Enhancing Mathematical Ability of Grade 6 Pupils through Problem-Solving

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This action research was funded by theDepartment of Education through the Basic Education Research Fund (BERF). Problem solving is essential in Mathematics and to everyday life. It develops skills needed for real-life situations. However, 29 out 31 pupils or 94% of the Grade 6-1 class of Comon Elementary School had difficulty in solving mathematical problems based on the pretest result and their performance in Mathematics class. They can do simple computations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division but not word problems. To test the effectiveness of using problem-solving in enhancing the Mathematical ability of Grade 6-1 pupils and to improve their academic performance, the researcher conducted this action research.

METHODS

Descriptive-Correlational Method was used in the study. The 29 pupils underwent learning sessions in Mathematics using problem-solving. They were the same pupils who took the pretest and the posttest. Results of the tests were recorded, analyzed, and interpreted using the mean, percentage, and t-test for correlated sample. The researcher provided activity sheets on mathematical word problems to the pupils during the daily Supervised Study using problem-solving. Prior to that, the researcher taught the pupils problem-solving strategies in answering mathematical word problems. For each session, the use of problem-solving strategy in answering the activities was also given emphasis.

RESULTS

The researcher found out that the performance level of the Grade 6-1 pupils in Mathematics showed a significant increase. The pretest performance level was 28.20% and the posttest performance level was 82.68%. There is a significant difference in the performance of Grade 6 pupils in the pre and posttest. The use of problem-solving is an effective intervention in Mathematics in improving the academic performance of the pupils in the discipline. Teaching problem-solving strategies also helped improve the academic achievement of the pupils.

DISCUSSIONS

The findings imply that the use of problem-solving as a mathematical intervention to Grade 6 pupils improved their performance achievement. Pupils who are exposed to problem-solving can perform better in their Mathematics class which led to increased academic performance. These results support the studies of Luzmanuel (1990), Nuzum (1991), and Chang, et al (2001) that students showed good results if they were taught with the problem-solving approach.