CMC-North Conference • 5 December 2009 A New Teaching Methods Course and Proposed Mathematics Education Minor for Prospective Middle School Mathematics Teachers Carol Fry Bohlin ~ carolb@csufresno.edu Karen Arth ~ karth@csufresno.edu Lance Burger ~ lburger@csufresno.edu California State University, Fresno CMC-North Conference • 5 December 2009

Meeting the Need for More Middle School Math Teachers ~ Fresno State Mathematicians co-developed and co-taught mathematicially-rigorous 45-hour workshops for Mathematics CSET Subtest I and II preparation. Math educators and talented secondary math teachers co-developed and co-taught a new Middle School Math Methods course this summer.

Schedule & Target Audience Academic Year CSET Subtest I and II Workshops (Subtest III planned for Spring) Target Audience: Multiple Subject candidates plus area teachers ( Middle School Mathematics Teaching Methods Target Audience: Multiple Subject Candidates and Liberal Studies/Blended Program majors In the Future?...New Math Education Minor for Liberal Studies Summer CSET Subtest I and II Workshops Target: Multiple Subject candidates and (especially) teachers Free or inexpensive (30 teachers in each section) Target: Multiple Subject-credentialed teachers Free or inexpensive (60 teachers enrolled this past summer)

Developing the FLM Course… the Journey… As an Engineer/Project Manager Knowledge Collaboration Communication Models (visualization)

As a Teacher of Mathematics Content Collaboration Teacher with Mentors and Peers Students with Teachers Peers Communication Mathematical Ideas Problem Solving Strategies Visualizing/Experiencing Manipulatives Labs

As the Director of the San Joaquin Valley Mathematics Project Working with Grant Participants STIR (Supporting Teachers to Increase Retention) Lesson Study Summer Institutes Follow-up Sessions Content for the Teacher and their Students Time and Opportunities to Collaborate Time and Opportunities to Communicate Experiencing Mathematics through Manipulatives

A New Middle School Math Methods Course is Created Two Mathematics Faculty and the Director and Co-Director of the SJVMP: Collaborating together and communicating ideas about how to create a course which: Delivered Rich and Challenging Content Modeled good teaching practices/Pedagogy Taught/Encouraged Multiple Methods of Solving Problems Used a Variety of Manipulatives

Math Education Minor (MME) at California State University, Fresno A minor designed primarily for Liberal Studies students or other majors to acquire sufficient content and teaching knowledge for the Foundational-Level Credential in Single Subject Mathematics (FLM). Main focus of the MME – Production of excellent middle school mathematics teachers.

Proposed Coursework (19 units) Math 133. Number Theory for Liberal Studies (3) MATH 134. Geometry for Liberal Studies (3) MATH 137. Exploring Statistics (3) MATH 138. Exploring Algebra (3) MATH 139. Advanced Algebra for Middle School Teachers (3) Elective(s)–e.g., Trig., pre-calculus or calculus (at least 4 units); doesn’t include remedial math, Math 10A/B or Math 100 CI 161. Middle School Methods (3) taken outside of MEM for CTCC FLM approval.

MSTI Web Site: http://csufresno.edu/teachmathscience