A Comparative Analysis of Grade 3 Students’ Activities Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

We have been living in a new world since the first quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. This condition presents a slew of new obstacles for individuals, groups, and entire communities. One of them is free time and the various ways to spend it. Therefore, the research aimed to analyze students' activities during free time before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research also evaluated whether there were any differences when certain factors affecting individual's environments were restricted. The research also looked at changes and perceptions of the students of fun and creative activities that can be done before and during the pandemic. To obtain more reliable data, the researcher used the triangulation technique, in which the data were evaluated using several resources. An electronic survey through G-forms, interview results and researcher's observations were used for the data gathering. The research participants were chosen purposively, coming from two sections in Grade 3 (n=43). The researcher used qualitative descriptive analysis in interpreting the results from the gathered data. The research results indicated significant differences in students' activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with activities involving physical, craft, and critical thinking. Students were more likely to choose activities that involve different movements and activities that spark their interest. This study only focuses on the students, involvement of the teachers and parents in the next cycle. The research may help the stakeholders to gain a new perspective of fun and creative ways to improve activities for Grade 3 students, especially in this better normal.