Views of the fifth grade students related with the awareness on children's rights

In this study how the art activities related with children's rights affected the development of an understanding in fifth grade secondary school students is specifically investigated. These artistic activities were prepared by the researcher by taking into consideration the characteristics of the participants (students). Artistic activities are limited as painting, writing poems, drama, playing sculptural activities. This study is a case study designed with a qualitative approach. A total of 34 people participated in this study, including fifth grade students (19 girls, 15 boys) attending a state school in Adana. Participants were selected according to the criterion sampling that is one of the purposeful sampling methods. Data collection tools include semi-structured interviews, students' diaries, students's hand works, researcher's notes and observations. The analysis of the data is limited to nine focus students. As a result of this study, it was realized that by means of artistic activities related to children's rights the fifth grade students in secondary school expressed that they are more sensitive to their rights and violations of rights. It is also a result of the fact that students expressed that they enjoy this process, they feel pleasant and free during the process, and changes in certain mold judgments are experienced on them. In addition, it has been learned that students expressed their awareness as they learnt more about children's rights, applied what they learn in their daily lives, and gained awareness about the subject. Keywords: children's rights, art activities, develop understanding, fifth grade students