MATH 501 Math by Inquiry: Fractions, Ratios, and Proportions
“Proportionally Speaking”
Summer 2007
Summer 2007 Workshops | Home

Instructors: Steve Wassell and Beth Williams
Email: wassell@sbc.edu ewilliams@bedford.k12.va.us
Classroom: Guion A201

Catalog Listing:
Through an intensive inquiry based process involving hands-on investigation and discussion, in-service teachers will increase their content knowledge and ability to apply inquiry-based methods of teaching mathematics with focus on grades 3 - 8. Topics covered include models for fractions, ratios and proportions, as well as their application to arts and sciences.

Course Objectives:
It is my hope that the participants in this course will adopt the following three goals, in increasing order of importance:

1. Review and master the relevant material taught in grades 3 - 8, keeping in mind the SOLs for these grades that involve fractions, ratios and proportions,
2. Develop methods which can be used to teach this material, and
3. Develop a stronger appreciation of mathematics!

The main approach of the course will be learning by inquiry, a process by which open-ended questions are investigated in an atmosphere that embraces the curiosity of the learners. We will make extensive use of manipulatives and models which have been developed to make learning mathematical concepts more enjoyable for young minds. The overall theme of this course is to have fun while investigating the beauty of mathematics and, in the last unit on proportions, the mathematics of beauty.

Course Materials: All course materials will be provided.

Course Requirements:
Completion of the on-line pre-test is required but not graded. Attendance at all class meeting hours is also required in order to get credit for the class. Short homework assignments will be assigned for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. An on-line post-test is also required, and this will be graded.

Grading and Grading Options:
The course may be taken under either the graded or pass/credit/no credit options.
(Please note that under the P/C/NC option, a grade of C- or better is required for the pass.)
Under the graded option, Sweet Briar uses the following grading scale:
A (4.0), A- (3.7), B+ (3.3), B (3.0), B- (2.7), C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C- (1.7), D+ (1.3), D (1.0), D- (0.7), F (0).
It is the teacher-participant's responsibility to choose the grading option he/she needs to fulfill his/her requirements for licensure, certification, or renewal. Once chosen, the option may not be reversed.