THE USE OF THINK PAIR SHARE WITH PICTURE DESCRIPTION TO IMPROVE READING COMPREHENSION OF THE NINTH-GRADE STUDENTS OF SMPN 3 PETANG IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2021/2022

Reading is a process of getting information and comprehending the meaning of writing product. Preliminary research showed that most of IX A students at SMPN 3 Petang in academic year 2021/2022 faced problems in reading comprehension especially in identifying general information, specific information, textual meaning, and textual reference. Moreover, the research objective was to know whether or not reading comprehension of the ninth-grade students of SMPN 3 Petang can be improved through think pair share with picture description. Thus, to achieve the research objective, the researcher conducted classroom action research which was done in two cycles. The research instruments, tests and questionnaire, were administered to collect the required data. The data were then analyzed by comparing the results of the pre-test and post-tests. The results showed that there was improvement of the subjects’ reading comprehension, pre-cycle (48.44) up to cycle I (73.36) then it was improved in cycle II (79.61). As the supporting data, the questionnaire was also administered at the end of the last cycle and the results showed positive responses on the implementation of think pair share with picture description. Based on the results of the research instruments, it could be concluded that reading comprehension of the ninth-grade students of SMPN 3 Petang in academic year 2021/2022 can be improved through think pair share with picture description.