Implementation of the Sequenced Model in IPAS Thematic Learning to Strengthen Students' Holistic Skills in the Merdeka Curriculum
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32806/jf.v14i2.910Keywords:
sequenced model; holistic skills; IPAS learning.Abstract
The integration of natural and social sciences is essential in basic education to strengthen conceptual coherence and increase the relevance of learning to real life. This study explores the application of the Sequenced model in thematic IPAS learning within the Merdeka Curriculum, by positioning concrete science concepts before social aspects to foster students’ holistic competencies. A qualitative case study was conducted in grade V of SD Negeri 2 Pandanrejo, Malang, from January to March 2025. Research subjects consisted of teachers, students, the school principal, and parents. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation, and analyzed using Yin’s case study framework with pattern matching and explanation-building techniques. Validity was maintained through source triangulation, technique triangulation, and verification by teachers and the principal. Findings indicate that the Sequenced model effectively integrates science and social studies, with learning progressing from ecosystem balance to natural resource management. Seventy-eight percent of students successfully explained the water cycle and connected it to water availability in their environment. Holistic skills improved across dimensions: spiritual (65% emphasized environmental responsibility), social (project collaboration), emotional (52% showed empathy toward environmental damage), and cognitive (average test scores increased by 13 points). The study confirms the compatibility of the Sequenced model with constructivist theory and the adaptability of the Merdeka Curriculum. Rather than a simple ordering of content, this model functions as a pedagogical strategy to enrich cross-disciplinary understanding and strengthen 21st-century skills. The findings offer practical implications for developing more contextual thematic learning in elementary schools.
References
Agrawal, Vishnu, and Ashish Sureka. “Setting the Foundation for Scientific Inquiry and Computational Thinking in Early Childhood Using Lego Machines and Mechanism Education Kit.” ArXiv Preprint ArXiv:1801.06042, 2017.
Aliyatuz Zulfa, Nadia, Hibana Hibana, and Nurita Sari. “Learning Method Innovation: Integrating Projects for Holistic Development of Early Childhood.” Al-Athfaal: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini 7, no. 2 (December 29, 2024): 157. https://doi.org/10.24042/al-athfaal.v7i2.24780.
Dowden, Tony, Chris Brough, and Barbara Fogarty-Perry. “Student-Centred Curriculum Integration in Primary Schools: Nurturing Democratic Citizenship in Aotearoa New Zealand.” Curriculum Perspectives 44, no. 4 (2024): 513–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41297-024-00234-1.
Harrison, Lisa M., Ellis Hurd, and Kathleen M. Brinegar. “An Integrative Curriculum: Supporting Students’ Understanding of Self and the World.” Middle School Journal 50, no. 2 (March 15, 2019): 2–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/00940771.2019.1583986.
Kızkapan, Oktay, and Oktay Bektaş. “The Effect of Project-Based Learning on Seventh Grade Students’ Academic Achievement,” 2017.
Listiana, Dicky, Ari Puspita, Rr Setyowati, Nurul Istiq’faroh, and Ganes Gunansyah. “Implementation of the Project-Based Learning Model to Enhance Collaborative Skills of Elementary School Students.” Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education 4 (April 29, 2025): 179–86. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i2.1218.
Mardati, Asih, Hanum Hanifa Sukma, Febby Karmila, and Yeyen Febrilia. “Efektivitas Perangkat Pembelajaran Tematik Discovery Learning Terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Siswa Kelas III.” Jurnal Fundadikdas (Fundamental Pendidikan Dasar) 4, no. 3 (February 24, 2022): 256–64. https://doi.org/10.12928/fundadikdas.v4i3.5140.
Maulida, Kamila Syifa. “Pembelajaran Tematik-Integratif Sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Keterampilan Abad Ke-21 Siswa Sekolah Dasar.” Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar 1, no. 2 (December 7, 2023): 8. https://doi.org/10.47134/pgsd.v1i2.140.
McGuire, Patrick, and Halah Alismail. “21st Century Standards and Curriculum: Current Research and Practice.” January 20, 2015.
Musa, Faridah, and Norlaila Mufti. “Project-Based Learning: Promoting Meaningful Language Learning for Workplace Skills.” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 18 (December 31, 2011): 187–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.05.027.
Mustamin, Kaso, Wahdah Wahdah, Dermawan Intiardy, Abrina Jumrah, and Petrus Pattiasina. “The Impact of Project-Based Learning on Students’ Collaboration Skills in Secondary Schools.” International Journal of Educational Research Excellence (IJERE) 3 (December 30, 2024): 992–98. https://doi.org/10.55299/ijere.v3i2.740.
Ndari, Wulan, Suyatno, Sukirman, and Fitri Mahmudah. “Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum and Its Challenges.” European Journal of Education and Pedagogy 4 (June 15, 2023): 111–16. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2023.4.3.648.
OECD. “What Can Students Do in Mathematics, Reading, and Science? BT - PISA 2022 Results (Volume I): The State of Learning and Equity in Education.” PISA. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en.
Piaget, Jean. “Development and Learning.” Reading in Child Behavior and Development, 1972, 38–46.
Puspita, Gita Nurul, Ari Widodo, Siti Sriyati, and Achmad Samsudin. “The Integration of ESD and Ethnoscience into Merdeka Curriculum: A Study on Junior High School.” IJIS Edu: Indonesian Journal of Integrated Science Education 6, no. 2 (2024): 148–60.
Rini, Atik Puspita, Naufal Fikri Firmansyah, Nugraheni Widiastuti, Yunitha Ike Christyowati, and Achmad Noor Fatirul. “Pendekatan Terintegrasi Dalam Pengembangan Kurikulum Abad 21.” Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Holistik (JIPH) 2, no. 2 (April 30, 2023): 171–82. https://doi.org/10.55927/jiph.v2i2.3942.
Robin J. Fogarty. How to Integrate the Curricula. Third edit. Chicago: Corwin, 2009.
Sariaman, Sariaman, Tahmid Sabri, and Amalia Sapriati. “PEMBELAJARAN TEMATIK TERPADU BERBASIS PENGEMBANGAN BERPIKIR KRITIS DAN BERPIKIR KREATIF PADA SISWA KELAS V SEKOLAH DASAR.” EduHumaniora | Jurnal Pendidikan Dasar Kampus Cibiru 13, no. 2 (August 1, 2021): 124–33. https://doi.org/10.17509/eh.v13i2.35881.
Schunk, Dale, and Maria Dibenedetto. “Motivation and Social Cognitive Theory.” Contemporary Educational Psychology 60 (December 1, 2019): 101832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2019.101832.
Trisdiono, Harli, Siswandari Siswandari, Nunuk Suryani, and Soetarno Joyoatmojo. “Development of Multidisciplinary Integrated Project-Based Learning Model To Improve Critical Thinking and Cooperation Skills.” JPI (Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia) 8, no. 1 (June 18, 2019): 9. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpi-undiksha.v8i1.17401.
UNESCO. “Asia-Pacific Education 2030: SDG 4 Midterm Review.” UNESCO, 2023. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/asia-pacific-education-2030-sdg-4-midterm-review.
Volman, Monique, Merlijn Karssen, Yolande Emmelot, and Irma Heemskerk. “The Focus of Schools on Twenty‐first–Century Competencies and Students’ Experience of These Competencies.” The Curriculum Journal 31 (May 16, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.57.
Voogt, Joke, Jules Pieters, and Natalie Pareja Roblin. “Collaborative Curriculum Design in Teacher Teams: Foundations.” In Collaborative Curriculum Design for Sustainable Innovation and Teacher Learning, 5–18. Springer, 2019.
Weng, Chunmeng, Congying Chen, and Xianfeng Ai. “A Pedagogical Study on Promoting Students’ Deep Learning through Design-Based Learning.” International Journal of Technology and Design Education 33, no. 4 (2023): 1653–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-022-09789-4.
Yin, R K. “Studi Kasus (Desain & Metode)(Ed. 1st)(Cet-14).” Jakarta: Rajawali Pers, 2015.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Wilda Al Aluf, Ainul Andy Sudarmoko, Najmatun Nazihah, Samsul Susilowati, Agus Mukti Wibowo

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.