Metaphors of 4th Grade Students about Organs

Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine metaphors of 4th grade students about some of the organs which they come across in science courses. The research's sample consisted of a total of 215 students (108 girls and 107 boys) whom are 4th grade student and studies at Afyonkarahisar city center. In order to determine students' ideas about organs in circulatory and respiratory systems, according to expert opinions a data collection tool which had 7 questions has been developed and has been used. The data collection tool contains concepts which have been taught in science courses. Concepts have been chosen by considering Ministry of Education's primary school Science courses' units and limitations. Tool has been used after a pre study which has carried out with a group of 30 students. In order to define students' ideas about organs, it is asked to all of the students to complete sentences like "Hearth looks like …….., because ……", "Blood looks like …….., because ………". The students were asked to write their thoughts by concentrating on the organs which were on the questionnaire page. Students' answers were the main source of this research. As a result of this research, it can be observed that students use a lot of metaphors about organs. Students formed metaphors about organs' shapes, dimensions and actions. Also metaphors about organs functions and colors were also determined. The developed metaphors were generally concrete and positive.