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THE USE OF PICTOWORD AS AN INTERVENTION TO
IMPROVE THE SPELLING SKILLS OF GRADE SIX

SECTION OPAL LEARNERS IN MUNTINLUPA
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, S.Y. 2020-2021
Marilou K. Guazon
Teacher I, Muntinlupa Elementary School
Division of Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines
marilou.guazon@deped.gov.ph
ABSTRACT
This study utilized pictoword as the strategy to improve the

spelling skills of Grade 6 Section Opal learners. A group of learners
from Grade 6 Section Opal was selected to utilize the pictoword.
They were provided with instructional materials to improve their
spelling skills. There were thirty (30) respondents composed of
fifteen (15) male learners and fifteen (15) female learners who were
taught utilizing the pictoword. After several months of applying this
intervention, the learners obtained high scores in the spelling
achievement test. Also, they learned to develop their spelling skills
and to understand words. This study proved that the learners gained
better learning and improvement of their spelling skills. The scores of
the group who were exposed to the pictoword learning strategy
were able to spell the words correctly. On the other hand, the
learners who were exposed to the modules obtained lower scores.
The researcher found out that this is an effective strategy to improve
the spelling skills of the Grade 6 learners.
Keywords: Pictoword, Spelling Skills, Grade 6 Section Opal

INTRODUCTION
Spelling of words involves the combination of letters to form
a specific meaning. The learners start to spell a word in the primary
level. The teacher guided the learners to study the words and spell
them correctly. The learners will be able to spell a word if they are
familiar with the letters of the word as well as its meaning. Spelling
is a way of blending the letters and giving the meaning with the
words. In spelling, there are steps to follow. It is better that learners
identify the letters of a specific word. When a learner has the
knowledge of the letter, he/she can blend them easily.
Pictoword is an interactive and online learning game that
deals with words. This is an online application which can be played
by anyone who is inclined with words. Also, to play this game, they
need a broad knowledge of vocabularies. According to Appstimes
(n.d), “the Pictoword game is a very simple, but highly appealing
game. The concept of Pictoword is simple. You will be given two or
four pictures and you need to find the word or phrase that can be
constructed by those images. If you feel that Pictoword sounds like a
game only for kids, think again. Pictoword is developed in-mind to
appeal to all age groups. (https://appstimes.in/pictoword-android-
review/).
Some learners of Grade 6 Section Opal have problems in
their spelling skills. They need to be assisted to improve their
spelling skills. Most of the learners can read but they misspelled the
words frequently. Also, they have poor word recognition. In
addition, slow learners need more time to study and to reread the
words before they can spell them correctly.
The teacher identified this spelling problem among the
learners of Grade 6 Section Opal. She thought that the use of
pictoword can enhance the spelling skills of the learners because
most of them play online games on the internet. She used pictoword
as an intervention to improve the spelling skills of these Grade 6
learners.
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to answer the following questions:
1. How do the learners respond to studying the words using
the pictoword?
2. How do these learners participate to the virtual class and
offline activities using the pictoword?
3. Is the utilization of the pictoword helped the learners to
improve their spelling skills?

4. How does the researcher assess the spelling skills of the
learners using the pictoword?
5. What are the challenges encountered by the learners
before, during and after the use of the pictoword?
6. How may the findings of the study be used to enhance the
spelling skills of the Grade 6 respondents?
Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis
There is no significant difference in the spelling skills of the
learners before and after using the pictoword.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The researcher identified thirty (30) respondents with
spelling skills difficulties. These identified respondents were
consisted of fifteen (15) male learners and fifteen (15) female
learners of Grade 6 Section Opal of Muntinlupa Elementary School,
Muntinlupa City for School Year 2020-2021.
METHOD
There are steps the researcher followed in pursuing this
classroom action research. First, she developed a Spelling pre-test.

Next, she gave the pre-test to the learners and obtained the results.
Then, she utilized the results to identify the spelling skills needed to
be enhanced among the learners. Next, she selected the fifteen (15)
male learners and the fifteen (15) female learners who obtain the
lowest scores in this pre-test. These learners were clustered into
two groups, the experimental group and the control group. The
researcher selected the respondents using the simple random
sampling technique.
Research Instrument
The researcher administered the pre-test and post-test to
identify the effectiveness of the pictoword in improving the spelling
skills among the selected learners of Grade 6 Section Opal.
Action Plan
The action plan was based on the detected problem in the
spelling skills needed to be enhanced to the selected Grade 6
Section Opal learners. The researcher used the pre-test to find out
the learners’ prior spelling skills. During the pre-implementation
stage, the researcher observes the learners and gives the pre-test to
them.
In the implementation stage of this intervention, the
researcher prepared instructional materials and orient the learners
on how to use the pictoword. She provided the measures on how
they will use this online application.
For the post implementation stage, the researcher
administered the post-test.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Impact of Using the Pictoword to Improve Spelling Skills
among the selected Learners in Conducting this Action Research.
The researcher found out that most of these learners were
motivated to learn when they are exposed to the online
applications. The use of pictoword helped the learners to study the
word as they play the word game. They experience a lot of fun and
opportunity to identify the words associated with picture and the
like. The learners became interested in studying the words. They
learned to form their reading habits.
Base on the observation:
 93% of the learners can identify words and its meaning.
 98% of the learners were interested to learn how to read.
 2% needs remedial teaching.

Table 1
Comparison of the Spelling Pre-Test and the Spelling Post-Test
Scores Between the Experimental Group and the Control Group
Groups Pre-Test Post-Test

Difference Interpretation
Result Result
Experimenta
l Group 13.45 78.90 65.45 Significant
(n= 15)
Control
Group 18.00 46.90 28.90 Significant
(n= 15)
Table 1 shows the pre-test and post-test results of the
experimental group and the control group. The pre-test obtained of
the experimental group was 13.45. On the other hand, the control
group obtained the score of 18.00. After using the pictoword, the
scores of the experimental group was 78.90. This was considered
high and fell in the mastery level as compared to the score of the
control group which is 46.90 and fell in the nearing mastery level.
Challenges Encountered by the Respondents in Developing their
Action Research Proposals

The learners had a problem of understanding and spelling
the words. These learners need to be guided in learning a word
because they still struggle to learn how to spell the words correctly.
Also, these learners showed hyperactivity and inattentiveness to the
teacher during the virtual class. The teacher encouraged them to
learn the words by orienting them to use the pictoword.
Utilization of the Findings of the Study
The findings of the study can be utilized to develop the
spelling skills of the learners by:
1. Administer a spelling pre-test to the learners;
2. Study and analyze the test results;
3. Use the pre-test result as one of the basis of preparing
the instruction and learning materials for the learners;
4. Provide constant practice and training in spelling of
word;
5. Provide remediation to the learners;
6. Monitor and assess the performance of the learners in
the spelling skills.
CONCLUSION
The use of pictoword strategy improved the spelling skills of
the learners. First, the learners who were exposed to this
intervention obtained a higher scores considered to belong in the
mastery level. Second, the learners were motivated to read using
this online application. Also, the learners were able to develop their
reading habits as reported by their parents. The learners had lots of
fun in playing pictoword. The strategy helped the learners to
comprehend and spell the words correctly.
RECOMMENDATIONS
This learning strategy was effective in improving the
understanding of words and recognizing the correct spelling of the
words. The writer would like to recommend this intervention to be
use and adopted in the school level.
REFERENCES
Byrnes, B. (2001). Second Edition. Cognitive Development and

Learning in Instructional Contexts.
Allyn and Bacon: Needham Heights, M.A.
Botley, S., and Dillah, D. (2016). Investigating spelling errors in a

Malaysian learner corpus.
Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 3(1): 74-93.
Lesley L. (2011). Exposure to Misspellings Confuses Spelling

Proficiency. In decoded science.
Retrieved from http://www.decodedscience.com/exposure-
to-misspellings-confusesspellingproficiency/
6104
Miller, L., & Pound, L. (2010). Theories and Approaches to Learning

in the Early Years. London: SAGE Publications.
Westwood, P. (2014) Teaching Spelling: exploring commonsense

strategies and best practices. New York, NY: Routledge.

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What problem did the study aim to address?

What problem did the study aim to address?

How did the experimental group perform in the pre-test and post-test?

How did the experimental group perform in the pre-test and post-test?

THE USE OF PICTOWORD AS AN INTERVENTION TO

IMPROVE THE SPELLING SKILLS OF GRADE SIX

This study utilized pictoword as the strategy to improve the

Keywords: Pictoword, Spelling Skills, Grade 6 Section Opal

Spelling of words involves the combination of letters to form

a specific meaning. The learners start to spell a word in the primary

words. In spelling, there are steps to follow. It is better that learners

identify the letters of a specific word. When a learner has the

knowledge of the letter, he/she can blend them easily.

Pictoword is an interactive and online learning game that

deals with words. This is an online application which can be played

need a broad knowledge of vocabularies. According to Appstimes

(n.d), “the Pictoword game is a very simple, but highly appealing

game. The concept of Pictoword is simple. You will be given two or

constructed by those images. If you feel that Pictoword sounds like a

game only for kids, think again. Pictoword is developed in-mind to

appeal to all age groups. (https://appstimes.in/pictoword-android-

their spelling skills. They need to be assisted to improve their

words frequently. Also, they have poor word recognition. In

words before they can spell them correctly.

The teacher identified this spelling problem among the

learners of Grade 6 Section Opal. She thought that the use of

pictoword can enhance the spelling skills of the learners because

as an intervention to improve the spelling skills of these Grade 6

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to answer the following questions:

1. How do the learners respond to studying the words using

2. How do these learners participate to the virtual class and

offline activities using the pictoword?

3. Is the utilization of the pictoword helped the learners to

improve their spelling skills?

learners using the pictoword?

5. What are the challenges encountered by the learners

before, during and after the use of the pictoword?

6. How may the findings of the study be used to enhance the

spelling skills of the Grade 6 respondents?

There is no significant difference in the spelling skills of the

learners before and after using the pictoword.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The researcher identified thirty (30) respondents with

spelling skills difficulties. These identified respondents were

consisted of fifteen (15) male learners and fifteen (15) female

learners of Grade 6 Section Opal of Muntinlupa Elementary School,

Muntinlupa City for School Year 2020-2021.

There are steps the researcher followed in pursuing this

classroom action research. First, she developed a Spelling pre-test.

lowest scores in this pre-test. These learners were clustered into

researcher selected the respondents using the simple random

The researcher administered the pre-test and post-test to

identify the effectiveness of the pictoword in improving the spelling

skills among the selected learners of Grade 6 Section Opal.

The action plan was based on the detected problem in the

spelling skills needed to be enhanced to the selected Grade 6

the learners’ prior spelling skills. During the pre-implementation

researcher prepared instructional materials and orient the learners

on how to use the pictoword. She provided the measures on how