ED STUDIES III – MATHEMATICS

Fall 2003 – Dr. Caldwell

Phone: Math Department, 3^rd floor, Robinson (x3871)

Bosshart 210/218 (x3924)

Home (610-565-1391)

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 – 1:15 in Robinson

Course Objectives: Successful completion of this course assists the teacher candidate in meeting the following Rowan University College of Education goals:

Classroom Facilities Manager – Graduates will be able to effectively organize and manage a classroom or clinical setting, reflecting legal and ethical principles and current research in effective teaching.

Educational Communicator – Graduates will be able to communicate clearly in writing and speaking and will develop collaborative, consultative, and technical skills necessary to accomplish this.

Scholar/Professional – Graduates will be life-long learners, demonstrate a commitment to increasing personal knowledge and the knowledge base of the profession, and display ethical and professional behavior.

Decision Maker/Problem Solver – Graduates will examine educational issues rationally, coherently, and logically; will apply analytical problem-solving skills; and will exhibit receptivity to multiple perspectives.

Advocate for Cultural and Learning Diversity – Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to providing equal learning opportunities for all children in the classroom and will apply appropriate skills and knowledge to meet the needs of children from diverse backgrounds and with diverse abilities.

Effective Instructor/Facilitator – Graduates will select and use instructional/evaluation models found in the effective teaching research that result in students’ achievement of stated learning outcomes.

You will accomplish these goals as you:

• Experience and teach mathematics activities that are based on research on how children learn mathematics and that will help students achieve the content described in Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) and the New Jersey Core Curriculum Mathematics Standards.
• Use national and state math standards to select, evaluate, and modify classroom activities.
• Use technology (calculator, computer, and/or manipulatives) as appropriate to foster the learning of mathematics concepts.
• Interview and observe elementary students to gain insights into their understanding of mathematical concepts and procedures.
• Develop and demonstrate an understanding of mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and mathematics concepts.

Required Texts: John A. Van de Walle. Elementary and Middle School Mathematics:

Teaching Developmentally. Fifth Edition, Longman, 2004.

Class Activity Pages and Readings for Educational Studies III.

New Jersey Mathematics Standards

Tools for Teachers

Materials: Please bring to each class the following items: Calculator, scissors, ruler, 4-5 colored markers or crayons, glue stick or small bottle of glue.

Rationale and Format for Weekly Class Sessions:

Attendance during the entire class period and punctuality are expected at all class meetings. These are important aspects of your professionalism. If you cannot attend class, due to illness, death in the family, inclement weather, religious observances, official University activities, or matters of personal conscience, then please provide a written excuse at the next class meeting. If you must turn in a major assignment late, you must call to let me know before it is due.

Each class will actively involve you in mathematical investigations and discussions. While these activities will give you ideas that you can use with students, they also will provide a basis for enhancing understanding of how students learn mathematics.

Each week, you will have a reading assignment containing information about mathematical concepts, how children think about and develop these concepts, how mathematical concepts are related to each other, and how teachers can help students learn to understand and do mathematics.

Each week, you will also have an assignment that will enable you to begin to reflect on and synthesize the classroom experiences and readings so as to create your own understanding and knowledge. These assignments will then form the basis for class discussions.

Academic Honesty Policy: Rowan University has a strict academic honesty policy regarding cheating, plagiarism, falsification, and facilitating academic dishonesty. Violations are contrary to the concept of the community of scholars and the search for knowledge and truth in academic work. Please adhere to the spirit and letter of appropriate academic behavior and give credit when using the ideas and work of others. The work you submit must be done by you alone!

Disability Disclosure: Students with a documented disability should discuss necessary accommodations with me early in the semester.

Grading:

Description	Due Date	Points
Major Assignments
Problem Solving Lesson and Reflection	Lesson Oct. 14 or 16 Reflection Oct. 21 or 23	35
Report on Field Experience Interview	Questions Oct. 7 or 9 Report Nov. 25 or 20	35
Reflection on Teaching a Math Game in the Field	Dec. 2 or 4	35
Computer Software Evaluations	Dec. 9 or 11	10
Field Experience Reflective Log
Submit to your liaison professor	Each field experience	15
Weekly Assignments
Assignments will be given in class most weeks. Total of at least nine assignments. Five points each.	Next class	45
Exams
Mid-term Take-Home	Oct. 28 or 30	50
Final	Dec. 16 or 18	55
Class Participation	Every class	20
TOTAL		300

Your total points will be divided by three and then averaged with your grade for the science portion of the course. The final grade for Educational Studies III will be determined as follows:

0-59	60-69	70-74	75-79	80-83	82-84	85-89	90-93	94-100
F	D	C-	C	B-	B	B+	A-	A

Tentative Class Schedule