Analysis of the realistic nature of word problems in upper elementary mathematics education in Flanders

The present chapter deals with an investigation of the realistic nature of word problems in mathematics lessons in upper primary classrooms in Flanders. An in-depth analysis of the word problems in a widely used textbook series, Eurobasis, was conducted. Moreover, based on a seven-month observation period we investigated which problems from the textbook were used by two teachers during that period and which self-generated problems they added. The first section situates the investigation within the research on (realistic) mathematical modeling and introduces the framework for analyzing the realistic nature of word problems on which we have heavily relied. Next, the objectives and methodology of the study are described. The results of the study are then presented and the chapter concludes with some methodological and content-related remarks.status: publishe