Meningkatkan Keterampilan Berpikir Kritis Siswa melalui Diskusi Tema Keagamaan Islam di SMPN 4 Lubuk Alung

Abstract

This Classroom Action Research (CAR) aims to improve students' critical 
thinking skills through religious discussion themes at SMPN 4 Lubuk 
Alung. The research was conducted in two cycles, each consisting of 
planning, action, observation, and reflection. The study involved 8th-grade 
students and focused on enhancing their ability to think critically by 
discussing Islamic religious themes in the classroom. Data were collected 
using observations, student reflections, and interviews. The results show 
that implementing thematic discussions in the classroom helped students 
develop their critical thinking skills, as they were encouraged to analyze, 
evaluate, and discuss religious issues from different perspectives. Students 
showed increased participation in discussions, and their ability to express 
opinions, ask questions, and make reasoned arguments improved over time. 
Furthermore, students began to connect Islamic teachings with real-life 
situations, which enhanced their understanding of religious concepts. This 
research indicates that discussion-based learning is an effective method for 
fostering critical thinking, especially in the context of Islamic education. It 
is recommended for teachers to adopt this approach to promote deeper 
engagement and improve students' cognitive and analytical skills in 
religious studies.