EFFECT OF SEMANTIC MAPPING STRATEGY ON READING SKILLS OF LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN EKITI STATE.

The study examined the effect of semantic mapping strategy on lower primary school pupils’ reading comprehension, reading speed and reading fluency in Ekiti State. The study adopted the pretest -posttest control group quasi experimental research design. The population for the study consisted of lower primary three pupils in Ekiti State. The sample consisted of 30 (thirty) primary three pupils in two intact classes in lower primary schools selected using random sampling technique. Two local government areas were used for this study. One local government area was selected from each of the two Senatorial Districts in Ekiti State. From each local government area, one public school was selected using random sampling technique. An intact class in each of the selected schools was assigned to semantic mapping strategy as the experimental group and traditional teaching method as the control group. The reliability coefficients of RCAT =0.962, RFT=0.846 and RST=0.732. Data collected were analysed using appropriate descriptive and t-test statistics. The result showed that there is significant effect of semantic mapping (SMS) on the lower primary school pupils’ reading comprehension, reading speed and reading fluency in Ekiti State. The study concluded that semantic mapping strategy facilitated and improved the reading skills of lower primary school pupils.