Elective Courses as a Form of Differentiation of Teaching of Natural Disciplines

У статті окреслено, що важливим надбанням досліджуваного періоду (60-80–ті роки ХХ ст.) було введення факультативних курсів (з 1967 р.) природничого профілю як одної з форм диференціації навчання. Визначено, що факультативні заняття природничого циклу покликані виховувати певні професійні якості та навички, вчать застосовувати здобутті знання в трудовій діяльності та мають профорієнтаційну спрямованість. З’ясовано, що найбільш широко використовувалися такі факультативні курси: «Додаткові розділи і питання до систематичного курсу фізики»; «Фізіологія сільськогосподарських тварин та зоотехніка»; «Охорона природи»; «Основи біотехнологій»; «Техніка та навколишнє середовище»; «Основи медицини» тощо.In the article it is described, that important acquisition of the investigated period (60–80th of the ХХ century) was introduction of elective courses of natural type as one of the forms of differentiation of studies. That optional employments of natural cycle should bring certain to educate professional qualities and skills that are taugnt to use the knowledge in labour activity and have a vocational orientation. As the researchers prove, electives establish “bridges” between general education and future profession of the young person. Clubs and optional classes is the most common kind of satisfaction of interests of the students. It is proved that important acquisition of the investigated period was introduction (from 1967) of optional employments of natural type as a new form of educational work in secondary schools. This event laid the elements of the differentiated studies of students at the maintainance of the unique normative content of education. Optional employments, introduced in secondary schools with the purpose of development of interests and capabilities of pupils, deepening of development interests of physic-mathematical, natural and humanitarian sciences, allowed to represent more flexibly and completlier the newest achievements of science, technique and culture, elevate students minds, develop cognitive interests. Optional employments were also one of the forms of vocational orientation of pupils. From the beginning elective courses became the most popular form of the differentiated studies. Already in the first years of introduction of optional employments they were involved by a large number of pupils of secondary schools. So, elective courses did not put before itself the purpose to give pupils some certain professional preparation, but helped them to choose speciality, correctly determined in life. So, it is proved that the use of various forms of the differentiated studies of natural science disciplines: schools and classes with in-depth study of object, specialized classes, introduction of electives, and also introduction of multi-level requirements for the knowledge and abilities of students in primary school allowed to provide achievement of the unique national aims of studies, education and development of students