EFEKTIVITAS METODE LEARNING START WITH A QUESTION (LSQ) DALAM MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS SISWA KELAS V PADA MATA PELAJARAN IPAS

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of the Learning Start with a Question (LSQ) learning method on students' critical thinking skills in the Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS) subject. The background of this study is the low level of critical thinking skills among fifth-grade students at SD Negeri 3 Purwawinangun, indicated by passive learning behavior and a teacher-centered learning process. This study used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental method and a non-equivalent control group design. The subjects consisted of 42 fifth-grade students, divided into an experimental class (20 students) taught using the LSQ method and a control class (22 students) taught using the conventional lecture method. Data were collected through essay-based pretest and posttest instruments developed from five indicators of critical thinking. The results showed that the average posttest score of the experimental class (86.05) was higher than that of the control class (72.50), with a t-test result of t-count 8.33 > t-table 2.02, indicating a significant difference between the two classes. The N-Gain value of the experimental class (0.72) was in the high category, while the control class (0.63) was in the medium category. It can be concluded that the application of the LSQ learning method has a significant effect on improving students' critical thinking skills in the IPAS subject.