Instructor: Dr. William Haigh Office: MJ-217 (Phone 626-2629)
Office Hours:
7:30-8:00 a.m. Daily 8:00-8:50 Wed 11:00-11:50
a.m. Daily 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. TT
2:00-2:50 p.m. Daily
Other times by appointment
Textbook: None
The knowledge base for students in all teacher education programs at Northern State University is organized around the following categories: 1) knowledge of self as an individual, 2) knowledge of content, 3) knowledge of the learner, 4) knowledge of pedagogy, and 5) knowledge of self as a teacher and member of a learning community. The knowledge base for students in SEED 418: 7-12 MATH METHODS, is organized around knowledge of the content, knowledge of pedagogy, and knowledge of self as a teacher and member of a learning community. The mathematics methods class contributes to these categories by 1) making use of elementary and secondary teachers in the surrounding area, the NCTM Curriculum and Evaluation Standards and the South Dakota Mathematics Benchmarks to plan the course; 2) allowing both students and teachers the opportunity to demonstrate skills, techniques, and strategies necessary for successful mathematics instruction; and 3) allowing students the opportunity to become familiar with and demonstrate the use of a variety of teaching materials (calculators, computer software, Internet, periodicals, books, games, etc.).
Course Description
Students will investigate and practice techniques and
strategies to effectively teach mathematics in grades 7 to 12. Emphasis
will be on current approaches recommended by NCTM Curriculum and Evaluation
Standards, South Dakota Mathematics Standards, and a variety of nationally
recognized mathematics curriculum materials. Special attention
will be placed upon the use of technology in teaching mathematics.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this class, students will
1. be knowledgeable of current trends and research in mathematics at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels;
2. be capable of discussing issues and problem areas in secondary school mathematics;
3. be able to use current technology in mathematics classrooms;
4. have the ability to integrate topics in mathematics, science, and other disciplines whenever appropriate;
5. have a clear perception of what it means to be a "professional educator" and be dedicated to the teaching profession;
6. be knowledgeable of a variety of learning styles and with techniques for assessment of learning;
7. have the ability to use a variety of problem solving techniques with emphasis on hands-on style of teaching;
8. be capable of classroom management and organization;
9. be knowledgeable of mathematics content;
10. be capable of establishing good rapport with students, other teachers, administrators, and parents;
11. possess good written and oral communication skills;
12. have the ability to assist special needs students in classrooms and/or laboratories;
13. be capable of maintaining a safe environment for students; and
14. have the ability to organize extra-curricular events and activities.
Topics Covered
1. Importance of mathematics in the curriculum (Students will do library and/or Internet research and write paper on The Importance of Mathematics in the High School Curriculum.)
2. What is expected of a student teacher? (Experienced mathematics teachers speak about What is Expected of Student Teachers and answer student questions.)
3. Current happenings in mathematics (Includes discussion of South Dakota Standards, NCTM Curriculum Standards, etc. Students will develop a lesson plan devised to meet one or more of the NCTM Standards. Students are expected to know how the junior high and senior high mathematics curriculum is related to the mathematics curriculum in the lower grades.)
4. Planning for instruction (Students prepare lesson plans; list resource materials such as software, video tapes, periodicals, and books; construct bulletin boards, etc.)
5. Evaluation of students (Includes writing journals, oral and written assignments, standardized tests, portfolios, listening to group discussions, etc.)
6. Performance based assessment (Students will have experience taking a performance based test and evaluating performance based tests.)
7. Learning styles and learning cycle (Soloman/Felder Index of Learning Styles is given students. Discussion on how different learning styles affect teaching approaches.
8. Enrichment and remediation materials (Students demonstrate materials)
9. Discovery method of teaching and problem solving (Students demonstrate ways to stimulate learning through discovery.)
10. Technology in the classroom [(a) design and publish personal home page, [NETS I A & B and V D]* (b) subscribe to an educators' listserv, monitor it, and summarize, [NETS I B](c) design and demonstrate an Internet activity, NETS II A & C] (d) place lesson plans and assignments in WebCT,[NETS V C & D AND III D] (e) complete assigned Geometer's Sketchpad activities (math students only), [NETS III A & C and IV C] (f) examine and select computer software, [NETS II C & D and V B] and (g) make a PowerPoint presentation to the class [NETS III A]]
* ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and Performance Indicators for Teachers are included in appropriate places in this syllabus and may be recognized the key word "NETS" followed by the standard number(s).
11. Professional organizations (Students are asked to determine professional organizations they believe to be important and furnish reasons why.)
12. Selecting and ordering materials (Students use catalogs and other references to list and determine the cost of materials necessary in selected mathematics classrooms. This includes software, games, calculators, geometry tools, etc. In addition, students demonstrate the use of concrete materials to develop mathematics concepts.)
13. Mathematics contests (Discussion of planning mathematics contests and running Math Counts. Students are asked to assist with Northern's annual mathematics contest.
15. Student presentations (Students are required to plan and teach demonstrations, an integrated math/science activity to their peers.)
Grading and Attendance Policy
Final grades shall be based upon the total points earned
individually and as part of assigned groups in (1) class activities, (2)
homework assignments, (3) class presentations, (4) quizzes, and (5) the
final examination. The final examination will be given from 9:45
- 11:45 on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 in MJ-241. Course grades
are based on the total points obtained with letter grades assigned according
to the following percentages:
A - 90% to 100% B - 80% to 89.9%
C - 70% to 79.9% D - 60% to 69.9% F
- below 60%
Attendance is extremely important in this class because the discussions held in class and the class activities can not be repeated. Therefore you are expected to attend all classes and to be on time. Roll will be taken at the beginning of class. In case of illness, university sponsored activities or family emergency, notify Dr. Haigh (626-2629) as soon as possible.