Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to investigate and evaluate which subjects related to "Social Services" are covered in the Social Studies textbooks in grades 4th, 5th 6th and 7th according to the Learning Domain / Unit and Subject headings in the Social Studies curriculum revised in 2018. The document analysis method, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in this study. The study was conducted on the 4th, 5th 6th and 7th grade Social Studies textbooks, which were approved to be taught in public schools by the Ministry of National Education in the 2020 and 2021 academic year. The obtained data were analyzed by content analysis technique. When the results of the study were evaluated in general, it was observed that the subjects described were in a clear and understandable way in terms of language and wording appropriate for the students’ levels. In the Social Studies curriculum and Social Studies textbooks, while the subject headings related to “Social Services” are mostly included at the 4th grade level in terms of subject diversity, it was observed that children’s rights and refugee issues were covered at the four grade level as well (4th, 5th 6th and 7th). It was observed that specifically within the scope of the project works carried out at the 4th grade level in schools, citing the cases of the "Talking Medicine Box" developed by students for disabled citizens, one of the target groups of "Social Services" the "Lifeguard Balloon Bracelet" in the 4th grade textbook, which would minimize the loss of life in drowning incidents constituted an important example to the students in terms of being sensitive and conscious citizens in society within the scope of the Social Studies course. However, it was also observed that “Drug-Substance Addiction and Animal Abuse”, that were among the important subject headings of "Social Services" were not included at any class level, and violence against women was rarely addressed. It was recommended that children would start to grow awareness from an early age if the knowledge and information on these issues was taught appropriately considering the development levels of the students.

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