Elaboração do livro didático: Geografia do Seridó potiguar

Abstract

Geographic knowledge arises in the early days of humanity and based on observation and experience. This form of knowledge precedes the so-called scientific geography which only became a systematized knowledge in the nineteenth century with the works of Humboldt and Ritter. In Brazil, geography was already an integral part of basic education curricula prior to its institutionalization as a science. Its consolidation as a discipline took place at the Colégio Pedro II in Rio de Janeiro in 1837 and only became a scientific character with the creation of first Department of Geography at the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of the Universidade de São Paulo in 1934. One of first forms of institutionalization of geographic knowledge in Brazil occurred through the textbook that presents itself as the most used material by teachers and students in elementary schools in Brazil, especially in public schools. It is noticed that Geography textbooks used in Brazil address generalized content that, in most cases, don‟t address the specific content of some regions. In this sense, the regional books appear to serve as auxiliaries to textbooks provided by Ministry of Education in public schools. Given the bibliography analyzed, we realize the importance of working regional geography with local examples in the classroom. It was found that in Rio Grande do Norte there are few copies of regional geography teaching materials and when it comes to Seridó Potiguar, there are no didactic materials that could be reproduce the peculiar characteristics of the region in a geography textbook. From this statement, the present work aimed to elaborate a textual material that deals with Geography of Seridó Potiguar help at elementary school students. From the methodological view point of this research, was worked with inductive method using abduction, working with local themes so that the student can understand the general knowledge. Thus, this work was structured in the following phases: empirical observations of the phenomena, bibliographical research, fieldwork and production of material. Based on data from this research, the textbook entitled “Geography of Seridó Potiguar” was prepared, which presents the physical-natural and social aspects of the region, seeking to reproduce local contents aimed at elementary school. The book produced brings an approach to the teaching of geography promoting a systemic analysis of contents, presenting an integration between the physical-natural and social contents with a regional focus that pays attention to the specificities of the Seridó Potiguar region.