Action Research Proposal: Mathematics Problem-
Solving Skill And Reading Comprehension
Updated on April 30, 2012
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Mathematics problem-solving and reading comprehension go hand-in-hand
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It cannot be denied that problem solving is an important part of Mathematics education.
Mathematics, in general, is an important subject because of its practical role to a person and the
society as a whole. However, before a student can successfully solve a problem, he has to possess
good reading comprehension, analytic and computational skills.
_________________________________________________________________
I. Situation
Problem solving in Mathematics and reading comprehension go hand in hand. Solving Math
problems entails or requires the students to do or apply two skills at the same time- reading and
computing. It is a two-edged sword which the student should conquer, so to speak.
As a teacher of Mathematics in Grade 6 for five years in the public school, I have encountered many
pupils who are poor both in comprehending and analyzing Mathematics word problems. Specifically
in SY 2010-2011 Grade 6 class, only 11 out of 60 pupils can successfully solve problems in Math
without or with just little help from the teacher. The rest need to be guided to understand the
problem. Approximately 82% find it hard to picture the situation indicated by the problem they are
trying to solve. The slow ones would even ask the meaning of a certain word in the problem. When
they have understood it, it is only then that they fully grasp the event/situation pictured in the
problem. However, there are still some who cannot understand it, probably because they can’t
connect or relate the ideas explained in the problem. When it is time to analyze or break down the
problem, only the 11 pupils mentioned earlier can actively participate.
During group activities, the leaders would most often report that their members have to be monitored
closely so that they would be able to correctly analyze the problem. Based on their report, roughly 3
out of 7 members actively contribute in their output.
That is why, during formative tests, only11 can get a perfect score. Majority of the class get 0-3
correct answers out of 5 given problems. Since the beginning of the school year, I have noticed that
roughly 85%of the class has poor reading comprehension skills. The Grade 5 teacher warned me
beforehand that this class is the slowest batch he has handled; particularly in reading
comprehension. Many of the pupils in the class have poor vocabulary skills. True enough, I
experience the same thing now. It seems that the present batch of pupils is worse than the previous
one. Translating this into analyzing the problems in Mathematics, there is a grim prospect that they
would find it hard to understand Math problems and thus affect their performance in the said area
,notwithstanding their numerical skills. In straight computations like plain addition, multiplication,
subtraction and division, they can solve them successfully with very little help. But when these are
written in the verbal context-not in the numerical context- they are already at a loss, so to speak.
Obviously, the bane of these pupils is the understanding of the contents of the math problems
correctly and connecting the ideas expressed in it to fully grasp and find a way to successfully solve
the problem.
________________________________________________________________
II. The Problem
The problem is the failure of the Grade VI pupils of Zapote Elementary School, SY 2011-2012, to
correctly analyze word problems in Mathematics due to poor reading comprehension abilities.
Possible Causes:
1. Limited vocabulary words in Mathematics
2. Lack of technique in solving word problems
_________________________________________________________________
III. Generation of Alternative Solution
This action research offers alternative solution to the following:
1. Limited Mathematics vocabulary
a. Provide unlocking of difficulties through vocabulary development before the beginning of the Math
class
b. Establish a tutor-tutee relationship wherein a good pupil tutors or teaches a slow classmate
assigned to him in areas of reading comprehension and problem-solving
c. Provide interesting and challenging vocabulary activities involving Mathematics vocabulary such
as in contests and games
2. Lack of technique in solving word problems
a. Organize the given information found in the problem
b. Use object representation and manipulatives to picture clearly the given Math problem
c. Substitute large numbers by simpler numbers or restate the problem in much simpler terms
through improved reading comprehension
d. Make a number sentence out of the word problem
e. Use the “trial and error” method or the “guess and check”
________________________________________________________________
IV. Plan of Action
a. Objectives
1. Improve the pupils’ limited vocabulary wordsin Mathematics and enhance reading comprehension
ability of the students
2. Develop the pupils’ techniques in solving word problems
b. Time Frame
This study will be conducted for one quarter, from July to September of SY 2011-2012
c. Target Subjects
The target subjects for this study are the Grade VI pupils of Zapote Elementary School during the
academic year 2011-2012.
d. Activities to be Undertaken
Target Date Persons Involved Activities Expected Results
A. Inform the school head about
Granted permission to conduct
July 12, 2011 School Head the action research to be
the research
undertaken
B. Orientation of the pupils and 100% of the pupils and co-
July 15, 2011 Grade VI pupils Co-teachers co-teachers regarding the action teachers will be aware of the
research on-going research
C. Improve the pupils'limited
vocabulary words in Mathematics
1. Survey the Mathematics 100% of the pupils will be
July 16, 2011 Grade VI pupils
vocabulary skill of the pupils. surveyed
2. Provide unlocking of difficulties
100% of the class will develop
through vocabulary development
July 18 to September 9, 2011 Grade VI pupils and enhance their Math
before the beginning of the Math
vocabulary skill
class.
3. Establish a tutor-tutee
relationship in reading
100% of the slow pupils will
comprehension and problem-
July 21, 2011 Grade VI pupils, Teacher learn from their tutor-
solving wherein a good pupil
classmates
tutors a slow classmate assigned
to him
4. Provide interesting and
100% of the pupils will
July 18, 2011 until the end of challenging vocabulary activities
Grade VI pupils , Teacher participate more actively in
the school year involving Math vocabulary such
discussions and activities
as in contestsand game.
D. Develop the pupils' techniques
Target Date Persons Involved Activities Expected Results
in solving word problems
1. Draw a graph, chart, graphic
100% of the pupils will be able
organizer or list to help the
to organize the given data and
July 25 to August 5, 2011 Grade VI pupils, Teacher students organize their
connect the ideas expressed in
information found in the word
the problem
problem.
2. Ask the students to make
representation of objects so they 100% of the pupils can
will be able to visualize the manipulate and be aided by
August 8-19, 2011 Grade VI pupils, Teacher
problem clearly. They can use these materials in solving word
ruler, play money, realia, blocks, problems
dice, etc.
3. Substitute large numbers by
100% of the pupils will be able
simpler numbers and use them
August 22 to September 2, to simplify the problem and
Grade VI pupils, Teacher instead of what are given in the
2011 substitute simpler numbers for
problem, Problems can also be
the given numbers
restated in much simpler terms.
4. From the given problem, make
a number sentence by
substituting the English
100% of the pupils will be able
sentences into Mathematics
September 5-16, 2011 Grade VI pupils, Teacher to master writing the number
sentences. Another technique is
sentence
to translate the problem into a
dialect most understood by the
students.
5. Solve by "trial and error" or
100% of the pupils will be able
"guess and check" by using the
September 19-23, 2011 Grade VI pupils, Teacher to apply the guess and check
answers provided in multiple
technique
choice problems.
V. Evaluation Criteria
The result of this research shall be reported after 100% of the Grade VI pupils have improved their
Mathematics problem-solving skills.
______________________________________________________________
VI.Research Design
This action research is purely descriptive in nature which uses pre-test/post-test results and survey
results to address the pupils’ problem.
Activities Data To Be Collected Statistical Treatment
1. Conduct a pre-survey of the previous
Math vocabulary and reading Pre-survey result Average
comprehension of students
2. Administer the pre-test Result of the pre-test Percentage
3. Conduct daily test on Math vocabulary Result of the daily test Percentage
4. Conduct weekly test on problem-solving Weekly test result Percentage
5. Conduct a post-survey of the
Post-survey result Average
Mathematics vocabulary of the pupils
Activities Data To Be Collected Statistical Treatment
6. Administer the post-test Result of the post-test Percentage
RELATED
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
In today‟s mathematical classrooms, problem solving has many effects on a
student‟s learning. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards
advocated that problem solving is an integral part of all mathematics learning. For
many at-risk students, difficulties in problem solving stemmed from several areas
(NCTM, 1989). Normally, the resistance at-risk students had with problem solving
came from a language barrier, slow learning pace, attention deficit, retention
difficulties, abstract reasoning, visual/auditory-processing or perceptual deficits
(Geary, Bow-Thomas, & Yao, 1992 & Bernando, 1999). In order to assist at-risk
students in problem solving, educators were cognizant of the differences in a student‟s
mathematical abilities and the difficulties they had with problem solving. This
included the gifted child who had special needs for more challenging work. Diezmann,
Thornton, and Watters (2003) stated, “To provide worthwhile problem-solving
experiences for all students in the classroom, we teachers should pay particular
attention to the needs of exceptional students, those with learning difficulties as well
as those who are gifted in mathematics” (p.169). Educators identified student‟s
learning characteristics and employed strategies that engaged them in problem solving
tasks (O‟Malley, Chamot, Manzanares, Kupper, & Russo, 1985a). Identifying learning
characteristics and employing strategies are important because they assisted students
in gaining command over required skills and are associated with language acquisition
(O‟Malley et al., 1985a). According to the NCTM (2006), all students needed to build
new mathematical knowledge through problem solving, solve problems that arise in
mathematics and in other contexts, apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies
to solve problems and monitor and reflect on the process of mathematical problem
solving.
In order to increase mathematical abilities of the at-risk student, educators
worked on students‟ mathematical and reading skills (Chamot & O‟Malley, 1994).
O‟Malley et al., (1985a, 1992) implemented metacognitive, cognitive, social affective
and problem-solving strategies as part of their daily lesson activities in order to assist
students in solving mathematical word problems (Chamot & O‟Malley, 1994).
Instruction for at-risk students required mathematics teachers to incorporate reading
strategies into the classroom. Chamot & O‟Malley (1994) confirmed, “Thus,
guidelines must be established that will enable teachers of ESL students to build the
necessary language supports for students to be able to understand the language in word
problems and begin to use English as a vehicle for communication”(p.234). Jerman
and Rees, 1972, Kintch and Greeno, 1985, De Corte and Verschaffel, 1987, Carpenter
and Hiebert, 198, and Lewis and Mayer, 1987, focused on difficulties that at-risk
students had when solving mathematical word problems. Therefore, in order to assist
at-risk students, mathematic teachers needed to be prepared in the content of language
arts as well. Moats (1999) stated, “A comprehensive redesign of teacher preparation in
reading instruction, founded on a core curriculum that defines the knowledge and
skills necessary for effective practice, is vital to improved classroom instruction” (p.
8).
Today, with the No Child Left Behind Act, teachers are required to implement
effective research based-practices. The use of effective proven instructional strategies is
more important now than ever because educational standards were being raised. In
traditional classrooms, many variables played a role in effective teaching. According to
Chamot and O‟Malley (1994), mathematics teachers had not extended students awareness
of mathematical concepts further than simple computation and limited application of
formulas and principles. Therefore, educators provided classroom instruction designed to
build upon and expand students learning beyond simple computation, formulas and
principles. “A call for new standards of student performance and new guidelines for
teaching has heavily influenced discussion of the appropriate instructional methods in
grade-level mathematics classrooms” (Chamot and O‟Malley, 1994, p 222).
Purpose
The purpose of this action research study was to observe students mathematical
abilities and to investigate whether teaching students problem-solving strategies in
mathematics would affect student‟s mathematical thinking and their ability to
comprehend and solve word problems. In particular, I studied at risk students who
received direct instruction and were taught mathematical strategies. Through the use of
problem-solving notebooks, math journals and interviews, I collected data on at risk
students‟ mathematical comprehension and problem-solving abilities.
Research Questions
1. How did direct instruction affect at-risk students‟ mathematical abilities?
2. How did the use of mathematical problem solving strategies (Act it out, Draw a
diagram, Draw a picture, Make a chart, graph, or list, Guess and Check, Make it
simpler, Use logical reasoning. Work backwards and Find a pattern. Polya‟s problem
solving steps.) affect at-risk students‟ problem-solving performance?
3. What were students‟ attitudes toward mathematics?
Students pre-test, post-test, vocabulary logs, mathematical journals, and problem
solving notebook were used to observe, collect, record, analyze and explore how students
use problem-solving strategies while solving a word problem. These were used to
monitor students reading, mathematical and problems solving skills. These observations
allowed me to examine students‟ knowledge and areas of difficulty in solving
mathematical word problems. Student journals were created to record and view how
students used problem-solving strategies. Math journals were helpful in making
meaningful learning connections in mathematics for my students. Interviews were
conducted to assists students who had difficulties while solving mathematics word
problems. Students who struggled with reading skills due to language barriers and
reading comprehension were interviewed to get a better insight on their mathematical
understanding and use of problem-solving strategies. In addition, while conducting the
interviews I tried to provide students with reading and mathematical strategies to assists
while solving mathematical word problems.
Rationale
For the purpose of the study, the target group population was at a middle
school located in Central Florida. The school is an inner-city, Title I school. The
school has a bilingual center, which provides services for low-income, predominately
Hispanic, Haitian, and African American population. As an instructor for this school, I
taught 4 intensive math classes for at-risk students. Participants in the study were
students whose' reading and mathematics scores, according to the Florida
Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and Sunshine States Standards (SSS), were
below grade level expectations.
The need for effective teaching was increasing in our math classes. Seventy
five percent of the eight grade students in the school obtained scores ranking below
grade level expectations according to the FCAT and SSS. In our math and reading
classes, I was requested by the principal of the school to use a direct instruction
approach to help at-risk students who struggled with mathematical concepts and
reading comprehension. In addition, I delivered whole and small group instruction.
Direct instruction was delivered using the Saxon Math 8/7, Third Edition by Stephen
Hake and John Saxon, an adopted textbook used for intensive math classes. For at-risk
students, I used direct instruction because it provided the learner with an organized,
well-controlled environment in which the individual needs of each student are met.
Moats (1999) stated, “To accommodate children‟s variability, the teacher must assess
children and tailor lessons to individuals. She must interpret errors, give correct
feedback, select examples to illustrate concepts, explain new ideas in several ways,
and connect linguistic symbols with “real” reading and writing” (p.11). This approach
to classroom instruction involved much more than finding and using a collection of
fun activities. Direct Instruction required students to deal with problems of reading one
at a time. Students read vocabulary words, learned the mathematical meaning of the
words and applied a vocabulary word to the correct mathematical content.
In order for students to solve mathematical word problems effectively, they
needed to be proficient readers so that they can comprehend word problems.
Therefore, I viewed reading as a fundamental skill upon which problem solving
abilities depend.
Significance of the Study
According to Lloyd and Keller (1989), when instruction is broken down into
small units from complex tasks, the learning becomes accessible for all students. The
learning becomes more accessible because teachers will tailor lessons to the individual
need of the student. In addition, the learning becomes accessible because the teacher
will be able to interpret errors, give corrective feedback, select examples to illustrate
concepts, and explain new ideas in several ways. Therefore, students will achieve
more at mathematical problem solving (Lloyd and Keller (1989)).
It would be presumptuous to say that at-risk students are not successful at
problem solving because students lack conceptual knowledge. In many cases, students
are familiar with mathematical vocabulary, but may need assistance with the
mathematical process. Likewise, students may not know mathematical strategies and
reading techniques that can be used in solving mathematical word problems. Under
these circumstances, students have a difficult time with the problem solving process
because of the inability to relate and/or transfer relevant knowledge (Borasi, Siegel,
Fonzi and Smith (1998)).
For at-risk students, the ability to comprehend a word problem appears when
the student is not able to make the mathematical connection (Borasi, Siegel, Fonzi and
Smith, 1998). Students deficient in the mathematical content fail at problem solving
because they are not equipped with the necessary tools to learn how to solve word
problems. Hence, students need math strategies and reading techniques. In order for
students to become effective at problem solving, students will need knowledge on the
uses of mathematical strategies to strengthen the understanding of numbers. Educators
must use multiple strategies. Borasi, Siegel, Fonzi and Smith (1998) avowed,
“Because students have such difficulties coping with these texts, research on reading
mathematics has concentrated on developing and studying strategies that teach
students the „language of mathematics‟ and ways to interpret word problems” (p. 276).
Educators need to teach students mathematical language skills that include the ability
to read with comprehension, to express mathematical thoughts clearly, to reason
logically, and to recognize and to employ common patterns of mathematical thoughts.
Equipping students with the necessary tools in mathematics requires teachers to
empower students with reading and mathematics strategies so that they may be able
effective at problem solving. Exposing students to strategies will help them become
effective problem-solver.
Knowing that students have difficulties with problem solving due to learning
barriers, educators will need to take several steps to address their needs. One of those
steps could be helping students use reading strategies in a mathematical classroom.
Educators cannot help students to transfer knowledge just lecturing alone. At risk
students must take an active role in their own learning. To accomplish this, educators
in the field of mathematics need to use lessons that incorporate word problems, in
which students would have the opportunity to explore, question, discuss, and discover
(Chamot & O‟Malley, 1994). Mathematics and reading teachers will need to look at
teaching strategies that may assist at-risk students in their learning process.
Assumptions
The assumptions in the study are as follows:
1. The students participating in the study will use problem-solving strategies given prior
and during the lesson.
2. The students will use vocabulary words in mathematical problems that will help them
understand what they are being asked to do in order to solve a mathematical word
problem.
3. The students participating in the study will provide accurate responses to a pre/post
test on mathematical abilities.
4. The student participating in the study will take a supplemental part of the
mathematical ability test in which focus on the students‟ “attitude” toward
mathematics.
5. The students‟ participating in the study were not influenced by my views and
opinions and the data examined in the study was not hindered by my views and thoughts.
Limitations
There were several limitations in this study. The first limitation to the study
was that one student dropped out due to mobility status. Another limitation was that by
the end of the study students‟ maturity level had changed. In addition, the amount of
time during the study (9 weeks) was a limited factor.
Terms
Action Research: Research conducted by teachers to gather information and reflect on their own
teaching practices (Mills, 2000).
At-Risk Students: Students who for a variety of factors are likely to drop out of school (Waxman &
Padron, 1997).
Bilingual Education (Bilingual Center): The use of two languages for the purpose of academic
instruction consisting of an organized curriculum which includes at a minimum; continued
primary language (L1) development; English (L2) acquisition; and subject matter instruction
through (L1) and (L2). Bilingual education programs assist limited-English proficient (LEP)
students in acquiring literacy both in English and primary language development to a level where
they can succeed in an English-only classroom. Programs may also include native speakers of
English (Empowering ESOL Teacher: An Overview Vol 1).
Direct Instruction: A teaching approach that emphasizes lecture and drilling and is done in a
formal setting where the teacher had control of all decisions (Schweinhart and Weikart, 1988).
Education
