Educação financeira e o ensino de matemática em uma escola Waldorf: currículo, professores e estudantes

Abstract

This research is about a study of Waldorf Schools’ Financial Education method through an in-depth investigation and the author’s immersion. The paper presents a qualitative case study. We used Rudolf Steiner literature as a reference for Waldorf Education method. The research includes a fieldwork in a Waldorf School, located in Minas Gerais (Brazil), based on participative observation in Mathematics classes of a 6th grade Elementary School, composed by 20 students. Besides, collected and registered workbook data were assembled by bibliography study, teachers interview and informal chats in school. The data analysis revealed and confirmed that Math instruction, as state Waldorf Pedagogy, happens taking into consideration some elements, as such: Teaching structured in seasons, considering child evolutionary stage, education through arts, experience, rhythmic movements and repetition, mental and oral calculation, methodology “teaching in three steps”, inter, multi and transdisciplinarity as many as possible, dealing with different tempers, etc. A teaching considering those elements allows students to develop the thinking, feeling and willing in a balanced way. Financial Education subject was taught during a season in 6th grade, named “Financial and Economic Life”. It is very broad in its proposal and scope, not restraint only to calculation practices and to personal financial studies and attitudes. As a result of this research, a pedagogical suggestion grounded on Waldorf Education is presented for Financial Education within 6th grade Elementary School.