EVALUATING THE USE OF MATHEMATICAL LITERACY IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: EXPLORATORY OBSERVATIONS IN SCHOOLS IN TORITAMA, PE

Abstract

This article is an excerpt from a master's degree in educational sciences research project conducted by the Universidad Del Sol, UNADES, which aimed to evaluate how mathematical literacy has been addressed, or not, in mathematics classes in the final years of elementary school. This research used a qualitative, exploratory methodology, with data collection instruments consisting of a questionnaire and an interview with students and teachers, respectively, from three schools in the city of Toritama, Pernambuco, which offer elementary school (final years) education in November and December 2022. Discussions of the results revealed the teachers' level of knowledge and training on the topic, as well as how mathematics classes are conducted and whether they contribute to effective mathematical literacy. It was also observed that this pedagogical process was already present in daily school life, and that the teachers had already encountered the term, and most had initial academic training in the subject. The presence of Problem Solving in mathematics classes was also noted, but the absence of other methodologies indicated by official documents, such as modeling, mathematical investigation and project-based teaching, was noted.