Textbooks in learning activities at schools had an important role, especially in
reading skills for the students of primary schools/ Islamic primary schools in low
grades. The reading skills were preparation for entering high-grade levels. For
training students reading skills, it was necessary to apply a reading learning
approach that suited the needs of students. This study aimed to figure out the
reading learning approach in thematic textbooks for grade III of primary schools/
Islamic primary schools in Purbalingga subdistrict. The study was conducted from
April to June 2021. It was a qualitative study. The data sources were primary data
in the form of class III textbooks and secondary data in the form of literature
reviews on books and articles. The data were collected using field observations,
text analysis, and literature review. The data were then analyzed using the
components from. Miles and Huberman which consisted of data reduction, data
presentation, and data verification. After reviewing 32 books, the results showed
that there were 5 appropriate textbooks. There were 2 textbooks with the reading
activities using contextual learning approach and whole language, and 3 textbooks
with the reading activities only using a contextual learning approach. The
contextual learning approach and whole language were good to use in reading
learning since the students could participate actively in the learning process and
the textbooks also supported it since there were many reading activities that were
carried out independently.