Abstract:

It is obvious that developing countries like ours can only achieve sustainable development by giving more importance to recycling in their education. Textbooks have been indispensable for education in classrooms from past to present. Especially in developing countries like ours, they are the most easily accessible teaching documents. In this research, nine science textbooks used in 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades as of 2023 were examined within the framework of recycling and recycling concepts. These textbooks are nine science textbooks selected by the Ministry of Education Education and Discipline Board among twenty-six science textbooks determined to be used in 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades as of 2023, using convenient sampling method. In the textbooks examined, the frequency of use of the concepts and the way they were handled were examined. The results of each textbook are presented as a separate table. As a result, it was seen that the concepts related to recycling and recycling were handled more indirectly and relatively less in the 5th and 6th grade textbooks. It has been determined that 7th and 8th grade textbooks are included more and more directly. Based on the results of the research, it is suggested that science textbooks should be enriched in terms of recycling, which is an important component of environmental education. In addition, it can be said that these concepts should be included directly and more effectively at the lower grade levels.

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