Social Representations of the Environment: Implications in Environmental Education Approaches under the Critical Perspective with Students in the First Stage of Elementary School

Abstract:

Supported by the theoretical-methodological framework of the Theory of Social Representations, with special attention to its structural approach, this paper aimed to identify the content and organization of the Environmental representations constructed by a group of students in the 4th grade of a municipal Elementary School in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Its relevance should also be noted for the interest in applying pedagogical work proposals under the focus of Critical Environmental Education. With techniques applied to Central Core Theory, it was possible to understand that students' representations are organized around elements that relate to naturalistic, conservationist and anthropocentric-utilitarian views of the environment. The analysis permitted to infer some relations among these representations and strategies in order to promote an articulated vision of globalizing character, where the surroundings are integrated by the environment and society. The results intend to contribute to discussions about the processes of Environmental Education from the Critical perspective.

Keywords:
Social representation; Critical environmental education; Elementary school; Environment and education