SUPPORTING STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF ADDITION OF INTEGERS USING SET MODEL

Addition of integers is an important topic which is still considered difficult to learn. In order to have a better teaching in this topic, mathematics experts recommend the use of context, models, and games for learning in primary schools. Historically, addition of integers had been used for financial transactions by utilizing woods with different colors. This idea inspired to develop instructional activities that support students’ understanding of addition of integers. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate how learning situation using set model can support students’ understanding of addition of integers. PMRI underlying the design of context and activity in this study. The method used is a design research through three stages, namely preparing for the experiment, design experiment, and retrospective analysis. This study was conducted in 23 fourth grade students of SD IBA Palembang in two cycles, each cycle consisted of five activities. However, this study focuses on 2 activities in first cycle. Data was collected by interviewing, video recording, and collecting students’ written work from worksheets, pre-and posttest. Data was analyzed by qualitative method. HLT as the main reference for data analysis. The result shows that distinguishing colors for positive and negative integers to represent the condition of financial including playing card games can support students’ understanding of addition of integers. Students added positive and positive, and negative and negative, by adding same colors chips, while they added positive and negative by cancellation strategy. This study concludes that PMRI able to create meaningful learning situation for students. Keywords: addition of integers, set model, card games, PMRI, design research