Research Article

An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School

Volume: 8 Number: 2 September 30, 2026
TR EN

An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School

Abstract

This study aims to examine the perspectives of fourth-grade primary school teachers regarding the instruction of democratic values within the Social Studies course. The research was conducted using a qualitative methodology and employed a case study design. The study group consisted of 40 primary school teachers working in the Toroslar district of Mersin during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected through a Teacher Interview Form comprising seven open-ended questions and analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicate that teachers consider the teaching of democratic values to be highly important. Justice, respect, equality, and tolerance were identified as the democratic values most frequently emphasized in classroom instruction. Conversely, responsibility, respect, and tolerance were reported as the values most commonly lacking among students. Active participation, drama, storytelling, and teacher role modeling emerged as the most effective pedagogical approaches for fostering democratic values. Additionally, reading activities and storytelling were highlighted as essential tools for value acquisition. Based on these results, it is recommended that reading and storytelling activities considered effective by teachers be supported through children’s literature themed around democratic values. Furthermore, the curriculum should allocate greater emphasis to inclusive educational practices and cultural awareness activities aimed at enhancing respect for diversity and strengthening social tolerance.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Values ​​education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

December 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 2

APA
Ekin, M., & Demir, M. K. (2026). An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School. Ahmet Keleşoğlu Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 8(2), 114-137. https://doi.org/10.38151/akef.2026.165
AMA
1.Ekin M, Demir MK. An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School. JAKEF. 2026;8(2):114-137. doi:10.38151/akef.2026.165
Chicago
Ekin, Murat, and Mehmet Kaan Demir. 2026. “An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School”. Ahmet Keleşoğlu Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 8 (2): 114-37. https://doi.org/10.38151/akef.2026.165.
EndNote
Ekin M, Demir MK (September 1, 2026) An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School. Ahmet Keleşoğlu Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 8 2 114–137.
IEEE
[1]M. Ekin and M. K. Demir, “An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School”, JAKEF, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 114–137, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.38151/akef.2026.165.
ISNAD
Ekin, Murat - Demir, Mehmet Kaan. “An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School”. Ahmet Keleşoğlu Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 8/2 (September 1, 2026): 114-137. https://doi.org/10.38151/akef.2026.165.
JAMA
1.Ekin M, Demir MK. An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School. JAKEF. 2026;8:114–137.
MLA
Ekin, Murat, and Mehmet Kaan Demir. “An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School”. Ahmet Keleşoğlu Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 2, Sept. 2026, pp. 114-37, doi:10.38151/akef.2026.165.
Vancouver
1.Murat Ekin, Mehmet Kaan Demir. An Examination of Teachers’ Views on Teaching Democratic Values in Fourth-Grade Social Studies Courses in Primary School. JAKEF. 2026 Sep. 1;8(2):114-37. doi:10.38151/akef.2026.165