Skip to main content
Log in

Argumentation and Conceptualization in Context: a Case Study on Sunshadows in Primary School

  • Published:
Educational Studies in Mathematics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

I will analyse the individual and collective activities of fourth grade students while trying to explain a schoolfellow's mistake in the use of a geometrical schema (shared by the class) of the sunshadows phenomenon. The study aims at detecting productive links between context-related argumentation, mathematical modelling (here concerning sunshadows) and conceptualization (inclination of a straight line to a plane), as well as discussing their relevance for mathematics education.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bartolini Bussi, M.: 1996, 'Mathematical discussion and perspective drawing in primary school', Educational Studies in Mathematics 31, 11–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berthelot, R. and Salin, M.H.: 1992, L'enseignement de l'espace et de la géométrie dans la scolarité obligatoire, Thèse, L.A.D.I.S.T., Université de Bordeaux-I.

  • Blum, W. and Niss, M.: 1989, 'Mathematical problem solving, modelling, applications and links to other subjects', in W. Blum, M. Niss and I. Huntley (eds.), Modelling, Applications and Applied Problem Solving, 1–22, E. Horwood, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boero, P.: 1994, 'Experience fields as a tool to plan mathematics teaching from 6 to 11', in L. Bazzini and H.G. Steiner (eds.), Proceedings of the Second Italian German Bilateral Symposium on Didactics of Mathematics, 45–62, IDM Bielefeld.

  • Boero, P., Dapueto, C., Ferrari, P., Ferrero, E., Garuti, R., Lemut, E., Parenti, L. and Scali, E.: 1995, 'Aspects of the mathematics-culture relationship in mathematics teaching-learning in compulsory school', Proceedings of PME-XIX, Vol. 1, Recife, pp. 151–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brousseau, G.: 1986, 'Fondements et méthodes de la didactique des mathématiques', Recherches en didactique des mathématiques 7, 33–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, T.: 1997, Mathematics Education and Language, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douek, N.: 1998, 'Analysis of a long term construction of the angle concept in the field of experience of sunshadows', Proceeding of PME-XXII, Vol. 2, Stellenbosch, pp. 264–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duval, R.: 1991, 'Structure du raisonnement déductif et apprentissage de la démonstration', Educational Studies in Mathematics 22, 233–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French, L.: 1985, 'Acquiring and using words to express logical relationships', in S.A. Kuczai and M.D. Barrett (eds.), The Development of Word Meaning, 303–338, Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freudenthal, H.: 1983, Didactical Phenomenology of Mathematical Structures, D. Reidel Publ. Co., Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath, T.L.: 1908, The Thirteen Books of Euclid's Elements, University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lakatos, I.: 1985, Preuves et réfutations, Hermann, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lakoff, G. and Nunez, R.: 1997, 'The metaphorical structure of mathematics', in L. English (ed.), Mathematical Reasoning: Analogies, Metaphors and Images, 21–89, L.E.A., Hillsdale, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scali, E.: 1997, 'Choix des taches et organisation des intéractions dans la classe pour l'appropriation des signes de la géométrie dans les activités de modélisation', Proceedings of CIEAEM-49, Setubal (to appear).

  • Serres, M.: 1993, Les origines de la géométrie, Flammarion, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, M.: 1996, 'Beyond inductive and deductive reasoning: the search for a sense of knowing', Educational Studies in Mathematics 30, 197–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thurston, W.: 1994, 'On proof and progress in mathematics', Bulletin of the A. M. S., 30, 161–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vergnaud, G.: 1990, 'La théorie des champs conceptuels', Recherches en Didactique des Mathématiques 10, 133–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky, L.S.: 1985, Pensée et langage, Editions Sociales, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky, L.S.: 1978, Mind in Society, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Douek, N. Argumentation and Conceptualization in Context: a Case Study on Sunshadows in Primary School. Educational Studies in Mathematics 39, 89–110 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003800814251

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003800814251

Navigation