Assignments

Proposed Format for Evaluation:

1. Response Journal/Blog – 20% 2. Book Circle – 15% 3. Lesson Plan – 10% 4. Group Presentation On Specific Math Concepts - 25% 5. Four Math Activities - (Math Fair) for K-5 – 20% 6. In-Class Assignments – 10%

Outline of Assignments:

1. Response Journals/Blogs – 20%

Students will each create a personal/professional blog (or journal) to document learning, to reflect, to question, to ponder, and to summarize both your learning and teaching of mathematics. The blog will play an important role in your learning for this course, and will act as a communication tool between you, your instructor, and other course participants. Your blog should include and show evidence of: • Weekly reflections/responses on your growth in understanding the math content covered in the class. (short entries) • Your thoughts on 4 assigned questions – Which will appear on the EMTH 215 Wiki – You will have choices.

First Journal - Oct. 10 Second Journal - Oct. 30 Third Journal - Nov. 13 Fourth Journal - Nov. 20**
 * Here is a schedule of when they should be completed by:

2. Book Circle – 15%

Since there is a lot of material to cover in this course students will be assigned to prepare approximately 5 questions to lead a small group of your peers in a discussion on a chapter from the required text. You may work with a partner/group to prepare the questions/discussions and then individually lead a 20-minute book circle discussion with approximately 5 people in your group. Here is an organizer you can use to collect your ideas before you do your final written reflection.

Once you have led your discussion you will submit your questions and responses generated from the discussions. Also include a reflection that outlines your thoughts or changes in ideas for application for the classroom that the math ideas in the chapter discussed. This reflection will be handed in (Prefer Email) one week after the book circle or can be posted to your Blog and shared with me. I will share on Wiki for the class.

3. Lesson Plan – 10%

You will prepare a lesson plan that follows the philosophy of Van de Walle’s 3 part lesson. Here is a Sample Lesson Format - This lesson is very basic, include all the information you think is necessary to facilitate the lesson you have planned.

I would like you to prepare a lesson plan that you could use during your classroom visits. Find one piece of literature that can be connected to a mathematical concept in the Saskatchewan curriculum. Create a lesson plan with the literature that models a problem-solving plan for teaching math in the classroom

On Nov. 12 the lesson plans will be handed in and all students in the class will get the chance to present the literature they have selected (**Short summary – Template Provided** ) and the mathematical concept that it is connected to.

4. Small Group Presentation – 25% (45 Minutes – 10% for Presentation, 5% for Handout, 10% for Activity)

You will sign up for a group presentation on Sept. 17, 2009. You and your group will become experts with the mathematical content using the chapter(s) from Van de Walle and the corresponding learning objectives from the Ministry of Learning Curriculum guide.

The topics to be presented are: • Number Sense (Number Sense) – Chapter 9 and 12 • Basic Facts and Computations – Chapter 10 and 11 • Computations with Larger Numbers – Chapter 13 • Patterns (Algebra) – Chapter 15 • Fractions – Chapter 16 • Measurement – Chapter 20

I will present Estimation, Decimals, and Operations with Fractions, Data Analysis, and Geometric Understanding.

Requirements of the presentation: • For the group to become experts in the topic so all members can ask questions and generate discussion with the class. • An interactive presentation that outlines the key ideas of the topic and the developmental timeline of the curriculum outcomes supporting your topic. • One-page handout summarizing the key ideas of the topic and identifying outcomes and indicators from the curriculum guide to give to the class members. (Emailed to me so I can photocopy it for everyone) • Each member needs to plan and individually present an activity from the chapter that will engage the class in one of the big ideas of the topic (use of manipulative encouraged) • Each member will need to write up their activity in a lesson plan format with outcome and indicators and possible assessment tool.

5. Math Fair – 20% (10% for Interaction at Math Fair – 10% for write up of Math Activities)

Since I am currently teaching at an Elementary School in Regina, I am suggesting that as a final assignment we could put together a math fair. For half a day (I will replace one of our classes for this event) we would go to the school and present math activities we have prepared.

Requirements: • You will sign up to prepare math activities for K-2 and 3-5. • You will prepare 4 math activities (2 for each grade grouping) Using the Math Makes Sense Textbook (or Nelson) or an activity from Van de Walle that you have not done. • You will need to prepare the activity and make adaptations so it can accommodate a variety of learners needs. • Be prepared to present the activity for students, teachers and parents on the scheduled day. • If resources are needed, most can be found at the school. Submit a list of resources/manipulatives so I can have them ready for you. I can photocopy any handouts if needed.

To be handed in after the Math Fair: • A write up of the four activities (explanation of how to play) and the reference from where the activity came from • The math concept of each game and the outcome and indicators that are explored • Adaptations that could be made for learner needs • The manipulatives and materials needed • Assessment tool for one of the activities that could be used to check if indicators were met