Topics in mathematics for elementary teachers : a technology-enhanced experiential approach / Sergei Abramovich.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Abramovich, Sergei, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematics--Study and teaching (Elementary).

Mathematics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (245 pages)

Edition:

2nd edition.

Place of Publication:

Charlotte, North Carolina : Information Age Publishing Inc., [2024]

Summary:

"This is the second (revised) edition of the book published in 2010 under the same title. It reflects the author's experience teaching a graduate level mathematics content course for elementary teacher candidates at SUNY Potsdam since 2003. The book addresses a number of recommendations of the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences for the preparation of teachers demonstrating how abstract mathematical concepts can be motivated by concrete activities and the use of technology. Such approach to school mathematics makes it easier for teachers to grasp the meaning of generalization, formal proof, and the creation of an increasing number of concepts on higher levels of abstraction. The book's computer-enhanced pedagogy and its strong experiential component enabled by the use of manipulative materials have the potential to reduce mathematics anxiety among teachers and help them develop confidence in teaching the subject matter through modeling and problem solving. Classroom observations of teachers' learning mathematics as a combination of theory and experiment confirm that this approach elevates one's mathematical understanding to a higher ground. Most of the chapters are motivated by a problem typically found in the elementary mathematics curricula and/or standards (either National or New York State - the context in which the author prepare teachers). By exploring traditional problems in depth, teachers can uncover fundamental mathematical concepts and ideas hidden within a seemingly mundane task. The need to have experience in going beyond traditional expectations for learning is due to the constructivist orientation of contemporary mathematics pedagogy that encourages students to ask questions about mathematics they study. Each chapter (except the last one) includes an activity set that can be used for the development of the variety of assignments for teachers. Digital tools used in the book include spreadsheets, Wolfram Alpha, GeoGebra, Kid Pix Studio Deluxe, and Graphing Calculator (Pacific Tech)"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Preface

Chapter 1. Partition of whole numbers: Reasoning with manipulatives and computational experiments

Chapter 2. Combinatorial models: From experiment to theory

Chapter 3. Early algebra with kid pix

Chapter 4. Hidden mathematics of the multiplication table

Chapter 5. Application of unit fractions to tessellations

Chapter 6. Divisibility and prime numbers

Chapter 7. Fibonacci numbers and the golden ratio

Chapter 8. From arithmetic sequences to polygonal numbers

Chapter 9. The multiplication table revisited

Chapter 10. Proof and proving

Chapter 11. Computational problem solving and modeling

Chapter 12. Numbers and operations in different bases

Chapter 13. Programming details

References

Appendix: Some useful formulas. Author biography.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 225.228).

Print version record.

Other Format:

Print version: Abramovich, Sergei Topics in Mathematics for Elementary Teachers

ISBN:

9798887305165

OCLC:

1419063054