The Perceptions of Elementary School Children Regarding Environmentally Friendly School Supplies and the Development of Environmental Education Program

환경 친화적 학용품 사용에 관한 초등학생의 인식 조사 및 환경교육 프로그램의 개발

School is an excellent place for children to loam environment-conscious behavior and for teachers to bring up environmental education. School has a plenty of teaching materials such as school building, pond, school forest, waste and school supplies. Especially, the environmental education for and with school supplies can be very effective, as it is mostly the first products for children to learn the buying and consumption in their daily life. In this study we conducted a survey on the environmental attitude of two groups of 5th graders towards environmentally friendly school supplies. The experimental group received environmental education on school supplies and the control group did not. The survey results showed that almost 50% of the children did not consider the environmental impact, but rather the price, design and function when buying the school supplies. However, more than 70% of children were willing to use the recycled school products, implying that they are aware of environmental Issues and want to contribute to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The children recognized paper/notebooks and paints/crayons as the major environmental problems. Writing appliances such as pens, pencils, highlighters and markers were also considered as environmental concerns, since most of them are made of plastics and they are not easily biodegradable nor refillable. We also exemplify a lesson-plan for environmental education program on school supplies and make suggestions to encourage the use of those eco-friendly school materials.