Teaching Middle School Math

EDUC 744 914 Methods of Teaching Middle School Math (gr. 4-8)

Online Course 3 semester hours graduate credit
Instructor: Sara Turansky
Tuition and Registration
June 10 - August 2, 2013

Description

Research, issues and problems related to current reform in teaching middle school mathematics. Planning curriculum, assessing student learning, managing instruction, and providing for individual needs.

Who Should Enroll

Middle school math teachers (Grades 4-8) seeking research-based practices to help students improve math achievement scores, practical ideas for motivating students to appreciate mathematics, and strategies to show students how math applies to real-life situations. Learn to apply different technologies to make your math classroom come alive.

This course includes investigation of ratio, proportion, percent, number theory, data analysis, patterns; and connections to algebra and geometry topics in the context of the middle school mathematics curriculum including survey of technologies and educational software to develop mathematical thinking.

NOTE: You may enroll in this course to meet your goals for professional development, license renewal, or to complete graduate credits and transfer to another university. This course is an approved elective in the Master of Science in Education online degree program.

Textbook

Van de Walle, J., Karp, K., and Bay-Williams, J. (2012). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally 8th Edition. Allyn and Bacon.

Coursemart e-textbook from Allyn and Bacon: ISBN:9780132822336  (telephone 1-800-922-0579)

Paperback from Allyn and Bacon: ISBN: 9780133050615

Kindle e-book or used or new paperback available from amazon.com ISBN-13: 978-0132612265

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze research-based practices for improving mathematics instruction.

  2. Design effective standards-based classroom activities for Grades 4-8 students and reflect on student outcomes.

  3. Develop varied formative assessment practices and assess mastery of the same essential math concepts in different ways.

  4. Apply instructional strategies and appropriate practices for analyzing student work and modify lessons based on assessment information.

  5. Apply instructional strategies to promote mathematics learning among students of a wide range of academic diversity including ESL and special needs students.

  6. Differentiate math instruction based on students' learning styles, interests, and readiness levels.

  7. Modify lessons based on the synthesis of the relationship between problem solving and communication.

  8. Align math classroom environments with real world environments by infusing problem-solving strategies.

  9. Apply technology tools in classroom instruction and connect math activities to everyday experiences and the real world.

  10. Analyze student responses to mathematical problems to detect typical error patterns and recommend specific approaches that address learning problems of middle grades math student. Modify lessons based on the synthesis of the relationship between problem solving and communication.

Alignment with Teaching Standards

Course objectives are aligned with the following:
Wisconsin Teaching Standards
(WI DPI) 1, 3, 4, 7, 8

International Society for Technology in Education, National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) III,V

No travel to campus required. Because this class is online and open to you 24/7, you may participate from your home or work computer during hours that are flexible and convenient for your work and family schedule and responsibilities.

The class is highly interactive with a significant discussion component. All discussion postings, projects and assignments will be submitted via the course discussion board and dropbox. Activities are conducted according to a schedule with specific due dates each week; there are no required "live" chat sessions.

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The School of Education reserves the right to cancel classes that do not meet minimum enrollment requirements.


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Contact Us: School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: 715-232-2253
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Our Students Say...

"I learned things I was able to put to immediate use in my classroom, as well as the theory behind those techniques. We will all be better teachers because we had Sara as our instructor and facilitator!"



"The relevant readings and the websites and software I was introduced to. It will be so useful in enhancing my math class. Sara was very helpful and inspirational in providing personal email feedback and discussion postings. Many times I found myself thinking of the topic in a way I hadn't before."



"I'm a new teacher, and I learned many new useful ideas from teachers who have been in the profession for years. It was a nice mix of educators from elementary to high school. The overall online class environment was supportive and nurturing. It was so rewarding to work with teachers from all over the world."



"Creating usable, meaningful projects that are interdisciplinary and aligned with the standards. The practical application of the lessons activities was useful. It was helpful to share our projects with class members - we can adapt them for use in our classes (with permission, of course)."



"This class forced me to look at math in a better way than simply the drill and quiz method. I find it very enlightening and helpful!"



"The ideas from classmates, reading what the others are doing and using in their classrooms. The class is based on practical application. "

Contact Us

School of Education
Email: Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: 715-232-2253