MATH 1125 – AUTUMN 2016
MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I
Lecturer: Dr. Betsy McNeal Office: MA 214 Office
E-mail:
[email protected] Office phone: 292-9456
Texts
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers and Activities Manual, 4rd edition) by Sybilla
Beckmann. (These are packaged together. The ISBN is: 0321836715).
Student Packet (distributed in class)
Note: Used texts are not recommended for this class. The same texts will be used for
Math 1126 so the expense covers both classes. We also recommend keeping the text as a
resource for your teaching career.
Course Description and Expectations
This is the first course in a two-semester sequence. Math 1125 focuses on concepts
of number systems and operations, number theory, and some work with expressions,
equations, sequences, and series.
The goal of this course is to prepare you to become teachers of elementary and
middle school students. Knowing mathematics for yourself is not the same as knowing
mathematics for teaching. For this reason, we emphasize explanations of mathematical
ideas. To make this point very clear: Full credit will NOT be given for correct
mathematical answers without an explanation that is clear and complete.
Attendance and participation 5 days a week is critical to your success in this class.
Each class (lecture and recitation) will consist of doing an activity in a small group and
discussing it with the whole class. You are expected to participate actively in all phases,
so please bring the Activities Manual pages to every class. Working with and learning
from classmates is an integral part of this class. Explaining your thinking verbally in
small and large groups will prepare you to explain mathematics to your students. It will
also help you clarify your own ideas and/or questions. This should be thought of as a
pre-professional experience; your classmates are your future colleagues.
Reading is crucial because we do not teach using the traditional lecture format.
Reading assignments are designed to provide the exp lanation and summary of material
that are not provided in class. You are expected to complete all reading assignments. You
will find the Practice Problems and their solutions particularly helpful. The most
successful students in Math 1125 are those who make reading a regular part of their study
of the material.
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IMPORTANT DATES (also listed on the calendar on Carmen)
Fri., Sept. 9 – Quiz 1
Fri., Sept. 16 – Quiz 2
Fri., Sept. 23 – Quiz 3
Thur., Sept. 29 – Midterm 1, 7:40 – 8:40PM, in IH 0100.
Fri., Oct. 7 – Quiz 4
Fri., Oct. 21 – Quiz 5
Thur., Nov. 3 – Midterm 2, 7:40 – 8:40PM, in IH 0100.
Fri., Nov. 18 – Quiz 6
Fri., Dec. 2 – Quiz 7
Tues., Dec. 13 – Final Exam, 8 – 9:45PM, Location TBA.
Homework will be due on Thursdays unless otherwise noted.
Exams
This course will have TWO midterms (one hour each) and a final exam (one hour, 45
minutes). These will be weighted equally. The midterms are common exams held in the
evenings to give you maximum time and quiet. If you have a university-sanctioned
conflict with an exam, be sure to alert your lecturer. All makeups require written
documentation of the conflict (e.g., illness, religious holiday, another university
commitment). For family emergencies, speak with your lecturer.
Homework
There will be weekly homework assignments. Homework assignments will receive a
score out of 15 points: you will receive 5 points for completing all of the problems (less if
you do not) and ONE randomly selected problem will be graded on the 10-point scale
following this paragraph. The graded problem will be assessed on both the quality of
your explanation and the correctness of your solution.
Grading Rubric
Points Description Characteristics
10 Excellent Correct mathematics that is carefully thought out and
thoroughly explained.
8 Good Correct mathematics with an emerging but incomplete
explanation.
6 Basic Correct mathematics but little or no explanation OR largely
correct mathematics with an emerging explanation that shows
understanding.
4 Emerging Work that has some merit but also has significant shortcomings
in the mathematics and/or explanation.
2 Credit for Work that shows some relevant effort but is seriously flawed.
effort
0 No credit No work submitted or no relevant effort shown.
Occasionally, a score will be given that is not on the rubric (e.g., a “1” or a “7”). This
indicates that your work is between two scores. (Turn page for revision policy.)
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Homework Revision Policy:
Any graded homework problem earning less than an “8” may be revised and resubmitted
according to the following requirements:
Resubmit the original homework assignment with your TA’s comments.
Submit a complete revision of the problem solution.
Return the revision to your TA no later than 1 week after the graded papers have
been returned.
You may earn up to half the missed points. These will be added to the original
score for your final score.
Quizzes
This course will have 7 in-class quizzes. Each 20- minute quiz will cover material taken
from the activities completed since the previous quiz in lecture and in recitation. Quizzes
will be graded according to the same 10-point rubric applied to the homework problem.
The lowest quiz grade will be dropped allowing you to miss a Friday class without
excuse and without penalty. Makeup Policy: If you have an excused absence (e.g.,
illness with doctor’s note, religious holiday, documented university conflict), a makeup
quiz will be permitted. In most cases, written documentation will be required for a
makeup. For other emergencies, speak to your lecturer.
Overall Grading Scheme
Participation in Class: 5%
Quizzes: 15%
Homework: 20%
Exams (3 at 20% each): 60%
Semester Grades
These will be determined roughly according to the standard OSU scheme:
Letter Grade % Letter Grade %
A 93 – 100% C 73 – 76
A- 90 – 92 C- 70 – 72
B+ 87 – 89 D+ 67 – 69
B 83 – 86 D 60 – 66
B- 80 – 82 E 0 – 59
C+ 77 – 79
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GEC Information
This Mathematics course can be used, depending on your degree program, to satisfy the
Quantitative and Logical Skills category of the General Education Requirement (GEC).
The goals and learning objectives for this category are:
Goals: Courses in quantitative and logical skills develop logical reasoning, including the
ability to identify valid arguments, use mathematical models and draw conclusions based
on quantitative data.
Learning objectives: Students comprehend mathematical concepts and methods adequate
to construct valid arguments and understand inductive and deductive reasoning, scientific
inference and general problem solving.
Academic Misconduct Statement:
“It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to
investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases
of student academic misconduct. The term “academic misconduct” includes
all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated
by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in
connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances of
alleged academic misconduct to the committee” (Faculty Rule 3335-5-48.7).
For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct at
http://studentlife.osu.edu/csc/.
*** You are encouraged to work with other students and with tutors in the
Tutor Room; however, you must submit your own individual written work.
*** You may use the Internet as an additional resource, HOWEVER, any
use of examples or text taken from any Internet website must be cited as
with any other outside materials.
Disability Services Statement :
Students with disabilities that have been certified by Student Life
Disabilities Services (SLDS) will be appropriately accommodated
and should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs.
SLDS contact information:
[email protected]; 614-292-3307; 098
Baker Hall, 113 W. 12th Avenue.
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