• School Mathematics
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.403-425
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• 2005

The study aims to get real picture of primary mathematics education based on RME in the Netherlands focusing on number and operations strand by reflecting and analyzing the documents in relation to the primary school mathematics curriculum. In order to attain these purposes, the present paper describes the core goals for mathematics education, Dutch Pluspunt textbook series for the primary school, and a learning-teaching trajectory by TAL project which are determinants of the Dutch primary school mathematics curriculum. Under these reflections on the documents, it is analyzed what is the characteristics of number and operations strand in the Nether-lands as follows: counting numbers, contextualization, positioning, structuring, progressive algoritmization based on levels, estimation and insightful use of a calculator. Finally, discussing Points for improving our primary mathematics curriculum and textbook series development are described.