THE INTEGRATED COURSES CONTENT OF NATURAL SCI ENCES IN FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

Abstract

The introduction of integrated natural science and educational courses for the fifth and sixth grades of the New Ukrainian School has caused many misunderstandings. In particular, there are few teachers in Ukraine who are competent to teach these courses. The integrated course content, which combines biological, chemical, astronomical, physical and geographical components, is new for the teachers. Therefore, the need arose in studying the international experience of teaching similar courses, in particular in European countries. The purpose of the article is to analyze the content of integrated courses of natural sciences in the countries of the European Union: France, Spain and Portugal. Since the integrated courses “Natural Sciences”, “Environment” and “Learning about Nature” are mandatory in Ukraine for the grades 5 and 6, the main emphasis in the article is made on the stage that corresponds to our basic secondary education (grades 5–9). It has been established that in French educational institutions, such integrated courses as “Sciences et technologie” (“Sciences and Technology”) on the third cycle of education, “Physique-Chimie” (“Physics-Chemistry”), “Sciences de la vie et de la Terre (SVT)” (“Life and Earth Sciences”) and “Histoire et géographie” (“History and Geography”) on the fourth cycle of education, are studied in colleges. In Spain, compulsory secondary education provides for the teaching of similar integrated courses: “Biología y geología” (“Biology and Geology”), “Física y Química” (“Physics and Chemistry”), “Geografía e Historia” (“Geography and History”). In Portugal, the integrated course “Ciências Naturais” (“Natural Sciences”) is studied in grades 5–9, which combines educational material on biology, geology, ecology and a separate integrated course “Físico-Química”, “Physics-Chemistry” in grades 7–9. “Geografia” (“Geography”) is studied as a separate subject in grades 7–9. It is worth highlighting the integrated course of “História e Geografia de Portugal” (“History and Geography of Portugal”) in grades 5–6 in Portuguese educational institutions. The teaching of integrated courses in European countries is based on the research approach usage, conducting experiments and observations, making models, measuring, implementing projects, etc.