Course Outline:
Lesson 1: Raising the Issues
In this lesson we are going to explore different approaches to teaching math. Take a look at the content for this lesson. There is a presentation and resources related to Multiple Intelligences. The theory of Multiple Intelligences states that there are many ways to be “smart”. Howard Gardner has identified 7 ways (and expanded on that over the years to 9) that a student can be smart. One of the intelligences is the Logical/Mathematical intelligence. Most of your students will not be naturally math smart, but by identifying ways they are smart, you can use those to help them understand and learn the math concepts.
In this lesson we will explore problem-solving technique, some of which can be used to help picture smart or word smart students with math. We will explore using manipulative materials which can help body smart and picture smart students with math concepts. We will explore using discussions which can help people smart and word smart students with math. And we will look at writing about math which can help word smart and self smart students with math.
Finally, we will look at how we can structure lessons in math and manage the classroom to help students to learn math.
Lesson 2: Instructional Activities for the Content Standards – Part 1
In this lesson we start our review of basic math skills. Our goals for these lessons are to help prepare us for any skills exams your state may require as well as prepare you to teach these topics. In this lesson we will be studying measurement and probability.
Lesson 3: Instructional Activities for the Content Standards – Part 2
In this lesson we are exploring logical reasoning, patterns and number operations. The theme here is finding patterns or making sense of the information we are given. These skills carry beyond basic mathematical operations and allow us to figure out how our world works.
Lesson 4: Teaching Arithmetic – Part 1
In this lesson we are going to explore some of the Why’s in what we teach in Math and whether teaching Math is about getting right answers or about understanding how to get the right answers. We will see how number sense, computation and problem-solving are the three pillars of learning math.
Lesson 5: Teaching Arithmetic – Part 2
In this lesson we are going to explore the topics of place value of numbers, addition and subtraction. These topics form the foundation of much of what we teach in Math.
Lesson 6: Teaching Arithmetic – Part 3
In this lesson we are going to explore multiplication and division. With multiplication we will look at factoring numbers, the distributive property and working with powers of 10.
Lesson 7: Teaching Arithmetic – Part 4
In this lesson we are going to explore working with fractions. We will look at comparing fraction, and performing operations with fractions.
Lesson 8: Teaching Arithmetic – Part 5
In this lesson we will be studying numbers with decimals and percents. Most of the numbers we work with have decimals. Money problems probably form the first experience students have with decimals but probability and statistics also work with decimals and percents.
Lesson 9: Further Exploration and Putting it all Together
In this lesson we will read a collection of questions that the book’s author has received over the years. These will give insights into the author’s point of view and experiences in teaching math. We will use these questions as a launching point for our own discussions. We are also going to look back at what we have learned in this course and create an artifact for our portfolios.
