Mathematics for Prospective Elementary Teachers I, Math 156, Group/Blackboard
Supplemented
Three Credit Hours
Fall 2015
Mary Baldwin College
Information About Myself: I am Dr. Christy Lowery-Carter (Dr. Lowery-Carter), your
instructor for Math 156. I am a Professor of Mathematics with Southside Virginia
Community College and an adjunct instructor with Mary Baldwin College. There are
several ways in which you can contact me. My home phone number is (434) 572-4528. I
use two email addresses and they are cloweryc@mbc.edu and
christy.carter@southside.edu. Email is the best method to get in touch with me.
However, if you need to speak with me on the phone, please contact me before 9 pm.
I hold a Bachelor of Science from Averett University with majors of Accounting,
Mathematical Decision Science, Mathematics, and Management Science. Also, I
completed my MAT: Math Education from Averett as well. I have taken eight graduate
courses in mathematics and administration through Cambridge College. In December of
2008, I graduated from Liberty University with an Educational Specialist Degree in
Teaching and Learning, and in August of 2012 I completed an Ed.D in Teaching and
Learning at Liberty as well. For my dissertation, I am studied the effectiveness of
traditional teaching techniques in an online learning environment.
I taught with the Halifax County Public School System from 2003-2006. I began
teaching as an adjunct with Southside Virginia Community College in January of 2004
and accepted a fulltime position in August of 2006. I have an adjunct with Mary Baldwin
College since the summer of 2007.
Course Description: This course reviews content of the numeration, computation and
estimation, and algebra strands of the VA SOL for grades K-6. Students develop deeper
understanding of content, flexibility in solving problems, and an ability to work with a
variety of algorithms. Representing abstract mathematical concepts in developmentally
appropriate ways is emphasized.
Course Goals and Objectives: The goals of this course include a)number systems, their
structure, basic operations, and properties b) elementary number theory, ratio, proportion and
percent c) understanding of the sequential nature of mathematics d) understanding of the
multiple representations of mathematical concepts and procedures e) understanding of and
the ability to use the five processes of reasoning mathematically, solving problems,
communicating mathematics effectively, making mathematical connections, and using
mathematical representations at different levels of complexity and f) understanding of the
contributions of different cultures toward the development of mathematics, and the role of
mathematics in culture and society.
Prerequisites: None.
Course resources:
 Textbook: Beckmann, Sybilla. (2011). Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
with Activity Manual. Pearson. ISBN: 978-0-321-64694-1.
 Calculator: A scientific calculator is required and a graphical calculator is optional. I
would suggest the TI-30XIIS.
 Supplies: A three ring binder, pencils, erasers, paper, graphing paper, and ruler.
Course requirements: On page four of this syllabus there is an outline of each day of class
and the corresponding assignment.
 You will be completing practice problems from the textbook on the chapters we
will be covering.
 As I present each topic, I will also show the topic using a manipulative. The class
presentation that accounts for 20% of your grade will require you to use some
manipulative to teach a concept in elementary mathematics. Your presentation
should be five minutes in length including explaining to whom this lesson is
geared to and the class completing the activity. You will share your activity with
your classmates on the last day of class.
 Not only will you be required to read the textbook, you will be reading
educational journal articles related to mathematics. Using an article from ERIC
or Academic Research Complete, your response should be two pages, double
spaced, and typed using a font size of 12. Include a summary and react/response
to what you have read. The journal reviews are due the last day of class and
submitted through Blackboard.
 Attendance is imperative, this class will present many hands-on activities and it is
essential for you to be in class and participating in the activities.
 The final exam is comprehensive and will cover all the material you have learned
in the course. It will be administered on the last day of class.
Assessment: Your final grade for the class will be determined in the following way.
Homework sets
20%
Class presentation
20%
Responses to reading assignments 20%
Attendance and class participation 10%
Final Exam
30%
Grading Scale
100-93
A
89-87
B+
82-80
B76-73
C
69-67
D+
59-50
F
No late work will be accepted.
90-92
86-83
79-77
72-70
66-60
AB
C+
CD
Honor System: Mary Baldwin College operates on the proud tradition of the Honor
System. Honor is a personal quality each student responsible for his/her own actions and
fosters trust in one another and respect for the truth. The Honor System is based on three
principles: integrity of one’s word, respect for the property of others, and honesty in
academic work. These standards are an integral part of life at Mary Baldwin; in
becoming part of the Mary Baldwin community, each student willingly assumes an
obligation and responsibility to uphold them.
Math Background: This is a college level mathematics course. It is expected that you
have basic skills in computation with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percent.
Also you need to have a basic understanding of geometry and measurement. If you have
weak mathematical skills or it has been several years since you took a math class I
suggest taking MTE courses through DCC or SVCC.
Praxis I: If you have not passed the math portion of the Praxis I, I strongly suggest that
you take the test near the end of this course. The material covered this semester will
greatly help you earn a passing score on the test.
Responses to readings: Responses to readings should be word-processed, doublespaced. They should demonstrate appropriate sentence and paragraph structure and
should be free of spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors.
Showing how you found the answer: You are expected to show all of your work at all
times. This is to be done on quizzes, test, and examinations.
Tentative Schedule
Meeting
September 11 (5:00-8:00)
September 12 (8:30-1:00)
September 25 (5:00-8:00)
September 26 (8:30-1:00)
Topic
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Class presentation
**All classes are to be held at the downtown location of Mary Baldwin College in the
Edward Jones Building.
**The homework sets, journal article analyses, and final exam
must be turned in by _______________.