Challenges Of The Grade 3 Teachers Of Lopez West District In Teaching Mathematics Under K To 12 Curriculum: Basis For The Development Of A Math Teachers' Handbook

Abstract

Introduction

One of the recent changes that happened in the Philippine educational system is the change in the basic education curriculum. Curriculum change can be described as the transformation of the curriculum scheme such as goals, objectives, content, and design (Amino, 2009). Because of the major changes, teachers experience some sort of difficulties. This study aimed to determine the challenges encountered by grade 3 teachers of Lopez West District in teaching Mathematics under the K to 12 Curriculum and to develop Math Teacher's Handbook based on the dominant challenges encountered.

Methods

A descriptive survey and descriptive comparative method of research were utilized. The study was conducted in 27 elementary schools of Lopez West District, Lopez, Quezon. The validated questionnaire was used to determine the challenges encountered by 40 grade 3 teachers of Lopez West District for SY: 2015 –2016. The data were analyzed using standard statistical tools such as frequency percentage distribution, weighted arithmetic mean, one way ANOVA, independent t-test and Scheff's test.

Results

Most of the respondents are teacher II whose age ranges from 31 –40 and married. Grade 3 teachers of Lopez West District encountered the following challenges in teaching Mathematics under K to 12 Curriculum: a) organizing, planning and presenting lessons considering the pupils differences; b) preparation of creative instructional materials; c) selection of more appropriate assessment strategy; d) the size of the classroom for group activities; e) attention span of the learners; f) familiarization of pupils in terminologies being used and g) time in making action research. The study revealed that there were significant differences in the challenges encountered by grade 3 teachers of Lopez West District in teaching Mathematics under K to 12 Curriculum when they grouped according to their demographic profile in terms of age, marital status and designation.

Discussions

The results show that the majority of grade 3 teachers in Lopez West District encountered challenges in teaching Mathematics under the K to 12 Curriculum. Mathematics teachers must be equipped with the necessary skills or strategies needed. Math Teachers' Handbook was made to use as a guide to overcoming the challenges that they have encountered. This research output provides useful teaching strategies that can be used in addressing different challenges they have encountered in teaching Math.