Abstract:

The use of current events in education is so important and necessary. In this context, as a result of the use of current events by educators, reinforcing students' concept teaching, skill acquisition, values education and learning standards constitutes an important advantage. Current events that address the main teaching principles, facilitate the functioning of the course and contribute to the cognitive, sensory and psychomotor development and motivation of the students. In this study 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade Social Studies textbooks of 2018-2019, which are included in the Education Informatics Network (EBA) system under the Ministry of National Education, were examined, and these books were analyzed using the document analysis method. The aim of the study is to evaluate the competencies within the scope of the themes of the Social Studies textbooks according to the distribution of the usage rates of current events in all classes. As a result of the study, it was determined that the rate distribution of the current events in the textbooks on class basis differ according to the themes, and these rates were not systematic. When the general total rates of current events in the textbooks are examined, it is 7th grade (30%)> 6th grade (29%)> 5th grade (23%)> 4th grade (18%) respectively. According to these rates, it was concluded that the use of current events in the Social Studies textbooks is insufficient in lower degrees, and that the textbooks of the upper classes included more current events than the lower classes. However, it has been determined that current events used in the Social Studies textbooks are related to the achievements in the curriculum.

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