Improving Problem Solving by Improving Reading Skills of Grade Five Pupils

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The development of thinking is considered one of the main objectives that educators seek to achieve. Once these objectives are achieved, pupils can effectively address issues and crises in everyday life as well as the complications of the present and future. The process of thinking is similar to the human breathing apparatus because it is indispensable as breathing. Teaching thinking skills are necessary because of the breadth of available knowledge. Thinking skills provide the necessary tools to address this avalanche of renewable knowledge that has been witnessed in our contemporary word.

METHODS

A quantitative approach was followed. Quantitative research is a formal, objective, systematic process to describe and test relationships and examine cause and effect interactions among variables. The researcher chose the quantitative approach because it quantifies the data so that it can be treated statistically. Quantitative research is a better method than qualitative research because it is more simplified and numerical results can be easier to understand. A descriptive survey design was also used in this study. A survey is used to collect original data for describing a population too large to observe directly. A survey obtains information from a sample of pupils using self-report, that is, the pupils respond to a series of questions posed by the investigator.

RESULTS

The study showed that a nourishing classroom environment seems to play a role in the process of enhancing reading skills among pupils. The findings indicate that pupils with reading difficulties can and do benefit from thinking skills instruction and should, therefore, be actively involved in the Individualized Educational Program designed to develop and enhance their reading skills.

DISCUSSIONS

Although the fact that reading skills are researched topics deeply with normal pupils of across different ages, there was less attention paid towards reading skills of pupils with learning difficulties in an integrated conceptualization. In this regard then, the purpose of this study was to the effect of the Individualized Educational Program in enhancing reading skills among pupils with learning difficulties. These findings confirmed the idea that a training program on thinking skills enhances students' critical skills.