The use of mathematics textbooks in the training of elementary school teachers in France

This article focuses on the role mathematics textbooks play in the training process of elementary school teachers at the beginning of the 21st century in France. Through observations made both in the classes of experienced teachers in charge of training teachers-to-be and in the class of a beginner teacher, we tried to understand how textbooks are used and how the gap between what textbook authors recommend and how teachers actually use schoolbooks can be bridged. This study also shows that beginner teachers do need to be trained on how to make the best use of textbooks.