DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page ii

INCORPORATING PLAY-BASED TEACHNING APPROACH TO IMPROVE

LOW-PERFORMERS IN ARALING PANLIPUNAN IV OF SUNGAY
INTEGRATED SCHOOL

An Action Research

HARIL Q. ABECIA
Teacher I
Sungay Integrated School
Alubijid District
APPROVAL SHEET
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page iii

This basic/action research entitled “INCORPORATING PLAY-BASED

TEACHNING APPROACH TO IMPROVE LOW-PERFORMERS IN ARALING
PANLIPUNAN IV OF SUNGAY INTEGRATED SCHOOL”, conducted and
submitted by HARIL Q. ABECIA, Teacher I of Sungay Integrated School, Alubijid
District, this division, in fulfillment to the requirements in the conduct of research
has been examined and recommended for approval and acceptance.

LINDO M. CAYADONG
Senior Education Program Specialist
Division Research Coordinator

Approved by the panel of the Schools Division Research Committee in fulfillment of

the requirements in the conduct of research.

LINDO M. CAYADONG NELSON B. ABSIN

Senior Education Program Specialist Education Program Supervisor
Member Member

FERMINIA M. LABIS MARIA TERESA M. ABSIN

Education Program Supervisor Education Program Supervisor
Member Member

MARK LORREN T. TEJANO SALLY S. AGUILAR

Budget Officer III/AO IV Senior Education Program Specialist
Member Member

MARIA TERESA M. ABSIN ERLINDA G. DAEL

Chief, Schools Governance and Operations Chief, Curriculum Implementation
Co-Chairman Co-Chairman

ROWENA H. PARA-ON
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Chairman

JONATHAN S. DELA PEŇA, PhD, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent
Consultant/Adviser

Abstract
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

Learning is unending. It is the foundation of human life. It is also the prime

components in developing our nation and the whole world. It is the right of every

individual to be educated whether what life he/she may belongs. In response to the

importance of education, our educational system always adheres its mission and

vision to promote and provide quality basic education for all that consists of many

learning areas and one of these is Araling Panlipunan. This subject is one of the

most important elements in honing an individual personality. This will help our

learners to be informed about the past sacrifices of our heroes and ancestors. This

will also help them to understand the essence of sovereignty of our nation. The act

of patriotism also is highly emphasized to fully nurture our learners so that they will

embrace and value our independence. It is necessary that this learning

competency should be mastered with the proper knowledge and skills before

proceeding to the next school year level.

Good teaching is a very personal manner. The teacher must recognize

individual differences among his/her learners and adjust instructions that best suit

to the learners. It is always a fact that as educators, we play varied and vital roles

in the classroom. Teachers are considered the light in the classroom. We are

entrusted with so many responsibilities that range from the very simple to most

complex and very challenging jobs. Everyday we encounter them as part of the

work or mission that we are in. It is very necessary that we need to understand the

need to be motivated in doing our work well, to have motivated learners also in the
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

classroom. When students are motivated, then learning will easily take place.

However, motivating students to learn requires a very challenging role on the part

of the teacher. It requires a variety of teaching styles or techniques just to capture

students' interests. We need to exert effort to lead learners into a life that is large,

full, stimulating and satisfying (MARIA THERESA BARBEROS et.al). "Effective learning in the

classroom depends on the teacher's ability to maintain the interest that brought

learners to the course in the first place (Erickson, 1978). In addition, it is imperative

that proper techniques that a teacher maybe used should be effective to the

learners. It is necessary that learners show interest and eagerness to the subject

matter taught so that their full potential will be stimulated to the highest learning

level.

This study focused on incorporating play-based teaching approach to

improve the learners’ performance in Araling panlipunan 4 of Sungay Integrated

School. This study deals the result of the two consecutive grading periods (first

and second) of the grade 4 pupils which consists of 35 learners. This investigated

further based on the result that there were Twenty-two (22) learners who have a

decreasing performance.

According to Academic rigour, journalistic flair, research shows play-based

programs for young children can provide a strong basis for later success at school.

They support the development of socially competent learners, able to face

challenges and create solutions. Involvement in play stimulates a child’s drive for
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page v

exploration and discovery. This motivates the child to gain mastery over their

environment, promoting focus and concentration. It also enables the child to

engage in the flexible and higher-level thinking processes deemed essential for the

21st century learner. These include inquiry processes of problem solving,

analyzing, evaluating, applying knowledge and creativity.

III. Acknowledgment

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to several individuals for

supporting me throughout my research study. It is my time to express my heartfelt
gratitude to the following person for their unending support and help through this
time.
First, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Ma’am Imelda P. Galarrita,
our public schools district supervisor who encouraged me to finish this action
research.

Secondly, to my school head sir Rudy S. Cairel for always motivating me to

continue my research study for the benefit of the learners.

Nobody has been more important to me in the pursuit of this action

research than the members of my family. I would like to thank my loving and
supportive wife to be and my parents (including parents-in-law) who provide
unending inspiration.

Lastly, I would also like to thank our Heavenly Father who always guiding
me to do more and become more for our learners in this wonderful generation.
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

Table of Contents

Page

Cover Page

Title Page i

Abstract ii

Acknowledgment iii

Context and Rationale iv

Innovation, Intervention, and Strategy v

Action Research Questions vi

Action Research Methods vii

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

b. Data Gathering Methods

Discussion of Results and Reflection viii

Action Plan ix

REFERENCES x

Financial Report xi
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page vi

IV. Context and Rationale

Araling Panlipunan is one of the most important subjects that needs to be

imparted to the learners. It consists of important topics that deals our past

generations, it also entails the learners about the different cultures we inherit from

the past and so much more that is essentials to every individual’s life. This subject

is dynamic and that is one of the primary roles of our educational system to bring it

on to the minds of our future leaders of today’s generation. In the teaching and

learning process, is needs effort and unique teaching strategies so that the

learning will be harmoniously transferred and learned by our learners. The

teachers need patience and deep understanding about the subject taught so that

the learners fully understand the concepts. Sungay Integrated School has been

doing its best to provide the appropriate learning skills for the learners. But there

are still challenges that the school is experiencing, one of this is in Araling

panlipunan 4 where there were twenty-two (22) out of thirty-five (35) learners were

lagged behind to their classmates as they were considered as low-performer. This

problem was being based by the result of the two-consecutive quarter of school

year 2019-2020.

Recent results show high percentage of the low performer. It turns out that

sixty-two percent (62%) of the grade 4 learners have a decreasing performance.

These data indicated alarming state since they are already in their intermediate

year level. Nevertheless, if the problem will not be addressed immediately, the
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

problem would affect learners’ achievement for the whole school year. Thus, the

objective of this study is to come up with a new strategy or techniques in which

could help these learners.

The proponent was able to incorporate the play-based teaching approach to

improve the performance of the whole class especially for those who have a

decreasing performance or low-performers. Play-based learning at its finest utilizes

the environment as a third teacher, in conjunction with the learners and classroom

facilitator. A place where every activity and object placed in the space has a

purpose, adds to the learning, and helps scaffold information across the learning

domains,” says Gabel.

Play-based learning provides opportunities for children to engage with

people actively and imaginatively, objects and the environment. Symbolic

representation is a critical aspect. When playing, children may be organizing,

constructing, manipulating, pretending, exploring, investigating, creating,

interacting, imagining, negotiating, and making sense of their worlds. It promotes

the holistic development (physical, social, emotional, cognitive and creative) of a

child and depending on how it is utilized, may also support a broad range of

literacy and numeracy skills (https://earlychildhood.qld.gov).

Due to the arising problems and because of above-mentioned reasons, the

proponent conducted this action research study entitled INCORPORATING PLAY-

BASED TEACHNING APPROACH TO IMPROVE LOW-PERFORMER IN

ARALING PANLIPUNAN IV OF SUNGAY INTEGRATED SCHOOL.

DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

V. Innovation, Intervention, and Strategy

The researcher wants to find a solution, an intervention to the emerging

problem on the alarming number of learners who have a decreasing performance

in Araling panlipunan 4, this study includes play-based teaching approach. A play-

based teaching approach builds motivation, using play as a context for learning. In

this context, children can explore, experiment, discover and solve problems in

imaginative and playful ways.

A play-based approach involves both child-initiated and teacher-supported

learning. The teacher encourages children’s learning and inquiry through

interactions that aim to stretch their thinking to higher levels. Research has shown

the long-term benefits of high-quality play-based teaching approach, where

children are exposed to learning and problem solving through self-initiated

activities and teacher guidance.

Activities were involved were the following based on

https://carleton.ca/experientialeducation/?p=304, as such;

1. Role playing

2. Simulation

3. Form of a story: this will be based on the given facts and ideas that the

learners will think and form a story.

DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

4. Form of a simple letter: Learners are part of a group organizing an

expedition and must write a simple letter to the adviser on the importance of

an expedition, by highlighting how data could be used to benefit humanity.

5. Guessing a word or phrase: This could be used as a group work; the

teacher will provide clues and insights that the learners will think and guess.

6. Guessing names: The teacher will give/provide an accomplishment of an

individual and the learners will guess the person behind the given

accomplishment.

7. Pass a phrase (sequencing of events): Learners will be tested in this type

of play. They will sequence the events from past to latest.

Aside from the above-mentioned activities, another activity was the one-on-

one question and answer following a schedule where everyone can participate

following their respective schedules.

There was also weekly monitoring and evaluation conducted to measure

learners’ progress. This weekly progress monitoring of the learners was recorded

to track every learners’ weaknesses.

The proponent also gave printed reading materials to the pupils so, they

can do advance study at home. That was become the habit of these respondents

for three (3) months.

Every lesson objective was given highlight and importance so that every

learner will be motivated to adopt the concept and apply it to their everyday living.

Everyday lesson was so exciting, the proponent witnessed the excitement of the
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page viii

learners to join and participate the whole class. Learners’ eagerness motivates the

whole class to become more hands-on to achieve day to day lesson objective. It

was a brilliant strategy where the learners themselves discover the essence of the

subject matter taught. They have learned the importance of the subject that

connects the present and past generations. The proponent also experience that

the learners kept on showing interest by asking questions that made the whole

class more interactive and alive.

VI. Action Research Questions

This study was designed to reduce or eliminate the number of learners who

have a deteriorating performance and to determine the effectiveness of

incorporating play-based teaching approach to the learning performance of the

grade 4 learners of Sungay Integrated School.

The researchers come up questions sought to answer the following

questions, mainly:

1. What is the performance of grade 4 learners in Araling Panlipunan?

2. How learners in grade 4 will be helped by the teacher to address the low

performer in Araling Panlipunan?

3. How learners in grade 4 improve their learning performance in Araling

Panlipunan through incorporating play-based teaching approach?

DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page ix

VII. Action Research Methods

The study investigates the effect of incorporating play-based teaching

approach to the learning performance of grade 4 learners in Araling panlipunan.

The combination of qualitative and descriptive method of research was used

in this study. Based on the discussion posted on the website of Association for

Educational Communications and Technology (aect.org), descriptive research was

said to be either quantitative or qualitative in nature. It can involve collections of

quantitative information that can be tabulated along a continuum in numerical form,

such as scores on a test or the number of times a person chooses to use a certain

feature of a multimedia program, or it can describe categories of information such

as gender or patterns of interaction when using technology in a group situation. It

also involves gathering data that describe events and then organizes, tabulates,

depicts, and describes the data collection. It often uses visual aids such as graphs

and charts to aid the reader in understanding the data distribution. Because the

human mind cannot extract the full import of a large mass of raw data, descriptive

statistics are very important in reducing the data to manageable form. When in-

depth, narrative descriptions of small numbers of cases are involved, the research

uses description as a tool to organize data into patterns that emerge during
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page ix
x

analysis. Those patterns aid the mind in comprehending a qualitative study and its

implications.

a. Respondents of the Study

The respondents of the study were the Twenty-two (22) grade 4 learners in

Araling Panlipunan who were considered as low performer. These respondents

were being chosen based on the result of the two consecutive quarters (first and

second) of school year 2019-2020. This number of low performers that has been

about 62% of the total number of learners from the grade 4.

b. Data Gathering Methods

Data gathering is one of the important components this research. The

researcher undergoes several steps taken before started the study. The first step

was identifying the root cause of the low performers from first to the second

quarters. This is important because this will be the basis of the researcher to find

solution that would help improve learner’s performance. The second step was to

call the respondents and informed them about their performance for the quarters.

Their parents also were informed about their child’s performance so they could

help also to follow-up learners’ development. Parental consent was being given to

the parent as basis for their approval and cooperation to the afore-mentioned

research study.
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

The implementation of the research was started after the second quarter

examination. The researcher decided to apply the said research due to the

failing/decreasing result of the learners’ performance. Those activity that were

mentioned were the activities that applied simultaneously, and it was done

throughout the quarter and continued until to the fourth quarter. The data was

being gathered after the third quarter and fourth quarter examination. The long

duration of the research helped to prove the effectivity of incorporating play-based

teaching approach to the low-performer in Araling Panlipunan 4.

After gathering all the data or the result of the quarter examination, the

researcher started to differentiate the first and second quarter to third and fourth

quarter of SY 2019-2020.

VIII. Discussion of Results and Reflection

This action research study addressed how effective is incorporating play-

based teaching approach to the learning performance of the grade 4 in Araling

panlipunan. Based on the two consecutive quarters, it was found out that there

were twenty-two (22) learners have decreasing/deteriorating performance. Based

on the result, the researcher made some intervention and applied it to the

respondents. The researcher made his best to apply the intervention at the best of
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

ability that these respondents will improve their performance so that they will surely

pass the subject. Last February 20, 2020, Sungay Integrated School conducted its

early quarter examination due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tabular presentation below shows the comparative result during the first

quarter examination until to the fourth quarter examination. This will serve as the

main measure of the effectiveness of the use of play-based teaching approach in

reducing the number of the identified struggling learners.

ARALING PANLIPUNAN 4
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
# LEARNERS QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
MALE

1 Student 1 79 77 80 83 1
2 Student 2 78 77 79 81 2
3 Student 3 80 78 81 84 3
4 Student 4 77 76 78 80 4
5 Student 5 85 85 88 91
6 Student 6 79 78 80 82 5
7 Student 7 88 88 91 94
8 Student 8 77 76 78 81 6
9 Student 9 87 88 91 93
10 Student 10 78 77 79 82 7
11 Student 11 78 76 79 81 8
12 Student 12 83 84 86 89
13 Student 13 82 84 87 89
14 Student 14 78 77 79 82 9
15 Student 15 84 83 86 88
16 Student 16 77 76 78 81 10
17 Student 17 81 78 82 84 11
18 Student 18 93 93 95 96
19 Student 19 78 77 80 82 12
FEMALE

1 Student 1 80 79 82 85 13
2 Student 2 79 77 79 82 14
3 Student 3 77 76 79 81 15
4 Student 4 92 90 92 95
5 Student 5 97 96 96 96
6 Student 6 79 78 80 82 16
7 Student 7 76 75 78 81 17
8 Student 8 77 76 78 80 18
9 Student 9 85 84 87 90
10 Student 10 77 75 77 79 19
11 Student 11 92 91 93 93
12 Student 12 80 78 80 82 20
13 Student 13 80 79 82 85 21
 15 79 78 81 84 22
16 94 93 95 95

DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page xii

Based on the table above, it can be gleaned that there were thirty-five (35)

grade 4 learners. Those learners on the rows of the table colored YELLOW

considered as the low-performer or the learners that have a

deteriorating/decreasing performance. This further shows that comparing the

grades from first and second grading, there were twenty-two (22) learners

considered as the low performer as they have a decreasing grade also.

The researcher started to implement the play-based teaching approach after

the second quarter examination where the need to apply strategy was highly

needed due to the alarming number of the low-performers.

After the implementation and the third quarter examination was given, it was

clearly stated on the table that there were changes of their grades. The grades

were dramatically increasing to those learners who were considered as the low-

performer and all other learners. This shows the effectivity of the given research

study.

The dramatically increasing grades of the learners continued until to the

fourth quarter examination. It made the whole class harmoniously passed the

entire subject with happiness and contentment. The journey was enjoyable and

memorable due to the cooperation of the learners including their parents.

DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page xiii xiv

As I reflect over the action research journey, I realize that this action

research provided me the opportunity to do soul searching of my ability in order to

identify an area that I had wondered about but had never voiced.

This action research is very helpful to improve the learning performance of

the Araling panlipunan 4 learners. This will address the varying needs of the

learners and to give solutions to the low performance of the learners. When I

started the action research process, I knew that Araling panlipunan subject is very

important subject and to note the decreasing level performance of my learners, I

wanted to find a solution and explore, not just for my learners but for the entire

school as well. This action research highlights the efforts of the respondents and

their parents together with the researcher as win-win strategy as we both achieve

our goals and realizes that if there is an action to every encountered problem, there

will be a solution through helping one another and collaboration.

Another data interpretation below regarding the average low-performer

grade as such:
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

Figure above represents the average grade of a low performer in Araling

panlipunan 4. That line graphs indicates that 62% of the total population of the

grade 4 has that kind of grade. 62% of them decrease on the second grading

period and it was very alarming if that would continue until to the next two quarters.

That was the main reason why the researcher conducted this research, to alleviate

or improve the performance of these young learners. It was also clearly stated on

the figure above the increasing grades of the learners from the third to the fourth

quarter where there was an implementation of the said research study.

IX. Action Plan

The table below will reveal the action research work plan and timelines that

is necessary in accomplishing this research work.

MONTH MONTH MONTH 5

ACTIVITIES MONTH 2 MONTH 3
1 4

PRE-RESEARCH
ACTIVITIES
Making Proposal

Approval of Proposal

PRE-RESEARCH
ACTIVITIES
Implementation of the
study
Tabulation and
analysis of data
Interpretation of the
gathered data
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

Preparation of the
research paper
POST-RESEARCH
ACTIVITIES
Printing of the
research report
Submission of the
research report top the
SDRC for review
Submission of the final
copy

TARGET
ACTIVITIES PERSONS INVOLVED
DATE
PRE-RESEARCH ACTIVITIES Researcher,
- Making of Proposal November, Schools Division
- Approval of proposal 2019 Research Committee
(SDRC)
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
- Implementation of the study December Researcher
- Tabulation and analysis of data 2019 to Respondents
- Interpretation of the gathered data February,
- Preparation of the research paper 2020
POST RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
- Printing of the research report Researcher,
- Submission of the research Schools Division
report to the division research March, 2020 Research Committee
committee for review (SDRC)
- Submission of the final copy
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

X. References

Iselin, M. (2002). Comprehension instruction: Directions from research. Teacher

Librarian, 29(4), 55-57. Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com.jproxy.lib.ecu.edu/docview/224882957?

accountid=10 639

Baumann, J. F. & Bergeron, B. S. (1993). Story map instruction using children’s

literature: Effects on first graders’ comprehension of central narrative

elements. Journal of Literacy Research, 25(4), 407-437

Courtney, A. M., King, F.B., & Pedro, J. Y. (2006). Paradigm shift: Teachers

scaffolding student comprehension interactions. Thinking Classroom, 7(1),

30-39. Retrieved from proquest.com.jproxy.lib.ecu/docview/220394373?

accountid=10639

Doughtery-Stahl, K. A. (2004). Proof, practice, and promise: Comprehension

strategy instruction in the primary grades. The Reading Teacher, 57(7), 598-609.
DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.jproxy

. lib.ecu.edu/docview/203278777?accountid=10 639

Doughtery-Stahl, K. A. (2008). The effects of three instructional methods on the

reading comprehension and content acquisition of novice readers. Journal of

Literacy Research. doi: 10.1080/10862960802520594

Durkin, D. (1978-79). What classroom observations reveal about reading

comprehension instruction. Reading Research Quarterly, 14(4), 481-533.

Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/747260

Fisher, D. & Frey, N. (2014). Literacy for life. Retrieved from

http://fisherandfrey.com/resources/

Fox, M. (2013). What next in the read-aloud battle? Win or lose? The Reading

Teacher, 67(1), 4-8. doi:10.1002/TRTR.1185

Haggard, M. R. (1988). Developing critical thinking with the directed reading-

thinking activity. The Reading Teacher, 41(6), p. 526-533. Retrieved from

http://www.jstor.org/stable/20199851

MARIA THERESA BARBEROS, ARNOLD GOZALO, EUBERTA PADAYOGDOG

THE EFFECT OF THE TEACHER'S TEACHING STYLE ON STUDENTS'

MOTIVATION ACTION RESEARCh

DepEd Division of Misamis Oriental Page

Harris, T. L. & Hodges, R. E. (Eds.) (1995). The literacy dictionary: the vocabulary

of reading and writing. Newark, Delaware: International Reading Association.

Harvey, S. & Goudvis, A. (2007). Strategies that work. Stenhouse: Maine.

Harvey, S. & Goudvis, A. (2013). Comprehension at the core.

The Reading Teacher, 66(6), 432-439. doi:10.1002/TRTR.1145

X. Financial Report

No
Quantity Unit Items/Particulars Unit Price Total
.

1 1 Ream Reproduction of 200.00 200.00

Materials

2 3 Pesos Load (card) for internet 300.00 300.00

3 1 Bottle Ink 120.00 120.00

T O T A L PhP 620.00