Families of the Philippines

Gr 1—5—Viewers curious about how children live in the Philippines get a satisfying glimpse into the daily lives of Khim, a13-year-old rural boy, and Shahani, a seven-year-old city girl in this live-action documentary. The film begins with a map of the world zooming in on the Philippines. Khim lives with his extended family in a small coastal fishing village. His family either catches or grows most of the food they eat, and raises chickens and goats to supplement their diet. Viewers learn about the boy's family and daily life, school day, after school activities, and more. Shahani lives in Manila with her parents and older sister. Just as in the country, she is awakened each morning by the crowing of the roosters, dons her uniform, and goes off to her elementary school. Vacation is April and May, the hottest months of the year. Viewers learn about her school day, meals, interest in dance, father's jobs, and more. A child narrates each segment; English subtitles are optional. For classes studying that area of the world or where there is a large Philippine population.—Barbara Auerbach, P.S. 217, Brooklyn, NY