About

Course Description:

This course is required for prospective teachers seeking the Resident Educator Early Childhood License. Students will become familiar with the Common Core Standards for Mathematics (K-3). Students will examine the kinds of curricular themes, learning challenges, and standards issues as they relate to developing and implementing developmentally appropriate lessons and units of study to teach mathematics knowledge and skills to three to eight year old children. The focus of this course will provide prospective teachers with knowledge and practice to help young children “make sense of mathematics” through the process of applying mathematical ideas to solve problems and developing a positive disposition toward mathematics.

Learning Outcomes:

Teacher Candidates will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of mathematics methods for K – 3 students.
2. Develop mathematical connections to help K – 3 students better understand math skills and concepts, and how those skills and concepts relate to the world.
3. Demonstrate the ability to modify and adapt lessons to engage all learners.

 

By the end of this course, the student will be expected to have achieved the following objectives:

Knowledge:

The student will:

1. Gain an understanding that all children can learn mathematics.
2. Acquire an understanding of; process and reflect upon; and organize the Common Core Standards for Mathematics in preparation for helping young children “make sense of mathematics.”
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of what is meant by helping young children “make sense of mathematics” through the process of applying mathematical ideas to solve problems.
4. Understand the interdisciplinary relationships of mathematics.
5. Become familiar with and practice using a variety of materials, methods, and resources for teaching mathematics to young children.
6. Develop as a professional.

Skills:

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to break apart the Common Core Standards for Mathematics and clearly articulate key principles, patterns, and mathematical concepts on which the standards are established.
2. Demonstrate skill in communicating mathematical ideas by employing developmentally appropriate instructional strategies and teaching styles in order to facilitate student engagement in mathematics that results in the application of mathematical concepts in order to solve problems.
3. Develop mathematical connections to early childhood education topics and the real world.
4. Develop problems and activities that are appropriate to the readiness level demonstrated by students and are aligned to the Common Core Standards for Mathematics domain and cluster that align to the lesson focus.
5. Develop an appropriate means for determining and monitoring the development of mathematical skills and the application of mathematical concepts in solving problems.

Dispositions:

The student will:

1. Demonstrate a commitment toward helping young children develop a positive disposition toward mathematics.
2. Demonstrate willingness to present mathematics through a variety of teaching styles including: inquiry, student-initiated questions, and hands-on manipulatives.
3. Demonstrate willingness to adapt lessons to the documented readiness level of students.
4. Demonstrate a comfort and enthusiasm for mathematics which will give your students the confidence to see mathematics as a valuable tool to solve problems.

Accountability:

1. Attendance
2. Completion of Assignments
3. Maintenance of Academic Integrity
4. Quality of Work

Professionalism:

Teacher Candidates will be able to demonstrate professionalism by:

1. Arriving to scheduled class sessions prepared for learning and on time.
2. Practicing academic integrity. All material from another source, including the Internet must be referenced as appropriate through the utilization of The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. This manual is available in the bookstore.
3. Asking questions that may arise about an assignment before it is due is expected.
4. Demonstrating (at all times) respectful and professional behavior towards peers and instructors.
5. Attending field experience as arranged.
6. Being prepared for field experience and being dressed in a professional manner.

Communication:

Teacher Candidates will demonstrate communication by:

1. Writing papers using professional language with accuracy in grammar and writing style.
2. Professionally speaking in class, in the field placement, and the community.
3. Maintain confidentially of student records and respecting the privacy of individuals.
4. Writing in the university classroom and in the field placement classroom using professional language with accuracy in grammar and writing style appropriate to the situation.

Learning Communities:

Teacher Candidates will demonstrate the ability to build a community by:

1. Assisting the cooperating teacher and others as needed while participating in the field experience.
2. Creating and teaching lessons that engage all learners in the process.
3. Providing students with a safe environment in which to learn.

Diversity:

Teaching Candidates will demonstrate their knowledge and appreciation of diversity as reflected in:

1. Language variances
2. Socio-economic variances
3. Racial and cultural variances
4. Learning style variances