An analysis of the values characterizing the characters in the 4th grade primary school religious culture and moral knowledge textbook

The aim of this study is to analyze the characters included in the 4th-grade Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge textbook published by the Ministry of National Education in terms of core values. The study was conducted within the framework of the qualitative research approach, and document analysis was employed as the data collection method. The characters presented in the texts, activities, and visuals in the textbook were analyzed in terms of characterization, role model functions, and their representation of core values. As a result of the study, a total of 66 different characters were identified in the textbook. It was determined that a significant proportion of these characters possess role model characteristics that may serve as positive examples for students. The analyses revealed that all ten core values included in the curriculum were represented in the textbook; however, these values were not distributed evenly across characters and units. The most frequently represented core value was love (f = 91), followed respectively by responsibility (f=87), helpfulness (f=57), respect (f=40), honesty (f=36), justice (f=24), friendship (f=19), patience (f=12), self-control (f=7), and patriotism (f=4).