Examining the primary school 3rd and 4th grade science textbooks in terms of multiple intelligence theory

In this study, primary school 3rd and 4th grade science textbooks were examined considering the intelligence areas revealed by Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory, and it was aimed to determine which intelligence area was included in the textbooks and at what level. For this purpose, primary school 3rd and 4th grade science textbooks prepared by the Ministry of National Education and taught in schools in the 2021-2022 Academic Year were examined in line with Gardner's multiple intelligence theory. In the examination, the document review method, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. While collecting data, the intelligence areas determined by Gardner and the capacities with these intelligence areas were taken into consideration. At the beginning of the research, firstly, resources related to the subject were scanned and a skill list was created for each intelligence area. Then, the subject explanation, activity and evaluation sections in the textbooks were examined and checklists were prepared to determine how often multiple intelligence areas were included in the relevant sections. The subject headings, activities and evaluation sections of each unit were evaluated according to the skill lists created and the results obtained were recorded in the table. The data in the table was analyzed using the descriptive analysis method, and inferences were made about how often the cognitive intelligence areas (verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, social-interpersonal, bodily-kinesthetic, musical-rhythmic, and naturalistic) included in Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences were included in the textbooks. At the end of the research, similar results were reached for both textbooks. The intelligence areas most included in both textbooks are visual-spatial, logical-mathematical, and verbal-linguistic intelligence. These three intelligence areas are included in approximately two-thirds of the total behaviors identified related to multiple intelligence. Musical-rhythmic, social-interpersonal, naturalistic, and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence areas are included less in the books. It is thought that similar studies to be carried out using different textbooks, different research methods and different theories of intelligence will contribute to the field.