Investigation of Mathematical Anxiety of Primary School Students and Comparison of Metaphorical Perceptions with Classroom Teachers

In this study, method variation was performed by using mixed methods research design. 150 fourth grade students and 15 primary school teachers in two primary schools affiliated to balıkesir province karesi central sub-province which were selected by simple random sampling method constituted the study group of the research. quantitative data were collected via mathematics anxiety scale, the qualitative data of the research were collected via an interview form which was comprised of open-ended questions. according to results mathematics anxieties of students do not differ according to the gender or school variables; metaphorical perceptions of students and teachers related to mathematics resemble; students produced mostly the metaphor for subtheme of developing positive attitude related to mathematics; students explained their perception related to mathematics mostly with the metaphors of game, puzzle, fun, operation, lesson, space, life. it was determined that opinions related to reasons of mathematics anxiety of students are 25% student-related, %75 teaching-related. it was revealed that primary school teachers expressed positive opinions related to mathematics.