What do you do when you already know everything? : The study situation of primary school pupils with high levels of mathematical knowledge.

This study aims to describe what individual support four primary school pupils with high mathematical skills are given in their mathematical teaching and how this affect their attitude towards the subject. It also examines their possibilities to influence their conditions during these classes and the level of challenges they are given in order to expand their mathematical knowledge. The study is based on classroom observations, a McIntosh test (McIntosh, 2008) as well as individual interviews with the four pupils and their teacher. The results of the study show that the studied pupils attitudes towards mathematics in school as well as their motivation to complete the tasks they were given were affected by their relationship with the teacher. A large portion of the study time in the observed lessons was devoted to group discussions connected to assignments in their class workbook. The possibility for the studied pupils of getting individualized tasks and guidance or influencing the classes was low. This leads to the conclusion that they do not get the proper challenges and stimulation needed in order to gain a deeper mathematical knowledge.