Teaching methods used by grade seven (7) teachers in teaching social sciences.

Abstract

This study seeks to emphasis the importance of teaching methods on the side of teachers as crucial in facilitating effective Social Sciences teaching in Grade Seven (7). Teaching methods themselves seem to be the strategy or a plan that outline the approach that teacher is intending to use in order to achieve the desirable outcomes. The focus of this study is on teaching methods used by Grade Seven (7) teachers in teaching Social Sciences. In the main this study is to explore what teaching methods are used in teaching Social Sciences in Grade Seven (7), how are those teaching methods used in teaching Grade Seven (7) and why those teaching methods are used the way are used. This is an interpretive research study using qualitative design in a case study approach. This is a multi-data collection research: 1. Observation- there will be a classroom observation while teaching continues. 2. Document analysis- documents that are used by teachers to ascertain required teaching and learning is achieved, will be analyzed. 3. Interviews- face to face interviews will be conducted with Social Sciences teachers. The findings of this study indicate that important documents like subject policy are read and understood by subject teachers but they are not taken much into consideration when teaching methods are chosen. Some of the contributing factors being the big size of learners in class compared to time allocation per week. Different kinds of books used by teachers were also identified as a contributing factor, reason being they are sold for profit making rather than the love developing a learners as per policy intention. Thus the study recommends that teachers be constantly offered in-service training and the department of education at least one compulsory prescribe book for all schools in the province or the country.