THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHING STRATEGIES EMPLOYED TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF LOWER SECONDARY PUPILS WHEN SOLVING WORD PROBLEMS IN MATHEMATICS

Abstract

This study aims to investigate three main areas of concern in the teaching of verbal problems in Mathematics. These are the practicality of an approach which incorporates reading instruction in the teaching of Mathematics in a Singapore classroom, the effect of such an approach on pupils' interest level and competence when solving verbal problems and the feasibility of a procedure involving the use of three teaching strategies in a particular school context. In seeking answers to the concerns outlined in the preceding paragraph, a group of pupils were identified to be worked with in Yuying Secondary School. To confirm the existence of these specific difficulties amongst the pupils chosen for this study, a questionnaire was administered, an informal observation of pupils was made when they were working on a set of verbal problems, an analysis of examination papers was undertaken, a pilot lesson and a pre-test were conducted. Then a main study comprising seven lessons was carried out with this group of pupils. At the end of the main study a post-test was administered. Each set of verbal questions was taught by taking pupils through a set of lessons which began with a Directed Reading Activity followed by a Marginal Gloss Activity and then by Small Group Discussion. A deliberate effort was made in using the strategies so as to take the learners from a dependent state to an independent one when reading verbal problems with comprehension. The Directed Reading Activity aims to furnish pupils with the necessary information needed for the reading task inclusive of the heuristics to be used. The Marginal Gloss Activity is intended to provide practice and increase pupils' reliance on the heuristics taught to read and solve verbal questions successfully. Finally, the Small Group Discussion is used to increase pupils' willingness and confidence in solving verbal questions by using the heuristics taught