SCHOOL WATSON OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULAR STUDIES EDUCATION LAB 322-201 Mathematics Lab Spring 2006 Dr. Tracy Hargrove 249 Education Building Phone: [phone] [e-mail] http://people.uncw.edu/hargrovet/322 Office Hours: Monday 1:00-5:00 Wednesday 9:30-11:30 1:00-3:00 Friday 9:30-12:00
Course Description: (1) Corequisite: EDN 322. Designed to provide students with supervised field experiences with elementary school-aged children. Focus on observation of students, development of math lesson plans, math instruction for individual students, small groups and whole class, evaluation of student performance, and reflecting on instructional performance.
Conceptual Framework:
The Watson School of Education strives to develop highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles. EDNL 322, Mathematics Lab, supports this framework through field experience, projects and evaluations. These experiences afford students the opportunity to develop the following competencies: Informed data driven decision making Reflective practice Commitment to ethical and professional standards Knowledge in academic content and pedagogy Technology integration Ability to meet needs of diverse learners Knowledge and use of appropriate communication strategies
Individual student growth in these areas will result in educational practice that positively impacts learning.
Objectives:
Upon successfully completing this course, the student should be able to: 1. demonstrate an understanding of the mathematical content which underlies the mathematics taught at the K-6 level. 2. compare the NCTM Standards with mathe matics curricula and instruction at the K-6 level. 3. relate selected concepts in learning and child development to mathematics instruction. 4. use informal diagnostic techniques in planning instruction. 5. identify commercial, environmental, and technology-based materials useful in the teaching of mathematics.
6. integrate mathematics with other elementary subjects. 7. generate instructional sequences on topics such as: classification seriation patterning concept of number rote counting rational counting numeral formation place value basic operations fractions intuitive geometry estimation whole number algorithms basic fact mastery money and time graphing probability and statistics measurement
8. design activities to help children learn facts, acquire skills, develop concepts in mathematics and use calculators appropriately in applying concepts. 9. modify mathematics curriculum and instruction to meet individual needs. 10. apply the criteria of a good K-6 mathematics program according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Attendance: Promptness and active participation are expected. Students having more than two (2) absences will have 10 points deducted from their final grade. Two (2) tardies and/or early departures are equivalent to one absence. Missing more than three (3) classes will result in a failing grade. Instructor Availability: Office hours are scheduled (see page one of this syllabus). You are also free to call the office any time. I will check voice mail each evening before 9:00 and return phone calls. Contact can also be made by email. Disability Services: **If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing accommodations of any type in order to participate in this class, you must notify Disability Services (962-7555), provide the necessary documentation of the disability and arrange for the appropriate authorized accommodations. Once these accommodations are approved, please identify yourself to me so that the accommodations can be implemented. Grading: During this course, you can earn a total of 200 points. All projects and assignments are listed below. Grades will be determined as follows:
A = 163-175 points A- = 158-162 points B+= 152-157 points B = 146-151 points B- = 140-145 points C+= 134-139 points C = 128-133 points C- = 123-127 points D = 105-122 points F = below 105 points
Assignments: 1. K-2 Assessment (25 points) Administer a portion of the North Carolina K-2 Mathematics Assessment to two students. Write a one-page reflection on how well the assessment measured student learning in this area, how the students responded to the assessment, and appropriate next steps for each student. Due February 14 or April 11. OR 3-5 Assessment (25 points) Administer the Number Facts Assessments from the EDN 322 course pack (pp. 20-22) to one student. Due February or 14 April 11. 2. Videotape (40 points) - Videotape yourself teaching two lessons (one math and one literacy) during the course of the semester. The point of this exercise is to learn more about how to evaluate your own performance as a teacher. The following guidelines taken from Tools for Teaching by Barbara Gross Davis should prove helpful in completing this assignment: Plan to view the videotape on the same or next day so that you can readily recall what you were thinking and feeling during class. Watch the tape once or twice to get used to seeing yourself on tape. During the first viewing, most people tend to focus on their voice, appearance, gestures, and mannerisms - "Do I really sound like that?". Understand that these details are exaggerated on tape and are far less noticeable and distracting in real life. Spend your time concentrating on effective teaching. Once you've adjusted to seeing yourself on tape, set aside sufficient time to analyze it. A rule of thumb may be to spend two hours for every one- hour of class time. Focus on your strengths as well as those aspects needing improvement. Submit a reflection for the math videotape addressing the following questions:
What are the specific things I did well? What are the specific things I could have done better? What did students seem to enjoy most? What did students seem to enjoy least? What three things would I change next time I teach this session?
Reflections are due March 2 (First Experience - Math) or April 27 (Second Experience - Math). 3. Learning log (30 points) In order to keep a documentary record of what you are learning in EDN 322 and the respective lab, you are asked to keep a Learning Log. The learning log enables you to think critically about what we are doing and why. You may include in the learning log descriptions of your experiences in the course and in elementary classrooms, your thoughts and
opinions of these experiences, questions, ideas and conclusions. You may choose to use a spiralbound notebook or if you prefer to type your entries, you may include them in a three-ring binder or folder. You should respond in the learning log once each week. Logs will be collected every two weeks on the following dates: Tuesday, January 24 Monday, February 6 Tuesday, February 28 Monday, March 20 Tuesday, April 11 Monday, April 24 4. Midterm Examination (20 points) On March 1 or 2, you will meet with a small group of your peers along with Dr. Hargrove and Dr. Walker to discuss what you have learned during the first part of the course and what you still need to gain from this experience. Groups will sign up in 45 minute increments. 5. Final Examination (20 points) On May 3 or 4 (8-11 am) you will meet with a small group of your peers along with Dr. Hargrove and Dr. Walker to discuss what you have learned during the second part of the course and what you still need to gain from field experiences. Groups will sign up in 45 minute increments. 6. Evaluation of Teaching (40 points) In order to provide you with documented evidence of your progress, both formative and summative evaluations will be conducted during the course of the semester by the cooperating teacher and the university professor.
INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY Through completion of the projects described above, students will design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners. This work will be done through the use of TaskStream, a web-based curriculum builder and portfolio toolset, and other technology resources. TaskStream: Beginning with the fall 2005 semester, the Watson School of Education requires that all education majors enrolled in methods courses maintain an active account on TaskStreak. You are asked to maintain that account for the duration of your program with the Watson School of Education (www.taskstream.com). Students in these courses will use TaskStream to maintain a Professional Development Portfolio. This portfolio includes evidence of your work to demonstrate progress toward meeting exit requirements and professional standards. Your instructor will advise you on how to obtain this account. Academic Honor Code Adherence to standards of professional conduct is expected in EDN 322. Please familiarize yourself with the requirements of the UNCW Academic Honor Code and the Watson School of Education Standards of Professional Conduct. These documents can be found in the course packet and on the course webpage.