Choose a few classrooms to observe. Try to observe a variety of math courses in a variety of grade levels (but only grades 9-12), taught by a variety of teachers. Every class is different, and every teacher has a different teaching style, so it would be best to observe different practices.

You may either choose schools/classes from the following list, or make your own arrangements. Please let your instructor know (as soon as you decide) which school(s) you would like to observe classes in.

The following teachers have agreed to occasionally have observers from our class. However, you should keep in mind that some days may be inconvenient (a test may be given; or a teacher may have other committment and have a sub; etc.) For that reason and also to be polite, before you go to observe a lesson, send an email to the teacher (copy to your instructor) stating that you are a Fresno State student taking the Capstone Mathematics for Teachers class, and asking whether it would be OK to observe their lesson on such and such date. Remember to arrive in advance so that you have time to find the building and the room and to introduce yourself to the teacher before class. Ask where you could sit so that not to disturb the class. Stay quiet, don't talk to the students, and don't disrupt the class in any way. You must stay for the whole class because if you leave in the middle of class you will disrupt the class.

• University High School

  Please remember to email the teacher (copy to your instructor) before attending any class, asking if it would be OK to observe a class on a certain day (more or less any day will be fine, but the teacher would like to know that you are coming, and also you need to confirm that there will be no test that day).

  Teacher: Daniel Jones (djones@csufresno.edu)
  Room: 104 (UHS)
  Days: any, Mon through Fri
  Classes:

  • Geometry: 8:55-9:53 am, 11-11:55 am, 2-2:55 pm
  • Discrete Math: 10-10:55 am, 1-1:55 pm

Upon completion, you must turn in:

• time sheet (template here),
• your notes (handwritten),
• your reflections: describe the concepts taught, including definitions given, theorems stated and/or proved, and procedures/algorithms described; were the definitions and statements and/or proofs rigorous? Could they be given more rigorously? If so, how? If not, why not (i.e. what additional knowledge would be needed that is not covered in high school)? Were the procedures/algorithms explained (i.e. explained why they would work, under which conditions they would work, etc.)? Which questions did the students ask? In particular, did they ask to clarify any concepts/theorems/procedures? Which of the teacher's answers or examples were most helpful to the students? Feel free to include any of your thoughts or comments or suggestions. While our main focus is on the content, comments on any teaching styles observed are welcome too. A satisfactory paper will be at least one full page for each hour observed (longer is better).

Below are a few opportunities: math teams/clubs that are interested in working with us, and CSUF Math Field Day practice sessions. Choose any that you would like to lead/help with. You should team up with other people in our class, and work in small groups (of 2-4 people), or just let me know which days would work best for you and we will see who else wants to work on those days. You will need to meet (typically more than once) before each club meeting/problem solving session to go over the concepts, problems, and solutions. Let your instructor know when your group is meeting so that the instructor can attend your meeting if possible. Sometimes we may discuss your field experience in class. Group meetings (outside of class) count toward your field experience hours.

• Math Field Day Preparation Sessions - web page
  1. Friday, Feb 27, 4-6PM, ED 390, Composition of functions, complex numbers
  2. Saturday, Mar 7, 1-3PM, PB 011, Number theory
  3. Saturday, Mar 14, 9-11AM, S2 109, Area, volume, the number pi
  Group prep meetings (outside of class) count toward your hours.

• Math Kangaroo Competition
  Thursday, Mar 19, 5:45-8PM, UBC 192. No preparation necessary.

• High School Integration Bee
  Wednesday, April 8, 6:40-??PM (probably until approx. 9:30). Some help needed, observers welcome.

• Math Field Day
  Saturday, April 18, the event is approx. from 8AM-4PM, the exact time of your assignment will be determined by you and the Math Field Day coordinator (this year, that's your instructor). Typically assignments are approx. 2-4 hours long. No preparation necessary.
  As many volunteers as possible are welcome!

If you would like to work with any other school/math club, let your instructor know as soon as possible. Any of your own arrangements have to be pre-approved by the instructor.

The instructor will attend and observe some of your meetings. So let your instructor know as soon as you have your schedule.

Upon completion, you must turn in:

• time sheet (template here),
• activities/problem collection/photocopies of any materials used/etc,
• reflections/thoughts/suggestions for improvement,
• evaluation filled out by you (top part) and the teacher (bottom part).
• peer evaluation filled out by you for each group member.
• peer evaluations filled out by your group members will be submitted by your group members directly to the instructor.

Grading: Your activities/materials and reflections will be evaluated by your instructor. Your performance will be evaluated by the teacher (if applicable), group members, and instructor.