The place and importance of social studies in training of special required students

Special education services are mainly provided by special education classes and inclusive method. The main purpose of special education is to provide adaptive skills and to develop independent living skills. The basic assumption of special education is to increase the communication and social acceptance of the student with his peers, and also to ensure the integration and socialization of these students through special education classes and inclusive education. Education programs provide a framework for socialization. Social studies lesson is one of the most important lessons emphasizing socialization. Social studies lesson; it aims to help special education students gain independence in the society and be included in the society by learning some basic skills, to become a self-sufficient individual and to achieve the basic objectives of the course. This study aimed to examine the place and importance of social studies lesson in the education of students with special needs. The study qualitative research method was designed in accordance with the case study. The study was carried out in Kepez district of Antalya province in 2019-2020 academic year. A total of 20 social studies and special education teachers participated in the study. In the research, semi-structured interview form was employed as a data collection tool. The main conclusions reached as a result of the analysis of research data; most of the teachers have difficulties in learning abstract concepts, individual plans for special education students, subjects are kept too long and unnecessary subjects are included, individual and social activities should be increased, visual materials should be used more effectively and frequently, and socialization of students with special needs in social studies lesson it has a significant effect on it. Keywords: Special Education, Social Studies, Individuals with Special Needs, Misconceptions, Qualitative Research