A paleontologia no ensino de ciências a partir dos documentos curriculares e dos livros didáticos

Abstract

Paleontology is a theme that belongs to the area of Nature Sciences and its technologies and undertakes to understand and seek understandings about the past on planet Earth, conceiving the behavior of living beings and/or their evolution, as well as studying characteristics as well and environmental events that occurred. The teaching of paleontology is currently in charge of the component of natural sciences, as can be studied in an interdisciplinary manner, being addressed in discussions involving geography, history, sociology, among others, in basic education. According to the Common Curriculum National Base (BNCC), the theme on fossils, which belongs to paleontology, is addressed in the 6th grade of elementary school. The study of paleontology is necessary because it addresses evolutionary issues, its role and why it is important to study it, since only understanding the past we can understand the future. It also enables the student a more environmental consciousness, as he commits to study the environmental events that have occurred over time and how it can affect the life and permanence of an organism in each environment. Given this context, the general objective was to investigate the approach to paleontology in science teaching from the recommended curriculum in the BNCC, the RCG (State of Rio Grande do Sul Curriculum Reference), and the LDs. Firstly, he was investigated in the two guiding documents of education in the country, the BNCC and the RCG, like the theme regarding paleontology is present in these documents. In the second stage, the theme was currently being worked on, through search in theses and dissertations at the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (BDTD). Finally, and not least, the analysis of the science textbooks (LDs) in the 6th grade of elementary school approved by the National Plan of the Textbook (PNLD) (Brazil, 2020) that are being used by students and teachers so far. Analyzing the BNCC and the RCG it can be understood that the theme related to paleontology is brought in these two documents still considered insufficient and incomplete, making it impossible for a more accurate discussion on the subject. Regarding research involving paleontology teaching, it can be seen that, until the moment the research has occurred, there is no significant number of investigations directed to discuss this topic. With the analysis of LDS approved by PNLD (Brazil, 2020), we realized that from nine collections, only three received the maximum concept in five or more of the eight dimensions analyzed, placing themselves as suitable for the discussion in reference to the theme. The others, for the discussion around paleontology, place themselves as regular or incomplete, making it impossible for a broader discussion of the subject, and do not give theoretical and methodological support to teachers and students. It can be concluded that there is still much to improve on paleontology teaching, even with the area currently growing, whether by research or through the media, increasingly bringing this subject. It is necessary to develop the interest of people in the area, in their teaching, from basic education and, especially, in LDs, which are widely used materials and of great reference for teachers and students.