İnvestigation the mathematical competences of sixth grade students by applying daily life problems

The aims of this study are; to research mathematical competence which is one of the eight key competence found in our mathematic teaching program, to see the level of mathematical competence of sixth grade students and examine the factors effecting the consistence of this competence. During research, qualitative research methods, which utilize methods such as observation and semi-structured interview and provide possibility to state students' perceptions and answers, were used. Constructing a process that will yield students' own mathematical competence was aimed. The study is carried out among six students, which are attending sixth grade at a public school in Osmangazi district of Bursa province, during 2018/2019 school year. To increase credibility and reliability and decrease prejudice, sampling was applied. Five daily life problems that would test strategy developing, logical- spatial thinking, diagram-graph constructing, inductive thinking, reasoning skills were asked to the study group in written form. Solutions and scores of these questions were based on the expert opinion, and the answers of the students were scored accordingly. After this application, data were gathered by semi-structured interview within the scope of notions that were emphasized by mathematical competence. A pilot interview was carried out by a student; and specified suitable questions were added to the interview form to obtain a more qualified form. The study was carried out by five students. The students were conducted to evaluate their own solutions to enlighten the constitution of their mathematical competence; and descriptive analysis was applied to the data obtained from deeply conducted semi- structured interviews. Within the scope of this research, the importance of motivation and studying among with the solid arithmetical skills from the primary school has been seen. In addition to that, it has been foreseen that applying daily life problems that are changing in accordance with high school entrance examinations would support to develop of metacognition skills of the students and to gain multi-directional competence.