Gifted students metaphor images about mathematics

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the metaphors images of gifted students about mathematics. The sample of the study consists of 82 gifted students, which are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 graders, from Istanbul. Data were collected by asking students to complete the sentence: "Mathematics is as …, because…". In the study content analysis was used. The metaphors which were generated by students were categorized in terms of perceptions of mathematics. Metaphors were classified by three categories as content of mathematics, function of mathematics and exhibit attitude to mathematics. Chi-square test was used for examining relationship between two qualitative variables which are grades and metaphors. One of the findings is that gifted students generated metaphors according to their attitudes to mathematics.