Abstract:

This study examines and classifies the metaphors that pre-service teachers formulated to describe the mathematics. The survey applied to 66 elementary, 56 social science and 60 mathematics teachers education students at Pamukkale University School of Education. According to the results, 182 pre-service teachers produced 28 valid metaphors. These metaphors classifed in four main themes. These main themes are: (i) mathematics make life enjoyable, (ii) mathematics is life itself, (iii) mathematics make life difficult, and (iv) mathematics make life easier. Results also showed that pre-service teachers metaphors differ by programme type. Pre-service elementary school teachers thinks mathematics make life enjoyable, in contrast with pre-service social science teachers whom thinks mathematics make life difficult. Pre-service mathematics teachers differ both by using metaphors mostly implying mathematics is life itself.

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