Using Abacus and Bundles of Stick to Help Basic Two (2) Pupils to Add Two and Three-Digit Numbers: An Action Research of Ghana National College Basic School, Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to use Abacus and Bundles of stick as Instructional Materials or Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs) to improve the addition of two- and three-digit numbers among Basic Two (2) Pupils of Ghana National College Basic School, Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana. Action research design was used for the study. Evaluation Test (Pre-Test and Post-Test) were used to gather data on the pupils. The population was thirty-four (34) and the sample used for the study was fourteen (14) pupils. Pre-Test was used to assess the pupil’s performance to identify their strength and weakness for the necessary interventions to be used to solve that problem. Post-Test was used to gather results and compare the effectiveness of the use of Abacus and Bundles of stick in solving addition of two- and three-digits numbers in mathematics. Simple percentage count was employed by the researcher to display the results and findings. It was found out from the study that, appropriate materials like Bundles of sticks and Abacus should be encouraged and be used in primary schools more especially at the Lower Primary levels (Early Grade levels) to teach for the pupils to overcome their difficulties in solving addition problems involving two- and three-digits numbers.