Correlating the Perceptions of Preservice Elementary Teachers and Social Studies in the Elementary Curriculum

Abstract

Elementary social studies is often viewed as less important than mathematics and reading. Although part of the curriculum, social studies is often overlooked by teachers due to testing demands. Therefore, it was important to investigate preservice teachers’ perceptions and attitudes about social studies upon entering their methods courses to determine what may be needed to enrich the course. The study’s findings suggest preservice teachers often hold negative views of social studies and fail to connect it to citizenship, the goal of social studies. The results have assisted educators in strengthening the methods courses to help preservice teachers teach social studies.

We are Late Enough: Take Action in Social Studies Classes

“…The applications of the research were carried out in three periods. All of the data sourced for the first two periods and the last period findings are similar to the literature (Bousalis, 2022; Fernandez et al, 1976; Milam, 2020; Schug et al, 1982). Additionally, it can be stated that the negative opinions about the lesson found in the first two periods’ findings are similar to those in the literature (Alazzi & Chiodo, 2004; Hintz, 2014; Omolara & Adebukola, 2015; Shah, 2016; Ross, 2018; Zhao & Hoge, 2005).…”

“…Despite all these facts, social studies is often seen as less important than mathematics and reading. Although this course is part of the curriculum, it is often overlooked by teachers due to exam demands (Bousalis, 2022). Of course, reading and math are core subjects.…”

“…Similarly, Schug et al (1982) revealed that English, mathematics and reading courses rank higher than social studies courses because students see the subjects of these courses as preparing them for careers and teaching important skills they will need in the future. When we look at what has changed in the 40 years since these determinations, (Bousalis, 2022;Chiodo & Byford, 2006;Darby, 1991;Dundar & Rapoport, 2014;Fraser, 1981;Frusci, 2019;Governale, 1997;Hansberry Anne, 2000;Khaled, 2013;Omolara & Adebukola, 2015;Shaughnessy & Haladyna, 1985;Zhao & Hoge, 2005) researches show that not much has changed in terms of social studies education.…”

The Reasons of Students to Learn Social Studies, Problems They Encountered During the Learning Process, and Their Expectations from Social Studies Teachers

“…Bu denli önemli bir ders olmasına rağmen araştırmalar sosyal bilgilerin genellikle Matematik, Yabancı Dil, Türkçe veya Fen ve Teknoloji gibi derslerden daha az önemli olduğunu göstermiştir (ör., Çakmak & Aslan, 2016;Çetin & Ünsal, 2018;Yurttaş Kumlu & Çobanoğlu, 2019;Zengin & Ulaş, 2021). Okullarda öğrencilerin demokratik bilgi ve becerileri edinmeleri noktasında önemli kazanımları olmasına rağmen sosyal bilgiler öğrenciler tarafından zaman zaman göz ardı edilebilmektedir (Bousalis, 2022). Örneğin Vural (2018) tarafından yapılan araştırma sonucuna göre ilköğretim öğrencilerinin sosyal bilgiler dersine yönelik yeterlik beklentilerinin düşük düzeyde olduğu görülmüştür.…”

‘Never have they had any chance to spread their wings’: The construction of agency and socio-gender identity of Iranian women

“…During all these years, the very programmes have all-embracingly been practised through extensive cultural politics (Golkar, 2012; Haghayeghi, 1993; Mehrotra, 1979; Paivandi, 2012), a great portion of which has been designated to control and regulate Iranian women’s agency and socio-gender identity in various social and political terrains (see Abyaneh, 1989; Asadollahi, 2023; Pourya Asl, 2022). The exertion of control as such has figured in enforcing stringently-stipulated frameworks and principles featured mainly with incommensurable structural and legislative constrictions on women’s education, occupation, marriage, divorce and child custody (Bousalis, 2012; Mir-Hosseini, 1993; Mohammadi, 2007; Salehi et al, 2020). With this, equality, liberty and indiscriminative socio-cultural and political structures have always been top-listed as demands of women’s rights activists in Iran.…”