Difficulties in Solving Word Problems in Mathematics of Grade Two Pupils in Paaralang Elementarya Ng Maalas-As

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Mathematical problem solving is one of the most important topics to be learned by the pupils. It is also one of the most intricate to teach whose main goal is that pupils develop a generic ability to solve real-life problems and apply mathematics in real life situations. It's saddening to observe that most of the pupils have a hard time solving a word problem. In this manner, the researchers conducted action research which focused on the difficulties in solving a word problem in Mathematics of Grade Two pupils in Paaralang Elementarya ng Maalas-as.

METHODS

The descriptive quantitative method was used in this research to obtain information concerning the present status of the respondents to describe "what exists" with respect to variables or conditions in a situation. Thirty-seven pupils of Grade II were used as subjects of the study, while the time frame covered the last quarter of the school year 2017-2018. A research questionnaire for the thirty-seven pupils from Grade II concerning their attitudes towards problem-solving was distributed by the researchers.

RESULTS

Based on the data gathered from the questionnaire of this study, the respondents find solving the mathematical computations in a word problem difficult. They moderately agree that reading word problems is a struggle though they know what steps to take to solve a word problem while they disagree that they feel confident when solving word problems. Relatively on their academic performance, it was seen that during the Third Grading Period the proficiency level of the majority is Approaching Proficiency and one got in Developing level. While the result of Fourth Grading gleaned that the majority of the pupils had an increase in their grades. Hence, nobody belongs to the levels of developing and beginning. However, the test of correlation between the Third Grading Period and the Fourth Grading period in this study inferred that there is no significant difference between the grades obtained by the Grade II pupils.

DISCUSSIONS

The results illustrate that the attitude of the pupils toward word problems and decoding the words in word problems are the major factors for their difficulties in solving a word problem in Mathematics. Thus, the proposed action plan of the researchers primarily concerned with suggestions on how to enrich the Mathematical Performance of Grade II pupils likely, learner-driven approaches in presenting and solving word problems to make them feel the fun and excitement in Mathematics.