Examination of reading texts taking place in 3-8th grades' science textbooks

Abstract

In this research, reading texts in science textbooks of 3-8th grades were analyzed in terms of some variables. As these texts were analyzed, the units where these texts took place in the textbooks, contents of the texts, supporting the texts by some visual materials, specifying sources and naming the texts were taken into consideration. Moreover, the texts were analyzed in terms of type, source and visual elements. According to the research results, it was observed that all of the texts used in 3-8th grades’ science textbooks were informative texts. Texts did not show equal distribution according to grades and units. Nearly half of the texts were supported by visual elements. Small number of texts pointed to references. However, these references did not have adequate variety.