Instructor: Lisa Sheehy

E-mail address: lsheehy@coe.uga.edu

Phone Numbers: Office (706) 542-4573 Home (706) 227-9367

Text: NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000)

Course Description

This course provides students with the knowledge of mathematics needed to teach in the middle-grades. A survey of basic practical topics of arithmetic along with some elementary concepts of algebra and geometry will be studied. The NCTM guides for School Mathematics and the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum (QCC) for grades 4 - 8 is the basis for the course content.

Course Rationale

Mathematics instruction today needs to focus on the development of mathematical thinking that entails helping students to construct their own understanding of what it means to know and do mathematics. In order to accomplish this goal, teachers must be confident in their own ability to know and do mathematics, as well as, to be prepared to teach all children.

Teacher Education Vision Statement

Brenau University promotes excellence in the teaching profession through the development and evaluation of reflective teachers. The teacher model implemented by the School of Education and Human Development prepares Brenau Students to take active roles in making decisions about pedagogical rationale, methodology, knowledge base and the learner. In addition, the faculty perceive the candidates for the Educational Specialist to be instructional leaders, curriculum developers and exemplary teachers.

Teacher Education Outcome Statements

In order to accomplish the vision above, the following outcomes will be addressed in this course:

• The instructional specialist must identify and apply communication and interpersonal skill in his/her work with individuals and groups.
• The instructional specialist must develop and implement innovative and inclusive educational practices within schools and communities.
• The instructional specialist must be an expert in curriculum development as well as the subject matter contained in his/her school/system.
• The instructional specialist must have skills in assessment of students (individual and group), materials and programs of instruction.
• The instructional specialist must have a knowledge of the theory of leadership and be able to implement that in his/her professional practice.

Course Objectives

Teachers (students) will be able to:

• identify barriers that inhibit their learning of mathematics and how to overcome math anxiety.
• identify strengths and weaknesses in their mathematics programs in relation to the NCTM Standards.

Instructional Activities

Lectures, group discussions, and presentations:

The organization of this class adapts best to a discussion type procedure where the student has the opportunity to raise questions as well as to contribute from his/her experience and reading.

Required readings:

It is the instructor's belief that student input is absolutely necessary for a course of this nature to be of maximum benefit. It is for this reason that each student is required to read widely on topics affecting teaching of mathematics.

Projects

• Problem Solving Notebook
• Development of a Teaching Case
• Review of Literature on a Targeted Content Topic
• Professional Presentation or Journal Article - Activity based
• Teacher as Researcher Study (on questioning)

Evaluation:

Evaluation will be based upon the following:

Assessment	Possible Pts
Attendance and Participation
Attendance	70pts
Punctuality	30pts
Prepared for Class	50pts
Class Participation	100pts
Assignments
Problem Solving Notebook (individual)	400 pts
Teaching Case (individual)	100 pts
Reaction Papers (individual)	100 pts
Literature Review (partner)	100 pts
Presentation/Journal Article (partner)	150 pts
Research Study (group)	100 pts
Miscellaneous Assignments	100 pts
Presentations
Teaching Case Group Discussion	50 pts
Presentation/Journal Article/Lit Review	100 pts
Research Study	50 pts
Total Points Possible	1600 pts

Listed below are the criteria in which you will receive your final grade for this class.

A: 1440 points and above

B: 1280 - 1339 points

C: 1120 - 1279 points

All grades and evaluations earned by the student and given by the faculty are based upon the quality of the student's overall academic performance both in and out of class. Students are expected to attend and participate in class regularly and to assume responsibility for meeting all requirements as specified in the course syllabus. The University Class Attendance and Participation Policy may be found on p. 15 of the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog - 1999-2000.

"Plagiarism is the act of taking the words or ideas of another and representing them as one's own. A student is guilty of plagiarism whether the source be a published work or the unpublished writing of a peer (e.g., canned term papers, papers from sorority files, or papers from other colleges (p. 18)". Additional information on plagiarism and other academic dishonesty may be found on pp. 17-18 of the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog - 1999-2000.