Enhancing the Computational Skills of Pupilst hrough Project DRIM (Drill in Mathematics)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Helping children learn the basic Math skills is an important goal in an everyday Mathematics curriculum. Today, most pupils and teachers are unable to understand the importance of drill. Mostly are motivated to obtain something without effort. By the end of the 2nd Grading, most pupils should have developed an automatic recall of basic addition and subtraction facts and know most of 1,2,5 and 10 multiplication facts by the end of third grade most pupils should have an automatic recall of basic multiplication facts and familiar with the basic division facts. At the beginning of fourth grade multiplication and division are reinforced. The Pre-test on Computational Skills as well as the result of Inventory Test in Mathematics for Grade IV of Buna Lejos Elementary School showed no mastery of the basic multiplication and division facts. Project DRIM (Drill in Mathematics) was used to increase their academic performance in Mathematics

METHODS

Project DRIM in Mathematics used a Continuous Improvement (CI) Approach to come up with Mathematics Intervention (Drill in Mathematics). We followed the followed the3 A's method with the 10 step CI Approach, Assess, Analyze and Act.

RESULTS

After the Post -Test on Computational Skills in Mathematics, the pupils demonstrated mastery of the four fundamental operations. They were able to overcome the fear of Mathematics.

DISCUSSIONS

Math performance at our school has been dramatically improved by using drill every day. Pre-test and Post-test showed that there is a great improvement in the mathematical skills of our pupils. Drills can provide an important "practice phase" to instruction and can be useful learning information that requires fluency such as Math skills.