MATH METHODS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

TEAS 4007, TEAS 5007, TEAS 6007

3 Credit Hours

Course Description:

TEAS 4007, TEAS 5007, TEAS 6007 (Math Methods Across the Curriculum) will engage participants in mathematics thinking, discussions, and instructional projects to explore theory, understand best practices, and design and implement these strategies in mathematics instruction in grades K-8. It will begin with an exploration of learning theory and best practices advocated by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, followed by explorations and the designing of hands-on activities for teaching mathematics to all children including diverse populations and exceptional needs individuals. Participants will be expected to work achieving 10 hours of clinical experience with primary grade, exceptional needs children as they begin to understand and implement best practices in mathematics teaching.

Course Objectives:

The blend of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) from Special Education, Early Childhood/Generalist, Middle Childhood/Generalist, (2^nd ed.) and Mathematics are indicated as shown in the following chart: The State of Tennessee Add-On Licensure Standards are noted in this listing.

This course is based on the NBPT Standards, the Tennessee Licensure Standards, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Principles and Standards are shown below.  There are seven (7) Major Goals with Objectives listed under each Major Goal.

Prerequisites:

TEAS 4007, TEAS 5007, TEAS 6007 is part of the program of study leading to an Add-On Special Education Endorsement of the Regents Online Degree Program (RODP). Before enrolling in TEAS 4007, TEAS 5007, TEAS 6007 a student must have a teaching license and must have completed TEAS 4001 (Collaborative Practices, Trends and Issues, and Characteristics of the Exceptional Learner in Special Education) and TEAS 4003 (Assessment Procedures in Special Education).

 ONLINE PARTICIPATION IS REQUIRED.  You will be expected to:

• Submit all work in WebCT (place your name on each assignment)

• Communicate with other students in a team project.  This can be in the private discussion area or in chat rooms.

• Learn how to navigate in WebCT and to attach word documents for assignments, questions, case study. and group special project. 

• Keep abreast of course announcements, calendar entries, bulletin, and emails.  At times you will be directed to go to an URL, from a position within the course, or from your CD.  If the hyperlink is not enabled, please contact your online professor with this information.  URL's change with no notice. 

• Use the assigned Email address in WebCT (AS OPPOSED TO PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESSES)

• Purchase the required textbooks.

ONLINE SUCCESS: 

Your success in this online course will depend on your willingness to read the textual material, successfully complete written assignments/discussion sessions as scheduled and adequately complete the two examinations. The use of APA writing style and APA formatting and referencing is to be followed. Since assignments and quizzes will be available from the first day of class, no assignments or examinations will be considered for late submission, unless there are verifiable circumstances out of your control. 

Course Topics:

I.         Mathematics Education and Math Reform Efforts

A.      The Standards Movement

1.       The NCTM Principles and Standards (2000)

2.       Math learning today

B.      Equity—the Right of All to learn mathematics

C.      Multicultural mathematics

II.       Developing Math Proficiency

A.      Using brain research

1.       Conceptual vs. procedural learning

2.       Constructivism

B.      Planning for effective instruction

      1.   Teaching strategies

      a.   Problem solving tactics

b.       Creative tasks and activities

c.       Using manipulatives

2.   Integrating technology into the classroom

3.       Teaching math through literature

III.      Early Childhood Mathematics

A.      Early pre-number understandings

B.      Building the concept of number

C.      Operations and number sense

1.       Teaching strategies for ALL students

2.       Using manipulatives to promote conceptual understanding

3.       Strategies for exceptional needs students

IV.     Mathematics Topics for Primary/Middle School Students

A.      Number sense

1.       Fostering conceptual understanding

2.       Thinking strategies

3.       Structuring "Algorithmic" thinking

B.      Common fractions and decimals

1.       Teaching strategies

a.       Hands-on activities

b.       Concept discovery activities

2.       Operations

C.      Percent, ratio, and proportion

D.      Geometry and spatial reasoning

1.       Van Hiele Research

2.       Three-dimensional geometry

3.       Plane geometry

E.      Algebra and algebraic thinking

F.      Data analysis, statistics and probability

V.      Error Patterns Analysis

A.      Correcting common misconceptions

B.      Providing needed instruction

1.       The role of manipulatives

2.       Talking and writing mathematics

3.       Using graphic organizers

C.      Using games to practice mathematics

VI.     Assessment Strategies

A.      Helping the Students with Special Needs

1.       Tasks and activities that promote learning

2.       Sensory Stimulation

3.       Scaffolding experiences

B.      Alternative assessment

1.       Observing and Interviewing students

2.       Work Samples

3.       Building rubrics

General Information:

     It is your responsibility to acquire specific information from the WebCT site.  These items include:

1. Syllabus:  Grading Procedures, Calendar, Schedule of course

2. Communications area:  You should visit this area each time you visit class.

   a.   Homeroom area

   b.   Discussion boards

   c.   Email access area

3. Assignments area:  This area provides you with the details of your assignments and the area for their submission

4. Resource Materials on Course Topics

5. Exams area:  This area provides you with all of your examinations.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING THE APPROPRIATE TEXTBOOKS ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS.

YOU ARE TO SEND AN EMAIL TO THE ONLINE PROFESSOR WITH CONTACT INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.  IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO SHARE ANY OTHER INFORMATION, YOUR EMAIL IS TO STATE THAT YOU HAVE READ THE SYLLABUS AS TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS IN THIS COURSE.  THIS IS TO BE DONE WITHIN THE WebCT SYSTEM AND NOT TO THE PROFESSOR'S PERSONAL EMAIL ACCOUNT.

Instructor Information:________________________

Phone: _____________________________   during the day until 6 p.m.

Personal E-mail___________________________________

Office:  ________________________ (can be a Virtual Office only)

Course Structure:

This course is divided into six (6) Course Topics: (1) Math Reform; (2) Math Proficiency; (3) Math in Early Childhood; (4) Math Topics for Primary/Middle School Grades; (5) Error Pattern Analyses; and (6) Assessment Strategies. The time duration for each Course Topic varies from one to three weeks.

Specific Course Requirements:

You should have internet access, Microsoft Word.  A CD-ROM is included with your textbook.  In addition to many articles, activities, and additional exercises, it includes video clips of teachers and classrooms.  To view the videos, QuickTime needs to be installed on your computer. The instructions on loading the QuickTime software are located at their websites.  To access these sites, place the CD in your drive and click on the link.  Follow instructions to complete the download.  There is no charge for this software.

Required Textbooks:

Ashlock, R. B. (2002). Error patterns in computation: Using error patterns to improve instruction.(8^th ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-027093.

Hatfield, M. M., Edwards, N. T., Bitter, G. G., & Morrow, J. (2005). Mathematics methods for elementary and middle school teachers. (5^th ed.) Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.  CD-ROM included. ISBN 0-471-14983-7.

Supplementary Materials:

A CD-ROM is included with the Hatfield Book. 

A Table of Contents of this CD-ROM is provided by the instructor. 

There will also be some supplemental online readings listed in Assignment Area and Resource Materials Area mainly from NCTM Resources.

Hardware Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

Specific hardware requirements for this course include PowerPoint, Real Player, Media Player, and Acrobat Reader.

Software Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

Specific hardware requirements for this course include knowledge of PowerPoint, Real Player, Media Player, and Acrobat Reader, QuickTime.

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information. You can email through the WebCT your instructor during the course for clarification of issues.

Grading Procedure:

The Assignments, Activities, Examinations, and Projects will be graded according to the following points.  The specific directions for each assignment along with its grading rubric will be posted with the assignment. If any area is unclear please contact the professor. It is your responsibility to achieve understanding of each assignment.

Students will be expected to complete examinations in this course. The exams will be offered during a designated time period.

Grading Scale:

Each assignment listed above will be assessed according to the associated rubric found with the directions to the assignment. All written assignments, exercises, case studies, and special group projects, items must be submitted in the appropriate Board area and ON TIME.  With respect to individual assignments they must be posted in the Assignments area following the guidelines provided in this area and by the DUE DATE.  Those papers not submitted in the proper areas will be graded as a "0".  With respect to the special group project, one grade will be given so that all are assessed equally.  Those submissions not capable of being opened will receive a "0" grade, the re-submission if approved will result in a grade reduction.   All written assignments, exercises, case studies, and special group project MUST cite the references in APA (5th edition) format.  If a minimum word requirement is given per question or assignment, non-adherence will result in a grade reduction.

ALL PAPERS SUBMITTED WILL BE CONSIDERED FINAL, since each student has unlimited  access to the class to ask questions.  You are required to ask via email, set up an appoint in the chat room, or call me with our questions as the proper completion of the assignment.  It is your responsibility to ensure clarification of instructions.

ALL PAPERS SUBMITTED MUST REFLECT CRITICAL THINKING AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE MATERIAL. To achieve an A grade, you should be using examples, found within and outside of class along with elaboration.  The use of the virtual library is recommended in accomplishing quality papers. Don't forget to cite the references used. In nearly every case, the core material needed to complete your assignment will be found in the course textbooks and CD; however, to achieve an A grade, outside sources must be used.  Material for the examinations are part of the course textbooks.

See the course schedule calendar for topics, activities, readings and due dates.

Graduate work is noted in the assignments by the use of **.

Assignments and Projects:

PLEASE NOTE :   Specific details and rubrics for each assignment are located at the assignment site on WebCT.

Assignments and Procedures for Submitting

There is detailed information about each assignment and should be followed.

Many of the assignments will require you to research the internet, your textbook, and/or participate in an activity in using your CD-ROM.

• There will be WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS each with potential of being graded in some way.

• In ALL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS, you MUST CITE any references used in the APA format (5th Edition).  Items not in compliance with this requirement will receive a reduction in grade. Any student receiving verified PLAGIARISM will receive an F in the course with a recommendation to the administration that he/she be dismissed from the program.

• ALL PAPERS WILL HAVE  MINIMUM WORD REQUIREMENT.  This amount will be announced for each item/or paper/ or project, varying from 250 words to several thousand. In some instances the number of pages will be given.
• ALL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS and CASE STUDIES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN A DOC.EXTENSION DOCUMENT.  No RTF, WPS, or other extension will be graded.  Those submission not capable of being opened will receive a "0" grade.  The re-submission, if approved, will be considered late resulting in a reduction in one grade.
• ALL PAPERS SUBMITTED WILL BE CONSIDERED FINAL as each student has unlimited access to the class to ask questions.  There will be no re-submission of papers to increase the initial grade given. 
• ALL PAPERS SUBMITTED MUST REFLECT CRITICAL THINKING AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE MATERIAL.  The use of the virtual library is recommended.  In all the assignments, elaboration is required with the cited material coming from outside the class textbooks. 

Submissions:

The weekly assignments will be submitted via the Assignment Drop Box.  Late submissions will only be considered as a result of dire circumstances, that will be reviewed one-on-one, and must be submitted in writing prior to the initial due date.  NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DUE DATE.  NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED BEYOND THE LAST DAY OF CLASS. 

Exams: You will take a Midterm Exam and a Final Exam on content knowledge and abilities gained. Multiple choice, true-false, and short answer questions will be used. Additionally, there will be essay type questions within the Assignment Area to complete. Due dates for the Essay part will appear on the Course Calendar.

Special Group Project –Investigative Activities/Lesson Plan Presentation:

                 (Due date for this assignment will appear on the Course Calendar)

You will be placed in collaborative groups by the instructor. You will work together to develop a Mathematics investigative activities on a current topic in teaching mathematics at a grade level of your choosing. The intent is that you will work together to design a unit presentation and activities that can promote conceptual learning of a mathematics topic.  Each group will provide the following three items that are needed to make the presentation: (1) a lesson plan for a one hour presentation,(2) a PowerPoint presentation, and (3) at least one participant handout (Activity/Guide Sheet) per group member that includes use of manipulatives in the process of the student investigating the math topic to gain conceptual understanding.

Case Study Assignment: (Due date for this assignment will appear on the Course Calendar)

You will individually work with a cluster of at least two K-8 students in K-8 setting for a minimum of 10 hours implementing best practices in mathematics conceptual understanding on math topics of students' need. During this time you will identify two students that you will collect artifacts of his/her work to support, show, and compare their growing developmental understanding. At the end of the field experience you will use the artifacts and your reflections to write Case Studies summarizing: (1) Overview, (2) the best practices used, (3) each child’s progress in mathematics conceptual understanding during this time period, (4) your plan as the teacher in challenging or each child’s progress, and (5) suggested ways that parents can help at home in the areas noted. Use these 5 areas as headers for the paper. Additionally, find and use two current articles from scholarly sources (such as NCTM publications) to support interpretations and/or teaching strategies citing these references within the body of the report. Do not summarize articles, but use the information in developing the profile or supporting your interpretations and/or teaching strategies. Peer review and editing of drafts will be used.

Virtual Activities:  

You will do various activities as indicated by the instructor, using virtual manipulatives, or self created ones as indicated in the Appendix of the textbook (see CD-ROM) for full size color patterns, or increase the sizes via Xerox machine.  These activities become the source of online discussions.

Online Discussions:

You will respond to each online discussion topic for each topic/chapter that was originated by the instructor. Your response may be directly related to the instructor's posting, or it may be to a classmate's posting to that particular topic. The key is to make substantive comments and responses that will keep the conversation going in a meaningful way. As much as possible, the comments should be grounded in the readings or cited works.  It is acceptable to share any personal stories, but the main emphasis should be on new insights gained from readings or from these experiences. The instructor will evaluate the postings each Monday morning, allowing the weekend for "catch up" time.

Class Participation:

Students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course. Students must actively participate in threaded discussion events. Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource and check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements.  There will be a grade for Class participation two times:  After the 5th Week (5 points), and after the 10th week (10 points)

Graduate Course Requirements:

Students enrolled in either TEAS 5007 or TEAS 6007, Graduate level courses, will have an additional assignments noted by **.  These components of the assignments MUST be done by graduate students.

Punctuality:

        The course is divided into 6 units (Course Topics) to help manage your progress through the course material.  You need to meet due dates of projects, discussions, assignments, exams and all aspects of the course.  Students are expected to work toward completion of the course work assignments in a timely manner.  In an asynchronous class there are still weekly due dates. But rather than this being an one night a week class for 3 hours, the class is designed to take 30-60 minutes of your time 2-3 times a week. Please see How this Class Works for a description of the times and days.

Class Participation:

    Students are expected to read assigned readings, communicate with fellow students in discussion board activities and/or chats weekly, and take responsibility for communicating with the instructor on a needs information basis for course content. Students are expected to communicate with other students in team projects, learn how to navigate in WebCT, keep abreast of course announcements, use the WebCT e-mail address as opposed to a personal e-mail address, address technical problems immediately, and observe course netiquette at all times.

   Participation is required!   You will be expected to participate in all interactive aspects of the course.  You must participate two days a week to receive full credit for participation.  Additionally, the participation content must be considered quality (see rubric). You must participate with a written point of argument, or discussion, or interest in the subject matter of the reading or CD assignment for that week  (two submissions of 50 to 100 words posted on the Participation discussion board, one per day, not two in one day, will qualify as substantive) each week.  The use of the end of chapter questions is encouraged.

     When you post your remarks, state the question, then supply the answer.  The credit for the submission will be determined by the instructor each week of submission.  Your input must be in the same week as the reading requirements (see the calendar schedule).  In this course, the week ends on Sunday at 11:55 p.m.  Your participation grade will be given at the end of the 5th, and 10th week of the course.

Visiting class:

It is very important that you establish a system with respect to communications in this online course.  Visit the following areas EVERY TIME you visit the cyber classroom.

1. Review your email account

2. Review the discussion board area visiting each of the boards: Discussion Group, Participant Board, Chat Room Team Board, Main Bulletin Board (announcements from Instructor), Homeroom.

3. Review the calendar area

4. Review the assignment area so that you do not fail to complete an assignment

5. Review your grades. This will ensure that all the work that you have submitted has been graded.

It is your responsibility to watch this area and submit to your professor a request for updates

E-mail:

Always include a subject line in and send your emails through the WebCT system. Email is to be used to convey personal information, to get answers to your questions that pertain to the course work or questions and discussion items that are not part of the course content.  I will use email to send back to you your graded papers.

1. Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way.  Be careful in wording your emails.  When in doubt do not send.

2. Use standard fonts.

3. Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, table, html, etc MUST be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication

4. Respect the privacy of other class members.

DO NOT SEND Emails to my private Email address unless there is no other way.  I WILL ATTEMPT TO RESPOND TO YOUR EMAILS THAT ARE SENT WITHIN THE SYSTEM WITHIN 24 HOURS. 

Discussion Groups:  General Information:

1. Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.  Be a lurker, then a discussant.

2. Maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather that starting a new topic.

3. Be respectful on another class member's ideas. Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. 

4. Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks

5. Be positive and constructive in group discussions.

6. Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Participation Board:

Once an item is posted you may argue for, against, or add examples and/or elaborate to this material in a professional and educationally acceptable manner.  Your input must be in the same week of the initial thread, with the week ending on Sunday.

Private Discussion Groups:

1. YOU MUST WORK IN A GROUP UNLESS PRIOR PERMISSION IS GRANTED BY THE PROFESSOR.

2. You will be notified as to your team (Team A, Team B, etc.)  Go to the DISCUSSION AREA OF THE CLASS, click on the PRIVATE area beside one of the Activity project group names.  If you are allowed into that group this is where you belong as you should see your name.  If this group does not let you in, follow the procedure at each of the following groups.  You will only be allowed into YOUR specific group.

3. In this area you are to discuss your direction, activities, plan and prepare your Team project.  Individual work with respect to the group project option does not have to be posted in this area.

Main Bulletin Board:

The instructor will use the Main Bulletin Board for posting all general announcements, changes in schedules, or information of the posting of additional information.  This board is not for your use.

Homeroom:

This area was developed to allow you to discuss issues with your projects/activities other items that are specific to this course.  This is not a private area, so that anyone can ask questions or provide information to a class member as it relates to a specific topic in the class.  This area is NOT FOR GENERAL CHAT.  This is where you will ask you questions to members of the class or to the instructor, similar to raising your hand. If you have a question, you may want to review the postings in this area for an answer.

Special Group Project Posting and Submission Board:

This board area is for the instructor's postings of your Special Group Project Project requirements and the submission of your group work.  There are to be no discussions, or chatting in this area.  This area is designated to post your Group Special Project papers.  Those that are not submitted as an attachment (word document, a doc.ext) in this area will be penalized until submitted correctly.  (I must be able to open the project in a word document).

Calendar:

This course provides a calendar.  This calendar is found by clicking on the calendar listing in your navigation bar in the class. This will reflect due dates of the various items in and out of class.  During the term there may be changes made to this calendar.  Please check this area each time you sign into the class.

Team (A,B,C,D) Chat Rooms:

This room is found in the communications area of your navigation area.  There is a general chat area to discuss with everyone your view . . . thoughts.  The other chat rooms represent a mirror of your private discussion group areas.  This will allow you to discuss as a group in real-time issues about your group projects.

1. Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.

2. Be polite.  Choose your words carefully.  Do not use derogatory statements.

3. Be concise in responding to others in the session

4. Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.

5. Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.

6. CARTOONS, JOKES, OR ANY ITEM, NOT SPECIFICALLY PART OF THE COURSE ARE NOT TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE ASSIGNED GROUP AREA.  IN ALL CASES QUESTIONABLE MATERIAL IS NOT TO BE SENT.  IN NO CASE ARE THE ROOMS TO BE USED FOR ANYTHING BUT CHAT, NO PICTURES TO DOWNLOAD.

7. General chat room is for all your use as a chat room in the usual sense.

Office Hours Chat room:

    This is a specific pre-arranged time that you may chat with the professor.  Please attempt to make prior arrangements to schedule this activity.  At least one day notice must be given.  This arrangement should be accomplished through email to schedule this office hours chat.  Your note should include the nature of the meeting so that the professor can be more prepared to assist you with the issue.

Web Resources:

 •   Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor

 •   Citation Styles Online http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html

U of M Virtual       Homepage:  http://www.lib.memphis.edu/

         Library:

TBR Virtual          http://vl.rodp.org/contents.htm.

     Library:

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading are included in the course.

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

There may be times when the on-line system is not operating properly.  If you are unable to complete an activity online, such as posting of an assignment, access to or completing of a quiz or any other activity that is to be graded, due to a technical issue with WebCT, you must have contact with the tech support group and receive a ticket or problem number from the support person to be given any consideration for failure to comply with a course requirement.  If you are having an issue with your ISP, there is little we can do about this.  In this case you must contact me prior to being late with a course requirement to be given consideration.  (THIS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY GIVE YOU EXTRA TIME OR ANY OTHER CONSIDERATION).  These situations will be considered on a one-to-one basis.  My determination will be final and not open to further consideration.  In all cases not providing documentation, ticket number etc, will result in NO consideration.

Web Site:  Http://www.rodp.org/help.htm

Via Email:  consult@cc.memphis.edu

Telephone support:  1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

If you are having problems logging into your course, timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP HelpDesk.

   Technical Support:  Contact the Ask RODP website at http://help.rodp.org