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
Exam 1 Covers Chapters 8 and 9
Exam 2 Covers Chapters 10 and 11
Exam 3 Covers Chapters 12 and 13
Final Exam Covers entire course
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.
Homework is reading the current textbook section,
along with
answering questions on the section. Suggested problems will be given
out at the
end of each class period.
Guidelines for textbook 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.
Late or incomplete homework will not be accepted
under any
circumstances, even legitimate ones.
Four journal
entries are required throughout the course of the semester. You will be
given 7
journal topics to choose from; to be turned in on one of the 4 Thursday
due
dates for journals.
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.
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.
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 8 – 13) and develop a file
folder
activity 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. The
activity
will be judged by the following criteria: Mathematical content,
creativity/originality, neatness, age appropriateness, clear
directions, and
age appropriate materials. Bring all materials needed for the activity,
including directions, to class on the given due date. No late file
folder
activities will be accepted.
These are educational activities made for one or two
students
at a time made from manila file folders. File folder activities are
inexpensive
to make and they store easily! You can make the most of class time with
activities 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.
Create a poster that teaches a mathematics topic
covered in
MTE 181 (Chapters 8 – 13). The poster should be made to be used in your
future
classroom. So gear the mathematical content towards a grade level you
would
ideally like to teach. On the back of the poster include the grade
level your
poster is geared towards and a summary of the mathematical content on
the
poster. Remember this is to be a poster that will hang up on a wall, so
make
sure that it is readable from a distance. The poster can be no smaller
than 2 feet
by 2 feet.
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.