Effect of 4Ms (Mastery in Mathematics using Manipulative Materials) in the Performance of Grade 1 Learners in Mathematics

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In Mathematics, the use of manipulative instructional materials is designed to create the learners' ability to perceive the mathematical concept by manipulating it. The use of manipulative activity engagements paved the way for learners to learn the concepts in a developmentally appropriate, hands-on and exciting way.

METHODS

This action research utilized the experimental design since its main purpose was to know the effect of using manipulative engagement activities and its possible effect on the performance of Grade One pupils in Mathematics for 8 weeks.

Two groups were taught the same lessons for 8 weeks. The control group was taught using the traditional teaching materials with similar activities approach while the experimental group was taught using manipulative activity engagements utilizing different real objects with sets of activities and sets of evaluation and facilitation for every individual, pair activities/exercises and groupings of pupils for the eight-week duration. The data gathered went through quantitative analysis to determine the effect of manipulative materials on the performance of Grade 1 Learners.

RESULTS

The two groups (Grade One learners) have the same entry knowledge before the conduct of the study. It implies that both groups find the items in the pretest difficult since these concepts are new to them. After an 8-week intensive teaching grade one mathematics skills and processes using and engaging learners in manipulative materials/ activities, the result in the post-test definitely varies.

The mean percentage scores in the experimental post-test results indicate that the pupils satisfactorily mastered the necessary competencies when exposed to manipulative activity engagements.

DISCUSSIONS

Pupils' performance in Mathematics improved after exposure to different methods and strategies in teaching, therefore using manipulative materials in teaching mathematics motivates pupils to enjoy learning and perform better. Manipulative materials are effective tools for enhancing the performance of Grade 1 learners in Mathematics.

Teachers should continuously utilize manipulative materials in teaching Mathematics, especially in the primary grades as well as in other related subjects to motivate/engage learners to achieve better performance.