David Michael Burrow


Math for Elementary Teachers (Summer, 2001)

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Course Number: MA-203A (Section 18695)

Instructor: David Michael Burrow

Schedule: Monday - Thursday evenings, 5:45 - 8:15pm
Algona Center, Iowa Lakes Community College

Credit: 3 semester hours.

Prerequisites & Transferability: There are no formal prerequisites for this course. The course does not count toward fulfilling the ILCC mathematics requirement. Students should check with the colleges to which they wish to transfer credit about the transferability of the course to those colleges.

Description: In this course you will review and expand your knowledge of mathematics in the context of how it relates to elementary education. You will also learn methods appropriate for mathematics instruction at the elementary level.

Overall Goals:

  1. Understand what the NCTM Standards are and how you can apply them in a classroom setting.
  2. Learn problem solving strategies.
  3. Understand the rules of set theory and how they apply to sets of numbers.
  4. Know how to apply operations on numbers.
  5. Understand and apply fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, and percentages.
  6. Know how to gather, organize, and interpret information using statistics and probability.
  7. Understand and apply the basic ideas of geometry and measurement.
  8. Learn appropriate instructional strategies for mathematics at the elementary level.

Book: Musser, Burger, and Peterson. Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: A Contemporary Approach. 5th Edition. New York: John Wiley, 2001.

Calculator: You will find it appropriate to have a calculator for this class. We will discuss the issue of calculator use in elementary classes, and we will also learn appropriate ways to use calculators to solve problems. ANY calculator will be appropriate; however, you may find it most useful to have one that has a fraction key ( ab/c ).

Other Supplies: You will need to take organized notes over most of the topics discused in class, and you will want writing materials for them. You may at times find it useful to have more than one color of pen or a pen and a pencil, and you may also find a ruler handy.

Assignments: You will be given assignments almost every day. We will go through these in class, but they will not be turned in for a grade. However, you will want to know how to do each type of problem.

Guest Speakers: Three guest speakers are tentatively scheduled to speak to the class:

(scheduled to speak Tuesday, July 31) Each speaker will share her expertise with you and offer ideas that do and don't work with students at the various levels of elementary school. You are expected to welcome these speakers politely and come prepared with questions for them.

Project: Either individually or in a group of not more than 3, you will prepare a lesson - at least part of which you will present to the class. More information on this will be presented later. The project will account for about 20% of your grade.

Class Participation: About 20% of your grade will be based on class participation. This includes your attendance, paying attention in class,contributions to discussions, whether you are prepared when we go through the daily assignments, etc. Unless you call attention to yourself in a negative way, it is assumed that everyone will do well in this.

Tests: You will be given four exams over the course of the class. Each will cover one of the major mathematical content strands of thecourse. In addition the fourth will include questions involving instructional strategies. Each test will be worth about 15% of your grade.

Grades: The standard ILCC grading scale applies:

Pluses and minuses are not recorded on ILCC grades. There is generally no "extra credit" in this class.

Weather Cancellation: In case of severe weather, the college will announce any cancellations on area radio stations. Listen to the 5:00 news for any announcements.

Attendance: As stated earlier, class participation (which includes attendance) will account for 20% of your overall grade. After the first two absences, your class participation grade will be lowered for additional absences. If special circumstances come up, you must visit with the instructor to make arrangements. While attendance is not a formal part of your grade, you will find it much easier to do well if you attend regularly. Tests must be taken when scheduled unless you make prior arrangements.

Content Strands and Test Schedule

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***** Links to other sites on the Web

* Mr. Burrow's ILCC Page
* Official ILCC Home Page
* Mr. Burrow's Home Page

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© 2001 davidmburrow@yahoo.com

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