Strengthening the Reading Comprehension Skills of Grade-Two Pupils of the Sico Elementary School, Division of Lipa City Throughthe Application and Intervention Strategy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This action research aims to improve the reading comprehension skills of the pupils through an assessment of the strategies used in teaching reading comprehension at the elementary level. One of the observed weaknesses of pupils in the cited school is that of reading comprehension in English. The previous result of the pupils' reading performance in PHIL-IRI complements the teachers' observation of the reading problems of said pupils. Based also on observation and experience in her long years of teaching, the researcher noted that many children who display an inconsistent reading profile are steps behind their peers in reading progress. Hence, the pupils' weaknesses in reading comprehension should be minimized if not totally eradicated.

METHODS

The experimental method of research was utilized in conducting this research proposal. This method presupposes that certain effects of modality variable or an independent variable may be determined through conducting a pre-test and post-test. The pre-test result was regarded as the control variable, while that of the post-test posed as the experimental variable. The results of the separate tests were compared to determine the effects aimed at.

RESULTS

The pre-test and post-testwere designed and implemented. The pupils performed better in the post-test which means that the intervention strategies applied were effective. Finally, an action plan was designed to improve further the pupils' reading comprehension skills.

DISCUSSIONS

I was found out that the most serious problem encountered was that of insufficient knowledge in vocabulary which hampers the students' improvement of reading comprehension skills. The other problems are as follow: the playful nature of the pupils decreases their motivation and interest to participate in reading programs aimed to improve their reading skills; poor study habits among many of them tend to hinder their development in reading; poverty is the root of many of the problems manifested by the pupils, which, in turn, influence the teacher's implementation of reading comprehension enhancement; insufficient parental guidance also poses a conflict on the pupils' improvement in reading; and frequent absenteeism among some pupils deprive them of understanding the lessons they should have learned if they attend classes.