Cycle 1 Friday, 17
th
April 2009 : 09.30 a.m
– 10.45 a.m Friday, 24
th
April 2009 : 09.30 a.m
– 10.45 a.m Friday, 1
st
May 2009 : 09.15 a.m
– 10.45 a.m Friday, 8
th
May 2009 : 09.15 a.m
– 10.45 a.m Cycle 2
Friday, 15
th
May 2009 : 09.15 a.m
– 10.45 a.m Friday, 22
th
May 2009 : 09.15 a.m
– 10.45 a.m Friday, 29
th
May 2009 : 09.15 a.m
– 10.45 a.m Friday, 3rd June 2009
: 09.15 a.m – 10.45 a.m
B. The Subject of the Research
Since the study was conducted at SD Negeri I Karang Putat, Nusawungu, Jawa Tengah, the writer used the fourth grade students as the subject of the
research. This class consisted of 24 students, 15 boys and 9 girls. Most of their parents work as farmers. In spite of their financial boundaries, like most
Indonesian children have, smiling faces are always easily found in this class. The children love to chat and play. As observed during and pre research, the children
like to chase each other among the tables and chairs. They mock their friends and make so many noises. In short, they are active players but unfortunately, they
were also passive learners. Because of this characteristic, the class was chosen as the subject of the research.
C. The Method of the Research
The method used in this research is action research. Richard and Platt
1992:4 state that action research is a teacher-initiated classroom research which seeks to increase the teacher’s understanding of classroom teaching and learning
and to bring about improvement in classroom practice. While, Kemmis and McTaggart 1988 in Nunan 1992: 17 state that there are three characteristics of
action research; firstly, the action research is carried out by practitioners rather than outside practitioners. Secondly, the action research is collaborative, and
thirdly, the action research is aimed at changing conditions. Based on Mills 2000: 6 action research is any systematic inquiry
conducted by teacher researchers, principals, school counselors, or other stakeholders in the teachinglearning environment, to gather information about
the ways that their particular schools operate how they teach, and how well their students learn.
From the definitions above it can be concluded that action research is any systematic inquiry conducted by teacher researcher, principals, school counselor,
or other stakeholders in the teaching-learning environment, to gather information about the ways that their particular schools operate, how they teach, and how well
their students learn and how they will teach then. This research has certain goal that is improving and evaluating the results of strategies practiced.
D. The Model of the Research
