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Math 506: Geometry and the Common Core

Fall 2016

 

SYLLABUS

 

CONTACT INFO:            Dr. Michael J. Bardzell, Professor

                                                Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
                                                Office: HS 232 E

                                                Office Phone: 410-543-6474

                                                Email: mjbardzell@salisbury.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS:             TBA

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class is designed for in-service mathematics teachers to examine and create grade appropriate geometry lessons in the spirit of the Common Core State Standards. They will learn a dynamic geometry software system and incorporate the new emphasis of transformational geometry within their geometry curriculum. Converting older geometry activities to Common Core appropriate classroom lessons will be an emphasis. Three hours per week with enhancement.

 

PREREQUISITE: Current teacher of middle school or high school mathematics or permission from the instructor.  

 

INSTRUCTOR COMMUNICATION: The best way to contact me for course related communication is via the university email address provided above. Email correspondence will be read and replied to with 24 hours of delivery. Weekend emails will be answered by 3pm on Monday. I will be active with the course discussion board and provide regular feedback to class discussions through it.

 

COURSE MEETINGS: Since this is a hybrid course, we will be replacing some of our scheduled meeting times with online activities. We will meet 5:30 – 8:15 pm on the following Mondays in HS 111 and HS 150 (computer lab time 7:00-8:15):

 

August 29

September 12          September 26

October 17               October 24

November 7             November 28

December 12

These dates could be amended if it is suitable to the majority of students enrolled and the instructor.

 

For the online portion of this course, class participants will use SU’s MyClasses environment which can be found at http://www.salisbury.edu/instructionaldesign/cms. Instructions on navigating the online component of the course will be provided during the first class meeting.  Note that the “class week” begins on Monday and ends on Sunday.

 

 

 

 

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS: 

 

No textbook is required for this course.  Materials will be provided online and in class. Course participants are expected to use a dynamic geometry software system, either Geometer’s Sketchpad or Geogebra. Many public school systems currently have site licenses for Geometer’s Sketchpad. If you cannot obtain this software through your school, the other option is Geogebra which can be downloaded free at http://www.geogebra.org. Prior knowledge of geometry software is not necessary. We will introduce and develop these tools during the in-class meetings for this course. Both software systems have extensive online support as well (see http://www.dynamicgeometry.com/ for Geometer’s Sketchpad).

 

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

  1. Teachers (students enrolled in this class) will demonstrate fluency with the geometry CCSS in their grade level by identifying whether or not given geometry activities address those standards.
  2. Teachers will demonstrate fluency with the 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice from the CCSC and by identifying which of them are present in a given geometry activity.
  3. Teachers will be able to convert a procedural geometry activity (weak in the 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice) to a more open-ended inquiry based activity addressing some of the 8 Standards.
  4. Teachers will create a classroom demonstration using a dynamic geometry software system (either Geometer’s Sketchpad or Geogebra).
  5. Teachers will demonstrate the ability to integrate transformations, a new emphasis of the geometry CCSS, into their classrooms.
  6. Teachers will create a grade level appropriate geometry lesson plan for their classroom. This lesson must incorporate several of the 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice and include a technology component (e.g. Geometer’s Sketchpad). This lesson will be taught in each teacher’s home school and student outcomes assessed. The lesson will be presented to the other teachers during the final exam period.

 

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

 

1.       Courses participants are expected to attend and participate in class meetings.

  1. Login to the course and check your email several times a week. 
  2. Post comments and responses to the discussion board and personal journals during the assigned time period.
  3. Keep up with reading assignments and make your best contributions to the online discussion board.
  4. Practice "Netiquette". Be polite and respectful in your postings (no posting/sending negative, hurtful comments to others); use good grammar and correct spelling; do not write in all caps (it feels like you're shouting) or special fonts (they may not show up on everyone's computer).

 

GRADING INFORMATION

 

Grades are based on a 100 point from the following components:

 

·         Class Participation, including the online discussion board and journal entries: 35 points

·         Teacher Revised Lesson Plan: 15 points  

·         Dynamic Software Demonstration: 15 points

·         Teacher Created Lesson Plan (including final presentation): 35 points  

 

(note: a more detailed description of these activities and grading criteria will be added later)

 

 

 

Grading Scale:

 

A: 90 -100

B+: 87 – 89

B: 80 – 86

C+: 77-79

C: 70-76

D: 60-69

F: below 60

 

 

 

Technical and Software Requirements

For the online elements of the course to function properly, here are some important items:

·         Review the recommended Computer Requirements for MyClasses Canvas.

·         Use supported web browser for Mac or PC.  The browser you use to access MyClasses should have:

o    Flash  (Links to an external site.)player is required in several MyClasses features

o    Adobe Acrobat Reader  (Links to an external site.)is required to access items on e-Reserve and other PDF files 

o    Java (Links to an external site.)and Javascript enabled

o    Allow pop-ups for salisbury.instructure.com

·         You will need reliable access to the Internet. You are encouraged to consider investing in DSL or Cable High Speed Internet.

·         You will need Microsoft Office, particularly Word and PowerPoint. These can be purchased at a discount through SU:http://www.salisbury.edu/helpdesk/meec/ (Links to an external site.)

For help with plug-ins go to: https://www.salisbury.edu/onlinelearning/support/StudentSupport.html (Links to an external site.)