Spring 2000 MWF 12:40 - 1:35 Sect 800 304 SNYGG

 INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Richard Swanson Office Hours: MW 4:10-4:30
TEXTS: Integrated Mathematics: Course I, 3rd ed. , Amsco Pub.
 " " Course II "
 " " Course III, 3rd ed. "
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
 The major units included in the present State curricula for Secondary School (7-12) mathematics will be discussed. Mathematical concepts, skills, solution techniques, topic relationships, applications of technology, problem solving excursions, sequencing and instructional approaches will be included. Exercises will include special projects and Science applications of mathematics. It is intended that you will be able to enter any secondary math student teaching experience with a higher degree of confidence at the conclusion of Math 304 .

 TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:

EVALUATION:

 Unit Exam 1: week of February 14
 Unit Exam 2: week of March 27
 FINAL EXAM: "instructional part" - Wednesday May 3
 "mathematics content" - FRIDAY May 12 10:30

 Note: Changes in the above tentative outline will be made as course coverage and available time allow them.

 SECONDARY MATHEMATICS COMPETENCY EXAM: YOU MUST MEET THE SEC. MATH COMP. REQUIREMENT (80% on a Comp. Exam) TO EARN CREDIT FOR THE COURSE. This is a joint decision with input from both the Education and Mathematics Departments. In addition, Secondary Mathematics students must satisfy the competency requirement before they may enroll in SED 415, the Math Methods course. This test will be offered during the semester around the first week of March. The Mathematics portion of the Final Exam will also serve as a competency test.

Special Activities: We may utilize the Math Lab computers for some of the work; there may be an outside exercise; you'll be invited to be a judge at a County-wide Math Fair.

ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING: 1. Homework will be assigned at most class meetings. Mathematics is a "participatory sport." You must practice it on your own to really learn it (i.e., be able to do it). The assignments will be of reasonable length -- plan on doing them faithfully. Please write out your solutions neatly, so your strategies can be followed. In your solutions, use appropriate secondary school techniques, not something that you've learned in Calculus II. Staple multiple-page assignments that you hand in.

2. Most homework assignments will be evaluated and returned to you. The
homework achievement will be an important component or your course
evaluation. If you have difficulty with a particular exercise, it will be
your responsibility to get some assistance or find a supplementary
resource. A limited supply of typical high school and middle school texts
is available in 317 Snygg for short-term loan. Each assignment should be
completed and turned in at the next class meeting. If it is not ready,
you may turn it in at or before the following class meeting -- after that,
the homework grade will be a zero. Homework assignments cannot be "made
up." At the end of the course, I will drop the two lowest grades.

3. In the computation of the COURSE GRADE, the following weights will be used: 40% Homework (& project) Average 40% Unit Exam Average 20% Final Exam (both parts)

NOTE: The "passing grade" target is 65%; if you get a 6 (out of 10) on a homework the work is not of acceptable quality.

CLASS ATTENDANCE: Your presence or absence from class will be noted at each class session. Regular attendance is essential for your success. Vital, explanations will be given and reviewed, homework solutions will be discussed as needed, examples will be solved and your questions will be answered. You will be involved in the discussion of the material. If you are absent from class, for whatever reason, you are still responsible for the day's material. Get in touch with either a classmate or myself.

STUDY SUGGESTIONS: Arrange to get together occasionally or regularly with one of your classmates to study and work on the homework. Solve the example problems and odd-numbered exercises in a supporting text and match your answer with the one in the text. Do the end-of-chapter tests and reviews to test your-understanding of the material. Be willing to ask questions and offer responses in class. Don't wait until the day before a test to get assistance. Put key ideas and definitions on 3 X 5 cards and work with them until you have memorized the material (frequently, mathematics is like a foreign language; you have to memorize the vocabulary before you can move ahead). We generally will not have enough time in class to go over homework solutions -- that's why we have office hours to provide individual attention.