Research article | Open Access
International Journal of Language and Education Research 2026, Vol. 8(1) 184-201
pp. 184 - 201
Publish Date: April 30, 2026 | Single/Total View: 0/0 | Single/Total Download: 0/0
Abstract
This study examined at which grade levels, within which conceptual frameworks, and with what frequency environmental and climate change issues were included in middle school Turkish language textbooks published in 2024. The study was conducted using document analysis, one of the qualitative research designs. Within the scope of the review, six Turkish language textbooks for the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels were evaluated. Content analysis was used to analyze the data, based on the codes of climate change, global warming, environmental awareness, disruption of natural balance, protection of natural balance, environmental threats, unplanned settlement, and environmental pollution. The findings showed that environmental and climate change content was included in the textbooks to a limited extent and did not display a balanced distribution across grade levels. The content was found to be concentrated particularly at the 5th and 6th grade levels, to decrease at the 7th grade level, and to be absent at the 8th grade level. In addition, environment-related content was mostly addressed at the level of general value transmission, while current environmental problems such as climate change and global warming were covered in a limited number of texts and activities. As a result, it was concluded that environmental and climate change issues in middle school Turkish language textbooks should be addressed through a more holistic and continuous approach that is also sustained at upper grade levels.
Keywords: middle school Turkish language textbooks, environmental education, climate change, document analysis, content analysis
APA 7th edition
Dinc, E.G., & Gecgel, H. (2026). Environmental and Climate Change Issues in Middle School Turkish Language Textbooks. International Journal of Language and Education Research, 8(1), 184-201.
Harvard
Dinc, E. and Gecgel, H. (2026). Environmental and Climate Change Issues in Middle School Turkish Language Textbooks. International Journal of Language and Education Research, 8(1), pp. 184-201.
Chicago 16th edition
Dinc, Elif Gokcen and Hulusi Gecgel (2026). "Environmental and Climate Change Issues in Middle School Turkish Language Textbooks". International Journal of Language and Education Research 8 (1):184-201.
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE.
Değirmenci, Y., Kuzey, M., & Yetişensoy, O. (2019). Sosyal Bilgiler Ders Kitaplarında Afet Bilinci ve Eğitimi. E-Kafkas Journal of Educational Research, 6(2), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.30900/kafkasegt.591345
Demirel, Ö. (2007). Öğretim ilke ve yöntemleri: Öğretme sanatı. Pegem Akademi.
Hecce Yayıncılık. (2024). Türkçe 8. sınıf ders kitabı [Turkish language textbook for grade 8]. Hecce Yayıncılık.
Hungerford, H. R., & Volk, T. L. (1990). Changing learner behavior through environmental education. The Journal of Environmental Education, 21(3), 8–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.1990.10753743
Krippendorff, K. (2018). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (4th ed.). SAGE.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE.
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Ministry of National Education. (2018). Türkçe dersi öğretim programı (İlkokul ve ortaokul 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ve 8. sınıflar) [Turkish language curriculum: Primary and middle school grades 1–8]. Ministry of National Education.
Ministry of National Education. (2024a). Türkçe 5. sınıf ders kitabı [Turkish language textbook for grade 5]. Ministry of National Education Publications.
Ministry of National Education. (2024b). Türkçe 6. sınıf ders kitabı [Turkish language textbook for grade 6]. Ministry of National Education Publications.
Ministry of National Education. (2024c). Türkçe 7. sınıf ders kitabı [Turkish language textbook for grade 7]. Ministry of National Education Publications.
Monroe, M. C., Plate, R. R., Oxarart, A., Bowers, A., & Chaves, W. A. (2019). Identifying effective climate change education strategies: A systematic review of the research. Environmental Education Research, 25(6), 791–812. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2017.1360842
Önal, H., Kaya, N., & Çalışkan, T. (2019). Çevre eğitiminde sıfır atık politikası ve mevcut ders kitaplarındaki görünümü (Hayat Bilgisi 2. sınıf ders kitabı). Millî Eğitim Dergisi, 48(221), 123-140. https://izlik.org/JA73TG33NW
Özgün Yayınları. (2024). Türkçe 7. sınıf ders kitabı [Turkish language textbook for grade 7]. Özgün Yayınları.
Prior, L. (2003). Using documents in social research. SAGE.
Sakallı, N. (2001). Sosyal etkiler: Kim kimi nasıl etkiler? İmge Kitabevi.
Sever, R. (2010). Öğretim teknolojileri ve materyal tasarımı: Tasarım örnekleri. Anı Yayıncılık.
UNESCO. (2024a). Education and climate change: Learning to act for people and planet. UNESCO. https://doi.org/10.54676/GVXA4765
UNESCO. (2024b). Greening curriculum guidance: Teaching and learning for climate action. UNESCO. https://doi.org/10.54675/AOOZ1758
Ünveren Kapanadze, D. (2018). Dil ve kültür aktarımında işlevsel bir araç olarak ders kitapları: Türkçe ders kitapları örneği. Turkish Studies, 13(27), 1575-1592. https://doi.org/10.7827/TurkishStudies.14396
Yıldırım Yayınları. (2024). Türkçe 6. sınıf ders kitabı [Turkish language textbook for grade 6]. Yıldırım Yayınları.
Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2021). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri (12. baskı). Seçkin Yayıncılık.
Zelezny, L. C. (1999). Educational interventions that improve environmental behaviors: A meta-analysis. The Journal of Environmental Education, 31(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958969909598627