Theory of Elementary Mathematics
Syllabus
Student grades will be calculated by adding up the
total
number of points earned and then comparing with the total number of
points
possible. Students are encouraged to discuss their performance with the
instructor. However, there are certain ethics involved. For instance,
it is
unethical for a student to call to the instructor’s attention that a
certain
grade is needed in order to graduate, to remain academically eligible
for
athletics, to keep a scholarship, etc. This type of behavior burdens
the
instructor and makes it difficult to assign grades objectively. It is
the
responsibility of the student to earn the desired grade. Any unethical
behavior
will result in the student being dropped from the course.
Grades are not curved.
A
89.5-100%,
B 79.5-89.4%, C 69.5-79.4%, D 59.5-69.4%, F 0-59.4%
Three exams will be given in the
The exam schedule is as follows:
Exam 1 Covers Chapters 1 and 2
Exam 2 Covers Chapters 3 and 4
Exam 3 Covers Chapters 5 and 6
Final Exam Covers Chapters 1 - 7
The exams are designed to be completed in roughly
one hour but
students have as much time as needed – there are no time limits on the
exams.
Students must take the Final Exam during the allotted time given by the
University. Make-ups are not allowed.
Please be courteous and turn off all cell phones,
pagers, etc.
before entering the
Homework is reading the current textbook section,
along
with answering questions on the section.
Guidelines for homework:
1. Homework must be written neatly, in pencil.
2. Multiple pages should be stapled (not paper
clipped) with
the students name on the top of every page.
3. If notebook paper is used, the frayed edges in
the margin
should be trimmed with scissors.
Online assignments must be completed by the given
due dates.
You will need to install the MyMathLab software onto a computer that
you have
access to in order to complete the assignments. You can retry any
problem as
often as needed. The software includes tutorial programs for each
homework
problem in which it will walk you through similar problems.
Four journal entries are required throughout the
course. You
will be given 9 journal topics to choose from; to be turned in on one
of the 4
Fri/Thurs due dates for journals. Hand-written journals will only be
accepted
if PRINTED in INK neatly. The journals will be graded based on the
following
criteria:
1. Completeness and effort (Did the student address
the
issue?)
2. Grammar and spelling (must be flawless to receive
a perfect
score)
3. Correctness (Is the mathematics correct?)
Late journals will not be accepted for any reason,
including
legitimate ones.
With a few exceptions, the classroom atmosphere will
not be a
lecture format. Instead, students will work in groups on activities
that are
relative to the material being covered in the text. Most of the
activities are
found in Active Math, which all students must purchase new. Random
assignments
will be collected throughout the course of the semester to be graded.
The
in-class activity grade will be determined by performance on these
activities.
The text is a resource and will not be the guide for classroom
activities.
Bring your Active Math book to each class. Missing materials or
absences may
affect the classroom participation grade for the course.
Students are responsible for writing 3 article
summaries
during the semester. These are due as noted on the schedule and will
not be
accepted late, as a classroom activity is based upon the summaries.
Articles
will be given to students. Hand-written summaries will only be accepted
if
PRINTED in INK neatly. Each summary should be one page in length and
include:
• The title,
• A summary of the main ideas,
• A reflection on how this idea might affect a
classroom, and
• A question that this brings up for you, as a
future teacher.
Each student will select a topic from the book
(chapters 1 -
7) and develop a file folder game to practice the skills covered on the
selected topic. It must be age appropriate. That is, it must be
suitable for
use in grades K-8. You may choose to work with a partner. If you do so,
each
partner must maintain a log of participation to be turned in with the
game. The
game will be judged by the following criteria: Mathematical content,
creativity/originality, neatness, age appropriateness, clear
directions, log of
participation (if working with a partner), and age appropriate
materials. Bring
all materials needed for the game to be played, including directions,
to class
on the given due date. No late games will be accepted.
These are educational games and activities made from
manila
file folders. File folder games are inexpensive to make and they store
easily!
You can make the most of class time with games that students can take
to their
seats. Directions, gameboard, and answer key should be included in the
file
folder with additional materials needed in a plastic bag that can be
stored
inside of the file folder.
Students are responsible for writing one book
summary of a
children’s book that relates to mathematics. The book may be one off of
the
list given to students, or one of students own choice. The topic of the
mathematics must relate to a topic that will be covered in MTE.
Hand-written
summaries will only be accepted if PRINTED in INK neatly. Late
summaries will
not be accepted. Summary should be one page in length and include:
• The title and author,
• Mathematical concept(s),
• A summary of the main ideas, and
• A reflection of activities on how this book may be
used
within the classroom for before, during, and after reading the book to
a class.
• BRING BOOK TO CLASS ON DUE DATE
Students should be responsible and understand the
deadlines
for withdrawals, requirements for a grade of “Incomplete,” etc.
Withdrawal
deadlines are available at the Registrar’s web site. Consult the
Catalogue for
information regarding “Incompletes,” etc.