Course Description
Children's mathematical learning from pre-numerical stages through the acquisition of advanced numerical and spatial processes and operations. Research-based development of a theory of children's learning. Includes field component.
Athena Title
CHILD'S MATH LEARN
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The objectives of this class are for you to: 1.Widen your repertoire of communication strategies and skills by learning to communicate mathematically with a child; planning and carrying out appropriate activities for a child; becoming aware of children's mathematical thinking, how it differs from adult thinking, and how it might impact your teaching. 2.Participate in a collaborative learning community and learn to create an environment that is safe for students to share and justify their thinking; ask questions, make conjectures, and take risks; learn to guide individual, small-group, and whole-class work. 3.Experience teaching/learning strategies that align with current reform efforts by coming to view mathematics as a sense-making activity;. assessing students' mathematical thinking and their understanding of mathematics concepts and procedures, and planning instruction based on those understandings; respecting students' thinking, even when you do not understand it; utilizing methods that convey understanding of concepts and facts, not just rote memorization. 4.Understand interconnections among content areas through thematic, interdisciplinary instruction by coming to see mathematics in all aspects of our daily lives and making mathematics a subject throughout the school day, not just during mathematics; using literature as a way to engage students in mathematical thinking; exploring technology that is appropriate for use in a preK-5 classroom. 5.Understand the theoretical underpinnings of instructional practices by becoming aware of the current national and state recommendations regarding the teaching of elementary school mathematics, and planning instruction that follows these recommendations; developing a thorough understanding of the scope and sequence of the elementary school mathematics curriculum; being familiar with a wide variety of activities and manipulative materials for use in mathematics instruction.
Topical Outline
Elementary Mathematics and Children's Mathematical Thinking Problem Solving Prenumber Activities Counting & Nnumber Sense Place Value Planning for Instruction, Lesson plans Estimation and Rounding Basic Addition and Subtraction Facts Addition and Subtraction Algorithms Basic Multiplication and Division Facts Multiplication and Division Algorith Calculators in elementary Mathematics Mental Mathematics and Estimation Fractions and Decimals Ratio, Proportion, Percent
Syllabus