Course Description: The goal of Mth 211 is to provide a broad mathematical background to prospective teachers of elementary and middle school mathematics; to instill in the student a positive attitude and understanding of mathematics which can be passed on to the students in the elementary and middle school classroom; to introduce the student to the uses of appropriate technology and manipulatives and their role in the teaching and learning of mathematics in the elementary school; to strengthen general problem solving skills and provide students with extensive practice using a variety of problem solving strategies. An equally important goal is to model teaching methods appropriate to the elementary and middle school classroom. Topics for Mth 211 include an introduction to problem solving, whole number and fraction concepts, operations, and properties, and topics in number theory. Group activities and projects, writing assignments, and hands on work with manipulatives are critical components of this course.
Mth 211 has the competencies from Mth 95: Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite; the course is college-transferable. Mth 211 is a 4 credit hour (quarter system) course. This is the first course in a three course sequence.
Performance Based Outcomes in Mathematics
Students who successfully complete any mathematics course at Central Oregon Community College will be able to:
1. Work independently to explore mathematical applications and models, and to develop algebraic/symbolic, graphical, numerical, and narrative skills in solving mathematics problems.
2. Work as a member of a group/team on projects or activities that are designed to explore mathematical applications and models.
3. Use both written and oral skills to communicate about mathematical concepts, processes, complete mathematical solutions and their implications.
4. Use a variety of problem solving tools including symbolic/algebraic notation, graphs, tables, and narratives to identify, analyze, and solve mathematical problems.
5. Develop mathematical conjectures and use examples and counterexamples to examine the validity and reasonableness of those conjectures.
6. Create and analyze mathematical models of real world and theoretical situations, including the implications and limitations of those models.
7. Use appropriate technologies to analyze and solve mathematics problems, and verify the appropriateness and reasonableness of the solution(s).
Specifically, students who complete Math 211: Fundamentals of Elementary Math I will be able to:
• use a variety of problem–solving techniques to analyze and solve problems from a variety of disciplines. Techniques will include exploring patterns, developing mathematical models, working backwards, creating tables of data, drawing graphs, using equations, estimating the reasonableness of an answer using a calculator or other appropriate technology. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
• use number systems other than base-ten to describe base-ten concepts and computations for whole numbers. 1, 2, 3, 4
• use multiple models to describe concepts and computations of whole numbers. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
• define the term algorithm and give multiple examples of non-standard algorithms for performing the four basic whole number operations. 3, 4, 6
• use number theory concepts (factoring, GCF, LCM, divides, divisibility rules) to solve problems. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
• use multiple models to describe concepts and computations involving fractions. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• write extended reports (to be scored using the Oregon Mathematics Problem Solving Scoring Guide) describing work done to solve problems whose solutions are not immediately evident. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5