<![CDATA[Speaking skills are one of the essential language competencies that need to be developed in elementary school students. However, the speaking skills of Grade III students at SDN 2 Tempurejo were still relatively low, as indicated by the low level of learning mastery achieved during the pre-cycle stage. This study aimed to optimize students’ speaking skills through the implementation of the Think Pair Share (TPS) cooperative learning model assisted by pop-up book media. The research employed Classroom Action Research (CAR) using the Kemmis and McTaggart model, which consisted of two cycles: planning, action, observation, and reflection. The subjects of this study were 15 Grade III students of SDN 2 Tempurejo in the 2025/2026 academic year. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. Speaking skills were assessed based on four indicators, namely fluency, vocabulary usage, coherence of ideas, and self-confidence. The results showed a consistent improvement in students’ speaking skills across the research cycles. The average score increased from 68.2 in the pre-cycle to 73.4 in Cycle I and further improved to 86.2 in Cycle II. Learning mastery also increased from 66.67% in the pre-cycle to 86.67% in Cycle I and reached 100% in Cycle II. The N-Gain score of 0.57 indicated a moderate level of improvement. These findings demonstrate that the Think Pair Share cooperative learning model assisted by pop-up book media was effective in optimizing the speaking skills of Grade III elementary school students at SDN 2 Tempurejo]]>
