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Course Expectations and Grade Requirements Below are the basic categories of assignments and requirements for this course and their relative weight in determining course grades.
You will be required to maintain an electronic notebook for this course. Michael McKelvey, technical coordinator at MSTE, will be contacting you via email. Please direct all technical problems to Michael. On the course website, Michael will establish a folder for each person enrolled in this course. Please submit all of your assignments by dropping them into the folder. The primary purpose of the e-notebook is to create a virtual community for you and your colleagues. You are encouraged to take a look at your colleagues’ field observations, lesson plans, etc. Many of the activities we do in class will serve you well when you begin teaching your own students. Your instructor will check your folders on an ongoing basis to monitor your progress. Stay up-to-date with your e-notebook. This requirement is factored into your attendance grade. Although you will be placing all assignments in your e-notebook, we all ask that you give your instructor a hard copy of each assignment on the day that it is due. Many of the assignments will be completed in collaborative fashion. When this is the case, be sure that the name of every group member appears on the assignment. Each group member must keep a copy of the assignment--an electronic copy for the e-notebook and a saved computer copy. Every group member is responsible for each other’s learning. This means that everyone must carry his or her share of the load. It is expected that group members will negotiate responsibilities and duties. In the rare instance that group dynamics become problematic, please see your instructor.
Your active participation in each class session is an essential aspect of the learning process and your colleagues’ learning as well. Your attendance is also an opportunity to demonstrate personal responsibility and collegiality, professional qualities that principals look for when hiring new teachers. You are expected to attend all the class meetings prepared to engage in active, collaborative participation, whether it is whole group discussion, collaborative group activity, or individual reflection. Preparation for class involves completion of assigned readings and tasks. If you are unable to attend a particular class session, please notify your instructor in advance. In general with advance notice, your instructor will excuse no more than 2 absences. If serious illness or emergencies occur, please notify your instructor as soon as possible and follow university guidelines about such matters. Unexcused absences negatively impact your course grade. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes, materials, and assignments from other classmates first. See your instructor if you need assistance understanding the material. Excessive absences will result in an "F" for the course.
Field experience observations and their accompanying exercises are an important part of the teaching practicum. It is important to record observations and reflections for all your field experiences; however, for the purposes of this course, you are responsible for submitting only three formal observations. These exercises provide you an opportunity to connect the content learned in math methods courses with real teaching practices. Use PSSM to write your formal observations. It will ensure that you are using the professional language of mathematics educators. Make sure that you are making astute observations and that you incorporate your reflections. Be sure to jot down notes while you are in your placements. However, the exercises you submit for this course must be typed. Be sure that you title the paper appropriately. Your keen, well-written observations will be adequate responses.
In this course you will be reading relatively short, practitioner-oriented articles. On the days that you have assigned readings, chose one article for which you will do an article review. Sometimes your instructor will choose the article for you. Though you will write on one article, you are still responsible for reading all of those assigned for that day. The review should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than two pages, though your instructors hope that you will try to do this in one page. It should include (but not limited to) the following items:
The Standards Group Project allows you compare, contrast, and puzzle over the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics and the Illinois State Board of Education Learning Goals (or standards). The guidelines for this project will be given to you in class.
This project provides the opportunity to focus on the development of one mathematics topic over a period of two or more weeks. The outline for the unit plan will be given to you in class. You are encouraged to meet with your instructor to discuss the quality of your work-in-progress or any other concerns about this course.
A core assumption of this course is that all enrolled participants will bring both an open mind and a critical disposition to schooling and mathematics teaching practices. Openness in this situation refers to a willingness to consider teaching in settings and grades beyond one’s first preferences, as well as the capacity to find hidden opportunities in assignments, individuals, and settings whose parameters and/or apparent limitations were not expected. A critical disposition refers to an inquiring mind, recognizing both the strengths and weaknesses of practices and situations and the capacity to question and evaluate one’s own assumptions and past experiences. If your comments, interactions with others, and written work display open mindedness and a critical disposition, then your work will be favorably evaluated. Another core assumption of this course is that all participants are responsible adults capable of (a) interacting with each other and with elementary students and school personnel in a professional and responsible manner, (b) being on time for class and field experiences, (c) being appropriately dressed, and (d) being prepared. Be aware that if you do not conduct yourself in a responsible, professional manner, or if you are late for class or field experiences or are absent without notice or excuse, you risk your grade and your standing, not only in this course, but most likely in the program as well. Make sure that you back up all of your work on a separate disk or a server. "The computer ate my homework" is not an acceptable excuse for missing assignments. Late assignments will be accepted only with pre-approved consent of the instructor. Grades will be based on the following general rubric
Academic integrity is an essential aspect of the scholarly endeavor. Be sure that you understand what this means with respect to your studies at the University of Illinois. Please refer to the Code of Policies and Regulations Applying to All Students, Rule 33--Academic Integrity. Violation of this code will result in sanctions in accordance with University regulations. |
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