The effects of children?s literature works on 6th grades students? character development

In this thesis, it has been examined that whether children?s literature works which are used commonly as a tool in the practises of character education have an effect on 6th grade students? character development or not. The universe of this research has been formed by all 6th grade students studying in Düzce province in the 2010- 2011 academic year. The sample of this research is 6th grade students studying in Namık Kemal and Aydınpınar Primary schools in Düzce province. Research was executed (conducted) on a group of total 70 (35 students for experimental group- 35 students for control group) students composed of 6th grade students. In this research, 6th grade students of Düzce province, Aydınpınar primary school, who were chosen as sample, were taken as experimental group at the same time. A character education was applied on 6th grade students of experimental group through literature works for 14 weeks. Furthermore, studies were made for hidden curriculum, according to it, the school environment was designed. In this research, to what extent children?s literature works affect the levels of moral maturity of children was searched.In the research experimental method (Pre-test and Post-test) was used. To obtain data ?Moral Maturity Scale? designed by Kulaksızoglu and Dilmaç (1999) was used. Then the data achieved by data collection tools was analyzed by SPSS 15.0 (Statistic Package For Social Science) software, t-test and Cronbach Alfa technique in accordance with the hypothesis of the research. At the end of the research:1.It is stated that there is a significant difference between the pre test and post test average points of the moral maturity levels of experimental group?s students who have been given literature based character education.2.It was stated that there is no significant difference between pre-test and posttestaverage points of the moral maturity level of control group?s studentsthat literature based character education was not given.3.According to the last test points related to moral maturity levels of control and experimental group?s students, there is a remarkable difference in favour of experimental group and it shows that literature based character education is effective.Key Words: Character, Character education, value, children literature, and literature based character education.