A CASE STUDY OF THE USE OF DRAW A PICTURE STRATEGY IN TEACHING WORD PROBLEM FOR ELEMENTARY LOW PERFORMING PUPILS

OOI LI XUAN 7 PISMP MT 1 IPG CAMPUS TUANKU BAINUN

Why is problem solving important?

Recent work on mathematics education in

Holland, reported in Anghileri (2001), suggests that children should be introduces to real-life problems as part of their mathematical learning.
Advocates of Realistic Mathematics Education

(RME) (Anghileri, 2001) argue that if children learn mathematics in an isolated fashion, divorced from experienced reality, it will be quickly forgotten and the children will not be able to apply it (p. 51).

THE PROBLEM
Problem solving for 4 basic operations Pupils face difficulties in choosing an appropriate process or algorithm to solve the problem.
Research undertaken by Clements (1980) using the Newman classification to analyze the data, suggests that about two-thirds of the errors made when solving word problems occur at the first three stages (i.e. before children perform any calculation).

THE OBJECTIVES
General objective Implementation of draw a picture strategy in assisting elementary pupils to transform (Newman, 1977) word problem into a calculation.

Specific objectives To evoke elementary pupils interest in solving word problems. Pupils will be able to identify important information and show how to solve beginning unknown word problems by using draw a picture strategy.

Target group
Year 3 pupils in S. K. Convent, BM. Who showed problems in the third stage in Newmans error analysis.

Newmans Error Analysis 1. Reading: Read the question quietly to yourself and let me know if you want help with any word. 2. Comprehension: Can you tell me what the question is asking you to find out? 3. Transformation: What could you do to get the answer? 4. Process Skills: Try doing it and as you are doing it, tell me what you are thinking. 5. Encoding: Now write down your answer.

Draw a picture strategy

The draw a picture strategy is a problem-solving technique in which students make a visual representation of the problem. Drawing a diagram or other type of visual representation is often a good starting point for solving all kinds of word problems. By representing units of measurement and other objects visually, students can begin to think about the problem mathematically. Pictures and diagrams are also good ways of describing solutions to problems; therefore they are an important part of mathematical communication.

Example:
A frog is at the bottom of a 10-meter well. Each day he climbs up 3 meters. Each night he slides down 1 meter. On what day will he reach the top of the well and escape?

THE ACTION
Identify target group by administering

Newmans Error Analysis using questioning strategies on selected pupils. Carry out problem solving lesson within 3 weeks by teaching pupils using the draw a picture strategy to solve word problem. Steps:
Read and understand the problem. Draw a picture to relate all the important

information. Solve the problem by choosing correct operator.

DATA COLLECTION
Reflective journal

- Pupils will be asked to write a short reflection after each lesson and pass up on the next day. It must be related to the lesson they have just learned. Observation/ Video - Teacher will observe the pupils behavior and their reaction during the process of teaching and learning. Documents - data collected from pupils' exercises book to justify whether they have improved through the process of implementing the strategy.

THE RESEARCH PROCEDURES

1. Identify the problem by reflecting and interviewing 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Mathematics teachers. Search for related resources. Decide on the objectives and action that will be taken. Pass up first draft and get suggestions from supervisor. Review and modify first draft. Pass up second draft. Get comments from supervisor. Modify second draft. Prepare power point slide show for proposal presentation. Present proposal in the class.

Thank you