Mat 441 Methods & Materials for the Teaching
of Secondary Mathematics
Credit, 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: Junior standing and intent to certify in
Mathematics
This course will acquaint pre-service
secondary teachers with NCTM Principles and Standards and current issues
related to teaching secondary mathematics.
Emphasis will be placed on using manipulative materials; graphing and
scientific calculators; and computers and software to teach mathematics.
Rationale
Prospective
secondary mathematics teachers must be prepared to be learners as long as they
are teachers. Methods and technology are
changing at such a rapid pace that students must be made aware of what has
changed since they were secondary students and where to obtain current
information about innovative instruction techniques, new technology and
content. The course is designed to give
students multiple opportunities to have peer evaluation of in-class
presentations.
Professor
Dr.
Melinda Gann - 925-3941 Office:
MCC 318 e-mail:
gann@mc.edu
Office
Hours: MWF: 10:00 – 11:00
am
T R 9:30 - 11:30 a.m,
1:30 – 3:00 pm
These
hours are approximate times. I am often
here earlier and later. Please call for
an appointment if you have difficulty coming at these times.
Learning Objectives
The
students will:
-state
and discuss basic ideas expressed in the new “NCTM Principles &
Standards” and the Mississippi
Mathematics Structure.
-prepare
a lesson plan unit (evaluated by INTASC guidelines)
-demonstrate
knowledge of current mathematics education vocabulary by using it.
-list
professional organizations that provide mathematics education resources - NCTM,
MCTM, MAA
-explain
concepts of constructivism and behaviorism
-write
a personal philosophy of mathematics learning
-plan
and teach lessons demonstrating use of current method trends
-evaluate
lessons taught during class
-demonstrate
use of manipulatives in various subjects
-demonstrate
ways to use technology in various subjects
Academic Integrity
Honesty
and integrity are basic virtues expected of all students at Mississippi
College. The Mississippi College
Student Handbook (available online
– p. 41) lists the policies and penalties for plagiarism and
cheating On tests, quizzes, and
individual out-of-class projects, the work is assumed to be the student’s own
and no cheating will be tolerated.
Topics to be addressed
Student
teaching requirements
Learning
theories and styles - Behaviorism & Constructivism
Curriculum
sources - NCTM
Assessment
- alternative, performance based, writing mathematics
Planning
for teaching - large group, small group, individual
Teaching
diverse student populations - equity issues
Skills
in Teaching Mathematics - questioning, motivation, vocabulary, discipline,
cooperative learning
Teaching
problem solving
Teaching
higher order thinking
Using
technology
Discovery
Teaching
general mathematics
Teaching
Algebra I & II
Teaching
Geometry
Teaching
Pre-Calculus/Calculus
Methods of Instruction
The
methods of instruction include class discussion of text and journal articles,
lecture, class demonstration (both student and teacher), student presentations,
video presentations, modeling using manipulatives,
technology demonstrations, and group problem solving (both large and small).
Each student is expected to have a text, writing materials, and a graphing
calculator.
Required Practices
Students
will regularly write in a math journal, write summaries of journal articles
weekly, demonstrate manipulative use, complete written homework assignments,
communicate via email, use the Internet, review videos, utilize software,
participate in discussions, write a unit, present the initial activity of two
lessons to the class, teach a college class, teach a middle school mathematics
class, and take two tests (a midterm and a final).
Instructional Materials
1) Huetinck, L. and Munshin, S. (2004).
Teaching Mathematics for the 21st
Century.
2) NCTM. (2000). Principles and Standards for School
Mathematics.
Additional Required Materials:
Assessment
The student will be assessed using a variety of
methods – some of which are listed below.
• There
will be a midterm exam and a final exam that will cover the assigned
reading material and in-class discussions (100
points each).
• There
will be nine written reviews of journal articles on announced topics as
follows: two articles from the journal
of your choice and the remaining seven
articles from the four NCTM journals.
• Students
will be required to teach two classes – one freshman level college class
and one middle school class. Lesson plans will be required,
and students will be
evaluated by myself and/or the regular class instructor. (20
points each)
• Students
will write a unit of lesson plans and will present to the class an
abbreviated lesson from one of the lesson plans. (75 points)
• Students
will participate in small group and individual activities (homework)
relating to mathematics content instruction and will receive
group and individual
participation grades (points will vary).
Assessment
of students’ progress will be made based on total points accumulated. Final
grades will be made on percent of total points as follows:
90-100% of the total points = A
80-89% of the total points = B
70-79% of the total points = C
60-69% of the total points = D
less than 60% of the total points = F.
Other policies
Ø
Attendance: You are expected to be in class on
time and prepared! The college stipulates that the grade for the course
is an F in the event of 8 absences in a MW class. If a student is tardy,
he/she must see Dr. Gann after class to avoid having the tardy counted as an
absence.
Ø
Makeup work: This is the responsibility of the
student and should be cleared with the professor in advance when possible. It will only be allowed for excused absences
Ø Special
Accommodations: If you need special
accommodations due to learning, physical, psychological, or other disabilities,
please contact Dr. Buddy Wagner in the Counseling and Career Development
Center. He may be reached by phone at
925-3354 or P.O. Box 4016, Clinton, MS.
Tentative Schedule
September Teach
a College Class
October Teach a middle
school class
October
13 or 15 Midterm
examination
December
1 Lesson plan
unit due
December
8 Lesson
presentation to the class
December
13 Examination