Content and Conceptual understanding of Grade 4 pupils in Science: A remediation Worktext

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The study was pursued because of the concern regarding the students' inability to learn the contents and concepts in Science, thus things have to be done to improve the students' performance. Upon studying the struggle of the learners, the researcher sought to develop materials that will solve the problem and incorporate the students' primary language. This hypothesis leads to the development of Science worktext integrating Language 1 (Mother Tongue) and Language 2 (English).

METHODS

This action research used a quasi-experimental method of research. Content and concept assessment test, pretest, posttest, worktext, and questionnaires were the instruments used in this study. The respondents of the study were Grade 4 pupils of Bagong Silang Elementary School, Guinayangan, Quezon with a total of thirty (30) pupils. Also, the twelve (12) Science Elementary teachers served as the evaluator of the worktext. The statistical treatments used were the mean percentage score, t-test, and weighted mean.

RESULTS

The Grade 4 pupils obtained an overall mean percentagescore of 26.495 on the assessment for content and conceptual understanding. The results revealed that grade 4 pupils have a low level of content and conceptual understanding. The significant difference between the posttest and the pretest was computed. The t-value was 11.576 which is greater than the critical value of 2.045. Thus, the null hypothesis which states that there is no significant difference between pretest and posttest scores of the respondents was rejected. Hence, the worktext is a useful instructional material in teaching that helps the Grade 4 pupils learn Science contents and concepts. The developed worktext is strongly accepted by the Grade 4 teachers in Guinayangan North District.

DISCUSSIONS

The developed remediation Worktext for Sciences useful in improving pupil's content and conceptual understanding in Science. The study goes with the conclusions of Ilagan (2011), Aasaert and Braak (2014), and Selga (2016) that worktext and utilization of home language help pupils perform well in school. In spite of the results, the conclusions of the study may be strengthened by conducting the same study utilizing the true experimental method. Still, the output of the study may be utilized by Grade 4. Furthermore, the output may serve as a model that may be used for producing another science worktext that will utilize language 1 for other Grades.