EDUC 281 Outline

THE KING'S UNIVERSITY

COURSE NUMBER:

EDUC 281

COURSE TITLE:

Principles of Mathematics for Teaching

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Dr Wendy Stienstra

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3 (hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides a study of foundational mathematical concepts and properties in the elementary and junior high curriculum. The course emphasizes conceptual understanding, reasoning, explaining why algorithms work, and problem solving. Topics include number systems, operations, fractional numbers, proportional reasoning, and aspects of geometry.

Same as MATH 281.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Beckmann, S. (2014). Mathematics For Elementary Teachers (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson Addison-Wesley. (package includes textbook and activities manual)

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:


Homework/Participation	25%
Midterm	25%
Project	20%
Final Exam	30%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This course focuses on mathematics necessary for prospective elementary teachers. In order to develop a deeper understanding of this mathematics, the course emphasizes the need for explaining why the mathematics works, rather than simply memorizing procedures.

The goals of this course are that students will:

make sense of and reason about the mathematics they will teach;
develop flexible mathematical reasoning;
develop a repertoire of problem solving skills;
develop the ability to use mental math to follow mathematical explanations;
develop the ability to communicate mathematical ideas clearly and logically during classroom discussions;
know how mathematics is used and applied in the classroom.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Intro to class
Counting Numbers
Decimals
Problem Solving;
Fractions - meaning
Fractions - equivalent;
Fractions - comparing
Percents
Add & Sub - meaning; mental math
Standard Algorithm
Add & Sub – fractions
Multiplication – meaning
Properties of Multiplication
Distributive Property
Multiplication Algorithm
Multiplying Fractions
Multiplying - Decimals
Division - meaning
Fractions & remainders
Division Algorithms
Fraction Division - how many groups
Fraction Division - how many in one group
Dividing Decimals

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.