Metaphorical Perceptions of Ninth Grade Students Regarding the Concept of Forest

Melek Sertkaya; Ahmet Sinan Gökçekli; Ahmet Muhammed Meydan; ENVER ESERLİ

doi:10.29329/jppci.2026.1418.5

Research article | Open Access
Journal of Pedagogical Perspectives in Curriculum and Instruction Volume 1 (2026)

Metaphorical Perceptions of Ninth Grade Students Regarding the Concept of Forest

Melek Sertkaya, Ahmet Sinan Gökçekli, Ahmet Muhammed Meydan, Enver Eserli

pp. 1 - 29 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/jppci.2026.1418.5

Publish Date: March 21, 2026 | Single/Total View: 4/3 | Single/Total Download: 4/3

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Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine the perceptions of 9th-grade students regarding the concept of forest through metaphors. The research was conducted within the framework of a qualitative research model using a phenomenological design. The study group consists of 237 ninth-grade students receiving education in the city center of Karabük and the districts of Safranbolu and Yenice. To determine the metaphors held by the students, data were collected through a semi-structured metaphor form. In the form prepared by the researchers, students were asked to complete the sentence “A forest is like…; because…”. Content analysis technique was used for data analysis. The average inter-coder reliability was determined to be 94%. Findings revealed that students produced 638 metaphors in total, comprising 261 unique metaphors regarding the concept of forest. The most frequently mentioned metaphors were “home, life, breath, lung, human, nest, peace, source of life, heart, mother, book, family, school, water, etc.” These metaphors were classified into 12 distinct categories: “Source of Life,” “Living Space/Natural Habitat,” “Source of Serenity and Peace,” “Main Part of the Ecosystem,” “Protective and Healing,” “Natural Aesthetic Element,” “Mirror of Social Consciousness,” “Guiding/Pathfinder,” “A Mysterious and Risky Place,” “Natural Resource and Raw Material Provider,” “Source of Hope,” and “Regulator.” Consequently, it was determined that students conceptualize the forest in a holistic manner, encompassing ecological, affective, and social dimensions.

Keywords: Forest, Metaphor, Perception, Environmental Awareness

How to Cite this Article?

APA 7th edition
Sertkaya, M., Gokcekli, A.S., Meydan, A.M., & Eserli, E. (2026). Metaphorical Perceptions of Ninth Grade Students Regarding the Concept of Forest. Journal of Pedagogical Perspectives in Curriculum and Instruction, 1(1), 1-29. https://doi.org/10.29329/jppci.2026.1418.5

Harvard
Sertkaya, M., Gokcekli, A., Meydan, A. and Eserli, E. (2026). Metaphorical Perceptions of Ninth Grade Students Regarding the Concept of Forest. Journal of Pedagogical Perspectives in Curriculum and Instruction, 1(1), pp. 1-29.

Chicago 16th edition
Sertkaya, Melek, Ahmet Sinan Gokcekli, Ahmet Muhammed Meydan and Enver Eserli (2026). "Metaphorical Perceptions of Ninth Grade Students Regarding the Concept of Forest". Journal of Pedagogical Perspectives in Curriculum and Instruction 1 (1):1-29. https://doi.org/10.29329/jppci.2026.1418.5

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