Examination of the processes of processes of highly talent 8th grade students

Purpose: The purpose of this study was determined as an in-depth examination of gifted 8th grade students' proving processes, describing the students' skills in proving and the difficulties they experienced in this process, and revealing the students' views on proof. Material-Method: The study group of the research is 10 students selected by criterion sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods, among the 8th grade students attending Aydın Science and Art Center in the 2020-2021 academic year. Case study, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. In the application, the Proof Skill Test and the Proof Interview Form developed by the researcher were used to examine the proof processes of the students. After the students were determined according to the teachers' opinion, clinical interviews were conducted with 5 students for the pilot study and 5 students for the main study, which lasted approximately 60 minutes. Descriptive analysis technique was used in the analysis of the study. In the data analysis of the study, the proof stages of Boero were taken as the basis, and the data were analyzed according to the model in which Heinze and Reiss (2004) adapted the Boero proof processes to school mathematics. Results: It was observed that gifted students were able to develop strategies for proof in general, but they could not write the proof in mathematical standards, and they also expressed a positive opinion about the use and necessity of proof in mathematics lessons. Conclusion: During the application, it was observed that the students had some difficulties in the proof process, but they were very curious and willing to prove. It has been concluded that the teaching to be done in this direction for gifted students will have a positive effect. Keywords: Mathematical Proof, Proof process, Boero Model, Gifted, Qualitative Research Method