Prerequisites: Mat 111 or three units of college track high
school mathematics, or UMPI algebra placement test score of at least 55,
or PBS017
Credit Hours: 3
Office Information: 315 South Hall (Third floor, south end, near the stairs) Office hours: Th 11-12, 1-3 and F 11-12, 1-3. These are my official office hours, but the door is usually open. I enjoy teaching, and I enjoy talking with you, so if you have questions or if your want to explore an idea, come by. You may leave a short note on my office door or leave a message on the phone or e-mail.
Communication: Phone 768-9637 (with voice mail) E-Mail: kimball@polaris.umpi.maine.edu Fax: 768-9553
Americans with Disabilities Act Notice: If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance in this course, please make an appointment to talk with me to discuss how I can help you succeed in this course. If you prefer, you may contact Myrna McGaffin Director of Student Support Services, South Hall.
Catalog Description: Continuation of Mat 111 with emphasis on
selected topics from algebra and geometry.
Elementary Education majors only.
Extended Course Description: This is the continuation of a two semester sequence of courses (Mat 111, Mat 112) which serves as the mathematical "content" portion of our elementary teacher training program. Edu 366, Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School, which you will probably take later, will require your understanding of the concepts from this course and will do much more to help you develop the teaching methods you will use in your future elementary classroom. The first semester may be taken without the second, although both are necessary for a complete development of the material and are required of all Elementary Education majors. The topics covered are those which are found in a contemporary elementary school curriculum but the approach used is intended to help you gain confidence and a deeper understanding than is gained in the elementary or high school grades. Briefly, we deal with the development of number systems including operations, applications of mathematics and approaches to practical problems, elementary probability, and geometry. Various manipulatives and tools are used. Elementary statistics is no longer a part of this course as all students must also meet a statistics requirement as part of the General Education Core.
University of Maine System Equivalencies: This course has been determined to be equivalent for transfer purposes to each of these courses at the indicated campus:
UM UMA UMF UMFK UMM USM MAT 108 MAT 102 MAT 201 MAT 108 MAT 132DGoals: To prepare elementary teachers for teaching mathematics in grades K-8 according to the 1989 Curriculum and Evaluation Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the State of Maine Learning Results. This class will provide opportunity to learn the concepts of mathematics sufficient to fully understand the K-8 mathematics curriculum and provide insight into teaching methods appropriate to these topics and grade levels. While this class is taught at the college level, the teaching practices will model those we desire newly prepared teachers to employ.
Teaching Methods: A variety of teaching/learning methods will be used including active learning, lecture, demonstration, and small group work.
Attendance: Participation is an important part of your learning, therefore class attendance is required. Your regular attendance is expected and poor attendance may reduce your grade because of missed information and experiences. I will take attendance from time to time, especially at first. Any excessive absences must be justified by appropriate documentation.. You are allowed three un-excused absences. semester points will be deducted for any additional recorded absences. More importantly, I will strive to make every class worthy of your attendance and helpful in your understanding of the course material.
Tardiness: I plan to start class on time and expect that you will be there. Occasionally you may find it necessary to be late for class. I prefer that you come in after class has started rather than miss the entire class period. However, tardiness should never develop into a pattern. Remember that you are preparing to be a professional. Your practice now has bearing on what can be expected of you in the future.
Required Texts: Billstien et al. (1996) A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (6th Ed.) This is your primary text. It's expensive (and also heavy!) but you will use it for two semesters. This is the third year we have used this edition so second-hand copies may be available for purchase or borrowing. I will place a copy of this text on reserve at the Library if you request. You may use it in the Library but not take it out. Ask for it at the circulation desk.
Suggested Study Aid: The bookstore may have some copies of the student solutions manual on hand.
Calculator: You will need a simple and reliable calculator (less than $20). You may wait to get this until we talk about them in class.
Supplementary reading material: I will put one or two complete sets of the National Council of Mathematics Teachers Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics and supplementary materials on reserve at the UMPI library for your use. Also, you may find helpful and inspiring the periodicals: The Mathematics Teacher, Math in the Middle School, and Teaching Children Mathematics, which are all publications of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and are available in our library.
Computers and Communication: You are expected to get your e-mail account and learn how to use the campus or other e-mail system. You may take one of the many short seminars from the Computer Services people, learn from a friend or whatever. You will be asked to submit some assignments via e-mail. Also, it will be to your great advantage to become familiar with some word-processing program. Other computer applications (Internet information gathering, geometry software, and spreadsheet use) will be part of this course and its sequel. You may use either the Mac or PC platform as available.
Evaluation: Grading principles and defined weight (%) of each component such as exams, quizzes, projects, assignments, papers and criteria for assigning the grade:
50-60% In class exams.
20-25% Out of class assignments (up to one fourth of this may be collaborative in nature). Be professional and on time! 3% per day will be taken away from late work.
20-25%Final Exam: Comprehensive and based upon the Ongoing Assessment Exercises, Activities, and Problems at the end of each section in your main text.
Up to 5% Class participation, including attendance.
Collaborative work: At least one of the assessment pieces will be a collaborative, group project with a single grade being shared by the entire group. Groups will be assigned using information from individuals and the class as a whole and will consist or three to four individuals. Individuals are expected to work toward the mutual advantage of the group.
Grading policies such as withdrawal, incomplete work and makeup policy
and procedure: Please refer to the college catalog. Anyone who is aware
that an exam or other class obligation must be missed should notify me
at the earliest possible time. In person, phone, phone-mail, or e-mail
messages are appropriate. Arrangements to "make-up" such work will be at
my discretion after your consultation with me. Make-up tests may be postponed
till the end of the semester. I use the UMPI Catalog verbal interpretation
of letter grades. I will be using the attached rubric to assign a grade
on your homework and other work. The following table will kelp you to interpret
grades:
| Verbal Interpretation | Letter Grade | Grade Point | Lower Bound | Mid-point | Upper Bound | Rubric Score | Rubric*10 + 55 |
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At my discretion, I will scale exam and other grades to reflect
approximately 75 as a numeric class average and approximately 10-15 as
a class standard deviation. On the following page is a general
scoring rubric which will be used to evaluate some of your work. Similar
rubrics may also be used.
GENERIC SCORING RUBRIC**(1995)