Cálculo no ensino médio: uma proposta para o ensino de derivada na primeira série

Abstract

This paper presents a proposal of activities to be developed in the classroom, with the goal of introducing the concept of derivative for students in the first grade of secondary school. Before the activities, some brief researches are presented. The historical presence of the topics of Differential and Integral Calculus in brazilian High Schools, as well as the analysis of some textbooks, serves to show how it has been and is being treated in the country. Aspects of the High School are also shown in Germany and the United States, countries where the calculus is present in High School, though in quite different ways. A chapter about the proper preparation for these classes was also included, since the simple insertion of the derivative could cause problems for meeting the schedule and could not bring the expected results. Some degree of adequacy of the contents and cooperation with Physics teachers are needed. The activities aiming at teaching the initial concepts of derivatives are motivated by a physical problem of motion. The focus is given on intuition and visualization of graphs, so there is a better understanding of the concepts involved. The use of a dynamic geometry software is required for much of the time, as an important tool for pedagogical support