Root values in Turkish epic examples in the context of values education

The general aim of this study is to determine the root values in the Turkish language lesson curriculum in Oğuz Kağan, Manas, Maaday Kara and Edigey epics and to draw attention to the place and importance of root values in Turkish epics. Mentioned root values are justice, friendship, rightousness, self-control, patience, respect, love, responsibility, patriotism and helpfulness. The thesis study comprises of five parts. These parts are introduction, researches about the theoretical framework, methods, findings and discussion, results and suggestions. This study, which is a qualitative research, uses document analysis as the method of data collection, while descriptive analysis method is used in the analysis of the data. In addition to the studies conducted on the root values in the curriculum, it was considered important to carry out such a study in order to enrich the selection of text for Turkish course books and to reveal a different dimension of Turkish epics. In the study, it was set off with the idea that it is necessary to use epics, which are also a literary genre, reflecting the culture and lifestyle of a nation in values education practices. As a result of the research findings, the most common root value in Turkish epics was found to be patriotism. Patriotism is followed by love and respect values.It has been found out that Turkish epics are rich in terms of root values and they will contribute to the selection of text for Turkish course books. Ideas have been put forward that the root values in Turkish epics and in their content can be used to develop basic language skills, which are among the special aims of the education of values and Turkish lesson. Also, it has been inferred that the findings can be used in the context of the elective Folk Culture course which is in the curriculum. Related suggestions have been shared in the last part of the research. At the end of the thesis study, the bibliography that lists the resources used in the study has beenincluded.