Syllabus: MATHS 393
Teaching and Learning Mathematics in the Middle School (3)
1. Prerequisite: Maths 250 with a grade of C- or better. Admittance to Teacher Education and permission to enroll in 300/400-level professional education courses.
2. Course Description: Introduction to national and state mathematics standards, curricular materials, instructional materials and methods, and assessment related to topics taught in middle school mathematics.
3. Course Objectives: This course is designed to prepare preservice middle school teachers to learn about and use a variety of resources for effectively planning and teaching mathematics to middle school students. Students will be able to:
Use national and state standards to guide curricular, instructional, and assessment decisions
Use learning theories, specifically applied to mathematics education, to make curricular, instructional, and assessment decisions
Analyze curriculum materials appropriate for use in the middle school mathematics classroom
Determine how to use effectively student curriculum materials and teachers editions of middle school textbooks to teach specific mathematical topics
Determine the appropriate and effective use of manipulative materials to teach specific mathematical concepts
Determine the appropriate and effective use of technological tools to teach specific mathematical concepts
Utilize supplemental resource materials in planning for middle school mathematics instruction
Determine the appropriate and effective use of various instructional formats (individual, pairs, small groups, or whole-class instruction)
Recognize ways in which teaching mathematics can be integrated with other content areas
Write mathematics lesson plans for middle school students for topics selected from the five content areas (number and operation, data analysis and probability, algebra, geometry, and measurement) that incorporate the process standards of mathematics (problem-solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections, and representation)
Identify ways in which lessons need to be adapted for students with special needs (learners with disabilities, students identified as mathematically promising or gifted)
Implement lesson plans by teaching peers or middle school students
Reflect on their experiences planning and teaching mathematics lessons
Determine appropriate assessment tasks and activities for specific mathematical topics
Present their personal philosophy of mathematics education
4. Course Rationale: Recent recommendations from a variety of professional organizations have called for preservice teacher education to address issues specifically related to teaching mathematics in the middle grades. National and international assessments of students mathematical knowledge (e.g., NAEP, TIMSS) shows that US students are competitive internationally when compared to other nations at grade 3, are outperformed by grades 6, and are significantly outperformed in grades 8 and above. Thus, recent studies and curricular reform projects have drawn attention to the unique role and specific needs related to teaching mathematics in the middle school. This course, as the first of two content methods courses, will introduce preservice mathematics teachers to the key ideas and issues of mathematics standards, curriculum, instructional methods and materials, and assessment appropriate for use in the middle school mathematics classroom.
5. Course Content:
Constructing an Informed Vision of Mathematics and Mathematics Education
Introduction to national and state standards for mathematics education (Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 2000) grades 6-8, Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics (IDOE, 2000) grades 6-8.
Discussion of the history of mathematics education and, as appropriate, of evolving national, international, and state standards related to mathematics education.
Introduction to learning theories, specifically applied to mathematics education (e.g., constructivism, van Hiele levels of geometric thought).
Ongoing development of a personal philosophy of mathematics education.
Curriculum Materials
Analysis and comparison of traditional and reform curriculum materials for grades 6-8.
Examination of supplemental resource materials available for teaching middle school mathematics.
Instructional Materials and Methods
Discussion of articles in professional journals addressing the appropriate use of various manipulative materials and technological tools used in middle school mathematics classrooms.
Introduction of base-10 blocks and algebra tiles.
Introduction of models and materials used to teach fraction concepts and operations.
Introduction of materials and technological tools used to teach geometry and measurement concepts.
Discussions of various instructional formats used in middle school mathematics classrooms (individual, pairs, small-group, whole-class).
Assessment
Introduction of various forms and purposes of assessment.
Introduction to performance tasks and scoring rubrics, specifically using tasks from grade 6 and grade 8 ISTEP.
Observation and Teaching
Observation of experienced middle school mathematics teachers via videotapes or classroom visits.
Identification of key elements contained in a mathematics lesson plan.
Writing of mathematics lessons appropriate for use in the middle school mathematics classroom.
Writing of a lesson plan that integrates mathematics with another content area (e.g., social studies, language arts, science).
Implementation of mathematics lesson plans by teaching peers or middle school students.
6. Course Format: Interactive lecture, discussions in small groups and whole-class settings, student presentations, in-class activities.
7. Methods of Evaluating Student Performance: In-class assignments and presentations, homework assignments and projects, written lesson plans, teaching performance, exams.
8. Evaluation of the Course: The course is reviewed and revised periodically by the Departmental Teacher Education Advisory Committee and the Undergraduate Programs Committee.
9. Addendum: The following are examples of supplemental materials that could be used in teaching this course.
Standards for Teaching Mathematics
Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, (NCTM, 2000); grades 6-8.
Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics, (IDOE, 2000); grades 6-8.
Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics (NCTM, 1991).
Middle School Textbooks
traditional textbooks
reform textbooks (NSF-funded curriculum projects)
Supplemental Resources
Supersource materials
NCTM Addendum Series
Professional Journals
Teaching Children Mathematics
Teaching Mathematics in the Middle School
School Science and Mathematics
Assessment
ISTEP Teachers Scoring Guides - grades 6 and 8
Video-tapes
Teaching Math: A Video Library, 5-8 (Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Collection, 1996)
Prepared by E. Bremigan, J. Lorch, S. Stump, & D. Whitaker - 12/11/2000
Revised by S. Stump 3/12/07