Guide to Enjoying and Learning from Philippine Picture Books

Si Jepoy Dyip Book 1

Ang Unang School Service
Author: Jomike Tejido
Artist: Jomike Tejido
Publisher: Lampara Books

Si Jepoy DyipAng Unang School Service is the first of the 6-book series by
Jomike Tejido. It tells the story of Jepoy Dyip and how he finds his own niche
amidst the many vehicles plying the town of Pag-asa. The books include 3D
paper crafts of the different characters in the stories. Children can create their
own town scenes as they complete all the vehicles in the books.

Traffic and Street Signs

Point out the many traffic signs in book’s street scenes to your child. Some may
be familiar to him, others may not be. Discuss what each sign means. When out
and about, make your child aware of these traffic and street signs that you saw in
the book. Street signs are particularly helpful when going to a new place. If your
child is not yet familiar with your address, now might be a good time to help him
know the name of your street.

Being Helpful

Jepoy found his place in the town of Pag-asa by taking initiative and helping the
children when they needed it. Talk to your child about ways that they can be
helpful in the home, school, and community. Even very young children will take
pride in being able to help in simple chores like packing away their toys,
sweeping the floor of the house, and washing dishes.

Si Jepoy Dyip Ang Unang School Service Unit Study © The Learning Basket
www.thelearningbasket.com
 The Philippine Flag

In page 30 of the book, we see the Philippine Flag. It would be good to point out
to very young children what a flag means to a country. Draw a simple Philippine
flag for him to color and put in a prominent place. Older children may be
interested in the history of our country’s flag and what each element means.
Tahanan Books has a book called Bandila with all these interesting facts.

People and Places in the Neighborhood

The town of Pag-asa is very much like our own communities. Identify the different
personalities in Pag-asa that we also see in our neighborhood (policeman,
teacher, panadero, sorbetero, mechanic, etc). Discuss what each person does
and how he or she is important in the community.

Your child may also be drawn to the many places of interest in Pag-asa. Point out
those that are similar and those that are different between your own
neighborhood and Pag-asa (school, church, sari-sari store, talyer, etc).

Kite

Page 5 shows a kid flying a kite, a typical summer activity for Filipino kids. Help
your child make his very own saranggola using barbecue sticks, newspaper, and
nylon string. While at it, why not teach your child the classic song, “Saranggola ni
Pepe” by Celeste Legaspi. Click here for a video featuring the song.

Si Jepoy Dyip Ang Unang School Service Unit Study © The Learning Basket
www.thelearningbasket.com
 Math: Counting

The pages of the book gives different things that your child can use to practice
counting – the tires in Mang Jose’s talyer, the balloons when Jepoy first travels,
the mangoes on the tree when Jepoy first drove around.

Road, School and Flood Safety

The story is a wonderful background to discussing safety. In one of the pages,

we see a girl crossing the street on the pedestrian lane. Discuss how to cross the
street by looking left, then right, and the importance of crossing the street in
designated areas. Following the traffic signs (See Traffic and Street Signs) is also
important both for drivers and pedestrians.

School and public place safety is another important issue to discuss. Talk to your
child about whom to go to for help in case she gets lost. Ask her to memorize her
phone number and address for cases of emergency. Talking to strangers is
another important topic that you may want to talk about with your children. It is
important to discuss these things with your children to make them aware that
they are also responsible for their safety.

The children in Pag-asa got stranded in school due to a flood. What will your
child do in case this happens to him? Give him tips and pointers if and when he
experiences this. A checklist of things that he should do can also be printed,
laminated and put in his school bag to remind him about what you talked about.

Si Jepoy Dyip Ang Unang School Service Unit Study © The Learning Basket
www.thelearningbasket.com
 Storytelling

Aside from the rich storyline, one of the main points of interest in the Jepoy
Series books are the 3D paper crafts of the characters that come with each book.
Complete the series and you will have a diorama of the entire town of Pag-asa.
Encourage your child to do his own story using the characters in the town. Older
children might be interested in knowing that stories usually have a beginning,
middle, and end.

Si Jepoy Dyip Ang Unang School Service Unit Study © The Learning Basket
www.thelearningbasket.com
 Art

Author Jomike Tejido generously shared these coloring pages for your kid to
enjoy. You may even print it twice, color, cut and make a memory matching game
out of it. Be as creative as you can! Don't forget to share your child's
masterpieces at The Learning Basket
(https://www.facebook.com/thelearningbasket) and Si Jepoy Dyip
(https://www.facebook.com/jepoydyip) Facebook pages!

Si Jepoy Dyip Ang Unang School Service Unit Study © The Learning Basket
www.thelearningbasket.com
Si Jepoy Dyip Ang Unang School Service Unit Study © The Learning Basket
www.thelearningbasket.com
Si Jepoy Dyip Ang Unang School Service Unit Study © The Learning Basket
www.thelearningbasket.com