Section 002: Tuesday/Thursday 12:30-1:45, DMF 440
Section 003: Tuesday/Thursday 2:00-3:15, DMF 440
Instructor: Heidi Burgiel, hburgiel@bridgew.edu,
(508) 531-1430
Office Hours: DMF 453; Monday 11:00-12:00, Tuesday 3:30-4:30, Thursday 9:30-10:30 and by appointment.
Course Description: This course develops students' understanding of the mathematical content of geometry, measurement, probability and statistics at the deep level required for successful elementary school teaching in ways that are meaningful to pre-service elementary teachers. Topics will include two- and three- dimensional geometry, measurement, data analysis, single variable statistics and probability.
This course satisfies the Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning core requirement (CMAR).
Course Philosophy: As a teacher, you will be called upon to support your students' questioning and perseverance in finding answers. To do this, you will need a deep understanding of the mathematics you are teaching. In this class we will explore, model, and prove things we thought we knew. Much of this exploration will be done by you in groups; please come to class with an open and inquisitive mind, ready to share your enthusiasms with your teams.
Prerequisites: MATH107 or MATH112.
Required Materials:
Text: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers with Activities Fourth Edition (bring activities manual to class),
Electronic Homework: MyMathLab from Pearson Publishing.
MATH113 manipulatives pack (from the bookstore)
Calculator (no cell phone use during exams)
Grades: Course grades will be weighted as follows:
Exams: There will be one in class midterm and a final exam.
The midterm exam will take place on Thursday, March 3 in our regular classroom at our regular time. It will consist of a group portion (20%) and an individual portion (80%).
Office hours: I will be available in DMF 453 during these hours on a first-come-first-served basis. You do not need to make an appointment to see me during office hours. If office hours are inconvenient, please speak to me after class or email me; if I cannot resolve your problem immediately we can schedule an appointment outside of office hours.
Class Participation: Your participation will be assessed by your group members based on the rubric posted on the course web site and by me.
In order to work together, we must be present together. If you know that you will be absent, let me know so that I can ensure that your absence is minimally disruptive in class.
Activators and Ticket to Leave: These are mini-quizzes used to assess your understanding of the homework, set the stage for a day's work, or sum up what you've learned in class. They are leniently graded on a scale of 0 to 3. These cannot be made up, but at the end of the semester I will drop the lowest three grades.
Homework: Much of your homework will not be turned in for a grade, but you and your group members will need to have done it to prepare for the day's class. Homework to be graded will be submitted electronically through MyMathLab and occasionally Blackboard. MyMathLab homework is scheduled through MyMathLab and can be completed at any time. Blackboard homework will be posted on Blackboard and will "close" after its due date.
If you encounter difficulties with MyMathLab try to solve them yourself, but email me immediately so that I know something is wrong. You will receive instructions on getting started with MyMathLab during the first week of class. Note that there is a lower case L and not a 1 in the CourseID.
MyMathLab CourseID: burgiel36294
Assignments: You will complete two major assignments, due on May 24 and April 19. While you work on the assignments, please reflect on the following questions: What permanent benefit am I supposed to get out of this exercise? Did I get it? Why and why not?
All assignments will be graded on a rubric posted on the course web site. Make sure that you refer to the rubric as you complete the assignments. Turn in your assignments online by midnight on the date they are due.
Class Synthesis and Assessment: To provide the class with materials to study from and to encourage you to reflect on your lessons, you are required to share a description and assessment of one class period. Your first draft will be posted to a forum on the course web site, after which it will be assessed by one of your peers. Post your final draft and turn in a hardcopy of the peer assessment to receive your final grade.
A rubric for this assignment will be posted on the course web site; be sure to refer to the rubric as you work on your CSA.
Academic integrity: Future teachers should show respect for their ideas and those of others. You may use appropriate resources on any homework or assignment, but must clearly credit the authors and cite your sources. Although I encourage you to work with your peers, the final submission must be your own thinking and work. Violations of this expectation will be handled in accordance with BSU's academic integrity policy.
Students with disabilities: The Disability Resources office is located on the ground floor of Maxwell Library. If you have a diagnosed disability which will make it difficult for you to carry out the course work, please contact me during the first two weeks of class to discuss reasonable accommodations.
Math services: Math Services provides free tutoring on a walk-in basis. It is located in the basement of Maxwell Library.