Touch Math Program: An innovative Teaching and Learning Strategy of Developing the Numeracy Skills of Kindergarten Pupils of Silang West Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Project ISA (Intensifying Subtraction and Addition) is Division's initiated program that will prepare kindergarten pupils for formal schooling in Grade 1, and the use of Touch Math approach is one of the interventions that could address the numeracy problem of the kindergarten pupils of Silang West Elementary School. The Innovative Learning Concepts, Inc. In Colorado has created Touch Math as a way for pupils to learn Math through touch points. The researchers took the responsibility to conduct a 4-month Touch Math Program to find out its effectiveness in improving the numeracy skills of Kindergarten pupils. The respondents were 90 pupils and the topic was limited to "Sum and Difference from 0 to 10."

METHODS

The researchers used purposive sampling in which 90 out of 187 kindergarten pupils are selected based on the result of their pre-test. They have poor results in adding and subtracting numbers with sum and difference of 0-10. The researchers used the training materials such as Touch Math poster, flash cards, work sheets, concrete objects and watch video to master the numbers and touch points. Mastery of counting forward in Addition and backward in Subtraction is important to perform the task.

RESULTS

The pupils were categorized into 4 levels of proficiency, the beginning, developing, proficient and advance. Before the intervention program, 90 pupils achieved the beginning and developing levels in performing Addition and Subtraction based on their pre-test result. Out of 90 pupils, 52 to 54 pupils scored 0 to 3 points and the rest scored 4 to 6 points. Nobody achieved the proficient and advance level of proficiency (7-10 points). After the Touch Math intervention program, there was a 100% increase on the number of pupils who scored 7 to 10 points both in Addition and Subtraction. Moreover, the success rate in proficient and advance level was 0% during the generalization of pre-test session which increased up to 100% in their post-test.

DISCUSSIONS

The result shows the effectiveness of the Touch Math method as it improves the performance of ninety (90) pupils or 100% of the respondents in Addition and Subtraction with the sum and difference of 0-10. They can add and subtract in symbolic level without using their fingers, concrete objects, and pictures. Amazingly, some of them can perform mental addition as a result of everyday practice and drills. They gain self-esteem which plays a vital role in their learning performance particularly in Mathematics.