Action Research On Children's Art Activities Integrated Into Environmental Protection Education

Engaging children in art activities is an important way for teachers to provide environmental education in early childhood settings.After conducting his study,the author found that there are still some problems of integrating the philosophy of env ironmental education in art creation practices.The ideas of design,methods of impl ementation and creation of environment all have much room for improvement when children participate in art activities integrated with the philosophy of environmental education.Utilizing the theme-based learning activities in one senior class,the aut hor collaborated with colleague T to conduct action research which focuses on "pla n—implementation—investigation—reflection".In this study,the author tried to impr ove children's environmental awareness and explore the methods of design,strategie s of guidance and evaluation and,creation of art area environment,which can contr ibute to the implementation of the art activities integrated with the philosophy of e nvironmental education.There are three stages in the implementing process based on different themes.After collecting lesson plans and observation records about children,the author generalized the findings from three aspects:lesson plan,strategies of guidance and evaluation and creation of art area environment which are related to the art activities integrated with the philosophy of environmental education.The author further illustrated that some strategies that can improve children's environmental awareness.From the aspect of lesson plan:first,teachers should pay attention to children's previous experiences of environment and select suitable content of art activities;second,teachers' own environmental awareness should be improved as well so that they are able to create meaningful art activities integrated with the philosophy of environmental education;third,teachers should follow the principle of integrity and attach great importance to the whole activity process(from art appreciation to art creation).From the aspect of strategies of guidance and evaluation,the author stated related strategies from the two aspects:improving the skills of perception and appreciation,and developing the competence of creation and expression.With regard to improving the skills of perception and appreciation,teachers should arouse children's interests in creating art works and provide children with suitable materials that can stimulate children's multi-sensory experience.With regard to developing the competence of creation and expression,teachers should encourage children to participate in different kinds of art activities,provide children with targeted guidance,pay attention to children's creation process and support peer collaborations.From the aspect of creation of art area environment,the author conducted this action research focusing on the supportive and contextual elements of the creation of environment and,diversity and depth of material supply in the creation process.Finally,the author also demonstrated the development of children and teachers in this action research.Teachers,as researchers,will develop teaching skills,research ability,and more importantly,improve professional knowledge.On the other hand,children's development can be reflected in two aspects:internalizing related experience of protecting environment and developing art literacy.Children will care about environment;deepen an understanding of the importance of animals and plants to human beings,and initiatively save energy in their daily lives.Children will be more interested in taking part in art activities.Moreover,children will also initiatively collect and utilize recycled materials to make daily necessities and play materials.