IMPROVING READING SKILLS OF THE FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SD NEGERI SURUH IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2013 / 2014 THROUGH SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

The research was aimed at improving the fourth grade students‟ reading skills of SD N Suruh in the academic year of 2013/2014 through signs and symbols. The study was action research. The research was done in two cycles. Cycle 1 was conducted in three meetings and Cycle 2 was conducted in two meetings. The subjects of the research were the fourth grade students of SDN Suruh, the English teacher as the collaborator, and the researcher. The steps of the research were reconnaissance, planning, action, observation, and reflection. The data collection techniques were observations, interviews, and tests. Hence, the data were in the form of field notes, interview transcripts, and students‟ reading scores. In analyzing the data, two methods were used. The qualitative data were analyzed in five steps, i.e. assembling the data, coding the data, comparing the data, building interpretations, and reporting the outcomes. The quantitative data in the form of pre-test and post-test scores were analyzed by comparing the mean scores. The validity of the data was obtained by applying democratic validity, outcome validity, process validity, catalytic validity, and dialogic validity. The result of the research showed that the use of signs and symbols improved the students‟ reading skills. The students recognized the words easily, understood the meaning of the signs and symbols, and comprehended the content of the text. Based on the quantitative data reading skills increased. The students mean scores increased from 49.52 to 66.4. Moreover, the use of signs and symbols also improve the students‟ motivation, participation, and vocabulary mastery. Key words: Signs and Symbols, Reading Skills, Fourth Grade Student