Art and social work practice for 6th grade students: Understanding the other immigrant through a school social work intervention

It is an important step to ensure harmony among children, to increase respect for differences and to develop tolerance by using school social work and arts and social work practices together. In this study, the effect of The Little Prince, one of the most widely read children's books, on increasing the respect for differences, love and tolerance of 6th grade students in mixed schools was investigated. The aim of the study was to provide an alternative solution by bringing art and school social work together in order to change negative attitudes and to provide harmony with the 'other' through literary works. Mixed method was used in the study. Semi-structured interview forms prepared separately were applied to 30 students, 20 parents and 10 teachers/administrators. 30 students were administered the Respect for Differences Value Scale as pre-test and post-test. Within the scope of the study, peace education was given to 6th grade students who volunteered to Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Civilization Research and Values Education Center, which constituted the experimental group. The Little Prince book was read within the scope of peace education. In addition, Tolerant Behaviors Activity and How Peace Should Be Activity were carried out with these students. SPSS 24.0 was used to analyze the quantitative data obtained. MAXQDA program was used in the thematic analysis of qualitative data. This research has shown that the practices within the scope of social work with art and school social work have increased respect for differences among children and reinforced love and tolerance.