MTE/532CA Version 5 / 1
/ Course Syllabus
College of Education
MTE/532CA Version 5
Curriculum Constructs and Assessment: Science
and Mathematics
Copyright © 2011, 2010, 2008 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Course Description
This course focuses on the pedagogy and assessment strategies that enhance learning in science and mathematics. Integrated content, interdisciplinary teaching, and curriculum and assessment issues are emphasized. Multiple perspectives of students as learners of math and science are explored. This course provides students with an opportunity to develop the ability to evaluate and use instructional methods, curricular materials and resources, and appropriate assessment strategies..
Policies
Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents:
· University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document.
· Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.
University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality.
State Standards
At your convenience please download a copy of the CA content standards for elementary grades for quick reference. You may need to reference these throughout the course.
Individual E-Portfolio Assignments
E-portfolio assignments denoted by an asterisk must be uploaded and evaluated in the e-portfolio.
Field Experience Evaluation
An assignment(s) denoted by two asterisks (**) requires the completion of a formal field experience evaluation at the field experience site. The field experience evaluation is required.
Course Materials
Martin, R., Sexton, C., Franklin, T., Gerlovich, J., & McElroy, Dennis. (2009). Teaching science for all children: An inquiry approach (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.
Van de Walle, J. A., Karp, K. S., & Bay-Williams, J. M. (2010). Elementary and middle school mathematics: Teaching developmentally (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
All electronic materials are available on the student website.
Week One: Science and Mathematics Content and Standards(Conceptual Framework Theme(s) addressed: Integrating Technology)
Details / Due / Points
Objectives / 1.1 Identify the specific content and process standards in P–8 science and mathematics.
1.2 Apply national, state, and local science and mathematics standards to instruction and assessment.
1.3 Integrate national, state, and local technology standards into science and mathematics instruction.
Reading / Read Ch. 1 of Teaching Science for All Children.
Reading / Read Ch. 1 of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics.
Reading / Read Ch. 2 of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics.
Reading / Read the University of Phoenix Material: Instructional Unit, available on the student website.
Reading / Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation / Participate in class discussion, check-in, and post your bio. / Check-In & Bio (12/11); Participation (Ongoing-4 days minimum) / 2
Discussion Questions / Respond to weekly discussion questions. / Wednesday & Saturday (12/12 & 12/15) / 1
Nongraded Activities and Preparation
State Standards / Download your state’s science, mathematics, and technology standards from the State Standards link, available on the student website.
Prepare to discuss the standards with the class during Week One.
Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Instructional Unit
(Preparation) / Begin planning and developing a 1- or 2-week science and mathematics instructional unit, due in Week Eight. Refer to the University of Phoenix Material: Instructional Unit for details regarding this assignment. You may select topics from the texts for integration. Choose from the following selections:
· Section 2 of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics
· Sections 1–3 in Part 2 of Teaching Science for All Children
Learning Team Instructions
Weekly Team Review / Review the objectives from Week One, and discuss any questions or insights that may have arisen.
Individual
Current Trends Paper / Write a 350- to 700-word paper that addresses the following topic: How have state standards affected the teaching of science and mathematics?
Cite three sources to support your findings.
Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. / 12/17/12 / 5
Week Two: Management in the Science and Mathematics Classroom
(Conceptual Framework Theme(s) addressed: Advocating for Learning)
Details / Due / Points
Objectives / 2
2.1 Identify specific classroom management issues related to science instruction.
2.2 Identify specific classroom management issues related to mathematics instruction.
2.3 Suggest effective classroom management strategies that can be used during science and mathematics instruction.
Reading / Read Ch. 2 of Teaching Science for All Children.
Reading / Read Ch. 6 of Teaching Science for All Children.
Reading / Read Ch. 2 of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics.
Reading / Read the Field Experience Record and the Guidelines for Classroom Observation, located in the Teacher Education Handbook.
Reading / Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation / Participate in class discussion. / (Ongoing-4 days minimum) / 1
Discussion Questions / Respond to weekly discussion questions. / Wednesday & Saturday (12/19 & 12/22) / 1
Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Field Experience Evaluation / Arrange to teach one lesson you develop for this course to students in a grade-appropriate classroom. Consider using the same classroom where you conduct your observation for the Week Five Focused Observation activity. Refer to the Week Eight Individual E-Portfolio Assignment: Reflection Paper on the Teaching Experience for more information.
Note. This is a Field Experience Evaluation e-portfolio assignment and requires the completion of a formal field experience evaluation by the teacher at the field experience site.
Learning Team Instructions
Weekly Team Review / Review the objectives from Week Two, and discuss any questions or insights that may have arisen.
Learning Team
Classroom Management Paper / Resources: “The Jefferson County Schools Practices Discipline for Learning” article and the video link from Edutopia, located on the student website
Research classroom management issues in math and science classrooms using the University Library, the Internet, or other source.
Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you respond to the following questions:
· What are specific classroom management issues for science and mathematics?
· What techniques or strategies outlined from the article and video or your additional research can be applied to the math and science classroom? / 12/24/12 / 5
Week Three: Science and Mathematics Instruction for Diverse Learners
(Conceptual Framework Theme(s) addressed: Advocating for Learning, Valuing Diversity)
Details / Due / Points
Objectives / 3
3.1 Examine current trends and issues regarding differentiating mathematics instruction for diverse learners.
3.2 Analyze strategies for adjusting and modifying the learning environment.
3.3 Analyze instructional strategies that are used to adapt and modify learning activities.
Reading / Read Ch. 3 of Teaching Science for All Children.
Reading / Read Ch. 6 of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics.
Reading / Read Ch. 7 of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics.
Reading / Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation / Participate in class discussion. / (Ongoing-4 days minimum) / 1
Discussion Questions / Respond to weekly discussion questions. / Wednesday & Saturday (1/9 & 1/12) / 1
Learning Team Instructions
Weekly Team Review / Review the objectives from Week Three, and discuss any questions or insights that may have arisen.
Individual
Instructional Strategy Paper / Choose an instructional strategy related to science and math delivery. Examples of instructional strategies include cooperative learning, differentiation, small group exploration, experimentation, and using technology.
Write a 750- to 1,050-word paper analyzing your selected strategy.
Include the following in the paper:
· An explanation of how your strategy affects the learning environment
· A justification for your chosen strategy
· An explanation of why you believe this strategy will be successful for the majority of learners
· A minimum of two supporting sources
Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Note. Consider this assignment in the context of your Instructional Unit assignment. The researched strategy should be used in writing one of your lessons for the Instructional Unit assignment. / 1/14/13 / 10
Learning Team
Differentiating Instruction / Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Appendix A
Review the three assignment options provided in Appendix A.
Select and complete one of the options. / 1/14/13 / 5
Week Four: Problem Solving in Science and Mathematics
(Conceptual Framework Theme(s) addressed: Advocating for Learning)
Details / Due / Points
Objectives / 4
4.1 Apply questioning strategies and learning activities that elicit, engage, and challenge students’ thinking for successful problem solving in real-life scenarios.
4.2 Analyze a variety of instructional tools that are designed to help students reason, solve problems, and communicate effectively in science and mathematics.
Reading / Read Ch. 3 of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics.
Reading / Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation / Participate in class discussion. / (Ongoing-4 days minimum) / 1
Discussion Questions / Respond to weekly discussion questions. / Wednesday & Saturday (1/16 & 1/19) / 1
Learning Team Instructions
Weekly Team Review / Review the objectives from Week Four, and discuss any questions or insights that may have arisen.
Individual E-Portfolio
Field Experience Record Review** / Resource: Field Experience Record. You can access this document via the Teacher Education Handbook link located on the left course menu pane of the course webpage.
Review your current Field Experience Record for accuracy. Make any necessary updates and be sure to include all field experience activities you have completed to date. Verify that all four sections of the Field Experience Record are current to date.
Upload and submit your current Field Experience Record to your Field Experience DRF in TaskStream by Week Five.
· For additional details on how to upload and submit your Field Experience Record, refer to the TaskStream Student Materials link located on the left menu pane of the course web page.
Individual
Problem-Solving Chart / Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Problem-Solving Chart, located on the student website
Conduct a search for three different problem-solving models using the texts or the Internet. Examples of models include the 5E method and the problem-based learning method.
Select one model, and apply it to a problem-solving lesson in your Instructional Unit assignment. For example, how would you compare the water content of five different fruits?
Analyze the problem-solving model you selected by completing the University of Phoenix Material: Problem-Solving Chart. / 1/21/13 / 5
Week Five: Inquiry and Interactive Learning in Mathematics
(Conceptual Framework Theme(s) addressed: Advocating for Learning)
Details / Due / Points
Objectives / 5
5.1 Identify the key components of inquiry-based learning in mathematics.
5.2 Use appropriate, interactive learning strategies for the teaching of mathematics.
5.3 Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and standards for school mathematics.
Reading / Read Ch. 4 of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics.
Reading / Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation / Participate in class discussion. / (Ongoing-4 days minimum) / 1
Discussion Questions / Respond to weekly discussion questions. / Wednesday & Saturday (1/23 & 1/26) / 1
Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Focused Observation Worksheet / Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Focused Observation Worksheet, located on the student website
Identify a grade-appropriate classroom at your field placement site.
Arrange to observe one math lesson and one science lesson.
Record your observations in the University of Phoenix Material: Focused Observation Worksheet.
Document your observation on your Field Experience Record.
Learning Team Instructions
Weekly Team Review / Review the objectives from Week Five, and discuss any questions or insights that may have arisen.
Learning Team
Research on Integrated Instruction / Locate and read three journal articles, individually, that focus on some aspect of integrating science and mathematics curricula. Suggested professional journals include:
· Educational Leadership
· Teaching Children Mathematics
· Science & Children
· Science Scope
· Phi Delta Kappan
Share your articles with your Learning Team, and select one article from each team member.
Synthesize each article’s content into an annotated bibliography.
Incorporate the following for each article into the annotated bibliography:
· Annotated bibliographical information
· Three key principles
· Reflection and reaction to the article, how it relates to your integrated units, and best practices in the mathematics and science classrooms
Format your annotated bibliography consistent with APA guidelines. / 1/28/13 / 10
Week Six: Inquiry and Interactive Learning in Science
(Conceptual Framework Theme(s) addressed: Advocating for Learning)
Details / Due / Points
Objectives / 6
6.1 Identify the key components of inquiry-based learning in science.
6.2 Use appropriate, interactive learning strategies for the teaching of science.
6.3 Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and standards for school science.
Reading / Read Ch. 4 of Teaching Science for All Children.
Reading / Read Ch. 5 of Teaching Science for All Children.
Reading / Read Ch. 9 of Teaching Science for All Children.
Reading / Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation / Participate in class discussion. / (Ongoing-4 days minimum) / 1
Discussion Questions / Respond to weekly discussion questions. / Wednesday & Saturday (1/30 & 2/2) / 1
Learning Team Instructions
Weekly Team Review / Review the objectives from Week Six, and discuss any questions or insights that may have arisen.
Individual
Integrated Lesson Planning / Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Integrated Lesson Planning, located on the student website
Refer to Section 2 of Elementary and Middle School Mathematics and Tables 9.1 & 9.2 of Teaching Science for All Children for topic ideas.
Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Integrated Lesson Planning. / 2/4/13 / 5
Week Seven: Assessment in Science and Mathematics
(Conceptual Framework Theme(s) addressed: Advocating for Learning)
Details / Due / Points
Objectives / 7
7.1 Determine the need for ongoing program evaluation in science and mathematics.
7.2 Develop formative and summative assessments in science and mathematics that are aligned with standards and that guide instruction.
7.3 Evaluate assessment techniques, tools, and strategies that are used to measure student learning in science and mathematics.