Arithmetic Thinking Level among Sixth-Grade Elementary Students

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the level of arithmetic thinking among sixth-grade students in Sakaka city and investigate the differences in their thinking abilities based on gender (male/ female) and type of education (public/ private/ Quran memorization). The sample consisted of (351) male and female students from sixth-grade classes in Sakaka city during the academic year 1443H. The study utilized a descriptive survey methodology and employed a arithmetic thinking test, which was designed according to the four levels of arithmetic thinking (performance, explanation, relation, application), to collect data. The results revealed that the level of arithmetic thinking among sixth-grade students in public schools in Sakaka city was categorized within the second level (explanation), whereas in Quran memorization schools and private education, it fell within the third level (relation). Furthermore, the study concluded that there were no significant differences in the overall arithmetic thinking level between male and female students, as well as in the first three levels (performance, explanation, relation), but there were statistically significant differences in the "application" level in favor of male students. Additionally, the study found that the students' arithmetic thinking level did not differ significantly based on the type of education (public/ private/ Quran memorization) in the "performance" and "explanation" levels, but it did differ in the "relation" and "application" levels, as well as overall arithmetic thinking. In the "relation" level, there were statistically significant differences in favor of private education students compared to public education students, and between Quran memorization students and public education students in favor of Quran memorization students. In the "application" level and overall arithmetic thinking, there were statistically significant differences in favor of private education students compared to public education students. Based on these findings, the study provided a set of recommendations and suggestions.

Keywords: arithmetic thinking, mathematical thinking, student gender (male/ female), type of education (public/ private/ Quran memorization)