MA 227 - Teaching Fractions and Decimals
Description
This course is the second in a 2-course sequence for prospective elementary teachers. Content will include in-depth explorations into the areas of fractions, decimals, and proportional reasoning. The pedagogical portion of the class focuses on development of Grade PK-6 children’s understanding, thinking processes, strategies, and problem-solving skills through peer review and studying student work. Clinical experience will include working with a local preschool or elementary school and/or studying student work, observing student-teacher interactions, and peer review.
Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 4
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: MA 226 (C or Higher)
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Course Fees: $19.00
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pre-Elementary Education, A.A. (Ferris State University), Pre-Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching + Educational Studies, A.A. (Grand Valley State Univ)
General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
None
Course Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing the course, students will be able to:
1) Demonstrate an understanding of the mathematics of rational numbers and proportional reasoning, particularly in the context of teaching Grade PK-6 children.
2) Effectively communicate strategies and thinking processes for problems involving fractions, decimals, integers and proportional reasoning using a variety of explanations and representations.
3) Use various forms of representation and other pedagogical methods to help develop understanding, competency and fluency in fractions, decimals, integers and proportional reasoning in Grades PK-6.
4) Apply current Grades PK-6 national and state teaching and learning recommendations for fractions, decimals, integers and proportional reasoning.
5) Utilize current mathematical pedagogy with Pre-K through Grade 6 students to facilitate communication of their thinking around fractions, decimals, integers and proportional reasoning.
6) Plan and facilitate a lesson for Grade PK-6 students in the area of fractions, decimals, integers and/or proportional reasoning which includes formative assessment and incorporates appropriate pedagogical methods.
Course Outline:
I. Mathematics Pedagogy
A. Pedagogy
-
Leading a group discussion
-
Explaining and modeling content, practices, and strategies
-
Eliciting and and encouraging communication around children’s creative mathematical thinking process
- Building respectful relationships with students
- Evaluating students’ mathematical competence
B. Field experience
- Applying current state and national recommendations for best teaching practices to plan mathematical instruction on fractions, decimals, and/or proportional reasoning.
- Implementing a plan for mathematical instruction on fractions, decimals, and/or proportional reasoning with children.
- Evaluate and reflect on various aspects of mathematical instruction on fractions, decimals, and/or proportional reasoning carried out with children
II. Mathematical Content
A. The Rational Number System
1. Introduction to Rational Numbers
a. Definitions and terminology
b. Models
c. Renaming fractions
d. Comparison of fractions
2. Rational Number Operations
a. Addition and subtraction
b. Multiplication
c. Division
d. Models to illustrate these operations
C. Decimals and Real Numbers
1. Introduction to Decimals
a. Place value
b. Models
2. Terminating Decimals
a. Operations on decimals
b. Models to illustrate the operations
3. Repeating Decimals
4. Rounding Principles
5. Scientific Notation
D. Integers
1. Introduction to Integers
a. Definition of negative numbers
b. Models
2. Operations with Integers
a. Addition
b. Multiplication
c. Subtraction
d. Division
e. Models to illustrate these operations
E. Proportional Reasoning/Percentages
1. Proportions (equivalent ratios, scaling, picture approach)
2. Percentages (equation, proportion, scaling, decimal square approach)
Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 0-60%
Facilitated Discussion: 10-60%
Collaborative Learning: 30-60%
Mandatory Course Components:
Clinical experience related to teaching mathematics in a Grade PK-6 setting.
Equivalent Courses:
None.
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None
Course-Specific Placement Test:
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: NA
Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None.
Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 4
People Soft Course ID Number: 105136
Course CIP Code: 27.01
Maximum Course Enrollment: 28
General Room Request: Math Teaching Room
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
School: School of STEM
Department: Mathematics
Discipline: MA
First Term Valid: Fall 2022 (8/1/2022)
1st Catalog Year: 2022-2023
Name of Course Author:
Meghan VanderMale
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
M.S., M.A. M.Ed., or PhD. in Mathematics or Mathematics Education with 18 graduate credit hours in mathematics. A background in Mathematics Education (or a demonstrated interest in professional development in elementary education) and a thorough knowledge of the current teaching techniques used in elementary schools is preferred.
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027
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