MTE 180: Theory of Elementary Mathematics, Spring 2010 Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Lance Ward
Course Information:
http://math.asu.edu/~ward
Email: Lance.Ward@asu.edu
Phone: (480) 965-0307,
FAX: (480) 965-8119, but write my name on any FAX for me.
Office: ECA 214
Office Hours: TTH 9:05-10:05, MWF 11:55-12:55, or by appointment
Required Materials: Active Math by ASU Staff, et al. (buy new), MyMathLab: Computer software.
Course ID: ward84813 ASU's zip code is 85287.
Prerequisite: Pass MAT 142 (College Mathematics) or 117 (College Algebra) or equivalent
COURSE INFORMATION With a few exceptions, the classroom atmosphere will not be a lecture format.
Instead, students will work in groups on activities that are relative to the material being covered in the text. Most
of the activities are found in the Active Math workbook, which all students must purchase new. The online text
is a resource and will not be the guide for classroom activities. Bring your Active Math book to each class.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
1. Speak with Meaning
What you say should carry meaning to others. Reference quantities – NO pronouns. Explain and
justify your approach
2. Exhibit Intellectual Integrity
Base your conjecture on a logical foundation; don’t pretend to understand when you don’t.
3. Strive to Make Sense
Persist in making sense of your peer’s thinking.
4. Respect the Learning Process of Others
Allow others the opportunity to think, reflect and construct. When assisting your peers, pose
questions to help them construct meaning rather than show them how to get the answer.
GRADES Student grades will be calculated by adding up the total number of points earned and then comparing
with the total number of points possible. Students are encouraged to discuss their performance with the
instructor. However, there are certain ethics involved. For instance, it is unethical for a student to call to the
instructor’s attention that a certain grade is needed in order to graduate, to remain academically eligible for
athletics, to keep a scholarship, etc. It is the responsibility of the student to earn the desired grade.
GRADING SCALE Grades are not curved.
A 89.5-100%, B 79.5-89.4%, C 69.5-79.4%, D 59.5-69.4%, F 0-59.4%
EXAMS (100 points each) and FINAL (150 points). The best possible preparation for them is regular
attendance and completion of assigned homework. The first two exams are taken outside of class time in the
Mathematics Department Testing Center, PSA 21 (basement). To be admitted to the Testing Center each student
must have a valid ASU "Sun Card". The testing center is open 9:00 a.m. - 6:28 p.m. M-Th , and 9:00 a.m. - 3:28
p.m. Fri. You may not enter late. Arrival before the door closes allows the student an hour and a half to
complete the test. Students should complete exams as early as possible during the allotted time frame, since the
center can get extremely busy in the afternoons. Your calculator memory may be viewed during any exam and
will be cleared if anything suspicious is noted. The instructor has the right to regard finding suspicious material
in your calculator memory as cheating. No test score will be dropped!
Exams must be taken on dates specified, or will result in a zero for that exam. Make-up exams are not
allowed without instructor’s pre-approval. The student will be required to show official documentation
supporting their reasons for requesting a make-up exam. The first two exams are designed to be completed in
roughly one hour, however, there are no time limits on these two exams.
The exam schedule is as follows:
Exam 1, Thurs.-Fri. Feb. 25-26 Covers Chapters 1 - 3
Exam 2, Tue.-Wed. Apr. 13-14 Covers Chapters 4 - 6
The Final Exam will be in class and covers Chapters 1 - 7.
For the 9:40 class the final exam will be Friday, May 7 at 7:30-9:20 AM.
For the 10:45 class the final exam will be Monday, May 10 at 9:50-11:40 AM.
No, you may not take the final exam with my other class.
CHAPTER CONTENT ASSIGNMENTS Homework is reading the current textbook section, along with
answering questions on the section. Each section’s work is worth 5 points. If the student attempts the problem
and shows their thinking (shows work), ½ point will be given. You find these assignments under “Chapter
Content” on CourseCompass. Guidelines for homework:
Homework must be written neatly, in pencil.
Multiple pages should be stapled (not paper clipped) with the students name on the top of every page.
If notebook paper is used, the frayed edges in the margin should be trimmed with scissors.
Late homework will not be accepted.
INTERACTIVE ASSIGNMENTS Online assignments must be completed by the given due dates. You will
need use MyMathLab on a computer to complete the assignments. These assignments are worth 5 points. You
find these assignments under “Do Homework”.
In order to log on to MyMathLab, go to http://www.coursecompass.com. In order to register for
MyMathLab, you must have an ACCESS CODE and a Course ID. The ACCESS CODE can be
purchased with a new textbook, separately in the ASU Bookstore, or online (for about $70) at
http://www.mymathlab.com/register.html and clicking on "purchasing online access". The Course ID is
ward84813 ASU's zip code is 85287.
Late interactive assignments will not be accepted.
IN-CLASS REVIEW ACTIVITIES (5 points each) Class Reviews are reviews of the prior day’s lesson and
are to be completed within the first 5 minutes of class. Reviews will be completed on random days throughout
the course.
Late reviews will not be accepted for any reason.
ARTICLE REFLECTION (15 points) Students are responsible for writing an article reflection. Articles
will be given to students. Reflections should be typed. Each reflection should be one page in length and
include:
10 points: Reflection: What did you learn from the article? Do you agree/disagree with the
information? Why? How will the information from the article impact your future classroom?
3 points: A question that this article brings up for you, as a future teacher, and
2 points: Sharing summary with group
Late article reflections will not be given full credit.
JOURNAL (10 points) One journal will be assigned toward the end of the course. You will be given journal
topics to choose from. Hand-written journals will not be accepted. The journal will be graded based on the
following criteria:
3 points: Completeness and effort (Did the student address the issue?)
2 points: Grammar and spelling (must be flawless to receive a perfect score)
3 points: Accuracy (Is the mathematics correct?)
2 points: Journals should be at least ¾ of a page in length (double or single spaced)
Late journals will not be accepted.
FILE FOLDER ACTIVITY (30 points) Each student will select a topic from the book (chapters 1 – 7) and
develop a file folder activity to practice the skills covered on a selected topic. It must be suitable for use in
grades K-8. Bring all materials needed for the activity, including directions, to class on the given due date. No
late activities will be accepted.
5 points: Mathematical content (chapters 1 - 7)
5 points: Originality/appeal
5 points: Complete answer key
5 points:
Age appropriateness, state grade and cite Arizona State Standard. (You may refer to
https://ade.state.az.us/standards/contentstandards.asp. You may need to add a security exception to your
computer to view this site.)
5 points: Clear directions
5 points: Sharing activity with group/class
Late file folder activities will not be given full credit.
ATTENDANCE: The maximum number of allowed absences for any reason is six (6). More than this will
result in a failing grade of EN.
Departmental and University Policies and Procedures
April 9th, 2010
Course Withdrawal Deadline - In Person
Course Withdrawal Deadline - Online
April 11th, 2010
Complete Withdrawal Deadline
May 4th, 2010
Course Withdrawal: A student may withdraw from a course with a grade of W during the withdrawal period. The
instructor’s signature is not required. It is a student’s responsibility to verify that that they have in fact withdrawn from a
class.
Instructor-Initiated Drop: At the instructor's discretion, any student who has not attended class during the first week of
classes may be administratively dropped from the course. However, students should be aware that non-attendance will
NOT automatically result in their being dropped from the course. Thus, a student should not assume they are no longer
registered for a course simply because they did not attend class during the first week. It is the student's
responsibility to be aware of their registration status.
The grade of Incomplete: A grade of incomplete will be awarded only in the event that a documented emergency or illness
prevents the student who is doing acceptable work from completing a small percentage of the course requirements. The
student must provide written documentation and be passing the class at the time to receive an Incomplete. The guidelines in
the current general ASU catalog regarding a grade of incomplete will be strictly followed. The Dean of the student’s college
must approve any exceptions to these rules.
Final Exam Make-up Policy:
The final exam schedule listed in the Schedule of Classes (http://students.asu.edu/final-exam-schedule#spring) will be
strictly followed. Except to resolve those situations described below, no changes may be made in this schedule without prior
approval of the Dean of the college in which the course is offered. Under this schedule, if a conflict occurs, or a student has
more than three exams on one day, the instructors may be consulted about an individual schedule adjustment necessary, the
matter may be pursed further with the appropriate dean(s). This procedure applies to conflicts among any combination of
Downtown Phoenix campus, Tempe campus, Polytechnic campus, West campus, and/or off campus class. Make-up exams
will NOT be given for reasons of a non-refundable airline tickets, vacation plans, work schedules, weddings, family
reunions, and other such activities. Students should consult the final exam schedule before making end-of-semester travel
plans.
Exceptions to the schedule and requests for make-up examinations can be granted only by the Department Chair,
Associate Department Chair or the Director of First Year Mathematics, and for one of the following reasons:
1. religious conflict (e.g., the student celebrates the Sabbath on the date of the final exam)
2. the student has more than three exams scheduled on the same day as the math final
3. there is a time conflict between the math final and another final exam.
The highest standards of academic integrity are expected of all students. The failure of any student to meet these
standards may result in suspension or expulsion from the University or other sanctions as specified in the University Student
Academic Integrity Policy. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating, fabrication, tampering,
plagiarism, or facilitating such activities.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
In the “Student Academic Integrity Policy” manual, ASU defines “’Plagiarism” [as] intentionally or knowingly representing
the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise. Students are responsible for knowing the rules
governing the use of another's work or materials and for acknowledging and documenting the source appropriately.” You
can find this definition at: http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/studentlife/judicial/academic_integrity.htm#definitions
Academic dishonesty, including inappropriate collaboration, will not be tolerated. There are severe sanctions for
cheating, plagiarizing and any other form of dishonesty.
The grade of XE: A grade of XE is reserved for "failure for academic dishonesty." The XE grade may be petitioned after 1
year.
Theory of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: MTE 180
Lance.Ward@asu.edu
Week and Topic
Week 1:
1.1 & 1.2
Week 2:
1.3 & 2.1
Week 3:
2.1, 2.2 & 2.3
Week 4:
2.3, 3.1 & 3.2
Week 5:
3.3 & 3.4
Week 6:
Review and Test 1
Week 7:
4.1 & 4.2
Week 8:
4.2, 5.1 & 5.2
Week 9:
Week 10:
5.2 & 6.1
Week 11:
6.2 and 6.3
Week 12:
6.4 and Review
Week 13:
Test 2 & 7.1
Week 14:
7.2
Week 15:
7.3 & Review
Week 16:
Review
www.coursecompass.com Course ID: ward84813
Due Dates and Test Dates (note: for each section, online and
textbook homework are both due at the same dates and times)
Jan 22 WASI due
Jan 29 1.1 and 1.2 due at start of class
Feb 1
1.3 due at start of class
Feb 8
2.1 & 2.2 due
Feb 15 2.3, 3.1 & 3.2 due
Feb 22 3.3 & 3.4 due
Feb 25-26 Test 1 (Chapters 1 - 3)
March 3
Article Reflection due
March 8
4.1 due
Spring Break
March 22 4.2 & 5.1 due
March 29 5.2 & 6.1 due
April 5 6.2 & 6.3 due
April 12 6.4 due
April 13-14 Test 2 (Chapters 4 - 6)
April 19 7.1 due
April 21 File Folder Activity due
April 26 7.2 due
April 30 7.3 and Journal due
May 4 is the last day of classes before finals.
FINAL EXAM in ROOM 302
DISCLAIMER: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus at any time as needed. The instructor
will announce changes in class. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the announcements.
Section
Specific Chapter Content Problems
# of Interactive Problems
1.1
2 – 14 even problems only
None
1.2
2 – 17, 62
None
1.3
3,4,15,16,28,29
2
2.1
1,2,3,18,20,24
5
2.2
1,2,3,17,18
9
2.3
4,6,7,13,14,15,16,18,35
3
3.1
2,4,6,8,14,16,24,26,28,30,32,34
5
3.2
16,18,49,50,51,52
8
3.3
10,12,24,32,36,38,56
None
3.4
2,4,8,18,23,24,25,26,54
None
4.1
8,10,12,14,16,,17abde,18,20,21,46bcd,48 abcde
9
4.2
6,8,14,16,28,30,36
12
5.1
6,7,8,12,13,14, 18
11
5.2
2,3, 4,32,46
4
6.1
1,2,3,14,20
10
6.2
11,12,13,16,17
8
6.3
1,2,3,5,6,8,11a,12,14,36
5
6.4
1,3,4,9,10abcd,26
4
7.1
None
9
7.2
None
10
7.3
None
6
Instructor may change the assignments to fit the class needs.
Journal Options Spring 2009
Choose one of the following topics to write your journal.
Topic #1 (Chapter 1)
Problem solver: Looking back on the WASI and some of the problems that we have solved in class,
what are your strengths and weaknesses in problem solving strategies?
What specific
experiences/problems allowed you to see this about yourself?
Topic #2 (Chapter 2)
What is the difference between the taking away, the separating and the comparing models of
subtraction? Include some of your own examples, and explain it as if you were explaining it to
students for the very first time.
Topic #3 (Chapter 3)
Explain how the language used should be different when you write word problems for the task 144 ÷ 6
first as repeated subtraction and then as sharing.
Topic #4 (Chapter 4)
Make a chart showing the different divisibility tests. Explain the connections between some of the
tests. Discuss which tests you would encourage students to use and why.
Topic #5 (Chapter 5)
How would you use an elevator model to illustrate addition of integers? How is this model like one of
the models you studied in chapter 5? Explain.
Topic #6 (Chapter 6)
How do the repeated subtraction and sharing models of division help in understanding the division of
fractions? Explain using examples.