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Mathematical representation ability is needed in mathematics, so that the barriers that occur in developing the ability of student representation should be anticipated by the learning and teaching materials in accordance with characteristics of students tailored to the ability developed. This research uses the method of didactical design research (DDR) method. The purpose of this research is to make didactic designs based on the obstacles that arise in the implementation of preliminary study, and take the material of the spatial webs geometry and develop the ability of mathematical representation. In this study using realistic mathematics learning approach, in this approach students are required to find their own knowledge. This research focuses on the development of teaching materials in the form of student worksheets, in the student worksheets arranged based on obstacles that occur later then validated by experts, in addition to making teaching materials and learning implementation plan in this study also makes predictions of student responses and pedagogical didactic anticipation. The conclusions drawn from didactic design research to determine the spatial webs for developing mathematical representations of grade V elementary school students.

The underlying problem of this research is the lack of ability of elementary school students in interpreting mathematical problems concerning addition and subtraction of integers into certain images or symbols. Realistic Mathematics Education approach presents the stage to improve the ability of mathematical representation. The method used is quasi-experiment with non-equivalent control group. The samples grade IV of SDN Gudangkopi 1 as experimental class and SDN Palasari as control class. The instruments used in this research are question mathematical representation ability test, learning motivation attitude scale, teacher performance observation and student activity sheet, teacher and student interview sheet. The finding reveals that Realistic Mathematics Education approach shows improvement on the ability of mathematical representation with average value showing moderate gain, is then considered a better learning compared to the conventional one, and shows a positive relationship between students' mathematical representation ability and learning motivation.