Abstract:
Social Studies course aims not only the socialization of children but also
providing them with some vital skills. And it is obvious that such aim can not be
achieved only via the transfer of information and values. Taking as basis the USA
practice, Social Studies course was started to be taught in primary schools of
Turkey in place of history and geography courses in 1968. However, social studies
course was based on the heavy transfer of information and values rather than
provision of skills until 2005. In this context, as history was taught in a way that
was irrelevant with the daily life of children, rote learning turned into an
inseparable part of this course. By means of 2005 Social Studies curriculum,
textbook-based teaching was replaced by activity-based teaching. The objectives
of history course were reviewed and a history teaching approach aimed at
providing vital skill was adopted. New curriculum presents a history course that
teaches history by taking into consideration the factors such as children and their
interests, parents and neighbourhood.
