ASPECTS OF THE MATHEMATICS- CULTURE RELATIONSHIP IN MATHEMATICS TEACHING- LEARNING IN COMPULSORY SCHOOL

The purpose of this contribution is to investigate some cognitive and didactic issues regarding the relationship between "mathematics " and "culture " in teaching- learning mathematics in compulsory school. Our attention will focus, firstly, on how everyday culture may be used within school to build up mathematical concepts and skills; secondly, on the contribution that mathematics, as taught at school, may give to everyday culture to llow (and spread) a "scientific " interpretation of natural and social phenomena nd, thirdly, on teaching mathematics as a part of the scientific culture which ought to be handed over to the new generations. We will try to help make clear some potentials and some intrinsic limits of teaching mathematics in "contexts", pointing out the role the teacher has to play to make the best of such potentials and overcome such limits. 1