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Course Syllabus

MATH 2020 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II

  • Division: Natural Science and Math
  • Department: Mathematics
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: MATH 1050 with a C or better or MATH 2000 with a C or better
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2030
  • End Semester: Fall 2031
  • Optimum Class Size: 24
  • Maximum Class Size: 32

Course Description

Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II is part of a series of courses designed to improve the mathematical understanding of prospective elementary teachers. Concepts covered include basic statistics, probability, properties of geometric shapes, measurement using English and Metric systems, geometry using triangle congruence (including constructions), and geometry using transformations. The course will combine a thorough treatment of mathematical concepts with pedagogical philosophy to help prospective teachers learn to teach mathematics with understanding and insight.

Justification

All elementary education programs require mathematical competency of students prior to student teaching. The series of Math for Elementary Education Courses helps students arrive at that competency. This or a similar Math for Elementary Education series is required at most four-year public institutions in Utah.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the statistical tools needed to describe data (mean, median, mode, range, IQR, MAD, etc.) and correctly compute them for a suitable data set.
  2. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to make appropriate visual displays (graphs/charts) for a given data set.
  3. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to apply an understanding of basic principles of probability and use them to solve problems.
  4. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of English and Metric measurement systems and will be able to perform conversions (length, area, volume, mass, temperature) within each system.
  5. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to apply an understanding of principles and properties of geometric shapes, including analyzing two-dimensional shapes (including computing perimeter and area) and three-dimensional shapes (including computing surface area and volume).
  6. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of techniques of problem-solving in geometry and solve many types of problems.
  7. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to apply an understanding of principles and properties of geometry based on triangle congruence and use them to solve problems.
  8. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of principles and properties of geometric transformations and use them to solve problems.

Course Content

Topics in this course may include the following:•Introduction to statistics •Introduction to probability including simulation, expected value, odds, and conditional probability •Analyzing geometric shapes, including angles, polygons, and three-dimensional shapes •Measurement using English and Metric systems including length, area, surface area, and volume •Geometry using triangle congruence including constructions •Geometry using transformations As appropriate, technology (Geometer's Sketchpad, Geogebra, or the like) will be used to enhance student understanding.