KOLONI: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu, Vol. 1, No.
4, Bulan Desember Tahun 2022
e-ISSN: 2828-6863
THE EFFECT OF SNOWBALL THROWING TECHNIQUE IN TEACHING READING
COMPREHENSION AT GRADE TENTH STUDENTS OF SMA SWASTA KAMPUS
NOMMENSEN PEMATANG SIANTAR
Sanggam Siahaan1, Juni Mariana Simanungkalit2, Melda Veby Ristella Munthe3
1
Department of English Education, Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar, Pematang
Siantar,Indonesia
2,3
Department of English Education, Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar,Pematang
Siantar,Indonesia
[email protected]Abstract: This study focuses on the technique of throwing snowballs in teaching reading comprehension
at grade tenth students of SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar in narrative text. therewere
problems which related on this research The problem of the students Students had low in reading
comprehension,The students not familiar with the vocabulary in the text, and Students did not understand
how to find out the main idea in the reading narrative text. whether this technique can improve the
reading comprehension ability of he grade tenth at SMA Swasta kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar
campus. The snowball throwing technique can be used as a teaching tool for students to learn in teaching
reading comprehension. Research Problem Formulation is, is There a More Significant Effect of Snowball
Throwing Technique on Reading Comprehension at grade tenth Students of SMA Swasta Kampus
Nommensen Pematangsiantar in Narrative Text? This study uses an experimental design, meaning that
there are certain experiments that are applied to the population or sample. And the population of this study
is four classes, namely students in the second year of 2022/2023 of SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen
Pematangsiantar. and the sample for the The researcher used a proposive sampling. There were 25
students in each classroom. The control group using (textbook) while the experimental group was taught
using snowball throwing technique. In this reseaarch, Data analysis revealed that the post-test mean score
for the experimental group was 80, whereas the control group's score was 59,68. The effect of applying
snowball throwing technique more significants than the effect of texbook to the ability of grade tenth
students of SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar in narrative tex. This can be proven from
the t-count of 2.21 and the t-table value is 2.011 at alphe 0.05 and df= 48 ( Nx + Ny -2 = 25+25-2 = 48 ).
The t-test value is higher than the t-table value (t-test > t-table). Therefore, the alternative hypothesis
(Ha) accepted and the null hypothesis (Ho) rejected.
Keywords: Snowball throwing technique, reading comprehension, narrative Text
Abstrak: Penelitian ini berfokus pada teknik melempar bola salju dalam pembelajaran pemahaman
membaca siswa kelas X SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar dalam teks naratif. Ada
masalah yang berkaitan dengan penelitian ini Masalah siswa Siswa memiliki pemahaman bacaan yang
rendah, Siswa tidak terbiasa dengan kosakata dalam teks, dan Siswa tidak mengerti bagaimana
menemukan ide utama dalam teks naratif bacaan. apakah teknik ini dapat meningkatkan kemampuan
membaca pemahaman siswa kelas X SMA Swasta kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar. Teknik lempar
bola salju dapat digunakan sebagai sarana pengajaran bagi siswa untuk belajar dalam mengajar
pemahaman bacaan. Rumusan Masalah Penelitian adalah, Adakah Pengaruh Yang Lebih Signifikan Teknik
Snowball Throwing Terhadap Pemahaman Membaca Siswa Kelas X SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen
Pematangsiantar dalam Teks Narasi? Penelitian ini menggunakan desain eksperimen, artinya ada
eksperimen tertentu yang diterapkan pada populasi atau sampel. Dan populasi penelitian ini adalah empat
kelas yaitu siswa tahun kedua 2022/2023 SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar. dan sampel
untuk penelitian Peneliti menggunakan proposive sampling. Setiap kelas berjumlah 25 siswa. Kelompok
kontrol menggunakan (buku ajar) sedangkan kelompok eksperimen diajar dengan teknik lempar bola salju.
Dalam penelitian ini, Analisis data menunjukkan bahwa nilai rata-rata post-test untuk kelompok eksperimen
adalah 80, sedangkan nilai kelompok kontrol adalah 59,68. Pengaruh penerapan teknik lempar bola salju
lebih signifikan daripada pengaruh buku teks terhadap kemampuan siswa kelas X SMA Swasta Kampus
Nommensen Pematangsiantar dalam teks naratif. Hal ini dapat dibuktikan dari t-hitung sebesar 2,21 dan
nilai t-tabel sebesar 2,011 pada alphe 0,05 dan df= 48 ( Nx + Ny -2 = 25+25-2 = 48 ). Nilai uji-t lebih
tinggi dari nilai t-tabel (uji-t > t-tabel). Oleh karena itu, hipotesis alternatif (Ha) diterima dan hipotesis nol
(Ho) ditolak.
Page | 88
KOLONI: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu, Vol. 1, No. 4, Bulan Desember Tahun 2022
Kata kunci: Teknik lempar bola salju, pemahaman bacaan, teks naratif
Introduction
Reading is a process that a reader goes through and uses to acquire a message that is
being sent by a writer via the use of words so that it may be seen and recognized by the reader.
Reading comprehension is the process of interpreting written material and gleaning the
necessary information from it in the most time and effort-effective manner feasible. According to
an initial research that was carried out while PPL was being carried out, the students did not
grasp what the text was trying to say; hence, pupils should have reading comprehension.
Therefore, instructing students in reading comprehension is extremely significant for them since
it can increase students' reading skills not only in textbooks but also in other reading materials.
This is because teaching reading comprehension may develop students' reading abilities. In
order for students to have a solid comprehension of the material, teachers need to be able to
adopt teaching methods that are both effective and enjoyable for their pupils. The researcher
came to the conclusion that English instructors need an adequate method of teaching in order to
increase student reading comprehension based on prior similar studies that were discussed
above. It is important for teachers to have a solid understanding of the most effective strategies
and methods that may assist pupils in comprehending what they are reading. It is important for
teachers to be aware of high-quality reading material that may engage pupils and encourage
them to read rapidly. Additionally, it may boost students' understanding after they have studied
in the classroom. In this particular investigation, the researcher used a strategy including the
hurling of snowballs in order to enhance student reading comprehension.
The average score of students' reading comprehension was low with a minimum
achievement criteria (KKM) of 75, and students are not able to understand the meaning of the
text because they are not familiar with the vocabulary in the text, and they do not understand
how to find out the meaning of the text. Specifically, when researchers conducted when carrying
out English teacher training, the researchers gave a preliminary test to determine students'
difficulties in understanding English reading. The researchers found that the average score of
students' reading comprehension was low, and the minimum achievement criteria In order to
find solutions for such issues, the researcher used one of the instructional strategies available via
cooperative learning called the Snowball Throwing Technique (henceforth STT).
This study focuses on the of the snowball throwing technique in learning to read and
whether it can improve the reading comprehension ability of class students at grade tenth SMA
Swasta kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar. snowball throwing technique may be used as a
teaching tool for students to learn in teaching reading comprehension. The Problem of the
Research Is there the Effect of Snowball Throwing technique more significant in Reading
Comprehension of grade ten Students of SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar in
Page | 89
KOLONI: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu, Vol. 1, No. 4, Bulan Desember Tahun 2022
Narrative Text? According to Agus (2009: 128), the technique of snowball throwing games is
characterized as being one of the active learning methods with the purpose of directing the
attention of learners directly to the subject that is being delivered. Throwing snowballs helps
solve the problem of classes being too large to provide students with many opportunities to
apply their reading comprehension and encourages students to be more active in discussing the
reading material they receive from their teachers. It also provides many advantages, creates and
encourages the individual's insight into his comparative strengths and weaknesses so that ideas
can be generated and shared.
Method
The quantitative research approach was applied in the study. The study employs an
experimental design, which indicates that a specific experiment is applied to the population or
sample. The purpose of experimental quantitative study is to determine the influence of the
Snowball Throwing method for students in teaching reading comprehension, with the sample
split into two groups: experimental and control. The experimental groups are those who get
therapy using the Snowball Throwing method, whereas the control groups are those who receive
a different treatment or are treated as normal, without the use of the Snowball Throwing
technique.
The population is the students who are concerned with the scope and time frame
specified by the researcher. So, in order to do this study, a population must be studied. And the
population of this reseacrh four classes they are 2022/2023 second year students of SMA SW
KAMPUS NOMMENSEN PEMATANGSIANTAR. The research is conducted at SMA Swasta Kampus
Nommensen Pematangsiantar. The school is located in jl. Sangnawaluh no.4 siopat suhu
Pematangsiantar.
Table 1. Research design
Class / Treatment Group Teaching After TreatmentTeaching
Class control ( X 2 ) conventional post-test
Class experiment ( X1 ) Snowball Throwing technique post-test
The data collection instrument was created in order to acquire the study's resolve. The
instrument of data gathering tests was used in this study. The data gathering instrument is
shown in the table below: (1) Test, the device used for data gathering testing Multiple-choice
questionnaires were utilized to gather data for this study. It is utilized for both pre- and post-
testing. Multiple-choice tests are one kind of test. The multiple-choice style may be used to
words in a sentence context as well as words in whole texts. Each item on the exam has four
possibilities (a, b, c, or d). Multiple Choice Question 30 requires students to cross one of four
alternatives presented on the exam sheet to choose the right answer. (2) Validity and reability, a
Page | 90
KOLONI: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu, Vol. 1, No. 4, Bulan Desember Tahun 2022
test is useful if it is both valid and trustworthy. The validity and reliability of the test should be
proven to assure its quality. Validity is a metric that offers an indicator of the amount of validity
or validity in an instrument (Arikunto, 2006:168), while Reliability is an important characteristic
of any good test, for it to be valid at all. Reliability refers to the consistency of the measurement.
The data collection instrument was created in order to acquire the study's resolve. The data
collection tool administers an essay exam to pupils. (1) Pre-test, Before the therapy or
educational presentation, both classes (experimental group and control group) take the pre-test.
The pre-test is used to estimate the pupils' reading comprehension based on their score. (2)
Treatment, to explore the effects of teaching reading comprehension using a snowball tossing
paradigm.(3)Post-test, a post test is used to assess the efficacy or reusability of an activity.
Following therapy, a post-test will be conducted and assessed as final data for this study. The
test is the same as the one given in the pre-test.
Quantitative data is a technique to analysis and count the data collected trough a test
process consisted of pre-test and post – test.
√ [ ][ ]
[ ]
Result and Discussions
1. Results
After doing study, collecting data, and calculating the data, the researcher drew
conclusions from the generated data.
a. Students in grade ten at SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen pematang siantar may improve
their reading comprehension of narrative texts with the use of a strategy using snowballs.
In can be seen from the grouping of students' post-test scores in the experimental class for
which the researcher used the snowball-throwing approach, as it enables students to
answer questions based on the meaning of story, generic structure, and linguistic
characteristic. By utilizing a snowball-throwing approach, students may improve their ability
to concentrate on the story's core topic while reading.
b. The impact of textbook approach is uninteresting and cannot develop students' reading
comprehension ability to the level of grade ten SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen
Pematangsiantar narrative text comprehension. In may be determined by the post-test
scores of students in the control class. The pupils received a poor grade since they are
capable of answering the question.
c. The use of the snowball-throwing approach has a greater impact on the narrative writing
skills of grade ten pupils at SMA Swasta Kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar than the
texbook technique. It may be shown based on the fact that the t-observed value was 2,21
and the t-table values were 1,7 at alphe 0.05 and df= 48 (Nx + Ny -2 = 25+25-2 = 48).
Page | 91
KOLONI: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu, Vol. 1, No. 4, Bulan Desember Tahun 2022
The t-test value was greater than the t-table value (t-test > t-table). The alternative
hypothesis (Ha) was thus accepted whereas the null hypothesis (Ho) was rejected.
2. Discussion
The t-test yielded a value of 2.21, which exceeded the t-table, based on the computation
of the preceding facts ( 1,7 ). Using hypothesis testing, it was determined that the alternative
hypothesis is acceptable (2,21 > 1,7) This indicates that adopting the snowball tossing
approach in reading comprehension has a considerable impact on children. It was shown via
data that the experimental class scored higher than the control class. Based on the above
description, the researcher determined that the snowball-throwing method is an intriguing
strategy for instructors and students to use in the classroom.
1. The teacher is not the only source of information. Regarding the snowball-throwing
method, every student is an expert and may serve as a teacher for the other pupils based
on what they have learned. It implies that the teacher's function is that of a counselor. The
specialist assists not only a supplier but also the instructor.
2. The simple-to-learn snowball-throwing technique is an efficient teaching method for
teaching reading comprehension. Here, students do not need to read a lengthy text, even
if the tale is constructed of lengthy text, since in the snowball-throwing approach, each
group has its own question, which will allow them to respond to the question more quickly.
3. Learning revolves in interaction with peers, which implies that all students will trade
knowledge. Therefore, in the edn of the learning process, students will get comprehensive
knowledge even if they merely read the tale and answer each question.
4. Built interpersonal and active skills, snowball throwing method when the students work in
groups, thus will lead the students to produce a fun, active, and share with others for
completing their inquiry.
Conclusion
After collecting and analyzing the data presented in the previoys chapter,so the reseacher
got some conclusion as follow;
1. The use of the snowball-throwing method may enhance pupils' reading comprehension
skills to those of SMA tenth-grade students. Swasta Kampus Nommensen Pematangsiantar.
It may be inferred from the post-test results of the experimental class utilizing the
snowball-throwing approach, as it enables students to comprehend the meaning of
narrative text, generic structure, and linguistic characteristic. Students may improve their
ability to determine the primary concept of new words. They are able to enhance their
critical thinking, problem-solving, and team-building skills.
Page | 92
KOLONI: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu, Vol. 1, No. 4, Bulan Desember Tahun 2022
2. The result of implementing textbook approach is uninteresting and cannot improve
students' reading comprehension skills. It is possible to examine the post-test scores of
students in control classes. The pupils received a poor grade since they were unable to
answer the question and determine the major theme of each text.
3. The use of the snowball-throwing method has a greater impact on the capacity of tenth-
grade pupils to toss snowballs than the use of textbooks as instructional medium.
4. The t obeserved value of 2,21 and the t table value of 2,011 at aplha 0.05 and df 48
(25+25-2) might be used to demonstrate this. The result of the t-test was greater than the
value of the t-table. The alternative hypothesis (Ha) was thus accepted, whereas the null
hypothesis was rejected.
5. Students who learn by tossing snowballs have more enjoyment, are more active, and are
not bored when studying compared to those who use textbooks. The experimental class
used a snowball-throwing method, whereas the control class utilized a texbook.
References
Afiska, A. (2019). The Influence of Snowball Throwing Method Towards Students’ Speaking Ability at
The First Semester of Ninth Grade of SMP Yasmida Ambarawa in The Academic Year of
2018/2019. Undergraduate thesis. Lampung: UIN Lampung.
Arikunto, S. (2006). Prosedur penelitian: Suatu pendekatan praktek. Rineka Cipta.
Brown, H. D. (2001). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy .
Second Edition . New York: Pearson Education.
Damanik, A. S. and Herman. (2021). Improving Students’ Reading Comprehension Through Question
Answer Relationship Strategy (QARS). Inovish Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, PP. 84-101. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35314/inovish.v6i1.1949
Dhillon, B., Herman, H., & Syafryadin, S. (2020). The Effect of Skimming Method to Improve
Students’ Ability in Reading Comprehension on Narrative Text. Linguists : Journal Of Linguistics
and Language Teaching, 6(1), 77-88. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.29300/ling.v6i1.2991
Gani, S. A., Yusuf, Y. Q., & Erwina, R. (2017). The effectiveness of Snowball Throwing Technique in
teaching reading comprehension, Proceedings of the 1st national conference on teachers’
professional development. Banda Aceh, Indonesia : National Conference on Teachers'
Professional Conference. pp.18-28)
Hamdayama, J. (2014). Model dan metode pembelajaran kreatif dan berkarakter. Ghalia Indonesia
Herman, Sibarani, J. K., and Pardede, H. (2020). The Effect of Jigsaw Technique in Reading
Comprehension on Recount Text. Cetta: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, Jayapangus Press ISSN 2615-
0891 (E) Vol. 3 No. 1 (2020), PP. 84-102. DOI: 10.37329/cetta.v3i1.413
Ivantara, E. P., Herman., and Manalu, D. B. (2020). The effect of using cooperative script on
students’ reading comprehension at grade eleveth of SMA Negeri 2 Pematangsiantar . Acitya:
Journal of Teaching & Education, Vol. 2 No. 2 2020, PP. 82-94. DOI: 10.30650/ajte.v2i2.1361
Linda Muslita, Sofyan A. Gani. (2022). The Impact of Using Snowball Throwing Technique in
Improving Students’ Reading Comprehension. Research in English and Education (READ), 7
(1), 13-23
Lumbantobing, S. R. A. H., Pardede, H., and Herman. (2020). The Effect of Herringbone Technique
on the Students’ Ability in Reading Comprehension on Recount Text . Journal of English
Educational Study, Volume 3, Issue 2, November 2020, Page 1-10, E-ISSN: 2655-0776. DOI :
10.31932/jees.v3i2.656
Manullang, R. A., Sianipar, E., Herman, and Sinurat, B. (2022). The Application of Phonics Instruction
in Reading Text at Grade X SMK N.1 Pematangsiantar. Periodica Journal of Modern Philosophy,
Social Sciences and Humanities, 4, 25–31
Page | 93
KOLONI: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu, Vol. 1, No. 4, Bulan Desember Tahun 2022
Meutia. (2015). Using Snowball Throwing Technique in improving students’ reading comprehension
(An experimental research at the second grade students of SMA Inshafuddin Banda Aceh).
(Unpublished Bachelor’s thesis). Universitas Syiah Kuala,Banda Aceh.
Nurbaya. (2009). The Effect of Using Snowball Throwing to Improve Students Motivation in PAI at the
Fifth Grade of Elementary School 009 Langkan Langgam District Pelalawan Regency. State
Islamic University of Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau.
Nuttal, C. (2000). Teaching Reading Skills in the Foreign Language. Oxford: Macmillan Publishers
Limited. Open Journal Of Modern Linguistics, vol.5 no.2
Sari, Siti Fatimah Tenri. (2020). The Effectiveness of Snowball Throwing Technique to Improve
Recount Text at The Eighth Grade of SMPN 1 Babadan Ponorogo in The Academic Year
2019/2020. Undergraduate (S1) thesis. Ponogoro : IAIN Ponorogo.
Silalahi, D. E., Herman, H., Sihombing, P. S. R., Damanik, A. S., and Purba, L. (2022). An Analysis of
students’ achievement in reading comprehension through higher order thinking skills (HOTS).
Al-Ishlah: Jurnal Pendidikan, 14(2), DOI: 10.35445/alishlah.v14i2.1249
Sinaga, Y. K., Herman, and Siahaan, P. L. (2020). The Effect of Partner Reading Strategy on Reading
Comprehension. Journal of English Education and Teaching (JEET), Volume 4 number 2, June
2020, Page 206-218. DOI: 10.33369/jeet.4.2.206-218
Sirait, M. F., Hutauruk, B. S., & Herman. (2020). The Effect of Using Speed Reading Technique to the
Students’ Ability in Comprehending a Text. Cetta: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 3(3), 485-498
Page | 94
