Lecturer: Pat Pakpoom
Email: p then my last name [at]math[dot]wisc[dot]edu
Phone: 262-3601
Office: 520 Van Vleck Hall
Office hours: MW 9:00-10:15
Text:

• Thomas Parker/Scott Baldridge: Elementary Geometry for Teachers
• Primary Math 3B Textbook (U.S. Edition)
• Primary Math 4A Textbook (U.S. Edition)
• Primary Math 5A Textbook (U.S. Edition)
• Primary Math 5B Textbook (U.S. Edition)
• Primary Math 6B Textbook (U.S. Edition)
• New Elementary Math Textbook 1

• Course Overview:

The purpose of this course is two-fold: (1) to provide you with a context (i.e. geometry) to explore and develop inductive and deductive reasoning strategies and (2) help you to develop an effective style of communicating mathematical reasoning through the use of group-work and written reports.

Often students come to this course fearful of mathematics or doubtful of their capabilities to do mathematics. Thus my additional goals for the course are (3) to help students gain confidence in their ability to do math and (4) to help students gain appreciation for the beauty and importance of mathematics.

Most of our class time will be spent working in small groups on problems from the Primary Math textbooks and then discussing this work as a whole class. Often, you will then be asked to write up the solution to these problems on your own. Making sure you understand the problems and solutions that are discussed in class will be key to your success. In particular, your grade will depend equally on your ability to give good explanations as on your ability to give correct answers.

The philosophy of this course is to be as student-centered and student-driven as possible. Already mentioned is the focus on group work rather than lectures by the instructor. Another aspect is that I will resist putting a stamp of authority on large group discussions, and will seldom meet a student question with a straight answer. These and other parts of the course may cause frustration at times. While the place for expressing such frustrations is not in class, I will be happy to meet with students outside of class to discuss my teaching philosophy or other matters of curriculum and instruction.

• Materials:

I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand
The only way to truly learn and understand the course material and be able to teach it later is by getting your hands dirty and do many activities. Therefore, in addition to the Primary Math textbooks, you should each own and bring to class the following:
A notebook
Construction paper, graph paper and scratch paper
A ruler or straight-edge
A compass
A protractor
A pair of scissors
Tape and glue
A box of paper clips
Dental Floss
Toothpicks and a bag of mini marshmallows or straws and a bag of regular marshmallows (I will tell you when to bring these in.)
Modeling clay or play dough
String
Pencils and other writing instruments (a variety of colors will be helpful)



• Class schedule:

For a tentative schedule of classes click here.


• Grading:

Your course grades will be determined by your written work, participation, and two exams.

Written work (150 points)- The bulk of the material you will be turning in will consist of your homework assignments.

Participation (100 points)- Every student is expected to participate in both group work and large classroom discussions. Chronic failure to do either one will result in loss of points. Seeing as you cannot participate in class if you do not attend class, attendance is mandatory. You are allowed two absences for any reason. After that, each time you are absent, 3 points will be deducted from your participation grade.

Exams (250 points)- There will be one mid-term exam and a final exam, each worth 125 points of your grade. The final exam is on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 7:45 a.m.. Mark your calendars and make travel plans around it.

I am expecting to decide grades based on the following scale:


Grade	Accomplishment level	Points
A	Superior	465+
AB	Excellent	445+
B	Proficient	410+
BC	Good	385+
C	Acceptable	345+
D	Mediocre	300+
F	Unacceptable	0+

• Homework: Page numbers are referring to Thomas Parker/Scott Baldridge: Elementary Geometry for Teachers textbook
  • Set 1, Due: 9/16/09: p34 1,6,8,9,11,14; p40 3,4,5,6,7; p45 2,3,4,5; p49 2,3,5,7,9,10
  • Set 2, Due: 9/25/09: p66 1, 2, 4, 5, 6; p72 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and repeat all constructions on page 51-53. Show all auxilary lines and curves (circles.)
  • Set 3, Due: 10/5/09:
  • Set 4, Due: 10/16/09:
  • Set 5, Due: 11/18/09:
  • Set 6, Due: 12/4/09: