Asiactive at MNHS: Activating Schema on Concept Building in Asian History among Grade 7 Learners at Mataasnakahoy National High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This study focused on the concept-building learning skills for the first weeks of teaching Asian History among Grade 7 learners at Mataasnakahoy National High School. The researcher listed down the occurrence of the observed learning behavior of students in building new concepts in Asian History. The potential of this study is that this is an overture to go beyond what is written on the books and to understand more about how the students build concepts. In this sense, the teaching and learning process will be more mutually relative with each other which will possibly lead to learners' higher academic achievement and masterful learning.

METHODS

Qualitative research was utilized through observing daily classes for the first three weeks of classes and anecdotal note-keeping. The proposed research participants are the 20 grade seven students of Mataasnakahoy National High School. The students are selected based on the following criteria: 1) they must be non-repeater Grade 7 students of Mataasnakahoy National High School, 2) they must be noted by the grade 7 teacher as manifesting difficulties in the subject area for the first two weeks of classes, and 3) they must be willing to take part in the study.

RESULTS

Upon the collection of the observation notes during the first weeks of classes in Araling Panlipunan, the teacher arrived with processing strategies when building concepts in Asian History. These strategies are rereading the text, repeating the text, using prior knowledge about the concept, using vernaculars, asking questions, looking for keywords, use of pictures and claim difficulty of the concepts. The following difficulties were noted from the observations made are poor knowledge about the concepts, poor reading ability, lack of study skills and poor vocabulary.

DISCUSSIONS

Upon the collection of the observation notes during the first weeks of classes in AP, the teacher arrived at the following processing strategies when building concepts in Asian History. These strategies are rereading the text, repeating the text, using prior knowledge about the concept, using vernaculars, asking questions, looking for keywords, using pictures, and claiming difficulty of the concepts. One of the Concept building strategies that may be suggested for enhancing students' schema activation skills in building concepts in Asian History is the Hot Seat Activity. Several students will be asked to sit in the "Hot Seat" and answer questions related to the topic of study.