Abstract:
This study presents a proposal for activities carried out with students attending the fifth grade
of the Elementary Cycle at the Pedro Calmon State School, Salvador-BA, addressing the
formation of citizens bearing increased critical reasoning, awareness and reading habits. The
objective of this study was to highlight the importance of reading as a pedagogical act, taking
into consideration the teacher/student interaction. In order to reach the objective proposed, the
author analyzed variables impairing the formation of individuals fond of reading; the author
also characterized attitudes, habits and feelings related to reading. A field survey was applied
among students attending the fifth grade of the Elementary Cycle, in order to achieve a better
understanding of those variables (attitudes and feelings). A questionnaire with 12 questions
and in-class observations composed the tool used in the field survey. The methodology used
for data collection was qualitative. The sample was composed of a whole fifth grade, i.e. 26
students. The study recognizes the difficulties faced by the low-income students to reading
and the myth stating that the pleasure derived from reading does not supply the goods needed
for survival, however it is extremely recommended to valuate the reading habits not just to
meet the school curricula requirements, but rather to reflect about the role of every individual
in the search for his/her own knowledge and in the formation of a critical awareness within
the civil society.
