Math 375.01 Fall 2011

Official Course Title

MATH 375: Early Field Experience for Future Teachers

Instructors

• Tracy Thompson, Washington High School, tracythompson@earthlink.net
• Eric Hsu, SFSU, TH 932, erichsu@sfsu.edu  (placement support)

Class Meetings and Web Page

• W 1610-1855, Trailer H-2. Office hours after class and by appointment.
• http://bfc.sfsu.edu/cgi-bin/hsu.pl?Math_375.01_Fall_2011

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:

• Serve as an assistant and observer in a K-12 math class,
• Learn teaching, facilitating, and helping skills,
• Expand their understanding of how students learn and respond to schooling,
• Become familiar with some research on student learning,
• Gain understanding of the mathematics knowledge needed for teaching,
• See what life as a high school teacher is like, and
• Get 45 hrs of classrooms experience, fulfilling a requirement of state credential programs.

Evaluation of Students

Students will demonstrate their mastery of the first five objectives on weekly homework assignments as well as active participation in class discussions and group presentations. Students will also carry out their fieldwork reliably, positively and constructively.

 

Fieldwork                    30%                            

Homework:                 30%

Class Participation       40%

 

            93-100%         A                     73-76%           C

            90-92%           A-                    70-72%           C-

            87-89%           B+                   67-69%           D+

            83-86%           B                     63-66%           D

            80-82%           B-                    60-62%           D-

            77-79%           C+                   <60%              F

 

 

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.

• Instrumental and Conceptual Knowledge
• Problem solving and its central role in teaching and learning mathematics
• Inquiry based learning and construction of understanding
• Teaching methods that support students’ building understanding
• Electronic learning tools
• Structuring mathematics lessons for secondary students
• Connections between topics at the 7-12 level and sorting out the big mathematical ideas
• Cultural assumptions or preferences and community building in the classroom
• Assessing what students understand
• High stakes testing and its effects on students, teachers, curriculum
• The realities of teaching as a career

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.

Bureaucratic requirements

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

• Get fingerprinted. (Available on campus for $5)      http://www.sfsu.edu/~upd/html/fingerprinting.html
• Get a TB Test. (Available on campus for $25)        http://health.sfsu.edu/Student_Health_Services_List_of_Charges.html

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)