IMPROVING STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION ABILITY THROUGH MIND MAPPING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF SMPN 1 NGRAMPAL SRAGEN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2010/ 2011

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION ABILITY THROUGH MIND MAPPING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF SMPN 1 NGRAMPAL SRAGEN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2010/ 2011 By Dian Arika Sari 05202244137 ABSTRACTS The aim of this research is to improve students’ reading comprehension ability through mind mapping in the second grade students at SMPN I Ngrampal Sragen. In conducting the study, the researcher involved the English teacher, the school principal and the students of grade VIIIE. This study is action research. The data collected were qualitative in nature. The researcher collaborated with the English teacher in implementing the actions. The data of this study were mostly qualitative although there were some quantitative data. The qualitative data were obtained by observing the teaching and learning process during the implementation of the actions, interviewing students, and holding discussions with the English teachers, while the quantitative data were obtained by giving the reading comprehension tests. The data were in the form of field notes, interview transcripts, and test scores. The validity of the data was obtained by applying the democratic validity, dialogic validity, catalytic validity, process validity, and outcome validity The result of this study shows that the implementations of the mind mapping and the activities such as making group, using pictures, and discussing of language feature were successful to improve students’ reading comprehension. Added to this, the use of mind mapping makes students improve their reading comprehension