Instructor: Al Mendle, College of Education
Description: Participants will examine topics in elementary school mathematics from two perspectives. One thread will dovetail with what we know about how children learn mathematics. The other thread is concerned with our own understanding of some of the fundamental ideas in elementary mathematics. This seminar is designed for students who might be interested in teaching, without regard to mathematics background or experience. It’s also designed to share some strategies that inject fun into the learning of mathematics. It is hoped that the participants who take this seminar will have a deeper appreciation of the process of learning mathematics at some of the more fundamental levels. For some of the participants, this will include an enhanced understanding of some elementary school mathematics topics that might have been taken for granted.
Format: Students will be required to read selected articles that are furnished by the instructor. They will submit a reading response electronically. Students will be required to interview an elementary school child, write a short paper of two to five pages about the interview. Grading: (P/F) 50% - Students will be required to make a presentation about their interview during the last three meetings of the seminar; 25% - Students will be required to submit responses to the assigned readings; 15% - Participation in seminar activities/discussions; and 10% - Regular attendance
About the Instructor: Al Mendle has been a Lecturer at UC Davis since 1993. Working in the School of Education, he has taught Mathematics Methods and Educational Technology. He has contributed to books for the College Preparatory Mathematics and Activity Resources Publishing companies. Having 25 years of teaching experience at the elementary and secondary levels in public schools, he has also served as Director of the University of California at Davis Mathematics Project. His presentations have included speaking engagements at conferences for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the California Mathematics Council.