Abstract:

The importance of the soil being a source for human existence and sustaining life has caused to the wide meaning to the soil. The aim of this study is to analyze the metaphorical perceptions of middle school students about the concept of soil within the social studies program. The participants of the study are secondary school students selected through purposeful sampling. Phenomenology, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. In the study the perceptions of the participants about the concept of soil and the meaning they attributed to this concept were analysed to reveal. The data of the study were collected through the statements such as “Soil is like .... Because…”. 89 secondary students have produced 36 metaphors about the concept of soil. Frequent metaphors produced by students include: human, life, being living, homeland, mother and heart. Metaphors are grouped by considering the subject- source relationship, and as a result, two categories and two sub-categories emerge. Soil, a living being for students is perceived in terms of the source of life and productivity. Soil is associated with both social and science subjects at this point. Soil perceived as a value is considered both a national-spiritual value and an economic value.

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