Evaluation of Primary School 4th Grade Social Studies Curriculum in Accordance with the Hammond Cube Model

Authors : Nida Eminoğlu, Bilge Çam Aktaş

Pages : 336-390

Doi:10.14812/cuefd.1602735

View : 56 | Download : 50

Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The purpose of this study is to evaluate the 4th grade social studies curriculum with the Hammond Cube Model. In the research, a primary school with a low socio-economic level in the compulsory service region in Gaziantep was selected through extreme outlier sampling method. A mixed-methods approach was used in this study. In the quantitative dimension, a class of 4th graders attending this primary school was randomly selected and 34 students in this class were included in the study group. An achievement test was developed and applied to determine the students’ academic achievement, and an attitude scale was applied to determine their attitudes towards the course. Data were collected through interviews with 10 teachers and 13 students and analyzed using content analysis. The results of the achievement test and attitude scale show that the achievement and attitudes of the students in the research group are high in the social studies course. However, results related to the behavioral dimension suggest that the curriculum primarily emphasizes cognitive skills, while affective and psychomotor domains remain in the background.. Teachers generally provided positive feedback on the curriculum content, while students expressed negative opinions. Both teachers and students reported the need for additional resources beyond textbooks and highlighted challenges in implementing extracurricular activities. Additionally, factors such as double-shift schooling, short recess periods, large class sizes, teachers’ extra administrative responsibilities, limited prior knowledge of the curriculum, and the disadvantaged socio-economic status of the school environment were identified as obstacles in curriculum implementation. Based on the findings, recommendations were provided to improve the curriculum and its implementation.
Keywords : Program Değerlendirme, Sosyal Bilgiler Öğretim Programı, 4.sınıf, Eğitim Programları, Hammond Küp Modeli