INSTRUCTOR SYLLABUS MATH 41B  -  CONCEPTS of  ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS

 

Instructor:  Jennifer McCandless

Office: 1111

Phone: 225-4759

E-mail Address: jmccandless@shastacollege.edu

Office Hours: W 8-9 am, TTH 4:30-5:30 pm, MF 10-11 am or whenever I’m in my office

Other Help:            Math Learning Center (Room 1102)

The Math Learning Center (AKA Math Lab) is a place to go to get free tutoring.  It is staffed with helpful math tutors who love to help students.  There are also solutions manuals available in the math lab to check answers while studying in there.  The hours for the math lab are Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:00pm, Saturday 8:00am – 4:30 pm.

Required Text: A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers,

 7^th Edition by Billstein, Libeskind and Lott

 

Required Materials (Bring to class):

Scientific Calculator

                                    3-ring binder for notes and homework with a divider and binder paper

                                    Pencil and eraser

                                    Ruler or any straightedge

 

Optional Materials:             Student Solutions Manual to accompany textbook

                                    Spare pencils

                                    Colored Pencils

 

Grading:  Your letter grade for this course will be based on points accumulated from the following:

 

                        Tests (3@100 pts each)        300

                        Homework Quizzes               50

                        HW Discussions/                50

                        In-Class Assignments

                        Chapter Summaries              25

                        Class Project                 100     

                        Final                         100

                        TOTAL                         625

 

Grading Scale: A: 90-100%  B: 80-89%  C: 68-79%  D: 55-67%  F: Below 55%

                                   

Tests:  There will be 3 tests, worth 100 points each. No make-up tests will be given.  The final exam will be comprehensive and worth 100 points. If you are unsatisfied with a test score or you miss a test, the final will be counted twice, that is, the final will be worth 200 points instead of 100 points.

 

Homework:  In order to succeed in this class, you must DO THE HOMEWORK. It is very important that your homework is always complete, organized and clearly labeled.  On some days, we will have Homework Discussions at the beginning of class.  For this, you will get into groups and discuss any questions you might have on homework.  You may receive up to 2 points for each Homework Discussion.  These points will be based on your participation in the discussion and whether your homework is completed or not.  These points add up fast, so make sure you come to class every day with your homework done. 

 

Homework Quizzes: These quizzes will consist of problems either directly from your homework or very similar to homework.  You will be able to use your homework notebook for the quizzes.  You will not be allowed to use your textbook.  Success on quizzes requires that your homework is complete, organized, and clearly labeled.  Quizzes cannot be made up.

 

Chapter Summaries:  At the end of each chapter, write a summary of what you thought were the important ideas in the chapter.  Then illustrate those ideas with some examples.  Each summary will be worth 5 points.

 

In-Class Assignments: These will be short, in-class assignments made up of problems intended to reinforce the concepts introduced in class.  You will work on these assignments in pairs, but each person will hand in their own paper before leaving class.  You will not be allowed to make these up.

 

Class Project:  There will be 3 options for your class project:  local classroom observations and summaries or a research paper on an approved subject relating to elementary school mathematics or working as a classroom volunteer.  Refer to the handout “Grading Rubric for Classroom Observations and Research Papers” for more specific information.  The class project is worth 100 points and is due on Tuesday, May 13.

 

Help!!  Please feel free to ask questions during or after class.  If something is unclear to you during class, ask for clarification right away.  There is no such thing as a stupid question.  If you need help with homework, feel free to visit me during my available times or go to the math lab. 

 

To be successful in this class:

·        Come to class …… If you have to miss class, copy someone’s notes from the day you missed

·        Be prepared …… Bring all required materials and your textbook

·        Do your homework

·        Find someone to study with

·        Do your homework

·        Ask questions

·        Do your homework

·        Study for tests

 

 

Mathematics Faculty Expectations of all Students;

 

The Mathematics Faculty believes that all students should have an equal opportunity to learn. In order to achieve this goal all students are expected to exhibit respectful behavior to other students and to the instructor.  Please observe the following specific guidelines.

 

CHEATING:  Unless specifically announced otherwise, all tests will be closed book with no use of notes allowed.  Use of these materials or receiving or giving aid during an exam will result in a zero grade on that exam and may result in being suspended from the course.  This zero score will count in the final grade determination. 

 

FINAL EXAM:  A final exam and /or regular class activity will be conducted during the scheduled final exam period, and all students will be expected to attend.  Failure to attend during the final exam period will result in an “F” grade for the course unless special arrangements have been made in advance with the instructor.

 

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION:  No class taught by mathematics faculty is eligible for credit by “credit by examination.” 

 

GUESTS/CHILDREN/PETS:  Only authorized persons are allowed in the classrooms.  Children will not be allowed in the classrooms or the learning center.  Children should not be left unattended in the hallway.  If a student needs assistance with childcare during class time, please contact the EOPS office.  EOPS may be able to help with long-term day care; however, it does not provide day-care service on a drop-in basis.  No pets (with the exception of those which aid a physically challenged individual) are allowed in the 1100 building. 

 

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR:  A student may be suspended from the class if he or she engages in a classroom behavior that interferes with the learning environment.  Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, disruptive conversations with fellow students, regular tardiness, leaving the classroom during class time, and eating or drinking in class.  Students are expected to turn off all pagers, cell phones, and other electronic devices during class time.

 

ATTENDANCE:   Students are expected to attend all class meetings.  A student who fails to attend the first meeting of a course without notifying the instructor may be dropped from the class.  In addition, an instructor may drop a student for excessive absences.  Nevertheless, it is always the student’s responsibility to officially drop or withdraw from the class.  Students who fail to file the necessary forms, even though they stop attending class, will be assigned a course grade. 

 

 

 

R/4/01