Elementary Education Curriculum Research Articles

Gender-Based Content of Educational Materials for the Study of Serbian Language in Lower-Stage Grades of Elementary Education

This paper presents the results of analysis of educational materials for the study of Serbian language in lower-stage grades of elementary education (intended for students from 7 through 11 years old) from gender perspective. The first part of the paper presents the process of institutionalization of gender-based education in the Republic of Serbia after the year 2000, when gender issues became highlighted as an integral part of the overall reform of education within the implementation of education for democracy and civil society. Declarative commitment to developing gender sensitivity has led to changes in the curriculum for elementary education and, presumably, changes in the selection of educational materials for different school subjects. The authors intended to determine whether educational materials for Serbian language honor the principle of gender equality in the selection of literary texts. The presence and nature of gender-based content in reading books from different publishers, for second and third grade, was determined by using the method of content analysis. The aim was to establish empirical evidence that would show the degree of gender sensitivity of analyzed educational materials and their compliance with the strategic commitment to gender mainstreaming in education. The authors are aware of the range of this micro-level research, and the impossibility to reach general conclusions, however, in their opinion, the obtained data may shed a light on at least one part of the mosaic of the complex relationship of education, educational material and gender equality in contemporary Serbian society. The following conclusions were drawn: (a) the analyzed educational material serves the function of developing gender sensitivity; (b) the principle of gender equality is respected in selection of the material; (c) the distinguished gender characteristics go beyond the so-called traditional gender pattern.

A Design of the Contents-Table of the Literature Curriculum for Elementary Education

A Design of the Contents-Table of the Literature Curriculum for Elementary Education

어린이의 행복과 자유를 위한 초등교육과정 - 루소의『에밀』에 기초한 탐색 -

어린이의 행복과 자유를 위한 초등교육과정 - 루소의『에밀』에 기초한 탐색 -

Action‐research and Food and Nutrition Security: A school experience mediated by conceptual graphic representation tool

This study deals with the development of a graphic representation tool as a way to support educational planning in an elementary school in the rural area of Brasilia (Brazil’s capital), aiming at the implementation of an integrated action‐research project focusing on hunger and nutrition. The graphic tool made it possible to promote dialogical–reflexive interactions among school teachers as to the identification of competencies and skills in elementary education curriculum and generating apprenticeship themes, scientific concepts, and educational activities. It also constitutes a useful tool for the teaching staff to realize the interdependences among the many school subjects, and to understand their practices, thus leading to self‐evaluation with greater awareness for potential for transformation.

The Reflections of New Elementary Education Curriculum on Media

İlköğretim programları 2004 yılında reform adı altında yeniden düzenlendi. Konuyla ilgili haberler hem tutucu hem de liberal eğilime sahip çok çeşitli basın organlarında yer aldı. Basın kuruluşları yeni programları özellikle resmi otoritelerin anlattığı ve yansıttığı biçimiyle tanıtma rolünü başarıyla gerçekleştirdi. Bu çalışma, reform adı verilen program düzenlemelerinin tanıtıma yönelik kısmını ele almaktadır: Medyada yer alan özellikle gazeteler yoluyla programın tanıtılma çabaları ele alınmıştır. Çalışmanın temel bulguları, belgesel taramadan elde edilen bilgilerin yanı sıra, gazetelere yansıyan tartışma ve haberlere dayalıdır. Günlük gazetelerin çoğunluğu programı tanıtırken uzmanlarla konuşup, araştırma yerine Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı’ndan otoritelerle yapmış oldukları görüşmeleri yansıtmış ve daha çok programların popüler boyutuna değinmişlerdir. Program geliştirenlerin kullandıkları sloganları haber başlığı olarak vermişlerdir. Çok azı eğitim alanında çalışan uzmanlar ve yapılan araştırmalara dayalı olarak sonuçları ele alıp işlemişlerdir

System of Geographical Education at Elementary Schools in the Czech Republic in the 1990s

The paper deals with changes of geographical education at elementary schools of the Czech Republic in the 1990s. The curriculum reform is seen as the most important process. The state of geographical education in the end of the 1980s, i.e. in the end of totalitarian period, is critically evaluated. Chief aims of new elementary education curriculum, as well as problems of subject standardization and individual parts of the curriculum reform carried out by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, are presented. The role of geographical education within individual educational programs is discussed.

Exploring a Process for Delivering an Interdisciplinary Preservice Elementary Education Curriculum: Teacher Educators Practice What They Preach

Abstract This is the story of seven teacher educators and an outside consultant who used action research as a framework to develop and implement a new course for preservice elementary education teacher candidates. It was intended that prospective teachers would learn how to plan for integrated curriculum and that faculty teaching a 12-credit methods course would model an integrated approach. How were teacher educators who were used to the traditional model of curriculum delivery able to make such a substantive change? This description focuses on the two-year process that a group of teacher educators underwent to make their goal a reality. The group met several obstacles, including turnover in staff, the need to cover content, organizational issues, lack of time, a need to develop shared meanings, and over-planning. Given the lessons learned, we conclude with recommendations for other teacher educators who may wish to embark upon the journey.

An Evaluation of the Science Pre‐Student Teaching Experience for Students Enrolled in the Elementary Education Curriculum at Indiana State University*

An Evaluation of the Science Pre‐Student Teaching Experience for Students Enrolled in the Elementary Education Curriculum at Indiana State University*