The purpose of this project is to make children care about environmental protection and to support them in learning the concepts of "4R", including reduce, reuse, recycle and replace. A pretest and a posttest were conducted for the method, and the researcher used the data to create a chart that was created to record the children's answers to the questions. The pictures made the children think about their lifestyle and concern for the environment.
The children explored and learned the 4Rs (Reuse, Reduce, Replace, Recycle) (Kusminah, 2018) during the project, therefore they mastered some measures of environmental protection. I reused some materials to make the material, the children will learn to cherish the paper, plastic. This project aims to inspire the children to care about environmental protection and to help children understand the concepts of 4Rs including reduce, reuse, recycle and replace (Kusminah, 2018).
So that the Montessori method advocates helping the children to develop autonomy, body coordination, concentration, order, peace of love and normalization through Montessori education (Montessori, 1997). In the Montessori classroom, children work in the mixed age group (Montessori, 1997), which can provide the children with a more realistic environment to live and learn, and prepare children for the real world.
The Characteristics of Montessori Materials
The teacher should regularly observe and review the degree of popularity among the works and renew the material to maintain the appeal of the works. It shows the way children put materials back on the shelf in their original form, showing respect for others and always preparing for the next person. Regarding error control, Maria Montessori believes that children have an innate ability to self-correct (Montessori, 1997).
When handling materials, children can independently observe and control their own mistakes, and by repeating the work they can identify and correct their own mistakes.
Rs and Green lifestyle
METHODS
Measures
Pre-test and Post-test Questions
Procedures
- Montessori activities (14 main activities)
- Montessori activities (9 extension activities)
On the fourth week, researcher performed the Post-test, and then processed the data analysis.
Data Analysis
Pre-test Table
Post-test Table
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 Statistics of The Results of Pre-test and Post-test
Knowledge comparison between of pre-test and post-test in the concepts of “4Rs”
Results
Discussion
And also many of the activities provided real objects for the children to manipulate. For difficulty isolation (Montessori, 1997), all materials and activities in the project contained only one skill or concept, so that children could focus on one aspect of learning. I first introduced the three-part map about the categories of recycling materials to the children, children could recognize the categories through visual stimulation.
And then they used real objects and participated in the recycling sorting activity, applied the concept of recycling while concretely learning the abstract concept of recycling. In addition, when I introduced the abstract concept of "substitution" to the children, I showed how to make eco enzyme and eco mosquito bag, the children could master the concept of substitution through activities, they learned that we could choose some natural materials for it. Based on the statement of the Hong Kong Department of Environmental Protection, landfills are approaching their full capacity, waste prevention and recycling are the main focus to cope with the problem of waste and the lack of landfills in the future, in addition to planning for only the expansion of landfills (Hong Kong Department of Environmental Protection, 2018).
And according to the principles and basic rules of Maria Montessori (Ann, 2009), it advocates that everyone belongs to society and the earth (Miller, 1974), we have the responsibility to protect our environment and the earth. We should also respect ourselves, respect others and respect the environment (Ann, 2009). In the project, I saw that my children showed their respect for the environment (Ann, 2009), when they learned the concepts of 4Rs, they applied the concepts in their daily lives.
Children were willing to do green actions to protect our environment, it was also showing respect to others (Ann, 2009), preparing the green environment for others. To save more resources for others and contribute to the serious problem of stressful landfills. At the same time, children also showing respect for the environment and the earth (Ann, 2009), they learned the concepts of "4Rs" (Kusminah, 2018) from Montessori activities and conveyed the message to classmates, family and community, helped to mitigate of the problem of waste production.
When the teacher prepared the materials in the classroom, the children were stimulated in different ways, giving the children the opportunity to explore the bountiful environment through various green activities. They were free to choose their works, they showed their love for the works and participated in the activities with strong interests, through the concentration and repetition of works, they developed the inner discipline and peace of love (Kevin, 2001). Applying the green actions shows love and care to the community and the earth.
Limitations and Future Directions
For the further study, in order to increase the reliability and validity of the results in the project, I want to increase the number of target group students who study in the Montessori style. And then, after the same period of time, the post-test continues, the researcher will compare the data to find out the difference between two groups of students and analyze whether the Montessori materials lead to the difference or not.
REFERECES
APPENDIX
The records of the Montessori activities in the project of “Helping Children to Understand the Concepts of 4Rs”
14 main activities
- Recycle sorting (outdoor) - recycle
- Making the vegetable soup - green lifestyle
- Twisting (bottle tops and bottles) - reduce, reuse
- Pattern game - recycle
- Transfer task (clipping) - reduce, reuse and replace
- Using chopsticks - reduce, reuse and replace
- Painting (toilet paper tube/ wine stopper) - reduce, reuse and replace The child reused the toilet paper tubes and wine stoppers to create different pattern in the art
- Crushing the eggshell (for fertilizer using) - replace
- Making the 3D flower (toilet paper tube) - reduce, reuse and replace
- Picture sequence cards and booklet (making the eco enzyme / making the vegetable soup) - replace, green lifestyle
Children collected different types of recycling materials from their homes, and then sorted the materials into the correct bin (including glass, metal, plastic and waste paper) based on different bins. The teacher collected some empty containers from home, and then the children used the empty container to practice the spinning skill. The child learned the categories of different recycling materials through the three part chart.
The children learned the categories of recycled materials, including glass and battery, through the pattern game. Children can learn one-to-one correspondence skills and practice fine motor skills (first three fingers). Painting (Toilet Paper Tube/Wine Cork) - Reduce, Reuse and Replace Child reused toilet paper tubes and wine corks to create a different pattern in art Child reused toilet paper tubes and wine corks to created a different pattern in the artistic activity of stamping.
The children crushed the eggshell with a wooden stick and then placed it on the soil of the plant. Children can learn the concept of substitution, we can use some natural materials to replace chemical fertilizer. The children reused the bottoms of the bottles to create different patterns in a stamp painting art activity.
Picture sequence card and booklet (making the eco-enzyme / making the vegetable soup) - replace, green lifestyle soup) - replace, green lifestyle. Children read the booklet to learn about the sequences for making the eco-enzyme or making the vegetable soup, and then followed the sequences to arrange each step in order.
9 extension activities
- Cover it up (endangered species) - awareness of green issue
- Picture sequence story cards (save the water) - awareness of green issue
- Making the earth and animals (flour and colour mixing) - awareness of green issue Children learned we can do a lots to help protecting our earth, and also protecting the animals
- Exchanging game - reduce, reuse, recycle, replace
- Tracing the initial sound (Rr)
- Recycle sorting (indoor) -reduce, reuse, recycle
- Painting (bubble paper) - reduce, reuse, replace
- Making the eco anti-mosquito bag - replace, green lifestyle
On the other hand, one child puts the object on one animal, the other has to find the same animal in the same place and place the object as well. Children can master the skill of one-to-one correspondence and spatial concept from the work. Children read the picture card and tried to put the cards in order and then tell the story.
Children would try to think of some methods to help save water in everyday life. Making the Earth and the Animals (Flour and Color Mix) - Awareness of Green Issues Children learned that we can do a lot to help protect our earth and also protect the animals. Children learned that we can do a lot to help protect our earth and also protect the animals of the world. Children mixed flour and food coloring to make the soil and also create the animals.
The work of art might help to wake up the others to protect the earth and the animals. When the child collects four objects can exchange an object, at the end the child can obtain a towel. Children collected different types of recycling materials from their homes, and then based on different wastebaskets, sorted the materials into the correct recycling bin (including waste paper, metal, plastic and glass).
The children used waste packaging material (bubble paper) to make the stamp artwork.
Write up of the core activities Recycle sorting
Point to the recycling bins, and say it's color and the function one by one, then check the material under the pictures of recycling bins by saying the categories. Children collect different types of recycling materials from home, then bring all the materials to the correct recycling bins, and sort the materials. Use the coloring tablet as the recycling bins, and then children do the sorting.
Gardening
Red line on the plastic bottle, to guide the children to measure the volume of soil.
Making the vegetable soup
Wash the blade and use the sponge to dry it, then return it to its original place. Wash the cutting board and use the sponge to dry it, then put it back in its original place.
Cover it up (endangered species)
Picture sequence story cards
Making the earth and animals
Raise awareness to protect our earth together and pay attention to endangered animals.
Making the eco enzyme
