Math 213: Elementary Math III - Spring 2009
Instructor: Jodi Fasteen
- Office: 328 Neuberger Hall. This is located off the 3rd floor hallway by the main math dept office.
- Office hours available by appointment. I will generally be available the half hour before each class, and after
class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You are also welcome to drop by my office any time and I will let you know if I am available.
- 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 prereqs for this course are Math 95 or its equivalent, and Math 211. Therefore,
you should be familiar with problem solving, basic algebra, radicals and exponents, fractions, decimals, and
order of operations.
Topics and Goals: Chapters 9-11: Geometry and Measurement.
There will be an underlying theme of problem solving in all of the topics we will cover.
The 211-213 sequence is not intended as an introduction to basic elementary math skills.
The goal of this sequence of courses is to question and understand the structures of mathematics that
support elementary mathematics.
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. No late homework is accepted. (see homework section
for details). Quiz and test make-ups are possible with a legitimate excuse and prior notice. Please let me know by email
if you will need a make-up. (If you ask me in class, I will likely forget.)
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 & Quizzes & Participation | 45% |
| Midterm | 25% |
| Final Exam * | 30% |
| .......... |
| 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 will be collected on Mondays and sometimes Wednesdays. If assignments are due on Wednesdays,
they will generally be shorter (mini-homeworks). You should plan to build some time into your schedule for homework
during the middle of your busy week.
- No late homework is allowed.
- It is to your benefit to work with your peers and ask
your questions _before_ the assignments are due. You are also welcome to ask any homework questions you'd like
in my office or via email.
- Why is late homework not allowed? Homework is intended to follow-up what was recently covered in class,
or to help you consider material that will be further covered in class. Careful planning goes into sequencing lessons,
so it is important you remain current to get the full benefit. Assignments will often ask you to explore a topic
before we begin to work on it in the classroom, so failing to do the homework may leave you unprepared for class.
- What if I have to miss a homework?
Each student is allowed one missed 10pt homework or two missed 5pt mini-homeworks without affecting their grade.
Homework will generally be from the following
four categories:
- Textbook problems
- Workbook problems
- Writing assignments: These should be typed and proofread before submitting. 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 occasionally in class. Before you use a calculator
on your homework, ask yourself "Do I really need a calculator?" (The answer is often no.)