Math 302a Spring 2003

Instructor: Jim Barrett

Orientation to Math 302A

Math 302A is designed to help prepare future elementary school teachers to teach mathematics. The topics covered parallel, at a more sophisticated level, the mathematics curriculum in grades K - 8. Some of these topics are: numeration; whole number arithmetic, meanings of operations; fractions, decimals; divisors and multiples, integers, probability. This course models many of the recent recommendations for reform in mathematics education presented by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and several other professional organizations. Thus, this course emphasizes problem-solving, use of technology (calculators and computers) and of manipulative materials, cooperative learning, oral and written communication of mathematical ideas and solutions, and the connections between mathematics and its uses in everyday life.

Textbook:: Solving Problems Using Elementary Mathematics, Part A, by David Gay.

Homework:

Homework is very important in this course. The assignments are involved and we encourage you to begin working on them as soon as assigned. Get together with some of your classmates and work on the problems. However, you should each turn in your own personal write-up.

We are interested in process, in how you explain your work. We do not want just answers on a page. In general, for most problems, you will have to show and explain your work. Who is your audience when you are writing the homework? Well, in reality it will be the instructor (or a grader). But for the purposes of what we are looking for, think of it as if you were writing for one of your peers, that is an adult learner of mathematics. Hence, when we say that we want you to explain your work, we mean for that audience, not for elementary school children.

In general, except for some computational problems, you will need to explain your work. Your explanations may include diagrams, charts, an English paragraph, or any other format that conveys what you did and how you did it. Homework will be graded for accuracy and the result will reflect in your grade. Any writing assignment must be typed. Homework will be picked up as a package every two weeks.

Labs:

1.- The Labs will introduce you to, and familiarize you with, some of the materials (Cuisenaire rods, fraction bars, Geoboards, ...) that are currently in use in elementary schools as aids to learning and teaching mathematics.

2.- The Labs are also meant to give you an opportunity to experience on a concrete level the ideas covered in class and in the book. During the lab you can feel a concrete manipulative material, move it, and actually use it to solve a problem or model a concept. The lab attempts to show you how the senses of touch and sight can be used to understand mathematics and solve problems. It is very important that you do use the materials as directed by the lab instructions to solve problems. Do not simply do the calculations using pencil and paper techniques as you will then miss out on the valuable learning experience that may be gained in using the materials to model concepts and calculation techniques.

3.- The Labs are also intended to provide a friendly, intimate, non-competitive atmosphere in which you can feel free to explore, discuss, and learn mathematics in a small group situation. We try to insist that you do work in groups, not separately. We want you to experience working together in a small group situation --so hopefully you will later feel comfortable using this technique in your own classes.

4.- No makeup labs will be given. If you are not in class, you lose credit for the lab.

Frequently, a given question will have many possible answers; a problem may have no right method of solution. One answer or method might be better than another. We prefer that you discover this for yourself rather than just have us tell you. We feel that the lab will be more successful for you if you do not try to guess how we would answer a question or solve a problem.

Help Sessions:

Besides your instructor's office hours, you are encouraged to make use of the Math 302 Help Sessions (these will be held in our “new” building, Mathematics East, next door to the Math Building).. These hours are excellent occasions to get together with classmates to work on your homework and "talk math" During these Help Sessions a Math 302 instructor will be available for questions and guidance.

Monday : 11-12:00 Room 143 __1-2:00 Room 143 ___Tuesday: 2-3:00 Room 141__Wednesday: 1-2:00 Room 143_3-4:00 Room 143

Thrusday: 11-12:00 Room 141_2-3:00 Room 143___Friday: 12-1:00 Room 141

Attendance:

Class participation is very important, so attendance is a must. Attendance is taken daily. Excessive absences (over 3) can cause your grade to be lowered or cause you to be dropped from the class.

Withdrawal from course:

A student may withdraw from the course without a grade (class will not appear on transcript) through Tuesday February 11, 2003. A student may withdraw from the course with a grade of "W" through Tuesday March 11, 2003.

Grading:

Labs: 12 @ 10 points each = 120

Homework/Journal: 8 packets @ 20 points each = 160

Hour Exams: 3 @ 100 points each = 300

Final Exam: 200 points

Total points 780

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You will be guaranteed a grade of:

A, if you earn at least 90% of the total number of points and at least 85% of the exam points

B, if you earn at least 80% of the total number of points and at least 75% of the exam points

C, if you earn at least 70% of the total number of points and at least 65% of the exam points

D, if you earn at least 60% of the total number of points and at least 55% of the exam points

Math 302A instructors - Spring 2002

Office Section Final Exam

Carolyn Edmond MTL 124C #1 M,W,F: 9 - 9:50 Fr. May 16, 8 - 10

Peter Wiles Math 315 #2 M,W,F: 10 - 10:50 Wed. May 14, 11 - 1

James Barrett MTL 123B #3 M,W,F: 11 - 11:50 Fr. May 9, 11 - 1

#4 M,W,F: 1 - 1:50 Mon. May 12, 11 - 1

Russel Carlson Math 305 #6 Tu, Th: 9:30 - 10:45 Thur. May 15, 8 - 10

Maria Robinson Math 317 #7 Tu, Th: 12:30 - 1:45 Tue. May 13, 11 - 1

You may leave messages for any of these instructors in the Math Department Office --room 108, phone 621-6893. Peter Wiles is the coordinator for Math 302A (Office: Math 315; Ph.#: 621-2389; wiles@math.arizona.edu). Concerns about the course (grades, dropping the course, etc.) should be directed to your class instructor first, then to Prof. Wiles, if necessary.

302A - Fall 2002