Assessing knowledge, concepts and skills in primary social studies with year 4 pupils

Abstract

This research is based on an attempt to create a framework on which primary Social Studies knowledge, skills and concepts can be assessed. This scheme of assessment was based on the current primary Social Studies syllabus. At present, apart from draft level descriptors which are still not used in practice no such framework exists. The scheme of assessment which was created for this dissertation, involved teaching methods, which will target both formative and summative assessment. This involved specific criteria of assessment with the main objective being to improve learning. The framework was evaluated through lesson plans based on Social Studies themes which were delivered to a year four class. This scheme was assessed by using an assessing framework, purposely created for this study. Triangulation was obtained by having the work assessed by three different moderators to validate the reliability of the framework.