MAE 501 Foundations of the Secondary School Mathematics Curriculum
Spring 2007 Syllabus
This course has several goals. First, to ensure that you have fully mastered the secondary school curriculum; this includes the developement of an understanding of mathematics as a way of thinking and problem solving, rather than as a set of algorithms for solving particular kinds of problems. Second, to develop an understanding of the interconnections among the different branches of secondary school mathematics. Third, to develop an understanding of the connections between the secondary school curriculum and your college level mathematics curriculum. Fourth, to enhance your problem solving abilities, and to develop an understanding of the processes involved in learning and understanding mathematics, in mathematical problem solving, and in proving mathematical statements.
Instructor: Professor Bernard Maskit
Office: Math 5-112
Phone: 632-8257
e-mail: bernie@math.sunysb.edu
Office Hours: Mondays: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Tuesdays: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Text: There is no textbook for this course; class notes can be found at http://www.math.sunysb.edu/~bernie/spring07notes.pdf
Class worksheets, which will also contain homework assignments, will be distributed in class.
Attendance: MAE 501 is a course in the Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics Program, which leads to certification as a teacher of mathematics in grades 7-12. In light of the professional nature of this course, neither excessive absence nor excessive tardiness will be tolerated.
First Exam: There will be an in-class exam on Monday, February 5. The questions on this exam are taken directly from the New York State A and B Mathematics Regents exams. The passing grade on this exam is 90; students who do not achieve a passing grade will have two opportunities to pass an equivalent exam. While we will attempt to follow the course outline below, the amount of time spent on any one topic will depend to some extent on the exam scores on questions related to this topic.
Midterm Exam: The Midterm exam will be held in class on Monday, March 26, 2007.
Final Exam: The final exam will be held in room 4-130 on Monday, May 14, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Calculators: New York State requires graphing calculators on its Regents exams; you will not be able to solve some of the problems on examinations in this course without a graphing calculator. However, overly fancy calculators, such as those that do symbolic manipulations, or have telephones, or have overly extensive memories, will not be permitted.
Homework: Homework will be assigned in most classes, usually as part of the classroom worksheet. In general, the homework will be due the week after it is assigned. In general, the homework will be collected and corrected. While no grades for individual problems will be assigned, an overall homework grade, based on the submission of homework, will be given at the end of the semester.
Classwork: Class assignments will vary. For some, you will be required to work in groups assigned by the instructor; for some, you will be permitted to work in groups of your own choosing; for some, you will be required to work alone.
Grading: The final grade has two components.
Component 1:
First Exam: 10%
Midterm Exam: 25%
Final Exam: 45%
Classwork Homework: 20%
Component 2: If you do not achieve a grade of at least 90% on the First exam (or on a subsequent make-up exam), you will not pass this course.
Note: If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, you are urged to contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services office (DSS). They will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential. Note that we cannot make special arrangements for students with disabilities except for those determined by DSS.
Tentative Course Outline