Effect of the education with caricatures on academic achievements and attitudes of elementary school sixth grade students towards mathematics course in terms of natural numbers sub-learning

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of caricature supported education on academic achievements and attitudes of 6th grade students towards mathematics course in terms of natural numbers sub-learning in comparison with conventional education.Target group of the research consists 6th grade students of a primary school in Keçiören, Ankara during 2009-2010 academic year. Sample of the study consists of three 6th grade classes from the same primary school. One of classes was appointed as experimental group while the other two classes were appointed as control group. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in the study.The multiple choice achievement test designed by the researcher consisting 17 questions was applied three times as pre-test, post test and permanency test while attitude scale was applied twice as pre-test and post test. Courses were lectured according to outline syllabus/lesson plans which were based on 5E model with caricaturized scenarios adaptive to six thinking hats method. The students were divided into groups and a determination period was given to students at the end of each caricaturized scenario. Besides, students were asked to write individually what they think about the lecturing style of the course and what did they attain from the course at the end of each course. After the application, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 students relating the lecture styles, caricaturized scenarios and their attainments from the course.Spread sheets and statistical technics were used to evaluate quantitative data. As a result of achievement test and attitude scale score evaluation of students, it was revealed that there is no significant difference between academic achievements of experimental and control groups despite the fact that post test scores were higher than pre-test scores and permanency test scores were higher than post test scores. Examining the pre-attitude and post attitude scores of students, it was found that there is no significant difference between the scores. As for qualitative data, they were analyzed by the researcher and themes were created by encodings. As a result of qualitative data analysis, it was revealed that student motivations and interests increased, they enjoyed the course more, developed creative and critical thinking skills, started to express themselves better and they became able to produce practical solutions when encountered with a problem.Key Words: Mathematics Teaching, Numbers, Natural Numbers, Caricatures, Six Thinking Hats Method, 5E Learning Cycle Model.