The role of a journal on teaching mathematics and sciences issued at the beginning of the 20th century in professionalizing Italian primary school teachers

This chapter examines the first non-ephemeral journal on teaching mathematics and sciences in primary school, which appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century in Italy. The project of publishing such a kind of journal is set in the context of the initiatives launched in the new Italian nation for creating a course of studies specifically addressed at educating primary school teachers. We outline the mission and vision of the journal by presenting the personality of the founder Alberto Conti (a leading character among the secondary school mathematics teachers of the period), and analyzing the content of the journal. The subjects treated were sciences and mathematics, but mathematics was the prevailing subject covered in the journal because its importance in primary education and the strong mathematical background of Conti. Most contributors, including the editors, were mathematics teachers in Italian schools for prospective primary teachers (Scuole Normali); their contributions reflect firsthand experience in this context. To involve the readers the journal published questions addressed to primary school teachers and to students of Scuole Normali. It is remarkable that female students were very active in answering the questions.