1.1: How to Read this Textbook

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 90475

Amy Lagusker
College of the Canyons

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

A Note From the Editor

This textbook is comprised of several different texts on teaching mathematics for elementary educators. The style of writing may be different as the chapters switch between authors, and the activities may differ. The purpose of using multiple texts for this book is to ensure that you have good content that covers all the objectives for the course. Your instructor has the ultimate choice on the activities for the course, so make sure you understand their expectations for you throughout this semester.

The course is intended to help you reflect on your own learning in mathematics, to give you a stronger foundation of basic mathematics for elementary school teaching, and to begin organizing your own lesson plans around teaching mathematics based on the common core state standards. Enjoy learning about one of the most beautiful subjects we get to teach!

Introduction

This introduction chapter gives you a summary of the textbook, a brief history of Mathematics Education, information on Common Core and resources you can use in your future classroom. Use this chapter for your discussions on Canvas and your Lesson Plans for this class. Take the time to read it on your own as it is good background knowledge for when you are a teacher.

Each chapter is broken into Lessons. Most lessons have Partner Activities, which we will complete and discuss in class. After each lesson is the Practice Problems, which you will complete as homework and bring questions to our next meeting. Each chapter begins with The Essential Question(s). We start this way since many textbooks for Elementary schools also start this way. Think of the Essential Question as the Big Idea of the Chapter, the overarching goal of the chapter.

This book is made for you, the future teacher. Write in this book. That is how it is designed. Take notes. Complete your homework here. Keep everything in this book so you have something to take to your future classroom.

Each chapter ends with a Methods of Teaching Extension.

Appendices

The Common Core State Standards
1. Covers Grades K through 6
2. You will use this for a few assignments throughout the semester
3. Do not memorize this enormous document, but rather know how to use it to find information.
The Mathematical Practices for Teachers
1. Shows you how to teach the mathematics
2. Think of this as the standards for Teachers, guidelines to help you teach well
Answers to Partner Activities, use if you are absent
Answers to Practice Problems (homework answers, not step-by-step solutions)