Worcester State College – Syllabus
Fall 2007 – 3 Credits
Course: MT 912 –Understanding K-8 Mathematics: Patterns, Functions and Algebra
MA 131 - Patterns, Functions and Algebra for Teachers (new name pending approval)
Note: Students may not receive credit for both MA 110 and MA 131. The prerequisite for MA 131 is MA 130.
The prerequisite for MT 912 is MT 910 or an equivalent number and operations course.
Instructor: Dr Richard Bisk
Office Hours: Monday 10:00-11:30 and Wednesday 10:30-12:00 and by appointment.
Please ask if you need to see me. I am often in my office. I encourage you to ask questions, both in and out of class. Sometimes I will ask you to save a question for outside of class.
Office: Sullivan Building, Room 145B Telephone: 508 929 8962
Email:
Course Description: Students will develop a deep understanding of the patterns, functions and algebra strand of elementary and middle school mathematics. This will often involve studying mathematics beyond the middle school level. Teachers will gain a better perspective of how the topics and concepts they teach fit into the broader mathematical framework. Topics studied will include the concepts of variable and function; linear, quadratic and exponential functions and their graphs; patterns, especially arithmetic and geometric progressions; solving equations; and applications. The connection between arithmetic and algebra will often be emphasized.
This is primarily a course in mathematical content. To help reinforce learning of the content, homework will be assigned at each class session.
Text, etc.: R. Bisk: College Algebra Manuscript – provided by the instructor.
H. Gross: The Game of Algebra – module 1 – posted on web site.
The text assumes that students have access to a graphing calculator. It includes directions for the TI 85, but any graphing calculator is fine. I have several calculators that I can lend people.
Reference Materials:
“Primary Mathematics, Textbooks 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A,” Curriculum Planning and Development Division, Ministry of Education, Singapore, U.S. Edition. If you took MA 130 or MT 912, you may have copies. I also have some that I can lend out.
“Guidelines for the Mathematical Preparation of Elementary Teachers,” Massachusetts Department of Education.
“Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks, “Massachusetts Department of Education. Available at www.doe.mass.edu
“Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, “National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Available at www.nctm.org
The Sharepoint and Blackboard web sites for this course will be used regularly to post assignments and communicate with students. When I use Blackboard to send out emails, they are sent to your WSC address. So you will need to check that account regularly or have your email forwarded to you from that account. The Sharepoint site is: webstorage.worcester.edu/sites/rbisk/web/
Homework: Regular completion of homework is critical to success in math classes. Expect about two hours of homework for each hour of class. I encourage questions about any homework problem as long as you have first tried the problem yourself. You will often be asked to read material that we have not discussed in class. Please complete all assigned reading and problems by the next class. If you miss a class, you should get the assignment from another student or the website and attempt to do it.
Homework will occasionally be collected and graded. Late homework will not be accepted. Part of your homework grade will be based on neatness, spelling and grammar. (Please don’t hand in pages torn from a spiral notebook.) You should clearly explain how you obtained your answers. Students should save all of their completed homework assignments, regardless of whether they have been collected and graded.
First Homework Assignments: Find my office. Read “Success in Math Article,” which can be found on my home page: http://wwwfac.worcester.edu/math/rbisk/
Course Requirements and grading criteria (Approximate percentages shown in parentheses. These may been changed in consultation with the class):
1. Attend and actively participate in all sessions (20%)
2. Complete all homework assignments. Some will be collected (30%)
3. Mid Term Exam (20%)
4. Final Exam (30%)
Graduate Credit: Students must complete an additional course project. The project could consist of several essays, or a longer paper, in which the student discusses some aspect of the course material in depth, or in which the student relates the course material to their own teaching (e.g., with a collection of lesson plans or with a discussion of some lesson plans). However, other creative ideas could also be acceptable. Please submit a proposal of your plans to me.
Academic Dishonesty: Penalties include failure for the quiz, homework assignment, exam and course. See the College's Academic Dishonesty Policy for more details. Talking during exams or quizzes, even to ask your friend for a pencil, will be considered cheating. If you have any questions, raise your hand. I ask you to be above suspicion. Thanks.
Note: Please speak with me privately if you need a special accommodation because of a disability, serious illness, or family emergency.