The microorganisms in the Portuguese national curriculum and primary school text books

The main aim of the present work is the content analysis of the Portuguese National Curriculum and the Primary School textbooks where microorganisms are concerned. The content analysis through categories created a priori were used as methodology. In all analysed documents the topic microorganisms did not emerge in a clear way. However, several indirect themes related to microorganisms were found in the National Curriculum and textbooks of the Environment Study issue. These themes can be explored with pupils through experimental activities. The Science Education in primary schools can be introduced with proposals of activities involving microorganisms and contributing to a better understanding of the children’s world