The effects of expedition in social studies lesson in primary school on the field of trip students? critical thinking skill and environmental sensitivity

The study group of this experimental research in which the question of ?Does the expedition in Social studies lesson in primary school have an effect on the students? critical thinking skills and environmental sensitivity?? was taken as the case is formed by Küçükkuyu Fernur Sözen Primary Scool 2008?2009 education year 5th class students which is located in Çanakkale/Ayvacık.Critical thinking scale developed by Demir (2006) and environmental sensitivity scale developed by the researcher are used to collect the data of the research.The research data, the points the students got from the critical thinking scale and environmental thinking scales first test and the last test are analysed by using the SSPS 10.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) programme. At the end of the research;?As the result of expedition there have been a meaningful increase in critical thinking skills of experimental group students.?In control group there couldn?t be seen a meaningful increase in the students? critical thinking skills as a result of using the teacher?s guide book as teaching material.?When compared the experimental and control group students? critical thinking last test total points, a meaningful difference couldn?t be found in favor of the experimental group.?As a result of expedition application the experimental group students? environmental sensitivity rose at a meaningful degree.?A meaningful rise couldn?t be seen in control group students? environmental sensitivity as a result of using the teachers? guide book.?When compared the experimental and control group students? critical thinking last test total points, a meaningful difference could be found in favor of the experimental group.At the end of the research recommendations are made to the teachers, parents, researchers and Ministery of Education to provide necessary opportunities, conveniences, and searching the effect of expedition and various applications to educate the students who have critical thinking and environmental sensibility.Key Words: Social sciences, field trip, critical thinking, environmental sensitivity.