Strengthening the Heterogeneous Grouping of Grade Six Cassiopeia in Science intheVenancio Trinidad,Sr. Memorial School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

One of the biggest complaints from Grade 6 regarding group work, is that there always seems to be a slacker by heart; a pupil that " ̃rides the coattails' of other team members efforts, and ends up with the same mark as everyone else for contributing little or nothing. In Science subject, cooperative learning activities or group work is an integral part of the teaching-learning process.

METHODS

The primary data gathering method used is an interview to determine the student's perspectives about their group performance in the classrooms during the Science period by assigning heterogeneous groups for cooperative learning activities. This research used purposive and convenience sampling in which an equal representation among the respondents was applied. The gathered data shall be analyzed using frequency distribution and coding.

RESULTS

Since this study focuses merely on the clamors of learners against their groupmates during a group activity, the researcher decided to conduct an interview to determine whether their complaints against having biases have valid reasons or not. The researcher used a combination of English and Tagalog questions for them to be able to express fully their sentiments. Out of 63 learners, only 61 were able to respond to the questionnaires. It reflects that pupils complain about having been grouped with classmates of different attitudes because they tend not to help in the activities and negatively affects the attitudes of each member.

DISCUSSIONS

The outcome of this study shows that in a group of learners like Grade 6 Cassiopeia where a variety of learners are present, the identified interventions in this paper really worked on them most specifically those struggling learners. The result has in one way or another contradicted most studies that are in favor of homogeneous grouping. The results of this studyshow that heterogeneous grouping when used systematically definitely encourages learners to work and raise their performances.