This study aims to improve the reading comprehension ability of grade VII students using the SQ4R method of descriptive text based on North Kalimantan local wisdom at SMP Negeri 1 Sebatik Utara. This study used classroom action research with the Kemmis and McTaggart model which consists of 4 stages, namely; planning, implementing actions, observing and reflecting. The subjects of this study were students of class VII-A totaling 32 students consist of 11 male and 21 female students in the 2021/2022 academic year. The criteria for the success of this study were 75% of students achieved the minimum passing grade set by the school (71). The research data were collected through written test, and observation of activities of both teachers and students. The results of this study indicates that there was an improvement in students' reading comprehension skills using the SQ4R method. This can be seen from the results of observations of teacher activity in cycle 1, which was 67% at the first meeting and 76% at the second meeting (good category), while in cycle 2 it reached 84% at the first meeting and increased to 93% (very good category) in the second meeting. second meeting. Students’ activity in cycle 1 was 66% at the first meeting and 68% at the second meeting (fair category), while in cycle 2 it reached 78% at the first meeting and 90% at the second meeting (very good category). In addition, the percentage of students’ learning outcomes in the first cycle was 56%, or 18 of 32 students in the class achieved the minimum passing grade (71) with an average score 74 and increased in the second cycle to 81% or 26 of 32 students with an average score 78. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of the SQ4R method can improve students' reading comprehension skills in seventh grade of SMP Negeri 1 Sebatik Utara.

Keyword: CAR, SQ4R Method, Students’ Reading Achievement