The effect of activity-based instruction on cultural awareness and expression development of social sciences class

The aim of this study is to determine "The Effect of Activity-Based Teaching on Cultural Awareness and Expression Skills of Social Studies Class". The research was structured as an action research (emancipatory/improvement/critical action research). Various pre-interview and post-interview semi-structured interview forms, video recordings, diaries and teacher observation forms were collected and analysed by content analysis. In the 2017 Social Studies Curriculum, the eighth of the eight Key Competencies "Cultural Awareness and Expression" focused on the dimensions of "cultural identity", "cultural empathy", "intercultural competence", "artistic self-expression", "intercultural sensitivity" and "cultural heritage".Based on the research findings, it is recommended that the Social Studies textbook's activities should be linked to culture. Additional sections focusing on Turkish cultural heritage, traditions, customs, etc. need to be integrated into the textbook. Moreover, it is suggested that the content and scope of the Social Studies course should encompass topics on multicultural life to introduce other countries worldwide. A new model must also be devised to relate Social Studies achievement with cultural concepts, situations, and events.