MATH 121 Math for Elementary Education I – page 1

MATH 121 – Math for Elementary Education I

FALL 2009

5 Credits

Course Description: / In this 5-credit course is one quarter of the 3-quarter mathematics for elementary education sequence. Prospective or practicing elementary school teachers will investigate problem solving techniques and number theory related to topics taught at the K-8 level. Topics will include problem solving, set theory, number theory, measurement, and the use of technology.
Required Materials: / Musser, Gary L., William F. Burger, Blake E. Peterson.Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: A Contemporary Approach, Eighth Edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008.
Wall, Edward S. & Alfred S. Posamentier. What Successful Math Teachers Do, Grades Pre-K – 5. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press, 2007.
Scientific Calculator with statistical capability
Class Meetings: / Monday, Wednesday, andFriday 9:30am-10:55am CC1240
Prior Learning: / Completion of MATH 095 with a grade of 2.0 or higher or placement by testing in MATH 121. Completion of ENGL 100 (formerly ENG 100) with a grade of 2.0 or higher or placement by testing in ENGL&101 (formerly ENG 101).
Course Content, Topics and Themes: /
  • Use and apply problem solving models including patterns and algebra.
  • Develop competence with sets, functions, and reasoning.
  • Understand the structure of the Real Number system and its applications to learning mathematics.
  • Use various techniques for solving problems dealing with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, and integers.
  • Identify and use factors and multiples.
  • Relate National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards and Washington’s Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) in mathematics to concepts learned in this class.
  • Integrate technology into both expression and information gathering (non-graphing calculator, the Internet, Excel, etc.).

Expectations: / Mathematics is a study of patterns and solving techniques. I will demonstrate several tools and methods for problem solving in class through the use of examples, discussion, and questions. You will practice using these techniques and possibly a few other techniques found in the textbook during group activities and homework. Since we learn better by actively working through problems, expect to spend 2-3 hours outside of class for each credit-hour spent in class.
Course Outcomes:
Learn Actively / Learning is a personal, interactive process that results in greater expertise and a more comprehensive understanding of the world.
  • Experiment with mathematical manipulatives that integrate the use of mathematics as one aspect of generalized problem solving.
  • Take responsibility for accessing and using a variety of sources for assistance in learning about mathematics, such as on-line tutorials, visiting the math learning center, meeting with the instructor during office hours, etc.
  • Apply problem solving and mathematical modeling to real situations.
  • Integrate technology into problem solving as a tool to support and complement the theoretic approach.
  • Participate in groups to solve real problems.
  • Distinguish between effective and inefficient operations and methods to solve problems.

Think Critically, Creatively and Reflectively / Reason and imagination are fundamental to problem solving and critical examination of ideas.
  • Use sequential logic and subroutines to solve problems.
  • Analyze, compare and contrast processes, procedures, and paths of approach.
  • Creatively use mathematical and other problem solving strategies to formulate models, to solve problems using multiple approaches, and to interpret results.
  • Observe mathematical arguments and proofs.

Communicate with Clarity and Originality / The ability to exchange ideas and information is essential to personal growth, productive work, and societal vitality.
  • Listen, speak and write using mathematical vocabulary, notation, and graphs.
  • Explain problem solving approach and computation of answer.
  • Translate and illustrate using graphs, words, tables, mathematical symbols and formulas.
  • Develop the habit of reviewing all results for correctness and readability.

Interact in Diverse and Complex Environments / Successful negotiation through our increasingly complex, interdependent and global society requires knowledge and awareness of self and others, as well as enhanced interaction skills.
  • Demonstrate effective use of group process.
  • Demonstrate respect individual ways of arriving at correct answers, expressing results and processes, while critically analyzing procedures for logical validity and completeness.
  • Refine processes around estimation and solution in large, complex problem solving.
  • Recognize notational differences between cultures.
  • Recognize the biases/limitations of mathematical thinking and models.

Grading: / % / GPA / % / GPA / % / GPA / % / GPA
95-100 / 4.0/ A / 89 / 3.4/ B+ / 79 / 2.4/ C+ / 68-69 / 1.4/ D+
94 / 3.9/ A / 88 / 3.3/ B+ / 78 / 2.3/ C+ / 67 / 1.3/ D+
93 / 3.8/ A- / 87 / 3.2/ B+ / 77 / 2.2/ C+ / 66 / 1.2/ D+
92 / 3.7/ A- / 86 / 3.1/ B / 76 / 2.1/ C / 64-65 / 1.1/ D
91 / 3.6/ A- / 85 / 3.0/ B / 75 / 2.0/ C / 63 / 1.0/ D
90 / 3.5/ A- / 84 / 2.9/ B / 74 / 1.9/ C / 62 / 0.9/ D
83 / 2.8/ B- / 73 / 1.8/ C- / 61 / 0.8/ D-
82 / 2.7/ B- / 72 / 1.7/ C- / 60 / 0.7/ D-
81 / 2.6/ B- / 71 / 1.6/ C- / 0-59 / 0.0/ F
80 / 2.5/ B- / 70 / 1.5/ C-
Responsibilities:
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Instructor

/ Student
  • Show respect for the thoughts, ideas and contributions of others.
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  • Show respect for the thoughts, ideas and contributions of others.

  • Come to class prepared.
/
  • Come to class prepared.

  • Create opportunities for active learning.
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  • Participate in class discussion and group activities.

  • Solicit and act on feedback from students.
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  • Provide constructive feedback to instructor on what is and what is not working in the class.

  • Provide feedback on student work in a timely manner.
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  • Ask questions.

  • Be available for students.
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  • Help each other learn.

Disability Support Services: / If you have or suspect you have a disability and need an accommodation please contact the front office in Kodiak Corner at 352-8383 to schedule an appointment with the Disability Support Services. Services and Accommodations through DSS are not retroactive.
Assessments: / Homework Assignments: / 60 points
In-Class Team Projects: / 100 points
Quizzes: / 70 points
Exams: / 200 points
Service Learning Journal: / 50 points
Final Group Project: / 50 points
Point totals are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
Homework: / Homework sets are posted on the class website. You will turn in your homework per the attached schedule at the beginning of the class period when due. Each Homework Set is worth 20 points.
Late homework (considered to be any homework received after the beginning of the class period due) will not be accepted.
All problems should be in final draft form, completed neatly in pencil. Do NOT turn in homework on paper torn out of a spiral notebook. Failure to follow these directions will result in no credit for that homework assignment.
In-Class Team Projects: / There will be in-class discussions and group work. Examples include working problems, presenting problems, and group worksheets. These points cannot be made up for any reason. Daily attendance is recommended.
Quizzes: / There will be eight quizzes at 10 points each. NO make-up quizzes will be given. You will drop your lowest quiz score. This gives a total of 70 points.

Exams:

/ There will be three exams. NO make-up exams will be given. You will drop your lowest exam score. This gives a total of 200 points for exams.
Final Group Project: / There will be a final group project on Monday, December 7, 2009. This will be the last assessment of the quarter and will be worth 50 points. The entire project will be completed during the class period. You must be present to participate in the final project.
Service Learning: / There is a 5 hour Service Learning requirement in this class. You will maintain a journal documenting and self-reflecting upon your Service Learning. See the Service Learning information sheet for more details.
Math & WritingCenter: / The Math and WritingCenter may be found in room CC2-080. Free tutoring is available when a mathematics tutor is present. The hours of operation are posted on the door.

Extra Credit:

/ There will be no extra credit available in this class.
Electronic Devices: / All electronic devices (i.e. MP3 players, cell phones, etc.) must be turned off and put away during class.
Academic Honesty: / See the current catalog for the school’s policy on Academic Honesty. There is zero tolerance for violations. Violations include, but are not limited to, copying homework, quiz and/or exam problems, and placing your name on a group project when you did not actively participate. If there has been a violation, penalties can range from 0 on the assignment(s) to an automatic 0.0 in the class.
Academic Standards: / A complete list of Cascadia Community College’s Academic Standards is available online at
Weather
Advisory: / In case of inclement weather, check the website or or call the college information line at (425) 352-8000. If the college is open and you can not make it, you are still expected to keep up with the class.
Counseling: / If you have a personal problem or stress that is affecting your schoolwork and would like to talk to someone, please contact the Cascadia counselor. Counseling at Cascadia Community College is confidential, professional, and free. Visit the Kodiak Corner front desk or call (425) 352-8860 for an appointment.
School Closure and Pandemic Plan: / In the case of student, faculty, and/or campus prolonged closure, our class will continue using WAMAP. Be sure to check our class site frequently.
WAMAP: / We will be using the WAMAP site ( in case of prolonged school closure. You will need to register as a new student unless you have already registered into WAMAP from a previous class. You will be asked to submit a user name and a password. These are unique to you and do not need to follow any particular format. Be sure to provide a valid e-mail address so that I will have a class e-mail list. After you have registered, you need to login with your username and password. Then, enroll in our class. The course ID is 1773 and the enrollment key is cascadia, typed in lower case as it appears here.
This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.

Faculty: Sharon Saxton

Office #: CC1-173 Telephone: 425.352.8236 E-mail:

Office Hours: M - Th 11:00a-12:00p or by Appointment

My Website: WAMAP: