SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM COMPONENT: AN ANALYSIS ON THE LEVEL OF ELEMENTARY AND SECOND HIGH SCHOOL

The purpose of this study was to understand the social representations associated with the Physical Education curricular component in the final years of Elementary School (ES) and Second High School (SHS), in addition to identifying elements that explain the phenomenon of students' lack of interest in classes. The theoretical background adopted corresponded to the structural approach of the Social Representations. Two groups participated: GEF, with 314 elementary school children, and GEM, with 202 second high school students. The information was collected through free recall in association with mise in cause. The results suggest that the core of the Physical Education representation circulating between EF and SHS students is linked to the traditional conception of sports and exercises. In addition, among second high school students, these representations are progressively being added to the health field.