The Distribution of Misbehaviors in the First Grade According to Age Differences, and Teachers’ Responses to Those Behaviors

Abstract

Turkish Ministry of National Education launched a practice increasing age differences between students in the first grade in 2012-2013 academic year. In consequence, differences of almost two years old occurred between first graders. This difference, which is observed chronologically is expected to be greater on considering mental age. This study aims to determine the distribution of misbehaviors
observed in the first grade- where age differences are available- on the basis of age groups and to determine teachers’ responses to those behaviors. The study employs case study design- a method of qualitative research. Extreme case sampling method was used as the method of sampling. The research data were collected from a school of high socio-economic level through structured observations and semi-structured interviews. Consequently, it was found that the first graders’ misbehaviors differed according to age groups but that teachers responded to those behaviors in similar ways with no regard to age groups and that they responded more to younger students than to older students.