprehension activity called “Four Corners” prepared by Eloisa Mae Caguisa. The classroom was divided into four corners, each representing a possible answer choice (A, B, C, or D). The facilitator read questions related to the characters, setting, plot, and message of the story, followed by four answer options. Students moved to the corner that represented their chosen answer. After everyone had chosen, the correct answer was announced and briefly discussed, reinforcing understanding through movement and interaction.

In the final part of the lesson, the students also participated in a short Vocabulary Game. Key words from the story and the vegetables discussed earlier were reviewed. Students matched words to images, identified meanings, and practiced using the words orally. This activity reinforced vocabulary and strengthened overall comprehension.

Special thanks are extended to Lindsey, Barbi, and Eloisa for creating the PowerPoint presentation and storybook used during the lesson, which greatly supported student engagement and learning.

-Eloisa

Head of Cuenta Cuento

-Mae

Storyteller of the Month

-Lindsey & JoBarbi

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