Math 212: Elementary Math II - Summer 2010

Instructor: Jodi Fasteen

• Office: 328 Neuberger Hall. This is located off the 3rd floor hallway by the main math dept office.
• Office hours: 11:30-12, Monday-Thursday, or by appointment.
• e-mail: "jfasteen" at "pdx.edu"
• website: http://www.mth.pdx.edu/~jfasteen
• Homework

• 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 5-8: Fractions, proportional reasoning, decimals, statistics, and probability. 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 in order to better teach elementary mathematics to children.

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 and participation is essential and is included as part of the course grade. In order to regain the points lost for an absence, you may do a make-up reading/writing assignment. For each missed class, find 2 articles from math related journals in the math resource lab (NH 305). These articles must be on the topic you missed the day you were absent. For each article, type a 1 to 2 page summary/reflection (double spaced) and be sure to cite the article (with name, author, date, source, etc). Indicate the date of your absense on the front of your summaries. These summaries are due within two weeks of the absence (or before the final exam, whichever is first). Missing more than 30 min of class counts as half an absence.

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 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 might 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 30% Participation / Attendance 15% Midterm 25% Final Exam * 30%

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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 given and collected on a daily basis.
• No late homework is allowed.
• Build some time into your schedule for homework after each class.
• It is to your benefit to work with your peers and ask your questions _before_ the assignments are due. You are 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 homework without it affecting their grade.
• Grading of Homework Sometimes every problem is graded. Sometimes a subset of the problems are graded. Sometimes individual questions are not graded but the assignment is scored based on how much has been completed. Do your best on your homework and ask questions if you have them. You are welcome to work in groups, though each person must hand in their own work. If you choose to use quotes from outside sources when completing your homework, please cite the sources appropriately.

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

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.)