Where does it fit? : the place of "Essential Learning About New Zealand Society" in the Social Studies curriculum : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

While working with Social Studies in the New Zealand Curriculum (SSNZC) (Ministry of Education, 1997), the researcher questioned the Essential Learning about New Zealand Society (ELANZS) component of Social Studies. A brief inquiry into why these components were chosen and how they were to be used revealed little supportive research. However, there is evidence this area of the Social Studies curriculum is of concern to teachers (Aitken, 2001; Hunter, 1999; Learning Enhancement Associates, 1999). This chapter will firstly consider the rationale for this investigation into ELANZS. Secondly, it will give an outline of the viewpoints of the researcher and thirdly, it will conclude with the objectives for this study. 1.1 Rationale for this study Previous studies have shown that New Zealand children have limited knowledge about New Zealand society (Keen, 1977; Low-Beer, 1986; Simon. 1992). In 1997, the National Education Monitoring Project (NEMP) found a substantial proportion of Year Eight students had major gaps in their knowledge about New Zealand society (Flockton & Crooks, 1998). In 2001, the NEMP again found aspects of children's ELANZS knowledge to be lacking. NEMP reported that children at both Year Four and Year Eight showed quite limited knowledge and understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and early New Zealand history which are clearly aspects of the ELANZS learning which has been set out in SSNZC (Flockton & Crooks, 2002). The need for and extent to which children should possess knowledge about New Zealand society is contested today and has been contested throughout the development of various Social Studies curricula in New Zealand. However, under The New Zealand Curriculum Framework (Ministry of Education, 1993a) knowledge about New Zealand society is designated as a key component of Social Studies education. [FROM INTRODUCTION