IMPROVING STUDENTS' READING COMPREHENSION OF PROCEDURE TEXT USING THE SQ3R METHOD IN THE THIRD GRADE OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

This study aims to identify whether there is a significant improvement in students' reading comprehension of procedure texts and to identify which aspects of reading comprehension show the most significant improvement after the students have been taught by using the SQ3R method at SMP Negeri 3 Pringsewu. This quantitative study used a single-group pre-test and post-test design with a sample of 31 students in class IX-2, selected using cluster random sampling. Data were collected using a 40-item multiple-choice reading test, given before and after three learning sessions using the SQ3R method, which was implemented in groups. The test covered five aspects of reading comprehension: main ideas, supporting details, references, inferences, and vocabulary. The data were analyzed using a paired sample t -test. The results showed a significant improvement in the average score from 64.92 (pretest) to 85.08 (post-test), with an improvement of 20.16 points. Among the five aspects, main ideas showed the highest improvement with an N-gain of 0.72, followed by supporting details (N-gain 0.68), vocabulary (N-gain 0.65), references (N-gain 0.58), and inferences (N-gain 0.34). These results were supported by hypothesis testing with a t-value of 12.392 > table t-value = 2.042 and a significance value = 0.000 < 0.05, which rejected the null hypothesis. This research concludes that the SQ3R method implemented in groups significantly improves students' reading comprehension of procedure texts, especially in identifying main ideas a nd supporting details, due to its systematic stages that guide students to actively interact with the text through the Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review processes in a collaborative learning environment. To optimize implementation, it is recommended to provide regular time reminders and pay attention to the different learning speeds of students. Keywords: group learning, junior high school students, procedure text, reading comprehension, SQ3R method