Social studies teachers' views on geography containing units of 5th grade social studies lessons: Example of province of Ankara

The objective of this study is to monitor, analyze and take the views of Social Science Teachers on Social Sciences Programs which have been put into secondary school curriculum in 2005 and its effect on 5th Grades lessons containing subjects about Geography. At the beginning of the study, the 2005 program primarily has been analyzed in order to evaluate Social Science Program and units containing subjects about Geography in 5th Grades. In this study it is aimed at determining general situation of the program, Geography skills, acquisition, subject, activity, measurement and evaluation instruments. In the study previous Social Science Programs and approaches about teaching Geography in Social Sciences Lessons in Primary Schools have monitored. About the subjects dealing with Geography in the renewed Social Sciences Program, the questionnaire applied in the study incorporates education, relationship between education and program, comprehensiveness of the units, measurement and evaluation, changes and contents of the subjects about Geography, education period and methods, materials used and impact of the 2005 program on students. The participants of this study are Social Science Teachers teaching at Primary Schools regulated by Ministry of National Education in center districts in Ankara. Exemplification of this study has been determined by random appointment method. The date obtained by means of SPSS 13.0 (Statistical Program for Social Sciences) has been analyzed by using frequency percentage analysis. According to analysis of the study, it has been observed that sufficient amount of Geography subjects are allocated in the program, there is integrity, the content of the units dealing with Geography are capable of evoking interest in students, acquisitions about Geography subjects in the Program are consistent with each other and partly support the subsequent unit ahead. In Social Sciences Lessons of 5th grades in which the units include subjects about Geography, climate and human activities subject in 'Lets get to know our region' unit is sufficiently explained, the content of 'Natural disasters in Turkey' unit can adequately create an awareness in students, 'Human beings and economy' subject in 'Our Products' unit builds awareness among students. It has been revealed that, in subjects about geography in Social Sciences Lesson of 5th grades, although applying student centered education and relevant material and doing activities taken from the guide book enhance the visuality, traditional methods are also utilized. It has been mentioned that teaching with visual elements such as picture, graphs in subjects about geography in students' books mostly contribute the lessons effectiveness, constructive teaching approaches are rarely applied by teachers in Geography subjects. As a result of the study the critical issues are that, Social Sciences is a very broad field though the time period is limited, due to insufficient economical resources there are some problems about lesson materials and so some of the activities can not be practiced. Key words: Social Sciences, Social Studies Teacher, Geography, Ankara