Pre/co-requisites: Math10B or permission of the instructor.
Units: 3 (3 hours per week in class).
Catalog description: The development of mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and communication skills for effective teaching mathematics in elementary school.
Informal course description and goals: This course, designed for prospective elementary school teachers, is about ideas, not just formulas and algorithms –that knowing why is just as important as knowing how. The mathematical content of the course will include topics such as number systems, models for learning mathematics, problem solving, arithmetic, algebraic and geometric thinking.
Learning Outcomes
Students participating in this course should be expected to acquire greater depth in content knowledge, as well as learning how to teach mathematics at the elementary level from a standpoint of experiencing, and eventually providing to students, a high level of engagement in delivering material, along with becoming familiar with making sound mathematical justifications of mathematical concepts typically encountered in the California Common Core Standards for grades K-6.
Grading policy: Your grade for the course will be based on your performance on quizzes, homework, and tests.
|
|
Class attendance and Pop-quizzes: It is important to attend every class because group/class discussions and collaborative work are vital for success in the course, since there will be random unannounced pop-quizzes and activities during the course. Three of the low-scores will be dropped.
The Homework Portfolio: This portfolio is to be compiled in a 3-ring binder and turned in at each test, and NOT for the final exam, as you will be allowed to use your Portfolio for reference during the final. Before each viewing of the binder, three (3) problems will be selected using a random number generator on the web and graded during the test. One point (1) of the 10-point binder grade is awarded/deducted for the overall organization/sloppiness and completeness/incompleteness of the portfolio. The other 9 points for the correctness and quality of work on the three 'randomly' selected problems (worth 3 points each). Numbering of Portfolio problems will proceed as P1, P2, P3, ... with sub-numbering of the actual problem assigned from the text (see schedule for assignments). For example, problem P2; 3.1-#14 would be the second problem of the Portfolio which is #14 of section 3.1 of the text. Finally, concerning the portfolio, please have the work presented for grading easily accessible in the binder, with perhaps a divider for class notes, or you may take them out while the binder is graded. Your binder will be returned when you are finished with the test.
Tests and Final: There will be three (3) 75 minute'collaborative' midterm tests and a MANDATORY 'solo performance' comprehensive 2-hour final exam. Students may use their HOMEWORK PORTFOLIOS (see below) for reference on the final exam, but NOT on the collaborative midterms. At the beginning of the semester, partners will be assigned to paired teams. In the event of an odd number of students, one group of 3 will be randomly constructed (teams must whisper quietly as they discuss their problem solving.) Each student must turn in their own exam and the exams will be graded as if that student took the exam alone (partners may end up with different final scores, based on the quality and correctness of work!). Make-up exams will be given only in cases of a documented serious illness or family emergency. If a student makes up a midterm exam, they will obviously be working non-collaboratively.
Computers: At California State University, Fresno, computers and communications links to remote resources are recognized as being integral to the education and research experience. Every student is required to have his/her own computer or have other personal access to a workstation (including a modem and a printer) with all the recommended software. The minimum and recommended standards for the workstations and software, which may vary by academic major, are updated periodically and are available from Information Technology Services or the University Bookstore. In the curriculum and class assignments, students are presumed to have 24-hour access to a computer workstation and the necessary communication links to the University's information resources.
Students with disabilities: Upon identifying themselves to the University, students with disabilities will receive necessary accommodation for learning and evaluation. For more information, see http://studentaffairs.csufresno.edu/ssd
Academic honesty: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. For information on the University's policy, see the University Catalog (section Policies and Regulations).
Honor Code: Members of the CSU Fresno academic community adhere to principles of academic integrity and mutual respect while engaged in university work and related activities. You should:
Disruptive Classroom Behavior: Student conduct which disrupts the learning process will not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action and/or removal from class.
Copyright policy: Copyright laws and fair use policies protect the rights of those who have produced the material. The copy in this course has been provided for private study, scholarship, or research. Other uses may require permission from the copyright holder. The user of this work is responsible for adhering to copyright law of the U.S. (Title 17, U.S. Code). To help you familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright web page: http://www.csufresno.edu/library/libraryinformation/campus/copyright/copyrtpolicyfull.pdf. For copyright Questions & Answers: http://www.csufresno.edu/library/libraryinformation/campus/copyright/faqcopyright.pdf. Digital Campus course web sites contains material protected by copyrights held by the instructor, other individuals or institutions. Such material is used for educational purposes in accord with copyright law and/or with permission given by the owners of the original material. You may download one copy of the materials on any single computer for non-commercial, personal, or educational purposes only, provided that you (1) do not modify it, (2) use it only for the duration of this course, and (3) include both this notice and any copyright notice originally included with the material. Beyond this use, no material from the course web site may be copied, reproduced, re-published, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in any way without the permission of the original copyright holder. The instructor assumes no responsibility for individuals who improperly use copyrighted material placed on the web site.
Subject to Change: This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent.