Abstract:

The aim of this study is to highlight storytelling as a powerful teaching tool when approaching the concept of recycling-reuse within the framework of Environmental Education for Sustainability (EES). The concept of recycling-reuse is associated, among others, with the ideas of natural resources, economy and rational management of resources, the saving of energy and materials, and pollution. Recycling-reuse as a process is observed both in nature and human societies (both natural and anthropogenic processes).

The didactic approach of the recycling-reuse concept within the framework of EES is of particular interest these days since the rational management of natural resources and goods is a crucial issue that concerns our modern consumer societies, concerns every citizen-consumer and depends on the dominant conceptions, values, attitudes and behaviors at both an individual and social level.

Storytelling is considered to be an appropriate learning tool, as it appears nowadays in the international educational scene, as (a) a means of shaping conceptions and values that support a more balanced relationship between human beings and nature/environment and (b) a major carrier of traditional knowledge and culture, local mannerism and cultural heritage. Storytelling is proposed by UNESCO as a key teaching strategy for the achievement of educational objectives for a sustainable future and particular emphasis is placed on past and contemporary stories of native people and indigenous cultures.

Taking into account that storytelling in the international educational context is considered an appropriate tool to foster awareness for ecological – environmental issues, in the context of this study:

(a) an indicative narrative material is selected and recommended from the past and the present which may be used as teaching material in the approach of the recycling-reuse concept. Through this narrative material, a widening of different aspects of recycling-reuse is attempted, such as ethical, economic and ecological dimensions.
(b) various ways of teaching enhancement of storytelling are proposed and specific proposals for organizing environmental storytelling activities are presented such as Storytelling and Retelling a story, Synthesis of a Story based on a short scenario and key questions (group work), Jigsaw Storytelling and Role Playing.

Keywords:

Environmental Education for Sustainability, storytelling, environmental storytelling activity, narrative material, recycling, reuse, pedagogical and didactic approaches.