Utilizing the Surrounding Environment as a Learning Resource Using a Contextual Approach to Improve the Descriptive Text Writing Skills of Grade IV Elementary School Students

Abstract

This study aims to describe the use of the surrounding environment as a learning resource through a contextual approach in improving the descriptive text writing skills of fourth-grade elementary school students. The background of this study is that students still find difficulties in writing descriptive texts, such as a lack of ideas, limited word choice, sentences that are not coherent, and a lack of ability to describe objects in detail. Learning that is only centered on books makes students lack real-world experience as writing material. Therefore, the school environment is used as a learning resource so that students can observe objects directly. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach with data collection techniques in the form of observation, documentation, and assessment of student writing results. The learning steps are carried out through apperception activities, introduction to descriptive texts, observation of objects in the school environment, recording observation results, preparing writing outlines, writing descriptive texts, and improving writing based on feedback. The learning results show that the contextual approach based on the environment helps students more easily find ideas, enrich vocabulary, structure sentences, and describe objects more clearly. In addition, students become more active, enthusiastic, and care about the school environment. Thus, utilizing the surrounding environment as a learning resource can be an effective, simple, and meaningful learning alternative to improve the descriptive text writing skills of fourth-grade elementary school students. The suggestion that can be given is that teachers should more often utilize the surrounding environment as a learning resource, especially in learning Indonesian which requires real experience.