The article attempts to characterize the main forms and directions of work in the environmental education of schoolchildren. The purpose and objectives of the article are due to the catastrophic state of the environment on the one hand, and the direct indifference of the majority of modern society to the environment as a whole. The authors describe the main directions of work on the formation of ecological culture and consciousness among schoolchildren. The concept of the «New Ukrainian School»

more »

... was taken as a basis and proposed, which emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary connections of school disciplines and the formation of basic competencies in modern children. So, the authors give examples of how with the help of natural educational disciplines it is possible to influence the ecological consciousness of children, thereby expanding their horizons, and teaching them to rationalistic analysis and comparison of facts. The study substantiates the stages of the formation of environmental education through educational classes and research activities of schoolchildren from creating motivation to get acquainted with the surrounding environment to students ' awareness of the causes and consequences of environmental problems, conscious attitude and finding ways to solve them. Without separating educational activities and elements of environmental education, teachers will be able to promote a deep awareness of students in the role of a favorable environmental environment. And the formation of ecological consciousness among schoolchildren will contribute to their responsible attitude to their own health.