This research was aimed to find difference of learning achievement between contextual teaching and learning and conventional approach in social studies at grade III Sabbihisma elementary school, Padang. The finding of this research are: (1) there is different learning achievement student of s ocial studies conducted using CTL and conventional at grade III of elementary school, (2) there is different learning achievement with high background knowledge tought using CTL and one with high background knowledge tought using conventional approach of social stud ies , (3) there is different learning achievement with low background knowledge tought using CTL and one with low background knowledge tought using conventional approach of social studies . Key Words : Achievement Learning, Approach-CTL, and Conventional