Math 1351(section): Mathematics for Elementary Education Majors II
Meets: MW 3:30-4:50
Location: Lang 104
Fall 2013
Instructor: Tim Wilson
Office: GAB 409
Office Hours: MW 0800-0900, 1000-1100
Email:
Course
Description:Concepts of geometry, probability and statistics, as well as applications of the algebraic properties of real numbers to concepts of measurement with an emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking. Only for students requiring course for teacher certification.
Prerequisite:Successful completion of Math 1350
Recommended
Text: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers, 9th edition by Musser, Burger, and Peterson.
ISBN-13: 978-0-470-53134-1
Course
Objectives:By the end of the course you should be able to: state definitions and theorems from basic geometry, analyze geometric situations, solve geometric problems. You should also be able to state definitions and theorems from basic probability and statistics as well analyze probability and statistical situations, solve probability and statistics problems, compute basic statistics, and simulate probabilistic situations.
Perspective: This course is a continuation of the transition from being a learner of mathematics to being a teacher of mathematics. This transition culminates with the mathematics methods course taken as a part of teacher training (EDEE 4350). During this transition you should develop from being able to “do” mathematics to being able to analyze and understand elementary mathematics concepts. You should concentrate on changing from a passive receiver of information to an independent learner who can seek out new ideas and understand them. Lastly, you should begin this transition by focusing on yourself as a learner of mathematics (How do I learn math?) to focusing on others’ learning styles to focusing on the child as a learner and how you can facilitate that learning.
Like many other careers, mathematics education has it “tools of the trade.” While you may have not learned mathematics using manipulatives the first time around, you will be expected to use them in the classroom. We will be using manipulatives to model mathematical ideas but the purpose of this course is to begin to understand mathematics. You will learn how to use these “tools” to teach mathematics in EDEE 4350.
Web Access:This course will be using Blackboard. You may access Blackboard at learn.unt.edu.
Homework, worksheets, and activities will be posted in Blackboard as we cover the related material. If you are absent, you must check Blackboard to print all handouts andhomework given out during the class that was missed.
Internet
Access:UNT has many general access computer labs for student learning. See for more information.
Final Exam: (Date and time). Our final exam will be in this classroom. You can check for the final exams schedule.
Exams:There will be three exams during the semester. If you know you need to miss an exam, you should plan to take the exam early. If you have an emergency (deathly ill, car problems, etc.) on the day of the test and you contact me PRIOR to class time (a message in the office or an email sent before class is fine), I will consider arranging for you to make up the test.
Written
Homework:Homework will come from in class assignments and handouts provided through Blackboard. Assignments will be posted on Blackboard as we go; you are responsible forthe assignments and deadlines. Homework to be turned in to me will be due at the
assignments and deadlines.
Other
Assignments:These may include in-class activities, larger projects, and/or essays. More information about these assignments will be provided as we go through the semester.
Grading:Average of the 3 exams80% of overall grade
Homework/ Projects 20% of overall grade
Grade
Assignment:A: 90%-100%, B: 80%-89%, C: 70%-79%, D: 60%-69, F: <60%
Grades are determined solely on your performance on assessments. There is no extracredit.
Calculator:You will need a scientific calculator for portions of this course. No graphing calculatorsor cell phone calculators.
Other Supplies: You need to have a ruler, compass, protractor and a pair of scissors. You will find colored pencils or markers useful. You may also want to consider loose paper (lined or graph) in a binder rather than a spiral notebook for this course.
Study:A reasonable amount of time to allow for a college mathematics course is two to three hours (of productive time) outside of class for every hour in class. Try to schedule regular hours to study, six to nine hours for this class every week. If you really do set aside this time and use those six to nine hours productively, I think you’ll find that you will have better grades. Often, studying with someone else helps you clarify your own thinking and understanding; of course, all parties need to contribute for this to really be effective.
Email:Feel free to email me with questions or comments; but DON’T expect an immediate reply; you can expect a reply within two business days. (My email address is listed at the top of this document.) Email communication is NOT to be used in lieu of class attendance.. Please use your UNT email address to send me emails. In the subject line, type “MATH 1351.00_.” I will not respond to emails sent from other accounts.
Class
Participation:Participation is a required part of this course. This class is designed to be active and interactive. Much of what you will learn will evolve from in-class activities, experiences, and discussions. Attendance is essential. Just as it will be when you are the teacher, you should be punctual and stay for the entire class time. Missing any portion of class may be counted as an absence at the instructor’s discretion. On the fourth absence, the student’s grade will drop a letter grade. For each absence after the fourth absence, the grade willcontinue to drop a letter grade. ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL!!
Attendance:Some of the concepts you will discuss in this course are not in the textbook, so you need to be in class. Beginning , students may be administratively dropped from the course for non-attendance with a grade of WF (withdraw failing). The last day a student may be dropped for nonattendance is . Six or more absences constitute non-attendance. “WF” is averaged into you GPA as a “F”. Should you be absent, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered in class as soon as possible.
Math Lab:More information is available at The UNT Math Lab is located in GAB 440. The website has the current hours of operation.
Online
Tutoring:Go to and select the tutoring button located in the left column of the page. Then select online tutoring. The link will direct you to
Final Grade:You may access your course grade online at my.unt.edu. Grades posted in Blackboard are for your record-keeping purposes only. Your final course grade is determined by the criteria stated on this syllabus.
Incompletes:Beginning a student that qualifies may request a grade of “I”, an incomplete. An “I” is a non-punitive grade given only if ALL three of the following criteria are satisfied:
1) The student is passing the course.
2) The student has a justifiable (and verifiable) reason why the work cannot be completed as scheduled; and
3) The student arranges with the instructor to complete the work within one academic year.
Classroom
Etiquette:Appropriate behavior is expected of all students taking this course. Arrive at class promptly and do not leave until the scheduled ending time. If you must arrive late or leave early, please do so as discreetly as possible and take a seat near the door. Please turn off all non-medical electronics such as pagers, laptops, cell phones, etc. Do not read the newspaper or work on unrelated assignments during class. Please finish your meal/snack before coming to class. A beverage in class is acceptable.
Academic
Conduct:Please be aware of university policies regarding academic honesty. Cheating on exams and other individual work is not tolerated and will have severe consequences – often the result is failing the course. Consult vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm for details on academic integrity at UNT.
Students with
Disabilities:The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.
Drop Policy:If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to formally withdraw from the course. You may do so through the Registrar’s Office after obtaining the necessary signatures. Consents for withdrawal and appropriate signatures may be obtained in the Math Department Office, GAB 435. The last day to drop with an automatic “W” is . The last day to drop with “W” or “WF” is . “WF” is averaged into your GPA as an “F”. If you do not withdraw but stop attending, you will receive a performance grade, generally an “F”.
Progress
Reports:Students needing progress reports completed/signed for athletics, scholarships, and/or other organizations must attend office hours to get them completed.
Student
Behavior:Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students’ opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom, and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student’s conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university’s expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classrooms, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at
Succeed at
UNT: Succeed at UNT is a new campaign to provide students with consistent student success messages, and user-friendly, accessible links to student support services. The six focused messages are: SHOW UP, FIND SUPPORT, TAKE CONTROL, BE PREPARED, GET INVOLVED, and BE PERSISTENT. You can access multiple student resource links, as well as short videos with student messages by going to
SETE:The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. I am very interested in the feedback I get from students, as I work to continually improve my teaching. I consider the SETE to be an important part of your participation in this class. More information about SETE will be available later in the semester.
Disclaimer:I reserve the right to amend, append, or otherwise make changes to this syllabus and these policies should the need arise. Changes to this syllabus will be announced in class.