EMS 474
Teaching Strategies for Middle School Mathematics


Semester:        Fall 2002

Dates/Time:
  August 19th-September 26th, 2002      
                       M-F, 12:45-2:45pm
Room:            517 Poe Hall
Instructors:
    Dr. Hollylynne Stohl
    Mrs. Katrina Staley, Graduate Teaching Assistant

** Quick Link to Course Schedule


Stohl
Staley
Office
 326C Poe Hall 
    315 Poe Hall
Phone
513-3544 
515-1634
Email
Hollylynne@ncsu.edu
 kstaley@unity.ncsu.edu
Office Hours 
Tuesday & Thursday
10:30-12:00
and by appt. after class each day
Monday & Wednesday
11:45-12:45


Course Goals:
The focus of this course is to develop further understanding of middle school mathematics concepts, tools and strategies for teaching these concepts, and students’ mathematical learning.  Pre-service teachers will be involved in a variety of activities to facilitate their success as a middle school mathematics teacher.

Required Course Material:
•    Copy of Mathematics Textbooks that will be used in your Student Teaching Placement
•    Graphing Calculator (preferred model is TI-83 Plus). There will be several available for checkout from the LRL.
•    1 VHS video tape
•    Access to email, internet, and computers for weekly assignments. Please see the Computer Lab Schedule (http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/cep/ops/labs/lab_sch.html) for open lab times. ALL written work to be turned in MUST be word processed in Microsoft Word, utilizing the Equation Editor and appropriate computer or calculator screen shots when needed.

 
Major Course Assignments and Grading Emphasis:
Assignments 
 Grading Emphasis
Readings, Problem Solving and Written Reflections:
Reading and assignments throughout semester, as well as requested reflections on readings and/or tasks.  
 20%
Facilitating a High-Level Mathematical Task
Each class member will find a high-level (of cognitive demand) task in Numbers or Algebra and lead the class in a 15-20 minute investigation of the task. Each person will submit:
A) the mathematical task and any student materials needed to complete the task
B) a 1-page description of the important mathematical ideas and cognitive level of demand in the task
C) a 1-page reflection discussing pedagogical issues of using this task with the class and whether the cognitive level of demand in the task was maintained. (written after class presentation of task)
**On the day of your presentation, you are responsible for providing any worksheets for classmates and arranging for any material (e.g., calculators, manipulatives, etc) to be used in the task.

RUBRIC
10%
Activities to Enhance Lessons from a Textbook
Each class member will create 5 middle school mathematics activities using your classroom textbook assigned during your student teaching.  The activity may be an original activity or an enrichment/enhancement of an existing activity.  Each person will submit:
A)    the activity with clear diagrams or sketches with some detail and
B)    a 1-page description of why you chose this activity with clear connections between textbook and activity.

Due Dates:
Aug 28th   Sept 4th    Sept 11th    Sept 18th   Sept 25th    

RUBRIC
20%
Cross-Text Analysis of a Mathematics Topic
As a small group, you will compare and contrast 3 different textbooks (i.e. technology based textbook, NSF Reform Curricula Textbook, and a traditional textbook), one of which will be your classroom textbook.  Each group will complete the following:
A)    given the topic, identify the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCoS) objectives and the NCTM PSSM standards for 6th – 8th grades that are related to this topic,
B)    write 1-2 page(s) discussing how the NCSCoS and NCTM recommend developing this topic across the 6-8 grade span,
C)    For EACH textbook, read and analyze each section of the textbook and complete the following:
i)    create a table identifying each section that contains content developing the concepts and procedures of this topic.
ii)    write a 1-2 page(s) rich description of how this textbook develops this topic throughout the textbook,
***(6 pages MAX for all 3 textbooks)
D)    write a cross-text analysis (1-2 page(s)) discussing the benefits and drawbacks of how the 3 textbooks approach this topic, and
E)    write 1 paragraph discussing which textbook provides the most coherent approach to this topic and why.
**The group report should be 10 pages max.
Due Sept 23th : C) part i) TABLE only
Due Sept 24th:  The Report and be prepared to present your findings.

RUBRIC
25%
Planning-Teaching-Reflecting Cycle for 1 Lesson
Each person will engage in this teaching cycle for a lesson on a concept in either Probability, Statistics, Geometry or Measurement that utilizes some type of learning tool (e.g., graphing calculator, computer, manipulative). As part of this cycle, you will complete the following:
A)    identify the concept you will develop in your lesson
B)    write a 2-page hypothetical learning trajectory for how you think students should learn this topic. You need references to NCTM PSSM (2000) and at least two other journal article sources such as Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School.
C)    develop a 45-minute lesson plan (details of structure of plan will be provided later)
D)    teach the lesson to the class and videotape the teaching episode
E)    watch the video and analyze your own teaching and students’ learning
F)    write a 1-2 page reflection on your video analysis of the teaching episode (details of questions to consider in the reflection will be provided later)
Due Dates:
Sept 3rd : A           Sept 6th : B
Sept 16th or 17th : C & D
Sept 18th or 19th: F  

RUBRIC
25%


Attendance and participation in class is mandatory. If you will miss class for any reason, you must notify us before class to discuss the reason for an excused absence and be prepared to complete all in-class work and homework assignments before the next class meeting. An unexcused absence will result in a loss of 5 points from your final grade.

Late work will be accepted up to 3 days after the due date with a 15% relative point deduction each day. Late work will NOT be accepted after the third day.

Academic Integrity
In keeping with NCSU's policy on Academic Integrity found in the Code of Student Conduct, students are expected to be the sole contributor to work bearing their name, except where group projects have been assigned. Students are expected to follow the University's honor code.
Please see the website. http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/ncsulegal/41.03-codeof.htm

Academic Accommodations
If you have a disability that may affect your participation in this class, please see me so that reasonable accommodations can be discussed. You may also contact the NCSU Disability Services for Students regarding campus services in room 2000 Harris Hall. Please see the website  http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss/
 
Grading Scale:
98-100     A+
93-97        A
90-92        A-
88-89        B+
83-87        B
80-82        B-
78-79         C+
73-77        C
70-72        C-
68-69        D+
63-67        D
60-62        D-
< 60        F