This course provides an overview of and an opportunity to review the major concepts necessary to teach algebra to middle school students. Among the several core competencies that students need to develop strong skills in algebra is algebraic number sense. Teachers will have opportunities to evaluate their own mastery of algebraic number sense, develop a stronger number sense, and explore ways to help students
enhance their own number sense. In addition, participants will learn the importance of scaffolding concepts for student understanding.
Algebraic topics in this course include
• Integers and properties of integers
• Order of operations
• Mathematical properties of numbers
• Expression of approximate relationships in data
• Using coordinate graphs and tables to develop equations
• Linear functions
• Properties of slope
• Ratios and proportions
• Introduction to quadratic
This course will both challenge teachers to explain these concepts and to demonstrate
how they will teach and relate them to their students. Participants will also explore methods of teaching mathematical concepts that employ the use of narrative and storytelling to describe, analyze, and solve contextual mathematical problems in real-life applications.
Registrants are responsible for ordering the following materials for this course:
Countryman, J. (1992). Writing to Learn Mathematics: Strategies that Work. Portsmouth,NH: Heineman.
Friel, S. (2002). Navigating through algebra in Grades 6–8. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc.
You can access the course syllabus by visiting the following website Course Syllabus
Registration for this course will close on May 26, 2009.
