Evaluation of 3rd grades elementary life skills curriculum based onteachers viiews

The aim of this study is to examine the new curriculum of 3., grade of primary life skills lessons according to teachers? views working in Aydın.Research universe included teachers working at third grade of primary schools in the province of Aydın. The questionnaire developed by the researcher was applied to the participating teachers. This provided an insight into several aspects of the life skills cirriculum such as overall view of the programme, skills and acquisition, themes, activieties and evalutation and grading of the 2005 curriculum.This study was carried out with all 139 teachers who were teaching to 3. grade pupils in Aydın in 2007-2008 education year. 139 questionnaires were used in the final analysis. The data was analyzed by using SPSS package programme. The following techniques were used to analyze the data: frequency, percentage, means. Reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was estimated by using Cronbach alpha internal consistency coefficient; and the resulting value was 0.87.Findings have revealed that most of the gains in Life Skills Instructional Curriculum are achievable in nature, that the adoption of thematic approach is positive and that general outline of opinions regarding the themes are also positive. Some of the findings were negative: learning and teaching processes in Life Skills Instructional Curriculum do not spare enough time and activities for arts and esthetic training; tools and equipment advised to be used by the Instructional Curriculum are not easily available for all students; teachers do not have adequate amount of knowledge about structural learning approach; while some other findings were positive: students are more active during lessons; strategies, methods, and techniques required by the new instructional curriculum are in practice; the communication between school and parents has increased. In addition, teachers generally use the assessment tools advised by the instructional program, but they are still in need of training to be able to apply them more effectively.KEYWORDS:Life Skills, Elementary School Teacher, Constructivism, Curriculum Evaluation.