ENSINO RELIGIOSO: ESTRATÉGIAS PEDAGÓGICAS PARA UMA EDUCAÇÃO INTEGRAL NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL

Abstract

This study analyzes Religious Education as a curricular component capable of contributing to the implementation of comprehensive education in elementary school, discussing its inclusion in school curricula from a critical, pluralistic, and secular perspective. Based on the question of pedagogical strategies that can foster the comprehensive development of students, the research was based on the hypothesis that contextualized and innovative methodologies broaden the educational reach of this component. The work was based on references on comprehensive education, citizenship, and Religious Education, with emphasis on authors such as Ana Cavaliere and Moacir Gadotti, as well as current educational legislation. The research followed a qualitative approach, developed in three stages: a bibliographic survey on Comprehensive Education and Religious Education, semi-structured interviews with four teachers from the municipal school system of Marataízes, Espírito Santo, and content analysis of the empirical data. Based on this process, an e-book was produced as an educational product, systematizing pedagogical strategies applicable to the school environment. The main findings show that, although Religious Education is recognized by teachers as a space conducive to promoting human values, respecting diversity, and strengthening citizenship, challenges remain related to low interdisciplinarity, limited student engagement, and insufficient continuing education for teachers, factors that limit the educational potential of this component.