Environment-Based Science Learning to Enhance Elementary Students’ Social Skills
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15575/jis.v6i3.56135Keywords:
contextual approach, free curriculum, learning strategy, primary school, social skillsAbstract
This study examines an environmental-contextual Science and Social Studies (IPAS) learning strategy for improving elementary students’ social skills. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving principals and teachers at Mekarwinaya and Budisetra State Primary Schools. The findings show that learning activities integrated local environmental issues—such as waste management, water conservation, and reforestation—through collaborative projects, group discussions, direct experiences, and reflection. Supervision was conducted through academic monitoring, document evaluation, and teacher reflection forums. The strategy supported the development of students’ cooperation, communication, empathy, and responsibility, while aligning with the Merdeka Curriculum, Character Education Strengthening, and the Adiwiyata Program. The study recommends integrating environmental-contextual learning systematically into the curriculum and supporting it through teacher collaboration, school leadership, and reflective supervision.
References
Alwasilah, C. (2010). Contextual Teaching and Learning: Menjadikan kegiatan Belajar-Mengajar Mengasyikkan dan Bermakna. Bandung: Kaifa.
Anwar, R. K., Lusiana, E., & Rahman, M. T. (2021). Understanding the Development of Children’s Education Caused by Parents Perception. 2nd Southeast Asian Academic Forum on Sustainable Development (SEA-AFSID 2018), 218–224.
Anwar, R. K., Sjoraida, D. F., & Rahman, M. T. (2019). Socializing fragrant river program as a strategy for introducing environmental literacy to the upper citarum community. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 10(3), 597–612. https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v10.3(35).14
Fedulova, E. A., Korchagina, I. V, Vik, S. V, Kalinina, O. I., & Martyanov, V. L. (2017). International Cooperation in Environmental Management and Rational Use of Natural Resources. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 50(1), 12023. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/50/1/012023
Goleman, D. (2005). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam.
Gresham, F. M., & Elliott, S. N. (1990). Social skills rating system (SSRS). Minneapolis, MN.
Inns, A. J., & Slavin, R. E. (2018). Cooperative learning: Theoretical foundations and relevance across cultures.
Jihad, A. (2013). Menjadi guru profesional: Strategi meningkatkan kualifikasi dan kualitas guru di era global. Penerbit Erlangga.
Ladd, G. W. (2005). Children’s peer relations and social competence: A century of progress. Yale University Press.
Lickona, T. (1992). Educating for character: How our schools can teach respect and responsibility. Bantam.
Mulyasa, E. (2014). Pengembangan dan implementasi kurikulum 2013.
Mustari, M., & Rahman, M. T. (2014a). Manajemen pendidikan. RajaGrafika Persada.
Mustari, M., & Rahman, M. T. (2014b). Nilai Karakter Untuk Refleksi Pendidikan. PT Raja Grafindo Persada.
Rahman, M. T. (2016). Limits to Growth : Mempersoalkan Kembali Kapitalisme. JAQFI, 1(1), 1–12.
Sugiyono, D. (2013). Metode penelitian pendidikan pendekatan kuantitatif, kualitatif dan R&D. Alfabeta.
Wentzel, K. R. (1991). Social competence at school: Relation between social responsibility and academic achievement. Review of Educational Research, 61(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543061001001
Zubaedi, M. A. (2015). Desain Pendidikan Karakter. Prenada Media.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Itang Itang, Sobari Sobari
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).