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Syllabus

Teacher Education
07E:163 002  Methods Elementary School Mathematics
Fall, 2009
Instructors: Vicki L. Burketta
Emails: vicki-burketta@uiowa.edu
Course Web Site:
Course Description

Students enrolled in this course will study trends in mathematics education and the process of teaching mathematics through a problem solving approach.  Students will explore how children in grades K-6 think about and learn mathematics.  The preservice teachers will learn and practice research-based pedagogical strategies that help childen in elementary school develop mathematical concepts and procedures.

Required Readings
Elementary and Middle School Mathematics-Teaching Developmentally (Sixth Edition) by John A. Van de Walle

Assigned readings from various journals.


Focus Standards and Student Assignments

StandardsStudent Assignments
A: Student Learning  
  • Narrative...How can students come to believe that they are capable of making sense of mathematics? (Responses/Reflections to assigned reading: page 20-#5)
  • Narrative...Explain the difference between teacher-centered instruction and student-centered instruction.  What does it mean for teaching to begin where the students are? (Responses/Reflections to assigned reading: page 59-#1)
  • Narrative...Why is a problem-based approach a good way to reach all students in a diverse classroom?  (Responses/Reflections to assigned reading: page 76-#5)
  • Vision Statement
  • C: Planning Instruction

    5-day lesson plan project (Lesson plans are required...supplemental materials are optional to upload.)

    D: Instructional Strategies  
  • Narrative...Describe in your own words what it means to say we construct our own knowledge as opposed to we absorb knowledge. (Responses/Reflections to assigned reading: page 34-#1)
  • Narrative...Why is a problem-based approach a good way to reach all students in a diverse classroom?  (Responses/Reflections to assigned reading: page 76-#5)
  • 5-day lesson plan project (Lesson plans are required...supplemental materials are optional to upload.)
  • Vision Statement
  • K: Subject Matter Knowledge
    • Narrative...Describe briefly your own idea of what number sense is.  (Responses/Reflections to assigned reading: page 141-#11)
    • Narrative...What are landmark numbers... (Responses/Reflections to assigned reading: page 214-#9)
    • Narrative...How are traditional algorithms different from invented strategies?  Explain the benefits of invented strategies over traditional strategies. (Responses/Reflections to assigned reading: page 242-#2)
    • Describe four purposes for assessment as outlined in the Assessment Standards.  How do these purposes relate to you as a teacher?  (Responses/Reflections to assigned reading: page 93-#3)
    • Vision Statement