Vocabulary Development in Content Area Text Towards Understanding of Word Problems in Elementary Grade V & Vi Mathematics at Sampa-Pacifico Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pupils find difficulty in studying Mathematics especially in comprehending and solving Mathematical word problems. To combat the students' inability to solve Mathematical word problems, educators should have found solutions to remedy the situation. Grade Five and Grade Six classes of Sampa-Pacifico are grouped heterogeneously. But, generally, these classes perform poorly in Mathematics especially in solving word problems. Pupils were not able to understand the problem because they were not familiar with the vocabulary used in the problem. So, this research was conducted to improve the pupils'' performance in mathematics.

METHODS

Relevant information regarding this action research was collected through different websites. Questionnaire was also prepared which were administered to the subjects of the study (Grade V and VI pupils) at Sampa-Pacifico Elementary School. Descriptive Survey Questionnaire, Vocabulary test, and Statistical Data were used. The gathered data were tabulated and analyzed.

RESULTS

To evaluate pupils' activity in vocabulary comprehension in solving Mathematics Word Problem, Vocabulary Test was administered to the subjects of the study. Pupils were given a Pre -Test (without vocabulary development) and Post -Test (with vocabulary development) in solving Mathematical problems. Through the test administered to the respondents, the researcher found out that there was really a big change from the result of the pupils' performance concerning problem-solving in Mathematics. Upon comparing the results, they clearly showed that pupils performed better if they understand the problem with the help of vocabulary activities given before conducting the lesson.

DISCUSSIONS

Since vocabulary development and comprehension are integral parts of a pupil's ability to analyze and solve problems, the teachers of Sampa -Pacifico Elementary School worked on it. This research gives more emphasis on teaching vocabulary to let the pupils communicate better in Mathematics through the use of different word media. Teaching pupils-at-risk in Mathematics requires the teacher to incorporate vocabulary development strategies in Mathematics lessons, specifically in problem-solving questions. Every teacher should explain fully well, the words which are difficult to understand in the problem before solving it. The teacher will prepare vocabulary cards to enhance pupils' vocabulary in Mathematics. We have found out these schemes improved the pupils' performance in solving Mathematical problems.