Most students of Ngaglik Sukun, Malang Elementary School Christian Education Foundation (SD YBPK) came from lower/middle-class families who were economically disadvantaged. This school had a good amount of resources and learning facilities. This could be seen from the size of the school, the adequacy number of teachers, and the availability of technology access (for example internet services and LCD projectors). However, this was not directly proportional to the achievements of students who turned out to be underperforming in the literacy field.
Ideally, elementary school students are in the basic literacy stage. However, the students of SDK YBPK Ngaglik Sukun, Malang were still in the early literacy stage. Therefore, the Faculty of Cultural Studies, Universitas Brawijaya (FCS UB) conducted a community service at this school. By making observations, focus group discussions, and workshops, the team found out that the school needed to create activities to develop reading habits. The school also needed support from parents and the community to create reading habits.
The community service team consisting of Melania Shinta H., M.A., Eni Maharsi, M.A., and Aris Siswanti, M.Pd. (the three lecturers of Study Program of English FCS UB) and assisted by Vano and Amanda (Study Program of English FCS UB’s students) asked the teachers to do reading activities for fifteen minutes every day. After three weeks of doing this activity, some students showed interest in this reading activity which was indicated by (1) asking questions according to reading material, and (2) commenting according to reading material. However, some students did not care about this activity.
Positively, through this activity, the teachers were motivated to connect contextual content from learning materials with daily activities, local wisdom, and literacy activities in learning practices. In conclusion, the fifteen-minute reading activity could be carried out consistently to support teaching and learning activities at SD YBPK Ngaglik Sukun, Malang as well as to build students’ reading habits. (MSH/DT/Humas FIB)
