Examining the mathematical modeling competence of primary school 4th grade students: A teaching experiment

The aim of this study is to investigate the development of 4th grade students' mathematical modeling competencies through modeling activities applied (MOE) in the created learning environment. In this study designed with a qualitative approach, teaching experiment model was used. The research was carried out with 33 students in a public primary school in a middle socio-economic region in Konya. Among these students, three students were determined as the focus participants of the research by criterion sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods. Clinical interviews were conducted with the focus participants in the first, fourth and last weeks of the teaching experiment, which lasted for nine weeks, and group applications with all participants in the other weeks. Video recordings taken during clinical interviews and group studies, student handouts, research papers for warming studies, and researcher's field notes were used as data collection tools. In the analysis of the data, mathematical modeling competencies developed by Blum-Kaiser and adapted by Maaß (2006) were taken as basis. According to the results of the study, the students have realized the competencies evaluated through MOEs at different levels. In addition, in the formation of students' modeling competencies at different levels; It was concluded that the warm-up studies done by the students before the activity, the context of the MOE, the group presentations made after the activity, the previous experiences of the students, the reading and comprehension skills of the students, and the multiple choice application in natural classroom environments were effective. Keywords: Mathematical modelling, Modelling competencies, Model eliciting activities, Teaching experiment, Primary school