MATH 203  MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS  Fall 2007

 

TIME:                          M W F (JP 104), 1:10-2:00                

 

TEXTBOOK:              TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS

                                    By Bello/Britton, 9th edition

 

INSTRUCTOR:           Gail Nord, 233 Herak Center, 323-3907, nord@gonzaga.edu,

                                    gailnord@yahoo.com

                                   

OFFICE HOURS:       W F (3:10-4:10), T (11:10-noon in the lab), W (4:10-5:00)

                                   

MATH LAB:                Herak Center  224 

Please see the hours and times posted on the door of 224 Herak.  The math lab is free.

           

PREREQUISITE:         two years of high school algebra

 

GRADING SYSTEM:

      During the course there will be four in-class examinations, each worth 100 points.  There will be a comprehensive final examination worth 100 points.  Quizzes will be given on a regular basis.   These quizzes will contribute 50 points toward the final grade. The lowest quiz will be dropped for everyone. Of this total of 550 points, final grades will be based upon the following percentages:

 

            A         85% - 100%

            B          75% -  84%

            C         65% -  74%

            D         50% -  64%

            F            0% -  49%

 

Pluses or minuses may be attached to these grades at the discretion of the instructor.  Major decision factors include attendance and the quality of the final examination.

 

QUIZZES:

             Quizzes will be regularly given at the discretion of the instructor.  They serve to be an early indicator of possible problems with the material.  There will be NO MAKEUP QUIZZES.  The lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

 

MAKEUP EXAMINATIONS:

 In general, no makeup examinations will be given.  If an examination is missed due to illness then (1) the illness must be of sufficient severity to be verified in writing by the University Health Center or by a local physician, and (2) the instructor must be informed prior to the examination.  A make-up exam given due to the death or illness of an immediate family member must be verified with documentation.  If it is decided that there are sufficient reasons for a makeup examination to be given, that exam will be scheduled during the last week of classes.  These exams will be more difficult than the original exams.   Please call 323-3907 (not e-mail) as soon as possible.

 

HOMEWORK:

             Assigned homework has the following three purposes:  (1) To specify the material students will be responsible for, (2) To provide relevant examples for class discussions and, most importantly, (3) To provide material through which the student can enhance their knowledge of the subject.  Homework will not be collected.  Students will be responsible for all problems assigned in the text.  During the regular class period, time will be devoted to answering questions pertaining to the homework.  Mathematics can only be mastered through practice--that means completing all homework assignments.

 

ATTENDANCE:

            Six or more absences are sufficient cause for a lowering of the final grade by one letter or removal from the course.  Please come to class on time.  Three or more classes missed in a row may be taken into consideration when giving a “minus” to the final grade. Three or more late arrivals to class may be cause for lowering of the final grade. Instructors who will supervise children should be aware of the importance of being to a place on time.

 

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:

            Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 1-3 p.m. 

Please make travel arrangements so that you are present for the final exam.

 

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS:

 Please make travel arrangements for holidays and weekend getaways so there are no class conflicts. Please make doctor and advisor appointments so there are no class conflicts. Please study for tests, write papers, and schedule volunteer work so there is no class conflict.

             

CALCULATORS AND SUPPLIES: 

             I would like you to have a calculator.  For some tests, calculators may be allowed.  However, there will be no sharing of calculators during a testing situation.  Please remove the calculator from its calculator holder before a testing situation.  A compass and straight-edge will be needed for some assignments. A notebook with dividers is required. 

 

SPECIAL NEEDS:

 If you have a documented disability for which you will need special accommodations in this course, you must make arrangements for such accommodations through Disabled Student Services.  Until such arrangements are made, no special accommodations should be expected.

 

CELL PHONES/PAGERS:

            Please be courteous enough to shut off your cell phones and pagers before class begins. No cell phone may be used as a calculator for a quiz or an exam. Please…..no receiving or sending text messages during class. 

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

            Academic honesty as stated in the university student handbook should be honored at all times.

 

EXTRA CREDIT

            Seniors and other students should not expect to receive extra credit in order to receive a passing grade of C in this course.  Students who receive a C or lower on any exam should devote 6-8 hours per week on the homework for this course.  The math lab should serve as a daily/weekly resource to meet the standards necessary to be an educator.  

 

MATHEMATICS IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON 

            “Nearly half of this year’s sophomores who took the test (in math) for the first time this spring did not pass the math section.”  “Math, which was set to be a requirement for 2008 but delayed by the state legislature until 2013, continues to be a problem.”  “Despite the delay in math, students who did not meet standard must continue to take rigorous math courses.  Typically, students are required to take two to three years of math.  Under changes in state law, students who don’t pass math must take an additional year.”  Students who fail the WASL are unlikely to pass on their second try.  “Of the 23,000 juniors who attempted the math test again this spring—or those who failed it at least once before---5788 passed.” (June 9, 2007, THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW). 

 

            In an article in THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (May 9, 2007), Governor Chris Gregoire is quoted.  “Our students cannot and will not be penalized because the state hasn’t done its job in our education system to ensure that they have the math and science skills they (students) need.  We’re going to get it right….We’re not going to give up on any student in the state of Washington.”  “…every student deserves a chance to meet the high standards necessary to compete in the global economy.”

 

SPOKANE AND MATH WASL TEST RESULTS REPORTED IN 2007

            “Scores for 10th grade Spokane Public Schools students showed only 52 percent passing the math portion.”  “In Spokane, 28 percent of students who made a second attempt passed the math portion of the test.”

 

 

Directions for Take Home Quizzes/Graded Homework:

 

1. Paper stays in your possession.

2.  Paper is handed in by you.

3.  Paper is handed in on time or earlier--no late Christmas shoppers.

4.  Comparison of answers is o.k.

5.  Collaboration is fine within the CLASS--however there must be joint collaboration. It is not o.k. for one person to do the work and another to be the stenographer (writer) .  Every person should do the work.

6.  Use of books and notes as references are fine.