THE GEOMETRIC THINKING PROCESS OF STUDENTS IN CONSTRUCTING THE CONCEPT OF AREA

Students often experience difficulties in learning geometry at the junior high. It is important in learning geometry to provide opportunities for students to build their own geometric concepts with guidance from educators. The purpose of this study was to describe the geometric thinking process of students in constructing the formula for the area of rectangles, squares, and triangles and how the geometric thinking processes of students in solving contextual problems related to the area of flat shapes. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach. The research out on 22 students of class VIII SMP PGRI Buntudatu. Research instrument using worksheets, and data collection through observations on the learning process and student work. The results showed that the geometric thinking process of students in building knowledge about the concept of the area of rectangles, squares and triangles had not gone well and smoothly. Students still need to be given regular guidance and instructions to help construct their knowledge. Students have not been able to use geometric reasoning well in terms of applying the properties of rectangles, squares, and triangles in solving contextual problems related to the area of flat shapes.