STRATEGY FOR STRENGTHENING READING LITERACY UNDERSTANDING THROUGH FOLKLORE STORIES BASED ON AN ETHNOPEDAGOGICAL APPROACH AT STATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4 RANTEBUA

This study aims to describe the strategy for strengthening reading comprehension literacy through folklore based on an ethnopedagogical approach at SD Negeri 4 Rantebua. The main problem underlying this study is the low ability of students to capture the deep meaning (inferential) of reading texts due to the lack of relevance of the teaching materials to the students' cultural backgrounds. The research method used is Mixed Methods with an action research design. The research instruments include reading comprehension ability tests (pre-test and post-test), observation sheets, and interview guidelines. The results of the study indicate that the implementation of the strategy through three main stages: exploration, internalization of values, and reconstruction/reflection, significantly improves students' reading comprehension abilities. The average class score increased from 59.21 (poor category) in the pre-test to 84.21 (good category) in the post-test. These findings prove that the ethnopedagogical approach through the folklore "Uleleanna Tulang Didiq" is effective in activating students' cognitive schemas and internalizing local character values such as Sipakainga' and Longko'.