The Degree of Preference for Elementary School Subjects

The problem of this thesis was The Degree of Preference for Elementary School Subjects. Data concerning the subject preferences, likes and dislikes, and reasons for liking and disliking school subjects were collected and analyzed. Subjects included were: arithmetic, art, English, music, physical education, reading, science, social studies, spelling, and writing. Information was obtained from 575 sixth-grade students in USD #497, Lawrence, Kansas, by means of a questionnaire administered personally by the researcher to each classroom of sixth-grade students in the Unified District. On the basis of the findings, it was concluded: (1) The most-liked subjects among boys in order of preference were: physical education, arithmetic, and art. (2) The least-liked subjects among boys in order of rejection were social studies, music, and arithmetic. (3) The most-liked subject among girls was arithmetic, which was followed by art in second place and with physical education and reading in a tie position for third place. (4) The least-liked subjects among girls in order of rejection were: social studies, arithmetic, and science. (5) Rejection of school subjects appeared to most often occur on the basis of the content offered rather than because of student inability to succeed in the course or because of lack of usefulness of the subject. (6) For both students who liked a subject and for students who disliked the subject, content aspects were found to most often be the basis of student enjoyment or discontent with the subject, with one exception that of girls who disliked arithmetic