Teaching Mathematics in Elementary Classrooms I

Catalog description

This course has been designed to help prepare preservice teachers to teach mathematics in elementary school classrooms, based on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and the National Council for the Teaching of Mathematics principles of best practices of teaching and learning mathematics. It is a learner-centered methods course that focuses on theories and models for effectively understanding and teaching mathematical concepts and skills required at the elementary school level. It further explores the idea of Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), including best practices in teaching mathematics. The course will focus on developing a conceptual understanding of the characteristics and properties of geometric objects, the role of representations and visualization in exploring geometric concepts, fostering spatial reasoning, and emphasizing the concepts of measurement and data literacy. Conceptual understanding and instructional strategies will be developed through hands-on experiences, exploration of mathematical models, and honing problem-solving skills.