MATH FOR TEACHERS – Math 325

 

Spring, 2003            MTThF  11:30 – 12:20  --  Collins 206

 

            Professor:  Steve Prothero                       Office: Collins 307

 

            Phone:  370 – 6484 (campus)                 (503) 393 – 5143 (home)

 

            e-mail:    prothero@willamette.edu  (campus)       prothero4@attbi.com (home)

 

Course Goals:  The primary goals of Math 325 are to:

1.  Provide a broad mathematical background for prospective teachers of public school math.  

2.  Instill a positive attitude and understanding of mathematics that can be transferred to future students.

3.      Allow for self-evaluation of what worked and what didn’t for each student as they learned mathematics.

 

Topics:    will be selected from mathematics taught in public schools.  Primary focus will be on middle school mathematics.  There will be considerable emphasis placed on problem solving both as a tool and as pedagogy.

 

Grading:  Will be based on the following with the given point values.

In Class Presentations

 

100 points

Homework

 

30 - 50 points

Journal

 

60 points

Exams

@ 25 points each

50 - 100  points

Field Experience *

 

100 points

Final Exam *

 

100 points

 

Total

440 – 510 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Mandatory – failure to complete these will result in a failure in the course.

 

Journal:    The journal is intended to help both student and instructor to keep track of where the student is and where they’ve been as the term progresses.  Journal entries

               (one per class) should be on standard size paper.  They will be due roughly every second Tuesday (see course calendar).  You will only need to hand in those pages that have not been previously submitted, but you will need to keep all of your entries in a single journal.

 

               All papers need to be dated to keep the ongoing record of the semester.  Individual entries will not receive a grade.  Everyone starts with 60 points and points will be deducted for late or missing submissions and/or inadequate effort (after warning).

 

Some of your journal entries are assigned to have specific content (see below), while most will have topics of your own choosing.  You may write on other topics in addition to those assigned if you would like.  Here are some suggestions

.

·        What did you learn from a class, activity, discussion, or assignment?

·        What confused you?  Challenged you?  What did you like?  Not like?

·        Describe the process you undertook to solve a problem.

·        Describe any discoveries you make about math or yourself doing math.

 

               Specific topics:                                                                   Due Date

 

               Math Autobiography: This first paper should be a little                    January 31

               longer (one to two pages).  Describe your triumphs and

               disasters in math.  Go back as far as you can remember.

               What do you like about learning math?  What don’t you like?

 

               Mid-Semester Self-Assessment: of your mathematical growth         March 21

 

               Field Experience:  A description of your experience in a “real”   As it takes place

classroom.  In particular, you should discuss your feelings

before, during, and after these experiences.  Consider how your

views of public school math teaching have been affected.

 

               AHA! Moment:  A description of at least one “great                        Anytime

               mathematical moment” that happened to you this semester. 

               This is all about that AHA! moment.  It may happen when

               you least expect it.  This is when you suddenly make a

               connection, or some idea or concept that has eluded you in

               the past becomes clear.  Record this moment!  You should

               have at least one of these this semester.  If not, you’ll need

               to write a paragraph or two explaining why you think it has

               eluded you (or you, it).

 

               End-of-Semester Self-Assessment: due at the Final                May 9

 

Field Experience:  This will consist of 15 hours outside of class and in a Salem area public school classroom.  You will be observing classes, talking with teachers and students, and possibly tutoring and/or teaching a short lesson or two.  You will be expected to submit a written report on your field experience to Professor Hamlin of the School of Education.

 

Significant Dates:

                 Monday                 January 20       first day of class

                 Thursday                 January 23       visit by Prof. Hamlin of MAT program

                 Tuesday                 January 31       math autobiographies due

                 Tuesday                 March 4 or 11 mid-semester evaluation due with journal

                 Friday             April 4               last day to drop

                 Friday             May 9               Final Exam: 8 – 11 am