Primary School Teachers’ Views on 4th Grade Mathematics Curriculum

Abstract

In this study, the opinions of elementary school teachers about the new mathematics curriculum and the learning environment that those teachers form are investigated. For this aim, qualitative data was collected via observations and interviews. The data gathered from classroom observations and 3 interviews with each of the 9 teachers working in the center and periphery of Trabzon in Turkey were analyzed and interpreted. It is shown that the teachers have positive ideas about the new curriculum. However, they have some problems in term of implementing new curriculum in their classrooms. Additionally, in spite of the fact that they are in favor of the new curriculum, it was observed that they could not create environment suitable for such student-centered approaches.