Developing Environmental Awareness In Grade 1 Through Interactive Social Studies Lessons

This study investigated the interactive Social Studies experiences of Grade 1 learners in terms of storytelling, hands-on activities, educational games, and group discussions, and their level of environmental awareness, encompassing knowledge about the environment, attitudes toward nature, and environmentally responsible behaviors.Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study involved 75 public school teachers from Tongantongan Elementary School and nearby schools in Valencia City during the 2025-2026 school year.Purposive sampling was employed, and data were collected through a researcher-made checklist aligned with accepted indicators of environmental awareness and interactive teaching strategies suitable for young learners.Findings revealed that interactive Social Studies strategies were strongly evident in the learners' experiences.The learners demonstrated very high levels of environmental knowledge, positive attitudes toward nature, and responsible environmental behaviors.Storytelling, hands-on activities, and educational games are integral to strengthening environmental awareness in Grade 1 learners across cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains.These interactive methods foster understanding, appreciation, and proactive care for the environment.Recommendations include encouraging learners and parents to actively engage in interactive environmental learning experiences, urging teachers and school administrators to continuously innovate and support the use of diverse interactive pedagogies, and calling on future researchers to explore longitudinal impacts and culturally contextualized approaches across broader populations.