Strengthen Vocabulary Words in Mathematics Among Grade VI Pupils: an Intervention to Improve the Comprehension skills in Solving Word Problems

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The action research aims to improve problem solving by improving comprehension skills. The learning will take place if we address some wrong habits in facilitating activities to ensure learners progress.One such activity is being able to reduce abstract concepts to concrete level for better understanding of the principle involved (lbe, 2002). The teacher's job is lift the pupils to attain the level of understanding in applying concept learned in solving word problems. This understanding is not meant to remain at concrete level.

METHODS

After conducting a preliminary data gathering using quantitative research wherein researchers used tools such as questionnaires/ test, the principal conferred with concern teachers and mathematics key teacher with regards to her findings. Based upon observations and readings, they agreed that the ability to solve word problems may be affected by (a) mental ability, (b) lack of mastery of the four fundamental processes, (c) lack of understanding of the problem. A test in problem solving involving four fundamental operations was given and result showed that only few pupils could compute and arrive at the correct answer. To determine whether language was the hindrance to use correct processes in solving problem, the same test in problem solving translated into Filipino was given.

RESULTS

It can be concluded that the teaching of Mathematics vocabulary and the steps in problem solving to the particular class in the study can enhance pupils' ability in solving word problems. The strategies used by the teachers, which were found most helpful, might be tried on similar groups that the teacher will teach in the future in the same school.

DISCUSSIONS

By conducting data gathering to determine the specific causes of pupil's difficulty in solving word problems in Mathematics, the principal observed that mental malfunction could not be the extreme reason why they cannot cope up with the lessons. To determine whether language was the hindrance to use correct processes in solving problem, the same test in problem solving translated into Filipino was given. This lead to a slightly higher result; however, this did not seem to be significant. A tally of errors in the test written in English showed that the pupils failed to use the correct processes in seven out of ten problems given. Based on the result of the study as for recommendations teaching of Mathematics vocabulary should be given emphasis in order to improve pupils' problem solving skills.