Development of Thai Reading and Writing Abilities through Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) with Graphic Organizers for Grade 3 Students at Ban Phon Than School under the Roi Et Primary Educational Service Area Office 2

Abstract

The purposes of the research were 1) to develop the Thai reading and writing skills of Grade 3 students through Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) with graphic organizers to meet the 75 percent criterion; 2) investigate students’ learning behaviors during the learning activities; and 3) examine students’ opinions toward the learning activities. This study employed action research consisting three cycles. The target group consisted of 12 Grade 3 students. The research instruments included: 1) six learning activity plans totaling 13 hours; 2) a Thai reading and writing ability assessment; 3) a student learning behavior observation form; and 4) a student opinion interview form. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and content analysis. The results revealed that: 1) the students’ Thai reading and writing skills improved progressively, with a mean score of 85.55 percent in the third cycle, and all students met the criterion, with all students (100%) meeting                the criterion; 2) the students’ learning behaviors improved progressively across the action research cycles, as they showed greater participation in learning activities, cooperation in group work, responsibility for completing assigned tasks, and increased attention to learning; and     3) the students had positive opinions toward the learning activities, reporting that the activities were enjoyable and that working with peers and using graphic organizers facilitated Thai reading and writing easier.