ABSTRACT
This study aimed to utilize hands-on and practical activities to promote academic achievement in Science among Public Elementary Teachers in Calatagan, Batangas. This utilized the quantitative research method specifically descriptive design. Twenty-eight (28) grade 4 science teachers were used as respondents in this study. The questionnaire was used as the main data-gathering instrument. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, and Kruskal Wallis H-Test.
The study yielded the results: Majority of the science 4 teachers in the public elementary schools in Calatagan, Batangas preferred to use experimentation while teaching Science compared to discovery teaching, computer simulation, and actual laboratory. In terms of the extent of utilization, the teachers prefer to utilize the discovery teaching method at a very great extent to properly address the learning needs of the Grade 4 pupils. Moreover, when considering the teachers’ utilization of pedagogical approaches, the constructivist, collaborative, integrative, and inquiry-based approaches are always used while the reflective approach is used only often in teaching Science 4. Lastly, the results gathered from the responses revealed that there is no significant relationship between the extent of utilization of hands-on activities used in teaching Science 4 also between the extent of utilization of pedagogical approaches as to the 2C-2I-1R approach which is being utilized in the entire Region IV-A CALABARZON.
From the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that; 1. Grade 4 Science teachers in Calatagan District should continue using experimentation and other hands-on activities during class. 2. Grade 4 Science teachers in Calatagan District should continue utilizing discovery teaching and other hands-on activities during class to deliver instruction of science concepts and topics efficiently and effectively. 3. The use of the 2C-2I-1R Approach should be strengthened in all the elementary schools in Calatagan District to provide concrete learning experiences to the learners. 4. Continuous implementation and utilization of hands-on or practical activities and pedagogical approaches must be imposed to appropriately address the weaknesses and learning needs of Grade 4 pupils and 5. The utilization of the proposed science experiments is highly encouraged and recommended.
Keywords: hands-on activities, experiment, discovery teaching, computer simulation, actual laboratory, constructivist, collaborative, integrative, inquiry-based, reflective