Foundations of Numbers

Math 2703

3 Credit Hours

Summer 2006

 

Instructor:                   Kevin Dyke

Office:                 Boyd Hall 306

Phone:               678-839-4129

Email:                  kdyke@westga.edu

 

 

Office Hours:           Mon / Wed / Fri          10:00 am to 11:00 am

                                    Tues / Thurs               11:00 am to 12:00 pm         

                                    AND by appointment

 

Required Text:        A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (8th ed.) by Blilstein, Libeskind & Lott (2004).

 

Class Meeting:        Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8:00 am to 9:45 am           Boyd Hall 307

Course Description:  This course is a functional approach to algebra that incorporates the use of appropriate technology. Emphasis will be placed on the study of functions, and their graphs, inequalities, and, linear, quadratic and piece-wise defined, rational, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions. Appropriate applications will be included.

Learning Outcomes: Students should be able to demonstrate:

  1. An understanding of the standard vocabulary and notation of elementary mathematics.
  2. An understanding of the development of number systems from the whole number to integers, then rational numbers and real.
  3. An understanding of operations, algorithm, place value, elementary number theory.
  4. An ability to apply concepts of fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, and proportions in problem solving situations.
  5. A better understanding of the uses of a variety of manipulatives and other material for the P-8 level.
  6. An appreciation for mathematics from an historical prospective.

 

Sections Covered:             1.1 - 1.2, 2.1 - 2.5, 3.1 - 3.4, 4.1 - 4.5, 5.1 - 5.4, 6.1 – 6.4 & 6.6.

 

Grading:                   Your grade will be calculated as follows:

                                                Test 1                                                               150 pts

                                                Test 2                                                               150 pts

                                                Test 3                                                               150 pts

                                                Class Participation                                           50 pts

                                                Presentation                                                     50 pts

                                                Articles Reviews                                               50 pts

                                                Literature Projects                                          100 pts

Homework                                                       100 pts

                                                Final                                                                  200 pts

                                                Total                                                                1000 pts

                                   

 

                                                Grade distribution by your total points:

                                                A         900 - 1000                

                                                B         899 – 800

                                                C         799 – 700

                                                D         699 – 600

                                                F          0 - 599

 

Class participation, presentations, projects and homework:

Presentations:                    Each student will select one section of the topics we are covering and do a 10 –15 minute presentation or an activity to teach the mathematical concept.  The activity should promote the conceptual understanding of the mathematical topic.

Article Reviews:                 Each student will select two articles from the reference section at the end of the chapters of your textbook and do a 1 – 2 page review on the article.  The paper will discuss the content of the article and how the article is relevant to teaching the mathematical concept.

Literature Projects:            Each student will come up with two activities / lesson plans from children literature books or other related topics from the Georgia Professional Standards. (www.georgiastandards.org).  You will hand in a 1 – 2 page lesson plan or paper describing each activity.  Each description should include; the lesson’s objective, how you will achieve the objective (or how the activity will work), and the materials used. 

Homework:                          Homework assignments are listed on the class schedule and are due on Test days.

Attendance Policy:            Students are expected to attend all classes.  If a class is missed, the student is responsible for the material and assignments.  Tests cannot be made up.  Attendance will be taken everyday.

 

Cheating:                             Cheating will not be tolerated.  If a student is caught cheating on a test, they will receive a zero for the test and referred to the student judicial for academic dishonesty.

 

Cell phones and other considerations:

Please refrain from any cell phone use in class.  Please refrain from any unrelated conversations during class.  If you have a question about the class material, please ask.  Other students can easily be distracted by even small conversations.