Math/Educ 446, Fall 2009

MATH/EDUC 446, Mathematics in the Secondary School MATH/EDUC 446, Mathematics in the Secondary School, Fall 2009

Curriculum review guidelines

Toward the middle of the semester, I will provide you with a middle school or high school math textbook that is commonly used in Tacoma schools. Your job will be to pick a topic covered in the textbook. Pick a topic that can be covered in 1-4 lessons. For example, choosing functions is not a good ideas, because your topic will be too broad; choosing slopes of parallel lines will make your topic too narrow. Some good topics would be: properties of linear functions, properties of equilateral triangles, graphs of cubic polynomials, etc. Check with me to make sure your topic is acceptable.

Once you have chosen a topic, find all references to it in the textbook, Washington State standards, as well as in the NCTM standards. You will prepare a report about your findings. It will include the following:

A list of all references to the topic in both standards documents, including a few examples, if applicable.
A short summary of how the topic is presented in the textbook, including examples, or graphics where applicable.
Your opinion as to how well the textbook is aligned with the standards, with supporting evidence.
Your opinion as to how well the topic is covered in all three (textbook and standards). If you have criticism, try to offer a constructive suggestion.
A brief description of how you would teach this topic in your class.
Anything else you wish to include.

Be prepared to share your findings with the class. This report will be worth 50 points.