Historical figures in social studies textbooks in terms of values education

The fact that values direct our social life is a priority issue for the individual and society. We include values education in the family, school and all our social life. The best way to give values education in formal education is to include it in textbooks, which are the main source of education regarding the achievements. Our social and cultural values are taught to students in the Social Studies course, the main purpose of which is to raise "effective citizens". In this process, the teacher who gains values is a model and makes use of proverbs and idioms, current and historical events. The most important material used is textbooks. In the textbooks, examples are given through historical figures. The aim of this study is to examine how historical figures are included in the teaching of values implicitly in social studies textbooks. The model of this research is a document review based on descriptive analysis. In the research, the values in the Social Studies 4, 5, 6 and 7th grade textbooks and the relationship of these values with historical figures were examined. As a result of the research, the findings were defined and interpreted. The scope of the research is all social studies curricula and textbooks. The sample of the research is 2018 social studies curriculum and 4, 5, 6 and 7th grade social studies textbooks, which will be used for 5 years as of 2018. In this study, which investigates how values are transferred through figures, it has been determined that 18 values included in the program in Social Studies Textbooks are given with people such as historical figures, scientists, and heroines. However, it has been observed that some values are included quite heavily through figures, while others are very rare. Our values, which are a tool for transferring our historical and cultural heritage, should be included more and more clearly in textbooks.