The Status of Grade Four Pupils' Skills in Solving MAthematics Word Problems in the Bigain Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Problem-solving has been and will be a necessary skill not only in Mathematics but in everyday living. Understanding students' difficulties in mathematics skills needed in problem-solving are one of the ways to assist the group of students. And today, with the No Child Left Behind Act, teachers are required to implement effective research based-practices. This study aims to determine the status of Grade Four pupils' skills in solving word problems in Mathematics. Outputs of this study are proposed activities that will enhance pupils' skills in solving a word problem.

METHODS

The study was done using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches to gain a clearer understanding of students' difficulties in mathematics problem-solving. Qualitative data were collected through a questionnaire, while quantitative data were collected through a test (exercises). The first stage of data analysis involved analyzing and coding interview transcripts and recordings. The second stage of data analysis involved analyzing and coding all incorrect or no responses to word problems. Transcripts and children's jottings or workings were used to code as to which difficulty prevented a correct answer being given.

RESULTS

The study revealed that most students were specifically poor in solving word problems. Children were not able to decode the words used in a word problem, not comprehending a sentence, not understanding specific vocabulary and not having the confidence or the ability to concentrate when reading. These difficulties arise when children cannot imagine the context in which a word problem is set or their approach is altered by the context in which the word problem is given. Children appear to find it harder to form a number sentence for some word problems structures than others. Difficulties can occur with children's selection of, and aptitude with calculation strategies. The context in which a word problem is given and the size of numbers involved can impact on children's choice of a calculation strategy.

DISCUSSIONS

Teachers shall find a better way on how to increase the level of Grade Four Pupils at Bigain Elementary School in solving word problems in Mathematics. The researcher recommended that the teacher shall provide exercises that will enhance the ability of the learners to comprehend in solving word problems.