O uso do ábaco como uma possibilidade pedagógica nos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental

Abstract

Aware of the importance of the role of mathematics in the development of the individual, this paper presents a research aimed at alleviating the learning difficulties perceived in mathematics, especially in the early years. One of the difficulties concerns the Decimal Numbering System and its main concepts. For this reason, it is interesting for the teacher to use strategies and resources that facilitate solidified student learning. Analyzing possible difficulties in this field of mathematics, the paper aims to investigate which contributions the abacus, as a pedagogical resource, helps in understanding the Decimal Numbering System of students in the early years of elementary school. This is a qualitative case study research. The subjects were two children, aged 7 and 8 years, who attended, respectively, the 2nd and 3rd years of elementary school. Abacus and evaluations were used as material to investigate if such resource was effective in the construction of mathematical concepts. Through the abacus, the game “Never Ten” was also used as a strategy, introducing the importance of pedagogical games for the ratification of acquired knowledge. In this work the role of the teacher is very important, as it guides the student in games, being a great mediator. The results obtained through the research point to an improvement in the understanding of the Decimal Numbering System through the used resource.