Math 211: Elementary Math I- Syllabus

Math 211: Elementary Math I - Fall 2007

Instructor: Jodi Fasteen

Office: M326 Neuberger Hall. This is located between the 3rd and 4th floors.
Office hours:
- Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 11:30- 12:30,
- Tuesday: 2 to 3 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

Prerequisites: The prereq for this course is Math 95 or its equivalent. Therefore, you should be familiar with problem solving, basic algebra, radicals and exponents. You should also be familiar with order of operations and fraction and decimal manipulation. The goal of Math 211 is to explore a variety of approaches to elementary school math topics. This requires that you have a level of confidence with these skills.

There will be a prerequisite quiz during the first week of class. This will count toward your grade and indicate whether you are prepared for this course

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 via email (its not enough to run it by me in class, I will forget) or legitimate excuse such as a doctors 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 & In Class Activities 20%

Quizzes 15%

Midterm 1 20%

Midterm 2 20%

Final Exam * 25%

..........

Grading Scale

A 90 - 100%

B 80 - 89%

C 70 - 79%

D 60 - 69%

F 0 - 59%

* You must earn a passing grade on the final exam in order to pass the course.

Homework Assignments: Homework assignments must be submitted on time. If you will be missing a class, please contact me ahead of time to make arrangements for submitting homework. Email is the best way to make these arrangements, as it provides me with a handy reminder.

Homework will generally be from the following four categories:

Textbook problems
Workbook problems
Writing assignments: These should be typed and proofread before submitting. Hand written versions will generally not be accepted. I'll give more specifics later.
Worksheets given in class

Quizzes: Quizzes will be given at random over recently covered material or homework. Please come to class each day prepared to demonstrate knowledge from the previous day's material. This will help us to avoid waiting until tests to iron out the kinks.

Prerequisite material is fair game for quizzes. i.e. The correct use of order of operations and fraction operations is expected.

Calculators: Calculators will be used rarely in class, if at all. Before you use a calculator on your homework, ask yourself "Do I really need a calculator?" (The answer is usually no.)