Investigation of level of including of natural and cultural assets in social studies education

The purpose of this study is to examine the level of including of natural and cultural assets in Social Studies Education by using lesson's and students' workbooks, achivements of Social Studies Curriculum, the process of the course and teachers' perceptions. In the study, documet review that is the one of the qualitative reseach method was used. Documents, observation and focus group interviews has been benefited as data collection tools and Socal Studies Curriculum, textbooks, student workbooks, observation and interview forms were used to collect data. Gathered data were evaluated by using content analysis and descriptive analysis. After the examination of the document, it was determined that; natural and cultural assets are included in the 5th grade unit thats name is "Step by Step Turkey and all the World", 6th grade unit name is "Turks on the Silk Road with Our Country and the World" and 7th grade unit name is "Trip in Turkish History and Bridges Between Countries". According to obtained data, it is understood that most of the gains related to the natural and cultural assets are in the "Culture and Heritage" learning field and gains related with cultural assests has been shown to be more than gains of natural assets. After the observations of the study, it has been found that teachers usually use traditional teaching methods and techniques and they couldn't do educational event enough during the lessons. As a result of the focus group discussions; teachers have been expressed in their opinion that there are shortcomings in the curriculum and physical conditions of schools implementing the program.