In this course, students will investigate fundamental mathematics concepts associated with numbers, operations, and patterns. One of the major goals of the course is for students to develop deeper conceptual understandings of the mathematics concepts they will teach in the elementary and middle grades. Not only will students gain computational proficiency but also the ability to explain to students, in multiple ways, why mathematics concepts make sense. The course heavily emphasizes the use of open-ended problem-solving methods of teaching and learning to help students develop their own functional understanding of the major concepts. A significant focus of this course will be on problem solving, reasoning and proof, multiple representations, recognizing connections (across mathematics and other disciplines), and mathematical communication. The course is intended for students planning on pursuing a career in elementary or middle school education. As such, particular attention is given to understanding common misconceptions that children have when learning about specific mathematics concepts and considering the ramifications of these misconceptions for the development of effective classroom instruction. This course is a prerequisite for EDU 324: Mathematics Teaching in the Elementary Classroom.
Prerequisites
MAT 114 or higher.
Semester Offered
Fall
Spring