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MATH 375: Early Field Experience for Future Teachers

Instructors

Prerequisites

Math 301 or consent of instructor and interest in teaching mathematics in K-12 schools as a career. Math majors interested in teaching are recommended to take this course in their sophomore or junior year.

Bulletin Description

This 3-unit course provides the opportunity for students to relate the mathematics they are learning to the teaching and learning of mathematics at the middle and high school levels and at the same time fulfill the 45-hour field experience requirement for prospective teachers.

Course Objectives

Students will:

Homework

Most weeks, homework will consist of a 1-2 page written reflection to a reading assignment or class discussion. Assignments may be turned in via email, and are due the day of the next class. Points will be deducted 20% for late work (up to one week late only).

Course Outline

The order in which we work on the following topics may vary.

Textbooks and Software

None. Most readings will be available online. Access to a graphing calculator helpful but not necessary.

Visits

These are discussed in more detail at 375 Visit Info below.

Bureaucratic requirements

To volunteer in a K-12 school, the following are needed:

Disabilities

Students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor. The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) is available to facilitate the reasonable accommodations process. The DPRC is located in the Student Service Building and can be reached by telephone (voice/TTY 415-338-2472) or by email (dprc@sfsu.edu). (http://www.sfsu.edu/~dprc/facultyfaq.html#1)


375 Visit Info

375 Early Field Experience Volunteering

You will be spending at least 45 hours this semester in a secondary school. This should work out to 3-4 hours a week. 45 hours is the target because that is a typical requirement for entry into a credential program, so you might as well get that out of the way.

Where can you volunteer?

Submit your preferences online (form here) We will do our best to match you with a teacher and site fitting your preferences, while also providing an interesting experience. Once matched, you and the teacher will negotiate a convenient schedule for the visits. Aim to visit second and third year math courses. We have interested teachers on each side of the Bay. Past schools who have offered us placements include:

At the end of the semester, you will bring the teacher a couple of pages of paperwork so we can give them a (too) small thank you stipend.