The implementation of mapping activities In improving reading skill (A Classroom Action Research in the Eighth Grade Students of SMP Negeri 5 Surakarta in 2011/2012 Academic Year)

Oleh :
Yusi Rahmawati - X2210031 - Fak. KIP

This action research aims at: (1) analyzing whether mapping can improve students’ reading skill, (2) analyzing the situation happens when mapping is used in teaching reading. The method of the research is action research. The subject of the research is the 36 eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 5 Surakarta. The research was conducted from October to December 2011 at SMP Negeri 5 Surakarta which was carried out in two cycles with total 10 meetings. There were steps in each cycle, namely planning, action, observation, and reflection. The techniques for collecting the data were interviews, questionnaire, observation, and test. The qualitative data were analyzed by using categorizing and analyzing talk. In addition, the quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics to calculate the mean score of the pretest and posttest. Mapping is able to improve the students in: (1) identifying main idea of the text; (2) identifying detail information of the text; (3) finding reference of pronouns; (4) explaining meaning of word based on context; and (5) describing implicit information (about conclusion and purpose of the text). Mapping is also able to improve class situation of the students in: (1) paying attention toward teacher’s explanation during teaching learning activity; (2) remembering what the teacher told in the past; (3) making good condition in teaching and learning English; and (4) having willingness to ask to the teacher when they have difficulty. The minimum score for each language skill should at least 7.0. The mean score of all the tests hold in this research: (1) 64.6 for pretest; (2) 69.2 for posttest 1; (3) 84.2 for posttest 2. Therefore, it is suggested that teachers should be creative to use various techniques in teaching reading so the students are interested and actively involved in teaching and learning process.