Text: MATHEMATICS for ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
2^nd Edition, by Bassarear

Office Hours: M T W 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Th 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Grading Policy: Fall, 2001

The course content is the material contained in chapters 1 through 6.

1. Each student is expected to pre-read the assigned sections before the section is discussed in class. Notes should be taken on the readings as a preparation for the written quiz and to develop questions for classroom discussion. Answers to quiz question will be written in complete sentences. Notes may be used during the quiz but the textbook may not be used. There are no make-up exams.
2. The term essay is to be at least two full pages. It is to be doubled-spaced and typed. A draft copy is due no later than December 4, in class. The final copy is due no later than December 11, in class. The topic of the essay is to be selected from the list below and approved by the instructor.

Using Calculators in Elementary School Mathematics
Using Estimation Skills in Elementary School Mathematics or
Any of NCTM Standards listed on page A-17 through A-33

3. Individual Projects are to be a homemade visual aid designed to help in teaching a mathematics concept. The project is due no later than December 4, in class.
4. *Each student must ask or answer a question in each class.

There are no make-up exams. Make-up quizzes will be at the first class to which the student returns.

The final exam counts both as a separate grade and a make-up exam for all missed exams. (See below)

ATTENDANCE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, SINCE CLASS INTERACTION IS NECESSARY FOR LEARNING TO TAKE PLACE. THEREFORE, A NECESSARY CONDITION FOR THE LETTER GRADES BELOW IS LISTED. PRESENT FOR A CLASS MEANS THAT THE STUDENT MISSED NO MORE THEN 10 MINUTES AT THE BEGINNING OR END OF THE CLASS.

Cell phones and pagers are to be turned off during class.

*I use a comprehensive final exam. It has one part matched to each hour test given during the semester and an additional part for any material covered between the last test and the final exam. Each part is graded separately. The score on each part of the final replaces the previous corresponding test score if it is higher. This technique provides each student who missed a test with a make-up exam. But, in fairness to all students, if they took an exam and did poorly and now understand the material better, they are rewarded for improving their knowledge. (See example below).

Grades in bold are used to compute the new hour test average 85, 87, 100, 80 yield and average of 88.
Because higher grades should result from this method, grade standards have been raised.

This student’s grade (using 2 / 3 –1 / 3 grading policy) would have been 2 / 3 x 75 + 1 / 3 x 86 = 78.67. Under this System it would 2 / 3 x 88 + 1 / 3 x 86 = 87.3. It seems to me to be a fairer game for a student who achieves a B on a comprehensive final exam.

6/9/01