Turkey 3rd Grade Curriculum - Hayat Bilgisi (Life Knowledge)

This document outlines the curriculum for Hayat Bilgisi (Life Knowledge) for 3rd Grade students in Turkey, based on the Ministry of National Education (MEB) official curriculum. The curriculum is structured around six units, each covering essential life skills and knowledge.

Unit 1: Okulumuzda Hayat (Life at Our School)

• Self-Awareness: Students identify their strengths and areas for improvement, focusing on skills like cooperation, planning, and communication. They also reflect on how their actions affect themselves and their peers, and vice-versa, learning to appreciate individual differences.
• Friendship and Social Skills: The curriculum emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining healthy friendships. Students learn about respect, empathy, kindness, and trust in the context of peer relationships.
• School Environment: Students create maps of their classroom and school, exploring the school's history and its contributions to the community. They also learn how to express their needs and wants related to the school environment through democratic processes. Resource management and career exploration are also introduced.

Unit 2: Evimizde Hayat (Life at Our Home)

• Family History and Community: Students compare their childhood experiences with those of their elders, exploring changes over time. They also learn about the importance of community relationships and their impact on families.
• Household Responsibilities and Resource Management: Students create maps of their homes and surrounding areas. They take on responsibilities at home, such as setting the table, caring for plants or pets, and assisting with chores. The curriculum also covers the benefits of technology at home and encourages efficient use of household resources like electricity, water, and food. Budgeting and prioritizing needs versus wants are also addressed.

Unit 3: Sağlıklı Hayat (Healthy Life)

• Personal Hygiene and Resource Management: Students practice efficient use of resources while maintaining personal hygiene.
• Consumer Awareness: Students develop informed consumer habits, paying attention to product details like source, appearance, smell, expiration date, and ingredients when purchasing food and drinks.
• Nutrition and Public Health: The curriculum emphasizes the importance of seasonal fruits and vegetables and balanced meals for maintaining health. It also addresses health issues like obesity, diabetes, celiac disease, and food allergies, while promoting mindful consumption and reducing food waste. Students learn about hygiene practices in shared spaces to protect personal and public health.

Unit 4: Güvenli Hayat (Safe Life)

• Traffic Safety: Students learn about traffic signs and signals, emphasizing pedestrian safety. They discuss the importance of following traffic rules and identify measures to prevent accidents in their surroundings.
• Emergency Preparedness: Students learn how to respond to emergencies, including identifying safe areas, evacuation procedures, and contacting emergency services. They also discuss personal safety in various situations, such as dealing with peer pressure, suspicious individuals, and natural disasters.

Unit 5: Ülkemizde Hayat (Life in Our Country)

• Local Government and Civic Participation: Students learn about local government bodies and their roles. They explore the concept of a republic and its associated rights and freedoms. They research and present information about historical, natural, and tourist attractions in their area.
• National Identity and Cultural Heritage: Students discuss the importance of national unity and its contribution to society, using the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day as a context. They also explore the characteristics of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and research individuals who have contributed to Turkey's development. The curriculum promotes respect for different cultures and encourages participation in social responsibility projects.

Unit 6: Doğada Hayat (Life in Nature)

• Importance of Plants and Animals: Students learn about the importance of plants and animals for human life.
• Growing Conditions and Orientation: They research the growing conditions of fruits and vegetables, focusing on local examples. They also learn how to use natural elements like the sun, anthills, and moss for orientation.
• Human Impact and Environmental Responsibility: Students analyze the positive and negative impacts of humans on the natural environment, including examples of endangered species. They take responsibility for protecting nature and the environment by promoting sustainable practices like conserving resources, planting trees, and participating in recycling. The curriculum also introduces relevant non-governmental organizations.