Improving Students’ Vocabulary Mastery by Using Ice Breaker Activities to The First Graders of SMP HKBP Sidorame

Abstract

This research aimed to find out the improvement of students‟ vocabulary mastery by using icebreaker activities. This research was conducted by using Classroom Action Research (CAR). The sample in this research were the first graders of SMP HKBP Sidorame which consist of 32 students. This research conducted in two cycles. Each cycle consisted of planning, action, observation and reflection. Both cycles were carried out in two meetings. The data was collected by quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data was taken from the results of vocabulary scores in pre-test, post-test I and post-test II, while qualitative data was taken from questionnaire and observation results. The results showed that there was an improvement on the students‟ vocabulary mastery. It can be seen from the mean score of the students‟ pre- test which was 40,78 and the mean score in post-test I was 64,84. In post-test II, the mean score increased to 82,34. In addition, there were 2 students or 6,25% from 32 students passed the Minimum Completeness Criteria (KKM) in the pre-test, while in post-test I there were 12 students or 37,5% from 32 students passed the KKM and 25 students or 78,12% from 32 students passed the KKM. Furthermore, the results of observation and questionnaire showed that students gave positive responses to the use of ice breaker in learning. Ice breaker is able to improve students' vocabulary mastery.