UPAYA MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS SISWA PADA IPA MELALUI PROBLEM SOLVING LEARNING BERBANTUAN KARTU TANTANGAN KELAS V SD

Abstract

This classroom action research aims to improve students critical thinking skills in Natural Sciences through the application of Problem Solving Learning aided by Challenge Cards in the fifth grade at SD Inpres 1 Tondo. The research was motivated by the students low critical thinking skills, which were caused by a learning process that remained teacher centered, resulting in students limited involvement in analysis and problem solving activities. The study was conducted in two cycles using the Kemmis and McTaggart model, which includes the stages of planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. The research subjects consisted of 12 fifth grade students. Research instruments included a critical thinking skills test as well as observation sheets for teacher and student activities. The results showed that students critical thinking skills improved from Cycle I to Cycle II. The students average score increased from 65.0% to 97.9%, while the class pass rate rose from 33.3% to 100%. Teacher activity scores increased from 67 to 83, and student activity scores rose from 49 to 68. Thus, Problem Solving Learning aided by Challenge Cards is effective in enhancing students critical thinking skills in science learning.