Investigating fourth grade students’ conceptual growth of the ‘organic and nonorganic foods’ subject: A case of common knowledge construction model

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the impact of the CKCM-oriented instructional treatment on the fourth grade students’ conceptual growth of organic and non-organic foods. Through a pre-experimental research design (a single group pre-test and post-test design), a total of 20 fourth grade students, who were selected via convenient sampling method, participated in the current study. To collect data, a word association test (WAT) and worksheets were used. This study determined a significant difference between mean scores of the pre-and post-WAT in favor of the post-WAT scores. This means that the CKCM-oriented instructional treatment has facilitated participants’ conceptual growth of the organic and non-organic foods. In light of the results, the current study recommends supporting primary school students’ conceptual growth by preparing the socioscientific issues-oriented CKCM lesson plans.