Welcome to Math for Teachers!

NOTE: This is the syllabus for a PREVIOUS VERSION of the course. See nilesjohnson.net/teaching.html for current courses.

This is the course homepage and syllabus for Math 1136, Measurement and Geometry for Teachers. Here you will find our course calendar, current assignments, basic course information, and links to additional content of interest. This syllabus may need to be updated as the course progresses, and you will always find the current version at https://www.nilesjohnson.net/teaching/SP19/1136.html.

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Excellent math teachers have been far too scarce in American education. This course and its prequel, Math 1135, give you the keys to how and why elementary mathematics works. We will develop a thorough understanding of the ideas, how they are related to eachother, and how they are related to more advanced ideas. This is the basic knowledge which underpins truly great teaching!

Course Objectives

The course consists of fundamental topics in geometry and measurement. This includes the concepts of length, area, volume, angles, units of measurement, precision and error. Algebraic expressions and functions, primarily in the linear case, are introduced to express geometric relationships.

The basic properties of two and three dimensional geometric shapes and their relationships are a central part of the course. Special emphasis is put on geometric reasoning through problem solving, including unknown angle, length, area, and volume. The course also covers topics on transformations in the plane, symmetries, congruence, and similarity. Some geometric constructions and basic geometric proofs are included. The skills developed throughtout the course are applied at the end in a brief introduction to probability.

Topics

  • Informal and formal proofs with angles
  • Geometric constructions
  • Angle sum in triangles, polygons
  • Pythagorean Theorem statement and proof
  • Planar shapes
  • Linear equations and graphs
  • Algebra and linear equations
  • Measurement of length, area, volume
  • Units of measurement
  • Perimeter, area and volume of 2D and 3D shapes
  • Plane transformations: translations, rotations, dilations
  • Introduction to coordinate geometry
  • Introduction to probability

Learning goals

  • Understand concepts of length, area, volume and angles, units of measurement, precision and error.
  • Understand concepts of lines, angles, and geometric figures in two and three dimensions.
  • Fluency with derivation and application of area and volume formulas.
  • Understand geometric constructions and transformations in coordinate and coordinate-free geometry.
  • Understand how to use algebra to solve problems in geometry.
  • Familiarity with the concepts of theoretical and experimental probability.
  • Identify major historical developments in measurement and geometry, including contributions of significant figures and diverse cultures.

Section Information

Class meets at the following place and times following the OSU Registrar's academic calendar:

Section 27642

Adena 130
Mondays, Wednesdays 12:45 – 2:05
and Fridays 12:45 – 2:50.

Course Calendar

An approximate outline, updated regularly, is available on our course calendar.

Homework Assignments

Assignment information will be posted here as the semester unfolds. A number such as A.B.c refers to problem or practice exercise c at the end of section A.B.

You only need to turn in the Problems; the Practice Exercises are suggestions for your study, and may be discussed in class. Remember to type your homework! You should upload your homework to Carmen, but you may also turn in a printed copy if you have difficulty accessing Carmen.

Our homework is listed below or available on a separate homework page.

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Basic information

Instructor

Niles Johnson
Office: LeFevre 288
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 10:30 – 12:00; other days/times by appointment

Textbook

Mathematics for Elementary Teachers with Activities, 5th Edition by Sybilla Beckmann. ISBN-13 978-0-13-439279-0. The 5th edition (peacock on the cover) and 4th edition (monkeys on the cover) are reasonably similar, so either one will be sufficient for this class. Most students prefer the loose-leaf format, so that they can bring only part of the book to class; I recommend it.

Exam Schedule

We will have six in-class exams and a final exam; exam dates are given below. Please notify Niles immediately if you cannot be present for one of the exams.

Midterm Exams

  • Wednesday, January 23
  • Monday, February 04
  • Monday, February 18
  • Monday, March 04
  • Monday, March 25
  • Monday, April 08

Final Exam

Scheduled by the registrar. See the campus schedule for exam times.

Assessment

Your final grade will be based on written homework, written and oral in-class participation, quizzes, midterms, and a final exam. The precise breakdown is as follows:

  • In-class participation: 13%
  • Homework: 10%
  • Quizzes: 15%
  • Midterm exams: 42%
  • Final exam: 20%

Attendance

Active participation in class is an essential part of this course, and so attendance every day is required. Please let Niles know as soon as possible if an illness or other commitment will prevent you from attending. We will answer questions about homework at the beginning of class, and you can upload your homework after class on the day it's due.

Participation

Thoughout this semester we will be focused on the how and why of elementary mathematics. This means that you will be responsible both for knowing the content and for knowing how to explain the content. We will practice this in a variety of ways, and much of this practice will take place in class.

Teaching mathematics requires listening carefully to students, assessing their ideas, and responding in ways that make sense. Our class participation is designed to practice these essential skills. You will have opportunities on a daily basis to listen to your fellow classmates explain ideas and ask questions. You will be asked to respond with your ideas and with additional questions. Together we will see how and why mathematics works! Participating in this course includes all of the following:

  • Show interest in mathematical ideas.
  • Show interest in different ways of approaching mathematical ideas.
  • Listen carefully to different ways of solving a problem.
  • Carefully evaluate a proposed method of solution.
  • State whether you agree or (respectfully) disagree with a statement.
  • Show interest in learning with and from others.

Quizzes

We will have short in-class quizzes each Friday. These will usually be just one or two questions, and they give you a chance to evaluate your current grasp of the material. The quiz questions are based on previous homework problems or class activities. Quizzes are scored on a 10-point scale.

It is generally not possible to make up quizzes if you miss one. Instead, the lowest two quiz scores will be dropped at the end of the term. For students with extended illness or other recurring conflicts, exceptions may be made on a case by case basis -- contact Niles to discuss your situation.

Late Work Policy

If you must miss class on the date of a quiz or exam, please do the following:

  • Contact me before the time of the assessment to let me know you will be away.
  • Provide a reason and objective documentation (e.g., a note from your health care provider).
  • Make up the assessment within two days of your return to campus, and before the next class if possible.
  • Miss no more than two assessments this way.

If you do each of the items above, you will have no penalty. For each item that you do not complete there will be a 10% reduction in your final score.

Exceptions may be made in the case of an emergency; please contact me as soon as you are able.

Calculators and Mathematical Software

There are a variety of modern tools which support mathematics learning and application. We'll use several of them in this course, but no technology will be used on the quizzes or exams. In particular, calculators and cell phones will not be permitted. The only materials you'll need are writing instruments and your mind.

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Resources related to mathematics education

Websites on math standards

Websites of elementary school texts from high performing countries

  • Textbooks used in Singapore: singaporemath.com Primary Mathematics 1A, 1B (first grade) through 6A, 6B (sixth grade)
  • Translations of textbooks used in Japan: http://www.globaledresources.com/ (Tokyo Shoseki’s Mathematics for Elementary School)

Other websites of interest

GEC Information

This Mathematics course can be used, depending on your degree program, to satisfy the Quantitative and Logical Skills category of the General Education Requirement (GEC). The goals and learning objectives for this category are:

Goals:

Courses in quantitative and logical skills develop logical reasoning, including the ability to identify valid arguments, use mathematical models and draw conclusions based on quantitative data.

Learning objectives:

Students comprehend mathematical concepts and methods adequate to construct valid arguments and understand inductive and deductive reasoning, scientific inference and general problem solving.

Support Services

All students are encouraged to take advantage of campus support services. These include tutoring, academic advising, counseling, and the math learning center! A complete list is available at https://newark.osu.edu/students/support-services.html.

Accommodation Statement

The University strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience academic barriers based on your disability (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please let me know immediately so that we can privately discuss options.

Any student who needs accommodations due to any type of disability must first register with Student Life Disability Services (SL-DS). Please call Student Life at 740-364-9578 or stop by Warner Center 226 to discuss procedures for getting accommodations. After accommodations are authorized, you will receive an Access Letter to share with your professors to help with the conversation about your needs. You do not need to disclose your disability to faculty.

Although accommodations may be authorized any time in a term, it is in your best interest to disclose your needs during the first week of class.

https://newark.osu.edu/students/student-life/disability-services.html

https://slds.osu.edu/

Academic Misconduct Statement

It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term "academic misconduct" includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-48.7). For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct at https://studentlife.osu.edu/csc/

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