The physical natural components of geographical space in basic education: situating research about rocks

Abstract

This article was written with the aim of presenting how knowledge related to the physical-natural components of geographic space have been investigated, especifically rocks, in research developed in the field of Geography Teaching. To do this, we analyzed the annals of the Nepeg National Forum for Geography Teacher Training (NEPEG) and the National Meeting of Teaching Practice in Geography (ENPEG); the journals Acta Geográfica and Revista Brasileira de Educação Geografia; as well as theses and dissertations defended between 2009 and 2023, as we see them as important vehicles for disseminating knowledge about the research developed in this field of knowledge. Using the bibliographic review as a methodological procedure, we counted and analyzed productions that deal with the teaching of physical-natural components and rocks published in the aforementioned time frame. The readings and analysis indicated that, although work on physical-natural components has expanded significantly in recent years, production on rocks is still timid. In addition, many teachers report difficulties in working with this subject because they consider it to be far removed from their realities. We emphasize that teaching this component in Basic Education, based on working with problem situations, can help students to better understand their daily lives.