MATH 301B-04
Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics for Educators:
Transition from Concrete to Abstract in Algebra and Geometry
Fall 2012
– Tu.Th. 6:00-7:50Pm in JB114
Instructor: Dr. Su Liang
Office: JB 328 Phone: 537-7349 e-mail: sliang@csusb.edu
Office Hours: Tu. 10:30 -11:30 Th. 2:00-3:50 or by appointment
Text: Mathematics for Teachers, an Exploratory Approach , by Robert G. Stein with
Laura Wallace. The text comes in loose-leaf form to be put in a three-ring binder. A newer bound version is also available. We will be covering chapters 8.4 - 12. We will also use some supplementary handouts that you will be provided with during the quarter.
Supplies Needed: Three-ring binder, note paper, graph paper, ruler, scissors, and colored pencils.
Class Activities: Classes will consist of small group activities, discussion, individual activities, and lectures. I will try to minimize my lectures instead I would like to provide more opportunities for students to think, question, discuss, and reflect upon what learned through the process of solving problems. This class is designed to promote active learning. Be expecting that in this class you learn mathematics NOT by what I am telling you but by doing it yourself.
Course Description and Learning Outcomes:
Students completing Math 301A, Math 301B, Math 301C, and Math 308 will:
1. Develop conceptual understanding of mathematical topics.
2. Possess knowledge and have an understanding of mathematics that is considerably deeper than that required for the school mathematics that the students will teach.
3. Understand their role as a teacher of mathematics including the ability to communicate and explain mathematical ideas with ease and clarity, both verbally and in writing. This includes the ability to construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4. Make mathematical connections between topics, reason abstractly and quantitatively, and use appropriate and accurate representations involving numbers, symbols, words, and pictures.
5. Develop problem solving skills, make sense of problems, and persevere in solving them. This includes the ability to: organize and analyze information, solve problems readily using multiple solution strategies, construct logical arguments, interpret results, and examine the reasonableness of an answer.

6. Demonstrate procedural fluency and mastery of basic skill computations and concepts.
7. Develop a productive disposition – the habitual inclination to see mathematics as sensible, useful, and worthwhile, coupled with a belief in diligence and one’s own efficacy.
These learning outcomes are consistent with the Standards for Mathematical Practice of the California K-12 Common Core Content Standards for Mathematics.
The Standards for Mathematical Practice describe varieties of expertise that mathematics educators at all levels should seek to develop in their students. Please see the following links to the
California Department of Education for more details regarding these standards: http://www.scoe.net/castandards/agenda/2010/math_ccs_recommendations.pdf
and http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cc/ .
Basic Skill Policy and topics:
You will be required to demonstrate mastery of basic skills by achieving 85% or better on a test given sometime during the quarter as determined by the instructor. If you do not score at least 85% on this test, you will have a second opportunity to take another basic skills test by making an appointment with your instructor prior to the final exam. If you do not score at least 85% on the retake, then you will not pass the class. Basic skills questions are for determining whether the student has an 8 th grade level of competence in the topics covered in this course. Please refer to the California Common
Core State Standards.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cc/
Basic Skill topics/concepts:
General principles: (a) topics covered in the course, (b) at the pre-algebra level and below, according to the state standards in effect when the student will begin teaching (Common Core State Standards - http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cc/ ).
301B
1. Arithmetic: Converting with percent and solving basic word problems involving percent
2. Number theory a. Finding factors and multiples of a number b. Determining if a number is prime, factoring into primes c. Find LCM, GCD
3. Measurement a. Meaning of length, area, volume b. Units for length, area, volume, time

c. Formulas of area/perimeter of rectangle and volume of rectangular prism
4. Algebra a. Solve basic ratio and proportion [word] problems b. Graph ratio and linear equations and interpret simple graphs c. Solve a linear equation d. Solve basic word problems involving linear functions
Prerequisites: Math 301A with a grade of C or better.
Course Requirements: To pass this course, you must demonstrate competency in basic skills, achieve a score of 60% or better on the final exam, and have an overall average of 70% or better on quizzes, midterms, and the final. See the grading scale below for grade assignments.
Homework: Homework will be assigned daily, but will not be collected. However, the exams will based on homework problems.
Class Work: Your class work will be based on attendance, in-class discussions, and both group and individual work. I will randomly collect individual work or group work in class. Attendance is important for your success in class. Missing more than 2 classes will result in a drop in class work points.
Exams: There will two midterm exams and a cumulative final. No make-ups will be given
(except illness with doctor notes), and no calculators on exams. The exams will take place on the following dates:
Exam 1 October 4, Thursday, 6:00-6:50pm
Exam 2 October 25, Thursday, 6:00 – 6:50pm
Final Exam December 6, Thursday, 6:00-7:50pm
Grade Breakdown:
Class Work 15%
Exam 1 25%
Exam 2 25%
Final 35%
Grading Scale:
If you get an overall percentage of 60% or better on the final exam, then letter grades will be assigned according to your overall course percentage as follows with +/- grades being assigned in the upper and lower ends of each range (with the exception of A+ and
C-). This course is graded ABC/No credit:
A 90-100
B 80-89

C 70-79
NC 69 or less
Class Etiquette: Be on time! Frequently coming late or leaving class earlier will be counted as absence. Turn off your cell phone. No email or texting is allowed during the class period.
Special Needs: If you are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class, please contact Services to Students with Disabilities at UH-183,
537-5238.
Academic integrity: Misconduct in any form is in violation of CSUSB regulations and will not be allowed. Please refer to the academic regulations and procedures found in the CSUSB bulletin of courses for the university’s policies on course withdrawal, final exam schedule, class location, cheating and plagiarism.

10/9(Tu)
10/11(Th)
10/16(Tu)
10/18(Th)
10/23(Tu)
10/25(Th)
10/30(Tu)
11/1(Th)
11/6(Tu)
11/8(Th)
11/13(Tu)
11/15(Th)
Date
9/20 (Th)
9/25 (Tu)
9/27(Th)
10/2(Tu)
10/4(Th)
11/20(Tu)
11/22(Th)
11/27(Tu)
11/29(Th)
Math 301B - Class Schedule and Homework (Tentative)
Content
8.4 Percent
9.1 The Coordinate Plane
9.2 Functions and rules
9.3 Graphs of Rules and Equations
9.4 Graphs of Linear Functions
10.1 Take a number
10.2 Equations
Review for Exam 1
Exam 1 (First period of the class)
10.3 Language and Mathematics
10.4 Solving Problems with and without Algebra
Homework
Page232: 1-10,11,13,14,15,16,20
Page 239: 1, 3, 4
Page 244: 2; Page 266: 2, 3
Page 255: 1,2,3; Page 266: 5,6,7,8
Page 264: 1-3, 5-7
Page 272: 1,2,3,,6,,8,9
Page 280: 1-6
Page 286: 1-6, 11
Page 187: 1-5,7,9.11,13,14,15,21
10.5 Linear Equations in Two
Unknown
10.6 Rates and Units
10.6 Rates and Units (Continued)
10.7 Inequalities
11.1 Area
Review for Exam 2
Page 307:
1,2,3,5,6,8,9,11,13,15,17,19
Page311: 1,2,3,5,7,10,12
Page 312: 5,7,8,12,
Page 317: 1-6; 7,9,11,13,15,17,18,19
Page 322: 2,5,7.
Exam 2 (First period of the class)
11.1 Area
11.2 Perimeter
11.4 Volume
11.3 Similarity
Page 330: 1,2,3,4,6
Page 342: 1,2,3,4
Page 335: 1,2,3,4
11.5, 11.6 Circles, Cylinders, Cones,
Spheres
Page349:1,2,4 Page 353: 1,2,3,4
Page 355 1,2,4,5,6,10
12.1, 12.2 Square and Square Roots Page 363:1, 4,5,6,7,11,12,13
Page 371: 1,2,3,5,7
12.3. Distance, Circles, Absolute
Value
Page
377:1,2,3,4,5,7,9,11,13,15,20,25,
26,28,30
12.4. Pythagorean Triples
Thanksgiving, NO CLASS
12.5: Fractions and Square Roots
Last Class: Final Review
Page 382: 1,2
Page 383: 1 - 8