Math 211: Elementary Math I - Fall 2006
Instructor: Jodi Fasteen
- Office: M326 Neuberger Hall. This is located between the 3rd and 4th floors.
- Office hours:
- Monday and Wednesday: 3 to 4pm,
- Tuesday and Thursday: 12 to 12:50 pm
or by appointment.
- e-mail: "jfasteen" at "pdx.edu"
- website: http://www.mth.pdx.edu/~jfasteen
- Homework
Text:
- Bennett and Nelson, Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: A Conceptual Approach
- Bennett and Nelson, Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: An Activity Approach
Topics and Goals: We will explore problem solving, whole number numeration and operations,
number theory, fractions, decimals, percents, and ratios. These topics are contained in the
text in sections 1.1-1.3, 3.1-3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1-6.3. There will be an underlying
theme of problem solving in all of the topics we will cover.
Goals:
- Think visually with the aid of concrete models and diagrams
- Understand and connect ideas and concepts
- Problem solve and reason mathematically
- Invent procedures and make generalizations
- Communicate mathematically
- Respect and understand the mathematical thinking of others
- Enjoy learning and doing math!
Attendance: There is a strong emphasis in this course on activity based learning.
You will be constructing your knowledge of math concepts by doing activities in small groups in class.
Regular attendance is essential.
If you miss a class, you should arrange to get notes from a classmate.
There are absolutely no make-ups without prior arrangement with the instructor
or legitimate excuse such as a doctor’s note or funeral service card. A note
from an employer is not a legitimate excuse. If you do need to make up an
exam, you may need to pay a fee at the testing center for proctoring.
Disability Services: If you have a learning or physical disability and are in need of academic accommodations,
please contact PSU’s Disability Services at 503-725-4150. They will determine any adjustments that need to be made
for your individual needs.
Grading:
| Homework Assignments | 30% |
| In-Class Activities | 10% |
| Quizzes | 10% |
| Writing Assignments | 10% |
| Midterms (2) | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Grading | Scale |
|---|
| A | 90 - 100% |
| B | 80 - 89% |
| C | 70 - 79% |
| D | 60 - 69% |
| F | 0 - 59% |
Writing assignments: The goal of these assignments is to
evaluate what you are learning in a non-test, open ended format. Writing assigments
encourage you to take control of and self-evaluate your learning process. They also
encourage you to think deeply about topics you may have otherwise skimmed.
Writing expectations:
- The topic of the week may be "What have you learned in the last week?",
"How will you use it in the classroom?", "Give a creative idea you could use
in your future classrooms to teach one of this week's ideas.", or something more specific.
Check on the class website to find the topic and expected length.
- Each writing assignment must be typed and spellchecked and proof read .
- In the top right corner of each assignment, please put the following info, in the following format.
| Math 211 Writing # ?? |
| Your full name |
- Avoid the surface approach of learning. Instead of listing the top 5 topic names, try to go deeper.
What was the point of the topics covered?
- Beware: Examples of student writing assignments may be made
available to the class anonymously.