Villanova Summer Teachers Institute

Topics in Teaching of Mathematics

Mat 7310

Summer 2002

 

Dr. Alice Deanin                                             Mr. Thomas Chubb

Department of Mathematical Sciences                        Department of Biology

Villanova University                                        Villanova University

Office Phone: (610)519-4817                         Office Phone: (610) 519-4816

 

Course Description:  This course was developed with the encouragement of the Urban Systemic Program office of Philadelphia Regional Schools.  The purpose is to enhance mathematics and science instruction in the Middle Schools.

 

Texts:  Each participant should bring their own copy of one reading text used the program:  "Radical Equations -- Math Literacy and Civil Rights" by Robert Moses & Charles Cobb, Jr.  Additional articles and handouts will be provided.  Participants will collectively write materials for future classroom use.

Texts currently in use in participants’ schools will be examined, where available.

 

Classroom:  The class meets daily from 9AM to 4PM. There is a one-hour lunch break.  The three hours in the morning and afternoon sessions will include instructor presentation and participant workshops. The first period after lunch break will be discussion of issues that affect the way we teach.  Remaining periods will provide science and mathematics enrichment content.  Before lunch and each day’s end, participants complete a meeting summary and question form.

 

Written Science Homework:  Each participant will devise specific science questions, in each of earth science, life science, and physical science, that use that day’s math topic and are city relevant.  These are due the following day.

 

Written Mathematics Homework:  Each participant will devise a set of exercises that address all pathways of the rule of four relating to the preceding day’s math topic in the context of some science application.  These are due the following day.

 

Written Education Homework:  A written report on the learning theory articles will be required of each participant, and is due Thursday morning. A written report on the Moses/Cobb reading text will be required of each participant, and is due Saturday morning.  These reports can be summaries, focused discussions, responses, reactions, critiques, to all or portions of each text.  They should be more formal than journal writing, but, hey this is pretty short notice. 

 

Grading: Grades in this course will be based on classroom worksheets, participation, and quality and completeness of work in the three written homework areas.