Insetos e cadeias alimentares: uma estratégia pedagógica para o Ensino Fundamental I

Abstract

In the traditional educational model, expository classes dictated by textbooks predominate, which generally do not consider students' prior knowledge. Given the diversity and ecological importance of insects, it was expected that they would occupy a certain prominence in formal education, as they do in beliefs, health, economy, and people's daily lives. This lack of knowledge has led human populations to take actions that can result in the extinction of key species, such as pollinators, as well as the proliferation of disease vectors, resulting in socio-environmental imbalances. This study proposed to present Entomology in a didactic way, simplifying and systematizing scientific knowledge to enhance the teaching-learning process. To this end, the food chain was addressed through the teaching of Entomology to elementary school students. This action was carried out with the development of a pedagogical strategy divided into three steps: Selection of appropriate didactic resources for teaching ecological relationships through Entomology; Identification of students' knowledge and their perceptions about insects and their ecological relationships; Elaboration and validation of a didactic sequence that addressed Entomology as a contextualizing theme of ecological relationships, integrating common and scientific knowledge. The action research, of a qualitative nature, was carried out with two Science teachers and fifty-four students from the Municipal School Livro Aberto, located in the municipality of Maués, Amazonas. The study presented as results the selection of appropriate resources for the realization of a didactic sequence for Science classes and showed that students not only have knowledge, but also a pejorative view related to insects; however, this view tends to diminish as students acquire scientific knowledge. This confirms the importance of activities focused on the ecology of these animals, which generate a more sustainable and conservationist attitude in students.