The mathematical knowledge in the journal Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kinderblatt für Südamerika

ABSTRACT The article aims to discuss the mathematical knowledge present in the journal Evangelisch-Lutherisches Kinderblatt für Südamerika (Journal for the children of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South America), edited by the Lutheran Church in Brazil, in the 1930s. The Missouri Synod, today Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil, started its mission in the German colonies of Rio Grande do Sul in 1900, founding religious congregations and parochial schools. Based on cultural history, we analyzed the 88 editions of the Kinderblatt journal, edited in the period of December 1930 to June / July 1939, in Gothic German. It was written by Lutheran pastors and parochial teachers and it was published by Concordia Publishing House of Porto Alegre. The main objective of the journal’s editors was, in a playful way; insert the children in the Lutheran religious practice through texts, stories, information and curiosities of moral and religious nature and of general education. It was used, complementarily, in the teaching of the different areas of knowledge in Lutheran parochial schools in Rio Grande do Sul State during the first half of the 20th century. Regarding mathematics, it was found that the editors valued the concrete and abstract skills of the mathematical learning through written calculation and mental calculation, in form of playful and pleasurable activities. They also proposed mathematical challenges to develop logical reasoning and geometric thinking with the children.