MTE 181: Theory of Elementary Mathematics
Spring 2007 Syllabus
Email: Lance.Ward@asu.edu website: http://math.asu.edu/~ward
Instructor: Lance Ward
Text: Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, 3rd Ed. by O’Daffer, et al.
Other Required Materials: Active Math by ASU Staff, et al. (buy new), MyMathLab: Computer
software
Optional Materials: Manipulative kit (available in bookstore), calculator (graphing calculator not required).
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. This type of behavior burdens the instructor and makes it
difficult to assign grades objectively. It is the responsibility of the student to earn the desired grade.
Any unethical behavior will result in the student being dropped from the course.
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)
Three exams will be given in the Testing Center. Students must have an ASU Sun Card (obtained in the
Memorial Union) to be admitted to the Testing Center. 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 exam schedule is as follows:
Exam 1
Covers Chapters 8 and 9
Exam 2
Covers Chapters 10 and 11
Exam 3
Covers Chapters 12 and 13
Final Exam
Covers entire course
The exams are designed to be completed in roughly one hour but students have as much time as needed –
there are no time limits on the exams. Students must take the Final Exam during the allotted time given by
the University. Make-ups are not allowed.
Please be courteous and turn off all cell phones, pagers, etc. before entering the Testing Center. Improper
use of notes, books, programmable calculators, or other materials is considered cheating. All forms of
cheating are intolerable and will be dealt with harshly, including possible expulsion from the University.
Use proper judgment when taking the exams. Details on proper etiquette are listed on the cover page of
each exam. Please read these details and instructions carefully before taking the exam.
TEXTBOOK ASSIGNMENTS
Homework is reading the current textbook section, along with answering questions on the section.
Guidelines for homework:
1. Homework must be written neatly, in pencil.
2. Multiple pages should be stapled (not paper clipped) with the student's name on the top of every
page.
3. If notebook paper is used, the frayed edges in the margin should be trimmed with scissors.
Late or incomplete homework will not be accepted under any circumstances, even legitimate ones.
ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS
Online assignments must be completed by the given due dates. You will need to install the MyMathLab
software onto a computer that you have access to in order to complete the assignments. You can retry any
problem as often as needed. The software includes tutorial programs for each homework problem in which
it will walk you through similar problems.
JOURNAL (10 points each)
Four journal entries are required throughout the course of the semester. You will be given 7 journal topics
to choose from; to be turned in on one of the 4 Thursday due dates for journals. Hand-written journals will
only be accepted if PRINTED neatly. The journals will be graded based on the following criteria:
1. Completeness and effort (Did the student address the issue?)
2. Grammar and spelling (must be flawless to receive a perfect score)
3. Correctness (Is the mathematics correct?)
Late journals will not be accepted for any reason, including legitimate ones.
IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES (5 points each)
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 Active Math, which all students must purchase new. Random assignments will be collected
throughout the course of the semester to be graded. The in-class activity grade will be determined by
performance on these activities. The text is a resource and will not be the guide for classroom activities.
Bring your Active Math book to each class.
ARTICLE SUMMARIES (20 points each)
Students are responsible for writing 3 article summaries during the semester. These are due as noted on
the schedule and will not be accepted late, as a classroom activity is based upon the summaries. Articles
will be given to students. Hand-written summaries will only be accepted if PRINTED neatly. Each summary
should be one page in length and include:
 The title,
 A summary of the main ideas,
 A reflection on how this idea might affect a classroom, and
 A question that this brings up for you, as a future teacher.
FILE FOLDER ACTIVITY (30 points)
Each student will select a topic from the book (chapters 8 – 13) and develop a file folder game to practice
the skills covered on the selected topic. It must be age appropriate. That is, it must be suitable for use in
grades K-8. The activity will be graded by the following criteria: Mathematical content,
creativity/originality, neatness, age appropriateness, clear directions, and age appropriate materials. Bring
all materials needed for the activity to be played, including directions, to class on the given due date. No
late games will be accepted. Directions and answer key should be included in the file folder with additional
materials needed in a plastic bag that can be stored inside of the file folder.
POSTER PROJECT (30 points)
Create a poster that teaches a mathematics topic covered in MTE 181 (Chapters 8 – 13). The poster should
be made to be used in your future classroom. So gear the mathematical content towards a grade level you
would ideally like to teach. On the back of the poster include the grade level your poster is geared towards
and a summary of the mathematical content on the poster. Remember this is to be a poster that will hang
up on a wall, so make sure that it is readable from a distance. The poster can be no smaller than 2 feet by
2 feet.
OTHER DETAILS
Students should be responsible and understand the deadlines for withdrawals, requirements for a grade of
“Incomplete,” etc. Withdrawal deadlines are available at the Registrar’s web site. Consult the Catalogue
for information regarding “Incompletes,” etc.