Reflective Paper MTH 157 July 2, 2013 Gina Loscalzo Evan Schwartz
Reflective Paper 2
Math for Elementary Teachers II is the second part in a two part series. The mathematical concepts that were focused on throughout the second part of Math for Elementary Teachers were on measurement, geometry, probability, and data analysis. Just like part one of Math for Elementary Teachers, part two also address the relationship of the course concepts to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards for K-8 instruction.
The first two weeks of this course, the main concepts that were explored was data analysis and probability. When learning about data analysis, A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers taught students that data analysis is the measures of Central Tendency, Statistics, and Variation. During data analysis students also reviewed that different ways data can be presented; bar graphs, circle graphs, line graphs, or scatter plots. Probability taught theorem and tree diagrams/geometry probabilities. Both of these mathematical concepts were cover throughout chapters 9 and 10 of A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers.
The mathematical concepts covered during week three and four was Introduction to Geometry. During these two weeks, the concepts of geometry that were covered were; angles, basic notation, geometry in three dimensions, and polygons. These mathematical concepts of geometry were covered throughout chapter 11.
Reflective Paper 3
Mathematical concepts covered during week five and six was Applications of Geometry. During these two weeks, the main concepts of application of geometry that were taught were rotational symmetry, lines of symmetry, similar triangles, similar figures, lines and linear equations, tessellation patterns, translations, rotations, reflections, and
References: Billstein, R., Libeskind, S., & Lott, J. W. (2010). A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (10 ed.). Boston, MA: Addison- Wesley. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2012). Data Analysis and Probability. Retrieved from http://www.nctm.org/standards The National Council of Teachers of Mathmatics. (2012). Geometry Standard. Retrieved from http://www.nctm.org/standards The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2012). Measurement Standard. Retrieved from http://www.nctm.org/standards