Utilization of the Jar Model in Correcting Student's Common Errors in Adding and Subtracting integers

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Performing the fundamental operations on integers had been a major problem of the students in Naic National High School. Often, teachers find it easier to teach rules than to teach meanings, hoping students’ understanding will develop as they operate successfully with the relatively simple rules. This action research focused on determining the effectivity of the jar model, a visual-manipulative model as a means of increasing Grade 11 students’ level of performance in adding and subtracting integers.

METHODS

Single Group Pre-test and Post-test Experimental Design was utilized in the study. Purposive sampling through a pre-test was used for the identification of 48 Grade 11 students who were having difficulties in adding and subtracting integers. The participants have been taught "Addition and Subtraction of Integers" through the use of the jar model for eight weeks. Effectivity of the jar model was measured by giving a post-test after the conduct of the intervention program.

RESULTS

It was found out that there exists a significant difference between Grade 11 students' performance in adding and subtracting integers before and after the utilization of the jar model in teaching "Addition and Subtraction of Integers". The participants progressed from a satisfactory level to a very satisfactory level of performance after the implementation of the intervention program. Moreover, there was an 85.61 % improvement rate on students’ performance and a 64.61 % reduction rate in terms of the common errors committed by students in adding and subtracting integers after the utilization of the jar model in teaching the lesson.

DISCUSSIONS

The results of this study demonstrated the need for Mathematics teachers to adapt and utilize the jar model, an effective visual-manipulative model in teaching "Addition and Subtraction of Integers". Findings of the study revealed that students learn the lesson better through the use of the jar model compared to the conventional models and approaches in teaching the lesson. With the use of the jar model, we can also expect a significant reduction on students’ common errors in adding and subtracting integers.