FIELD CLASS AS A STRATEGY IN BIOGEOGRAPHY TEACHING AT THE NATURAL MONUMENT OF THE POTI RIVER FOSSIL FOREST IN TERESINA, PIAUÍ

Abstract

This manuscript will discuss the teaching of biogeography in the curricula of elementary schools and the use of the Fossil Forest Natural Monument of the Poti River in the municipality of Teresina-PI as a teaching tool for geography teachers from the organization of a field class. Thus, the general objective is to analyze the importance of the field class as a methodological practice for teaching the contents of school biogeography, highlighting a case study in the Fossil Forest Natural Monument of the Poti River. The specific objectives are i) report on school biogeography highlighting the content and skills provided in the Base Nacional Comum Curricular (Common National Curriculum Base, BNCC), ii) discuss the biogeography teaching in the textbook context, and iii) propose a field class in the Fossil Forest Natural Monument of the Poti River as a methodological tool for teaching school biogeography. The analyses carried out on-site followed a qualitative way assisted by the literature available in articles and specialized books in the area. The paleobiogeographic collection in the Natural Monument presents Permian vegetal fossils that help students to understand the subjects in geography classes. Thus, practical field classes related to the physical geography teaching in the Natural Monument of the Fossil Forest of the Poti River provide a significant teaching-learning process for the students, besides generating a sensitization/awareness about the preservation and conservation of such a conservation unit.