THE IMPORTANCE OF THEMATIC PLANNING FOR THE INTEGRATIVE ACCESS TO TEACHING CONTENT IN THE FIRST CYCLE PRIMARY EDUCATION

Abstract

An integrative approach in teaching implies removal of time and content boundaries between teaching subjects and access to one topic from many different aspects. This way of teaching provides connection between different areas of knowledge. The first step toward this is thematic planning. We conducted a survey among 162 teachers from 16 elementary schools in Serbia. The aim of the research was to determine the teachers' attitudes towards integrative approach and thematic planning, to determine whether they use them in their work, in which extent and for what reasons. We also got an insight into the difficulties that teachers are facing with while planning their educational work. The results of the research confirmed hypotheses that teachers rarely apply an integrative approach in teaching, although they are familiar with its significance, while the application of thematic planning is at a satisfactory level. We came to the conclusion that the complexity of applying thematic planning and integrative approach as an imperative imposes the improvement of motivation and professional competence of teachers.