East Tennessee State University Math 1410: NUMBER CONCEPTS and ALGEBRAIC STRUCTURES Fall 2014 Course Information Sheet and Syllabus Course Description: We want to investigate anything and everything that will help you to become the best elementary teacher you can be. To accomplish this, I will help you understand what kids should learn about counting and measuring in K-6 mathematics. I want to help you achieve a level of understanding of K-6 mathematics that will increase your level of confidence and remove any anxieties you may have about mathematics. Moreover, we want you to have fun doing it. We want to work together to improve your attitude towards mathematics. Required Text: The text, The Great Conspiracy Behind K-6 Mathematics, Edition 2, can be obtained two ways: University Book Store (Nebo), or the off-campus bookstore, SBX. The reasons are, that you are more likely to read the materials if you purchase them, and you will have a permanent resource document when you begin your teaching. You are expected to learn ALL the materials in the book. Important note: Some of the files in D2L are x.doc documents whiles others are x.docx documents. You will need the latest Microsoft Reader (2007) to read these documents. It is a free download. Contract of Understanding. By enrolling in this class you are agreeing to read ALL the materials in the text The Great Conspiracy Behind K-6 Mathematics, Edition 2, and those in our D2L site. 1) You are agreeing to work all the Exercises in the text (but not the ones you know how to work easily). 2) You are agreeing to participate in the Family Math Night this semester (work or class conflicts are unacceptable excuses! If you work, tell your supervisor (this week) that you may be gone from work between 5 PM and 8 PM one night this semester. If you have class, get permission from your instructor to make up any missed work on this night). 3) You are agreeing that you fully understand all the material in the course information sheet. There will be days in which an assistant will meet with you in my absence. Please check the announcement page daily, and the Day s Agenda under Module 7 (Agenda by Days) so you are aware of the format for that day. Be sure to copy, and bring your copy with you to class, on the appropriate Day Agenda Sheet under Module 7 Agenda by Day. Homework Materials. All homework materials are contained the textbook materials. There might be a few extra assignments contained in our D2L site. You are expected to work all the exercises (except as noted above and below) and place them in a section of your notebook clearly marked Homework. Put your homework into sections by Chapter. However, work only problems you feel will help you. Movies Required to be Viewed and Summarized. Under Module 5 (6 Movies to View with Movie List) you will find a list of movies to view. Five (5) are required and are indicated with an asterisk and bold letters. They are: Stand and Deliver, October Sky, The Ron Clark Story, Freedom Writers, and Front of the Class. They are available on our D2L site. Place your reviews in your notebook in a section clearly marked as Movie Reviews. In addition, see class calendar as to when the reviews are to be turned in.
Course Objectives: Students will be able to think critically about mathematics and to express mathematical ideas clearly. Specifically, they will be able to: - Understand and fully appreciate the important fact that KIDS ARE DIFFERENT THEY THINK AND LEARN DIFFERENTLY AND THAT S OKAY!, - Understand that helping kids to learn our numeration systems names, numerals and concepts is very difficult, doesn t make sense, and is mostly memorization, - Fully understanding how kids learn to count and measure, - Analyze and fully understand the base 10, place-value numeration systems enabling your to help kids build a make-sense mathematical world, - Use physical models (manipulatives) to explore the properties of our numeration system and algebraic structures, - Fully understand the concepts of addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division (both partitive and quotative), and to represent these arithmetic principles with pictures and symbols; understand what the target set is (set to be counted or measured) with respect to each arithmetic principle, - Fully understand Piaget s Conservation of Number (CON), and its power in the computation of arithmetic problems, - Fully appreciate that there are different algorithms or procedures to find sizes of sets formed by applications of addition, multiplication, subtraction or division. - Fully understand the different ways kids can count target sets based on addition, multiplication, subtraction and division, - Understand the over arching plan for K-6 mathematics: Help kids learn to count and measure in increasingly faster, more efficient, and more sophisticated ways, - Understand the seven key ideas that help you become excellent K-6 teachers (Kids are different, Piagets s CON, Base 10 place-value numeration system, Unit of measure, Control of numbers, Disequilibrium, and Type II errors) - Learn the 5 E s in the classroom learning cycle (in order; whom do they apply?) - Know the 8 Best Mathematical Practices from CCSSM - Use computational procedures including estimation, written algorithms, and mental strategies; understand multiple back-up plans for computations, - Understand and appreciate the importance of word (challenge) problems in K-6 mathematics, - Understand algebraic reasoning (algebraic thinking) and how it helps kids solve problems they have never seen before, not just reproductions of previously solved problems, - Explore and investigate properties of integers, rational numbers, decimal numbers, including ratios and proportions (including order, completeness, and density), - Learn how to use the internet highway to find materials that support your teaching of mathematics Instructor s Objectives: It is my desire that along the way of fulfilling the course objectives described above, you 1) increase your level of understanding of mathematics in general, 2) increase the number of perspectives from which you view the various concepts of arithmetic, 3) raise your level of confidence in talking about mathematics, 4) and widen your comfort zone and reduce your anxiety level regarding the important and exciting subject of mathematics. Be ready to engage and talk!
Methods of Instruction: The methods of instruction will be consistent with NCTM Standards. Students will spend a significant amount of time working in small groups, using various kinds of manipulatives and technology to explore number concepts and algebraic structures. There will be occasional lectures on mathematical reasoning and frequent class discussions on problem solving techniques. Homework are the exercises contained in the text material. You are ultimately responsible for doing whatever it takes for you to understand mathematics and the goals of K-6 mathematics. Each student will also participate in group projects to be completed inside and outside of class. Several Exams will be administered. Students will frequently be asked to orally explain material at the board or using an overhead projector or document camera. Get involved. Outside Activities: You are required to participate in 1 Family Math Night at a local elementary schools. You will change your work and school schedule to meet these classroom obligations. There are no excuses! Discuss with your employers and teachers TODAY! Important Websites You must gain access to Websites to discover what is available to you as a teacher. This is part of your learning to use technology in preparation for your future classroom. You will be asked to access websites regularly. Currently, all classrooms that I am familiar with (K-12) have computers that are capable of accessing the internet. Get ready to operate in the 21 st century! Don t be behind your students, be ahead of them! See website list under Module 3!! Course Notebook/Journal: Read the Guidelines for Notebooks!!!!! You are required to obtain a 2-3 D-ring binder to contain materials from the course which will include, but not be limited to, class handouts, class notes, homework, quizzes, exams, bibliography, reference materials secured outside class, etc. You need to copy the New Tennessee State Math Curriculum Standards and the New Common Core Math Standards for grades K-6. Neatness and organization is important. Use dividers that easily help you and me to locate the contents of your notebook. You might also include information you believe is important in helping you to achieve your goals in this class and in becoming an exceptional teacher of young children. Be prepared to turn in your notebook for my review given a two-day notice. Grading scale: 93 and above A 77 79 C+ 90 92 A- 73 76 C 87 89 B+ 70 72 C- 83 86 B 67 69 D+ 80 82 B- 60 66 D below 60 F Homework: Do what you can to achieve a high-level of understanding about K-6 mathematics. Work ALL the problems in the textbook,* The Great Math Conspiracy. *However, if you believe you are able to work these problems as directed (following instructions), then you may omit them as unnecessary busy work. Do the same for YOUR students when you are teaching! Course Grading/Assessment:
Quizzes (In Class or Administered on-line) 10 % Three or Four Tests 50 % Notebook (graded) 10 % Final Exam (comprehensive) 30 % Total 100 % Final Exam and Special Dispensation: If your Final Exam Score exceeds your in-class average, you will receive the grade of your Final Exam as your semester grade. Otherwise, your Final Exam score will carry a 30% weight as described above. Final Exam Day and Time: *Let s discuss this. 8:15 class (Sec 002) Dec 9 (Tues) 1:00-3:30 PM* 11:15 class (Sec 001) Dec 9 (Tues) 7:30-10:00 PM* Attendance: Attendance in this class is important. For perfect attendance on those days I take attendance, you will receive up to 10% added to your Final Exam grade. For example, perfect attendance and a Final Exam grade of 82 will yield a Final Exam grade of 92, good enough for an A-. On the other hand, if you miss more than 8 classes (5 for T H classes), you will receive a grade of F or be withdrawn from the class. Course Outline or Syllabus (and Your Responsibility): Follow the Day s Agenda under Module 7. You are responsible for everything in the text, The Great Conspiracy Behind K-6 Mathematics, Edition 2. In class we will cover most of the information in the text. However, because of time, there will be concepts not covered, BUT you will be responsible for them! Bring questions to class about anything you do not understand! Anything! First Important Thought: Many people in the World remain ignorant about a lot of things because no one has told them that a lot of good, important information is hidden or secretly concealed in books. May I be one of the first to let you in on that well-kept secret. Our textbook, The Great Conspiracy Behind K-6 Mathematics, contains much of the information you need to know about this class. Read it. Please use it for more than a reference guide for mathematical information and help on homework exercises. Anything on our website in D2L will serve as your first reference materials in K-6 mathematics. Copy the materials for your notebook. Second Important Thought: Teaching is a humble enterprise between two or more individuals who, through mutual respect, compassion, and humble spirits, attempt to create exciting learning environments for themselves and others. If you hope to teach others some day, you must be humble enough to be taught yourself. Ask questions! Humble yourself to learn! Always think that others may have ways of doing things that are better than your ways. If you do, you will become a great learner, and an even greater teacher (GDP). Absence Policy on Grading - Important Reminder: If you miss any Exam or In-class Quiz, the grade you receive on your Final Exam (before any extra points are given to you) will be substituted for the missing grade. HOWEVER, any on-line quizzes you fail to take during the
scheduled (allotted) time window, you will receive a score of 0 and you WILL NOT be allowed to make it up. This semester, there will be no exceptions. None! Syllabus Preface i - v Chapter 0 The Great Math Conspiracy 1 14 Section 0.1 Uncovering a Conspiracy 2 3 Section 0.2 The Great Math Conspiracy 4 6 Section 0.3 Content Guide and Mathematics Standards 7 9 Section 0.4 Children s Literature to Support Learning in Math and Language Arts 10 11 Section 0.5 Why Do I Need to Learn More Math? 12 14 Chapter 1 Teaching K-5 Mathematics 15 50 Section 1.0 Teaching Content or Pedagogy 16 18 Section 1.1 An Introduction to Teaching 19 20 Section 1.2 What is K-5 Mathematics All About? 21 26 Section 1.3 The 7 Fundamental Principles to Become an Exceptional K-5 Teacher 27 32 Section 1.4 Conservation of Number 33 38 Section 1.5 Who Is in Charge? Disequilibrium 39 40 Section 1.6 Guard Against Type II Errors 41 44 Section 1.7 Constructionism and Teaching 45 47 Section 1.8 Message for Future K-5 Teachers 48 50 Chapter 2 On Counting and Arithmetic Principles 51 162 Section 2.1 Comparing and Sharing 52 64 Section 2.2 On Counting 65 82 Section 2.3 Place-value 83 96 Section 2.4 Addition 97 113 Section 2.5 Multiplication 114 129 Section 2.6 Subtraction 130 145 Section 2.7 Division 146 162 Chapter 3 Intermediate Counting Strategies 163 216 Section 3.1 Patterns and Numbers Sense 164 169 Section 3.2 Mental Math 170 182 Section 3.3 ICS for Addition 183 191 Section 3.4 ICS for Multiplication 192 199 Section 3.5 ICS for Subtraction 200 207 Section 3.6 ICS for Division 208 216 Chapter 4 Challenge or Word Problems 217 240 Section 4.1 On Challenge or Word Problems 218 228 Section 4.2 On the Art of Solving Challenge or Word Problems 229 231 Section 4.3 On More Word Problems 232 237 Section 4.4 Alternate Word Problem Solving Strategies 238 240 Chapter 5 Advanced Counting Strategies 241 298 Section 5.1 Advanced Counting Strategies for Addition 242 249 Section 5.2 Advanced Counting Strategies for Multiplication 250 258 Section 5.3 Advanced Counting Strategies for Subtractions 259 264 Section 5.4 Estimation 265 271 Section 5.5 Advanced Counting Strategies for Division 272 279 Section 5.6 A Review of Counting Strategies 280 293 Section 5.7 A Picture Evolution of Counting Strategies 294 298 Chapter 6 Unpacking Fractions 299 364 Section 6.1 Introduction to Fractions 300 322 Section 6.2 Fraction Addition and Subtraction 323 332 Section 6.3 Fraction Multiplication 333 342
Section 6.4 Fraction Division 343 359 Section 6.5 Fraction Arithmetic; Quick and Dirty 360 364 Chapter 7 Fractions, Decimals, and Percents 365 402 Section 7.1 Fractions and Decimals 366 380 Section 7.2 Fractions, Decimals, and Percents 381 387 Section 7.3 Ratio and Proportion 388 399 Section 7.4 Additional Problems on Decimals, Percents, and Proportions 400 402 Chapter 8 Algebraic Thinking 403 411 Section 8.1 Introduction to Algebraic Thinking 404 406 Section 8.2 Algebraic Thinking for Kindergarten and First Grade 407 411 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Measurement and Measurement Models Integers, Negative Numbers, and Non-rational Numbers Algebra of Numbers and Variables Spatial Reasoning Logic, Geometry, and Measurement