Analysis of mathematical problem solving skill of fifth grade students on geometry material

Abstract

In mathematics learning, students have to master one of the mathematic's skills, which is problem solving skills. The result of research of PISA in 2008 showed that the percentage of students' skills in finishing some high-level mathematics questions only represented 1% from the average of OECD with 11%. The goal of this research is to identify the students' problem solving skills in the subject of geometry in the fifth grade. This research uses qualitative and descriptive methods. The subject of research is all students of fifth grade in one of the Bandung regency elementary schools, including 39 people. The data acquisition is by giving a test of problem solving, an observation, an interview, and documentation. The data analysis technique is based on Miles and Huberman's qualitative analysis of data, which entails data reduction, data presentation, and data verification. According to the research findings, the average score for students' ability to solve problems in the subject of geometry is 53,9. That information indicates that the students' problem solving ability is lacking. There are 20% of students who belong to a perfect group, 10% who belong to a good group, 12.8% who belong to a sufficient group, 33% who belong to a minus group, and 23.1% who belong to the least category. When it comes to the approach used by students to complete the issue in solving the question, it is the strategy of drawing a picture, creating a table, guessing and retesting, creating some sub-problems, and utilizing a formula.