Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal

2017, Vol. 7 No. 2, 17-26

Developing Learning Materials in Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

with Realistic Mathematics Approach for Students Grade 4

Ari Wijayanti
SDN Rejosari, Purworejo, Central Java, Indonesia
[email protected]

This study aims to describe the development process of learning materials that consists of
lesson plan, student activity sheet, and fraction card. The study focuses on teaching addition
and subtraction of fractions through realistic mathematics education. The development
process used the Four-D model which consists of four steps: define, design, develop, and
disseminate. In the first step (define), the teacher established the terms of learning by
determining fundamental problem, analyzing students, and specifying instructional
objectives. In the second step (design), the prototype of learning materials was constructed
as a test standard, choosing the proper media and selecting the format. On the third step
(develop), the learning materials were validated by the experts and then revised. Once the
learning materials were ready they were tested in classroom. The teacher then collected data
to measure the quality of the learning materials. The last step, dissemination, was the
implementation of learning materials on a broad scale. From this step, the teacher collected
data to measure the effectiveness of the learning. This study generated good learning
materials and supported students Grade 4 to learn about addition and subtraction of fractions.
While the results are providing some promising directions, a much larger study would be
needed to determine if the results are due to the approach or due to the teachers’ enthusiasm
or what is known as the Hawthorne Effect.

Keywords: development research, fractions, learning materials, realistic mathematics approach, primary school
mathematics

Introduction

Fractions are one of the difficult topics in primary school and these difficulties are also
experienced by a teacher at SDN Rejosari who acts as the researcher in this study. In fact, while
teaching addition and subtraction of fractions with different denominators a teacher usually
asks his/her students to equate the denominators of both fractions directly. This did not motivate
the students to find the concept by themselves. It is claimed that this condition was caused by
the poor quality of learning materials and so the lesson was less meaningful for the students.
Because of this reason, the researcher was challenged to develop learning materials that could
help teachers in presenting the topic of addition and subtraction of fractions. They were
designed based on realistic mathematic approach with fraction cards and were expected to help
students to learn significantly through the process of reinvention (rediscovery).

Literature Review

Teaching mathematics in a diverse classroom is very challenging, it requires not only

skills but also mastery of mathematical concepts. Unfortunately, students' competence in
mathematics is only measured by a test even though mathematics is able to support students to
solve problems in their daily life. Frei (2008) stated that if the teacher only emphasizes the

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Developing Learning Materials in Addition and Subtraction of Fractions with Realistic Mathematics Approach for Students
Grade 4

skills and training of mathematics concepts, they have hurt the students. Instead, they should
help the student to apply the formula and procedures in real life. Actually, when students learn
concepts related to real events they will develop deeper understanding. Application of abstract
concepts in real life is an effective learning tool.

A teacher is a facilitator of learning activity, thus effective learning activity is

influenced by teachers' ability in planning and implementing the lesson. Therefore, having two
tasks as an instructor and class manager, a teacher should be able to create a situation that
allows students to learn. As an instructor, he/she is responsible for creating optimal learning
activities, while as manager, he/she has responsibility for the effective learning.

Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

In primary school, the concept of fractions has been taught in the third grade and
students Grade 4 begin to learn about addition and subtraction of fractions. Heruman (2007)
found that the prerequisites of learning addition and subtraction of fractions are the concept of
fractions value, equivalent fractions, as well as the addition and subtraction of whole numbers.
Students’ mastery of equivalent fractions is needed in the addition and subtraction of fractions
with the uncommon (different) denominator. To build their understanding, Reys et al. (2004)
suggest that learning about addition and subtraction of fractions should start with problems
involving the separation and merger. In addition, the model can also be used in the form of
images, not just a symbolic sentence like 2/3 + 1/4.

Problems and models in the form of pictures can also help students understand that the
addition and subtraction of fractions can be completed as addition and subtraction using whole
numbers. Therefore, they can develop the idea of a reasonable answer. Besides, they will
understand why the same denominator is required when adding fractions with uncommon
denominators. Furthermore, the things that students know about addition and subtraction of
whole numbers can be used to explain the concept of addition and subtraction of fractions. If
they have the capability to calculate fractional parts (e.g. 3/7 + 2/7 is 5/7) and compare two
fractions using an image model, they will find their own way to solve the problem.

Realistic Mathematic Approach

The realistic mathematic approach is taken from the realistic mathematics education
(RME) concept by Freudenthal. Accordingly, this theory emphasizes the richness of thematic
context, the integration of mathematics with other issues and reality, individual difference in
the learning process, and the importance of working together in heterogeneous group (Treffers,
1991). RME integrates ideas about mathematics, how student learn mathematics, and how
mathematics should be taught.

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The realistic mathematic approach, according to Gravemeijer (1994), has three

principles: (1) reinvention and progressive mathematizing, (2) didactical phenomenology, and
(3) self-developed models.

According to the principle of reinvention, students have the opportunity to experience

a process similar to the process in which the mathematic is found. The principle of the invention
can be inspired through informal solution procedures. In this case, mathematics creates an
opportunity for reinvention. In general, contextual issues are needed for any problem solving.
The principle of rediscovery can be inspired by informal procedures, while the progressive
mathematical process uses mathematical concepts. De Lange (1996) described the discovery
process should be promoted through the exploration of a wide range of real world problems so
that mathematic should be close to the students and relevant to their daily life.

The principle of didactic phenomenology emphasizes the importance of educational

contextual issues. The didactic phenomenon is finding a contextual situation and approaching
the problem in a particular situation. The next step in the process is generalizing in order to
achieve a contextual problem solving procedure that can be used as a basis for vertical
mathematics. In other words, the contextual problems are expected to guide students in the
process of developing their mathematics knowledge.

The last principle is self-developed models. It has a function to bridge the informal and
formal knowledge of mathematics. Students get informal knowledge from their real life
experiences before they learn the formal mathematical knowledge.

Gravemeijer (1994) described five characteristics of realistic mathematical approach as

follows: the use of context, the use of models, the student contribution, interactivity, and
intertwining. In realistic mathematical approach, learning begins with contextual issues or
problems in daily life. Through the use of context, a student is involved actively in exploring
the problem. The exploration is directed at developing a variety of problem solving strategies.
Furthermore, the problem can be expressed in the form of mathematical models. Modelling is
done to simplify the problem solving or understanding of the concept. The development of a
model is used as a bridge between informal and formal situations while a great contribution in
the learning process is expected to come from students. Contributions may be a variety of
answers or opinions. With production and construction, students are encouraged to reflect on
the important parts of their learning process.

Learning process becomes meaningful through the interaction among students and
between student and teacher. Students’ interactions occur through class discussions or
discussions in small groups which allows them to exchange ideas and arguments about the
results of their work. Moreover, the interaction between student and teacher could involve an

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Developing Learning Materials in Addition and Subtraction of Fractions with Realistic Mathematics Approach for Students
Grade 4

explanation, justification, approval, or reflection. It will help student gets a formal

mathematical concept from an informal one.

Actually, the concepts in mathematics have relevance because they are not introduced
separately. The discussion of a topic usually includes several interrelated concepts. These
linkages should be explored in order to introduce and build the understanding of some concepts
at the same time.

To start the learning process through realistic mathematic approach, a teacher should
provide contextual issues in accordance with the subject matter. Then, students are required to
understand the contextual issues. If there are things that have not been understood by the
students then the teacher explains or gives directions. Furthermore, the student individually
solves problems on worksheets by their own way. While the students solve problems, the
teacher observes and controls the activities of the students as well as gives them a chance to
compare and discuss the answers to the problem in groups followed by a whole class discussion.
After reaching agreement on the best strategies through classroom discussions, the teacher
guides the students to make conclusions in order to obtain a formulation of concepts, principles,
or procedures.

Learning Materials

Learning materials are learning resources used in the learning process. According to
Ibrahim (2003), learning materials are needed by teacher to manage learning process and they
include syllabus, lesson plan, student activity sheet, evaluation instrument or test, instructional
media, and book. Learning materials developed in this study include lesson plan, student
activity sheet, and fraction media.

Lesson Plan

Lesson plan is a learning activity plan for one or more meetings. It is developed based
on syllabus to guide students' learning activities to achieve basic competency. There are thirteen
components of a lesson plan based on the regulation of the Ministry of Education and Culture
of Republic of Indonesia (2013) namely: (1) school identity, (2) subject identity, (3) class, (4)
subject matter, (5) time allocation, (6) learning objectives, (7) basic competencies and
indicators, (8) teaching materials, (9) learning methods, (10) instructional media, (11) learning
resources, (12) learning steps, and (13) learning assessment.

Student Activity Sheet

Student activity sheet is a task that must be done by the student (Majid, 2008). The sheet
is typically in the form of instructions and steps to complete a task. Ordinarily, student activity
sheet contains a set of basic activities that must be performed by students to enhance

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understanding of the indicators. In the development of these materials, student activity sheet
contains contextual problem solving activities such as fraction card to find the solution or other
possible strategies.

Test

A test aims at measuring the standards that have been achieved by students (Purwanto,
2009). Therefore, a test must meet two requirements namely validity and reliability. Purwanto
(2009) claims that a test is considered valid if it measures what it is supposed to measure. There
are two types of validity namely content validity and construct validity. Content validity
examines contents to ascertain whether the test item measures precisely the situation to be
measured, while construct validity tests suitability of the construction items and how well they
are written according to the criteria. On the other hand, reliability refers to consistency of scores
achieved by the same people when they are retested with the same test on different occasions
or under different test conditions.

Instructional Media

Educational practitioners recognize that instructional media is helpful for class activity
especially for the improvement of student achievement. However, teachers often use lecturing
method which is still quite popular. Instructional media can deliver messages in a planned
manner to create a conducive learning environment in which the recipient can make the learning
process effective and efficient (Munadi, 2012). It is in line with the definition given by the
Association of Education and Communication Technology (AECT) that instructional media is
all forms of media used to distribute messages and/or information. Instructional media has
several uses, and in general it is directed towards achievement of the learning objectives.
Sadiman, et al. (2014) describes four uses of media: (1) to clarify the presentation of the
messages, (2) to overcome the limitations of space, time, and sense of power, (3) to overcome
the passivity of learners, and (4) to overcome the teachers' difficulties in facing students’
different characteristics.

Fraction Card

Fraction card is a media card made of colored paper. A set of fraction cards consist of
three cards, two cards symbolize particular fractions and one card symbolizes unit.

Figure 1. Fraction cards

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Developing Learning Materials in Addition and Subtraction of Fractions with Realistic Mathematics Approach for Students
Grade 4

Addition and Subtraction of Fractions Using Fraction Card

Figure 2 shows the addition of 1/4 and 1/2. The red part is the sum of the two fractions.
Students make a shading part of the card which is the sum of the fractions. In addition, they are
asked to write a form of the addition of fractions using formal notation. The difference of
fractions is determined by putting a card used for subtracting fractions over the other fraction
cards. Part of the card which is uncovered represents the difference between the two fractions
and is the result of subtraction of the fractions.

Figure 2. Addition of fractions using fraction cards

The figure shows the subtraction of 1/2 to 1/4. The red part is the result of subtraction.
Students shade part on the unit card as the result of subtraction on fractions. Then, they are
asked to write a form of subtraction of fraction using a formal notation.

Figure 3. Subtraction of fractions using fraction cards

Development of Learning Materials

The development model used in this study is the Four-D models by Thiagarajan,
Semmel, and Semmel (1974) which consists of four steps: define, design, develop, and
disseminate.

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Define

The purpose of ‘define’ step is to establish the terms of learning. At this early step, the
analysis is done to determine the learning objectives and limitations of the material.
Accordingly, this consists of five processes of analysis namely: front-end analysis, learner
analysis, task analysis, concept analysis, and specifying instructional objectives. This step is
used to determine the fundamental problem faced by the teachers.

Front-end analysis requires consideration of various alternative learning development

devices, while learner analysis is performed to examine students with the identification of
students’ characteristics in accordance with the design and the development of learning. Task
analysis aims to identify the skills required and to organize them into a subskill’s framework.
Concept analysis is done through the identification of main concepts, organizing hierarchically
and detailing concepts that are relevant based on their properties. The last process, specifying
instructional objectives, is to determine or formulate learning goals.

Design

The ‘design’ step aims to create prototype learning materials and consists of four parts,
they are preparation of standard reference test, media selection, format selection, and initial
design. The preparation of the standard reference test (criterion-construction tests) is a link
between ‘define’ and ‘design’ stages. It converts the standard reference test objectives into
specific outline learning materials. In addition, the media selection step is carried out to
determine the right media with the presentation of the subject matter, while the format selection
is tailored to the factors outlined in the learning objectives. The format is chosen for the content
design, the strategy selection, and the learning resources. The initial design of learning
materials is to present learning using the right media and the proper sequence.

Develop

The purpose ‘develop’ step is to produce learning materials that are revised based on
the input from the experts. This step covers expert appraisal and developmental testing.
Validation by the experts is intended to obtain suggestions for improvements. Based on these
suggestions, the learning materials are repaired to generate a better result. In the developmental
testing, the materials are tested to get responses, reactions, suggestions, and comments from
students, teachers, and observers. The test result is revised again based on the feedback from
various parties to produce better materials.

Disseminate

This step is the trial of the developed materials on a broad scale which aims to test the
effectiveness of the development results.

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Developing Learning Materials in Addition and Subtraction of Fractions with Realistic Mathematics Approach for Students
Grade 4

Learning Effectiveness

The effectiveness of learning is characterized by student’s achievement towards

learning objectives (Kemp, Morrison, & Ross, 1994). The effectiveness can be measured by
the test results, the project assessment, and the observations of the behavior of the students
during the learning process. Pribadi (2011) states that effective learning is the learning that is
able to enable students to achieve learning objectives or competencies expected.

Slavin (2005) describes the effectiveness of learning by using the quality,

appropriateness, incentive, time (QAIT) model. Each element of the model can be described as
follows. The quality of instruction includes the presentation of information or skills that can
help students to learn the material which is strongly influenced by curriculum quality. The
appropriate levels of instruction includes the suitability of the students learning capacity which
refers to the extent to which the teachers ensure that students are ready to learn new lessons
(have the necessary skills and knowledge to learn). In other words, the level of learning is
appropriate when it is not too difficult or too easy for them. Incentive is where the teachers
ensure that students are motivated to work on learning tasks and learn the material presented.
Time is the element that determines whether students are given enough time to learn the
material.

Methodology

This is a developmental research and was conducted in the second semester of the
school years 2015 and 2016 by using an experimental class and an implementation class. The
experimental class was students Grade 4 of SDN Rejosari which consisted of 19 students, while
the implementation class was students Grade 4 of SDN Kroyokulon with 17 students.

The researcher used a number of instruments to collect the data. They were validation
sheets, student observation sheets, teacher observation sheets, student questionnaire responses
to the learning materials, and achievement test. The data was analyzed by qualitative and
quantitative description.

Results

The learning materials of addition and subtraction of fractions with realistic

mathematical approach met the criteria of good learning materials.

Table 1.
Quality of Learning Materials

Criteria Description Category

Validation results Expert appraisal was at a score of 4. Valid
Observation results of
Teacher’s ability was scored greater than 3. Good
teacher’s ability

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 Ari Wijayanti

Criteria Description Category

Students’ activities met the criteria of ideal time with a
Students’ activities Effective
tolerance of 10%.
A total of 79% of the students’ test results reached the
Students’ test results Complete
standard.
Test validity was more than 0.40. Valid,
Test
Test reliability was more than 0.40. reliable
More than 75% students was happy during the learning
Students' response to the
process. They also thought the learning materials were new Positive
learning materials
and clear.

Realistic mathematics approach to teach addition and subtraction of fractions is

effective for students Grade 4 with the following criteria.

Table 2.
Effectiveness of Learning Materials

Criteria Description Category

Students’ test results 82% of student learning outcomes reached the standard. Complete
Observation results
Teacher’s ability was greater than 3. Good
of teachers’ ability
Students’ activities met the criteria of ideal time with a tolerance
Students’ activities Effective
of 10%.
Students' response to More than 75% students was happy during the learning process.
Positive
the learning materials They also thought the learning materials were new and clear.

Conclusion

The process of developing learning materials through realistic mathematics approach

follows the systematic Four-D model with four steps: define, design, develop, and disseminate.
The learning materials met the criteria of being valid, practical, and effective. The validity was
shown by the results of expert appraisal with the score of 4. The practicality demonstrated by
teacher’s ability to manage the learning had score 3. The effectiveness shown by students’
activity reached 79%.

The realistic mathematics approach with fractions card was effective in teaching
addition and subtraction of fractions for students Grade 4. The effectiveness indicators of the
study were the classical mastery with the percentage of 82%, it means students’ activity met
the effective criteria and their response towards the learning materials was positive.

Due to the limitations of the sample and that there was no evidence that the experimental
and the implementation class was similar, the researcher is unable to claim that the results are
applicable to other students Grade 4. However, the study may suggest to other teachers a way
to develop learning materials through realistic mathematical approach as an alternative in
teaching addition and subtraction of fractions. Moreover, other researchers could conduct their
own study as a follow-up to enhance the existing weaknesses in order to obtain more accurate
research results.

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Developing Learning Materials in Addition and Subtraction of Fractions with Realistic Mathematics Approach for Students
Grade 4

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