OSIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

EDUCATION 475-4?

DESIGNS FOR LEARNING: MATHEMATICS ?

(ELEMENTARY) ?

(D2.00)

Fall Semester, 1992

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Instructor: Janet Dunham

(September 8-December 4)

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Phone:

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786-5577 (office)

Tuesday/ Thursday, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

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782-9725 (home)

Location: Al-ICOTE Building, Northern Lights College

Dawson Creek

PREREQUISITE:

Education 401/402.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed for prospective and practising elementary teachers who wish to

explore the fundamentals of the learning/teaching process as it applies to mathematics. The

emphasis will be on the movement from active exploration of manipulative materials used at

the concrete level to semi-concrete/abstract connecting vehicles which link to the abstract

concepts across the various strands of the B. C. elementary math curriculum, and on

constructivist notions of learning. The course will draw on current research in mathematics

learning. Math journals will be utilized to demonstrate the need to keep current as a

professional. A variety of teaching strategies, especially those involving social interaction,

will be modeled in delivering the course content.

On completion of the course it is hoped that participants will approach the teaching of

math in an enthusiastic, confident manner, that they will feel comfortable and knowledgeable

concerning content, and that they will be able to plan for mathematics instruction consistent

with good teaching practices and the Curriculum/ Assessment Frameworks.

Topics that will be covered include:

—problem solving

—strategies and activities

—estimation and mental calculations

—calculators and computers

—geometry

—rational numbers

—evaluation/assessment

EVALUATION:

—resources

—number and number operations

—measurement

—data analysis

—ratio and proportion

—algebraic thinking

—integration

Evaluation will be based on the following:

—active participation and attendance

—the keeping of a learning log

—completion of assignments in the Fuys textbook

—a major project to be determined by consultation with the instructor

REQUIRED TEXT:

Fuys, David J

.

(1979). Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School. Glenview, Illinois: Scott,

Foresman and Company.

SUPPLEMENTAL TEXT:

Post, Tom. (1988). Teaching Mathematics in Grades K-8. Allyn & Bacon.