Peter Alfeld, --- Department of Mathematics, --- College of Science --- University of Utah

Math 402, Geometry for Elementary School Teachers

General Information

The class meets every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 9:55-10:45 in NS 205.

• Schedule: dvi file with notes or html file without notes.

Notes

• Instructor: Peter Alfeld. Office hours: after class (except Wednesdays, or by appointment), JWB 236, ext. 1-6842. Drop in any time, but give me a call before you make a special trip. Check out my WWW page. It has a teaching section and a web page for this class too.
• Abbreviations:
  • h.o. handed out
  • LP Lesson Plan (on platonic solids)
  • PR Project Report (on your teaching experience)
• Textbook: The texbook is by Tom Bassarear, Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997, ISBN 0-395-66959-6. It comes with a companion volume called "Explorations". Presumably you purchased these books for Math 401. We will use them as a resource rather than follow them extremely closely. After you are through with this sequence keep the books and use them as a resource when you commence your teaching career!
• Grading: Grading is based on the following items:
  • 3 in class exams, open books and open notes, counting 15% each. If you miss an exam due to exceptional circumstances you may be able to take an oral make-up exam.
  • A detailed lesson plan, counting 15%. You may write this lesson plan with a partner. I'll collect the lesson plans twice. The first time I'll just comment on them and give them back to you for your revision.
  • A report of your teaching experience at Washington, counting 15%.
  • One written final (comprehensive, open books, open notes, Wednesday, 3/18/98, 10:15-12:15), counting 25%.
• Fixed Scale: > 90% A, > 84% A-, > 78% B+, > 72% B, > 66% B-, > 60% C+, > 54% C, > 48% C-, > 42% D+, > 36% D, > 30% D-, Else: E
• Washington Elementary: You'll be doing a project at Washington Elementary School which is located at 420 North 200 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103, 578-8140. The principal's name is Dr. Nancy McCormick. Whenever you go to Washington, go to the front office and explain to the staff why you are there. Details will be announced.

Suggestions

• In your teaching and learning, focus on understanding mathematics rather than memorizing procedures. You understand a piece of mathematics when you can do all of the following:
  • Explain mathematical concepts and facts in terms of simpler concepts and facts.
  • Easily make logical connections between different facts and concepts.
  • Recognize the connection when you encounter something new (inside or outside of mathematics) that's close to the mathematics you understand.
  • Identify the principles in the given piece of mathematics that make everything work. (i.e., you can see past the clutter.)
• Read the indicated sections of the textbook before you come to class.
• After class go over you notes and make sure you understand what we did. A good way of doing this is to transcribe your notes and write things down in your own words.
• If you get stuck talk to me. I'll be happy to meet with you and discuss what we are doing for as long as it takes.
• As a rule of thumb, when taking any math class you should expect to spend two to three hours out of class for every hour you spend in class. You'll need that time to go over the material, prepare for the exams, and do do your assignments.
• You are beyond the stage where you simply follow a teacher's instructions. It's most important that you think for yourself and approach a task or problem in your own way. That's the reason why you may perceive some of the problems and assignments as phrased somewhat vaguely.
• Read my on-line study guide.

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