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Context and Rationale

COVID – 19 Pandemic roughly started in the Philippines around March of

2022. That is when schools shut down to minimize the risk of spreading the virus and

to make sure the safety of the students. In this regard, schools implemented modular

modality to continue education. However, it caused the students the academic

excellence they are supposed to get on a face-to-face modality. It was found out on

the first part of the implementation of face-to-face classes this school year 2022-

2023 that students lack of knowledge and mastery in doing the four fundamental

operations on Integers. It was also proven during the Pre-test of ERUNT that 76.13%

of Grade 8 students are non-numerates. Luckily the LMENHS Mathematics

Department has managed to do some intervention to make the students understand

the concept of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers using the

MATHakip Program. It was introduced to them using bottle caps that can be seen

anywhere and without cost. However, the retention of the rules in doing the

operations were insufficient and students tend to forget as the time goes by.

Most students in Grade 8 were unable to understand the competency taught

by the teacher because of lack of retention on the rules in the operations on integers.

As Grade 8 students, it is expected that they have already mastered the skills in

operation of integers. Mastering these fundamental skills in Algebra is crucial in their

learning and understanding of other higher Math lessons. It would also affect their

academic performance not just in Mathematics but also in other Math-related

subjects.

Teaching students to master the skills in adding and subtracting, multiplying,

and dividing integers is still a challenging task for teachers. Repetition is essential for

the lasting memorization of the studied material. “Memory will be more effective if a
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constant and accurate distinction is made (with the help of the teacher) between

what: first – must be remembered and always known; second - what only needs to

be read in order the student to have a general view of it, which in time will only need

to be refreshed; and third, what students only need to get acquainted with and know

where they can refer to the certain issue later” (Millousheva-Boikina, 2021). The

researcher wanted to know if using DRILLS (Daily Review of operation on Integers

for Lifelong Learning Skills) as a strategy would positively affect the numeracy skills

of the students in adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing of integers, hence, this

study.

Action Research Questions

This action research aims to determine the effectiveness of DRILLS as a

strategy in improving the numeracy skills in adding, subtracting multiplying and

dividing of integers of Grade 8 students of Lirio M. Escaño National High School for

school year 2022 - 2023.

Specifically, this study will seek answers to the following questions:

1. What is the level of numeracy skills of Grade 8 students in adding,

subtracting multiplying and dividing of integers before the intervention?

2. What is the level of numeracy skills of Grade 8 students in adding,

subtracting multiplying and dividing of integers after the intervention?

3. Is there a significant difference in the level of numeracy skills of Grade

8 students in adding, subtracting multiplying and dividing of integers before and after

intervention?
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4. What actions should be undertaken to help improve the level of

numeracy skills of Grade 8 students in adding, subtracting multiplying and dividing of

integers?

Proposed Innovation, Intervention, or Strategy

The following procedures should be applied in teaching Grade 8 students in

adding, subtracting multiplying and dividing of integers using DRILLS strategy:

1. A pre-test will be conducted to determine the baseline data of Grade 8

students using the Pre-test of ERUNT before the intervention.

2. The students will prepare their Drill notebook every start of the class.

(Drill notebook is at back of their Math notebook.)

3. The students must write their own personalized names on a popsicle

sticks for oral recitation.

4. The researcher should prepare a 5-item quiz every start of the lesson

on a specific operation for the week on a small whiteboard legibly to be flashed for

30 seconds each.

5. The students will have to write the date of the Drill to check his own

work to verify his or her improvement along the way.

6. The students have to be prepared because anyone can be picked

using the popsicle sticks by the teacher to explain the answer.

7. A Mid-test of ERUNT will be conducted to check the improvement of

the student’s scores.

8. The researcher will analyze the results of the students each week

using a graph of each students scores before proceeding to the next operation.
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9. A Post-test of ERUNT will be conducted to determine the end line data

of Grade 8 students after the intervention.

Action Research Methods

This study will use a pre-experimental design to find the effectiveness of

DRILLS as a strategy in improving the numeracy skills in adding, subtracting,

multiplying and dividing of integers of Grade 8 students.

a. Participants and/or Other Sources of Data and Information

The target participants of the study will be 41 selected Grade 8 students of

Lirio M. Escaño National High School who are officially enrolled during the school

year 2022-2023.

b. Data Gathering Methods

To gather the needed data for the study, the Pre-test, Mid-test and Post-test

of ERUNT will be given to the participants before, during and after the intervention.

The participants will be given 12 minutes to finish the test. The teacher will then

check and tally the participants' scores. The score obtained by each participant will

be interpreted using the scale below per operation.

Scale Numeracy Skill

8 - 10 Highly Proficient

6-7 Proficient

3-5 Developing

1-2 Beginning

0 Non-numerate
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c. Ethical Issues

Before administering the instrument, permission to conduct the study will be

obtained from the School Principal and Class Adviser of Grade 8 students. Likewise,

prior consent from the parents of Grade 8 students will be secured before the

participants will be permitted to answer the instrument. All data gathered in this study

will be treated with utmost confidentiality and anonymity.

d. Data Analysis Plan

The data gathered in this study will be analyzed and interpreted using the

mean as a descriptive statistical tool. A paired t-test will be used as an inferential

statistical tool. All computations will be done using Add-Ins of Microsoft Excel 2016

with a 0.05 level of significance.

Action Research Work Plan and Timelines

The following timelines will be observed in the conduct of this study:

Research Activity Duration Timelines

1. Preparation of research proposal 1 week November 14 - 18, 2022

2. Implementation of the strategy 5 months November 2022- May 2023

3. Data collection activities 5 months November 2022- May 2023

4. Data Analysis and Interpretation 1 week June 5-9, 2023

5. Preparation of final report 1 week June 12-16, 2023

Cost Estimates

In conducting this study, the following expenses will be incurred:

Research Activity Quantity Items Cost

1. Reproduction of Research ½ ream Book paper (A4) 150.00

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Instruments 1 bottle Printer Ink (black) 300.00

2. Expenses for data analysis 1 ream Book paper (short) 220.00

and finalization of output 1 bottle Printer Ink (black) 300.00

3. Encoding, printing, Snacks (for 41 4, 100.00

photocopying, and teaching 45 pcs students) 450.00

during the research process 45 pcs Pens (for 41 students) 700.00

1 bottle Notebook (Drill 220.00

1 ream notebook)

Printer ink

Book paper (short)

4. Expenses for dissemination Internet/Cellphone Load 600.00

or advocacy Transportation 500.00

Snacks 2000.00

5. Reproduction of final 1 ream Book paper (A4) 220.00

research report 1 bottle Printer Ink 300.00

Binding 1000.00

TOTAL COST 11, 060.00

Plan for Dissemination and Advocacy

Mathematics teachers will use the possible findings of this study as the basis

of their strategies in teaching the operation of integers.

Likewise, the findings of this study will be utilized in formulating more teaching

strategies using repetitions to strengthen students' mastery and enhance their skills

in seeing connections in their Math lessons.

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Finally, the findings of this study will be presented or disseminated to other

educators and researchers during the annual research forum of the Department of

Education, Division of Antique.

References

Millousheva-Boikina, D. (2021, May). Repetition in Teaching Mathematics. Retrieved

November 15, 2022 from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351177490_REPETITION_IN_TEACHIN

G_MATHEMATICS