Review of critical reading education in the primary schools

The purpose of this research is to determine the 4th grade primary students' level of attaining critical reading skills. The techniques of survey model that is both descriptive and content analysiss is used in the research. The study group of the research is consisted of 109 fourth grade primary school students, who are studying in the primary schools located in the Centrum of the City of Kırıkkale. While collecting datas, Curriculum of the Turkish Lesson, Turkish Textbook, Workbook and Teacher's Guidebook (MEB, Ministry of National Education Publications) of the primary schools (4th Grade) are examined for the determination of the gains and reading texts. In addition, worksheets are performed to students and semi-structured interview form is applied to teachers. The worksheets are examined by Ministry of National Education the Board of Education and has been in use is formed with the activities selected from within books. In the analysis of datas, "minimum", "maximum" and "arithmetic mean" scores are calculated. The grading system of the Ministry of National Education Examinations Regulation is taken into consideration in the interpretation of average. The interview form was developed by the researcher and consisted of four questions for teachers which was prepared to obtain their views about examination of the 4th grade primary students' level of attaining critical reading skills. Data collected with interview form are coded and interpreted according to the content analysis. According to the results of the study, implementation of the current activitie and critical reading gains can be said to that it provides contribute to critical reading skills of the students. However, when numeric datas are analyzed, it was observed that critical reading skills of the students at intermediate level. At the same time almost all the students could not acquire at least any one of the gains. Since the critical reading gains are stated to being tought from 2nd grade, it must be questioned that why some of the critical reading gains could not be achieved or they are intermediate level stil at the 4th grade. It is expected that the findings of this research could provides contribute to the literature and applications with these aspects of the research. Also according to research results suggestions are given. This master degree thesis, has been supported by scientific Researches Department, Uşak University. Key Words: Reading, Comprehension, Critical Reading