Math 149 field experience

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Math 149S. Capstone Mathematics for Teachers. Spring 2019.
Service Learning
Service learning is a key component of this course. It will involve 4 hours of lesson observation and 20 hours of observation and instruction of extra-curricular activities.

Lesson observation
Choose a few classrooms to observe. If you don't have much observation experience yet, try to observe a variety of math courses in a variety of grade levels (but only grades 9-12), taught by a variety of teachers. Every class is different, and every teacher has a different teaching style, so it would be best to observe different practices.
You may make your own arrangements. Please let your instructor know (as soon as you decide) which school(s) you would like to observe classes in.
The following teachers have agreed to occasionally have observers from our class. However, you should keep in mind that some days may be inconvenient (a test may be given; or a teacher may have other committment and have a sub; etc.) For that reason and also to be polite, before you go to observe a lesson, send an email to the teacher (copy to your instructor) stating that you are a Fresno State student taking the Capstone Mathematics for Teachers class, and asking whether it would be OK to observe their lesson on such and such date. Remember to arrive in advance so that you have time to find the building and the room and to introduce yourself to the teacher before class. Ask where you could sit so that not to disturb the class. Stay quiet, don't talk to the students, and don't disrupt the class in any way. You must stay for the whole class because if you leave in the middle of class you will disrupt the class.
- University High School
  Please remember to email the teacher (copy to your instructor) before attending any class, asking if it would be OK to observe a class on a certain day (more or less any day should be fine, but the teacher would like to know that you are coming, and also you need to confirm that there will be no test that day).
  Teacher: Ms. Cari Rocher (croche@csufresno.edu)
  Room: 105 (UHS)
  Days: M-F, but please find out in advance if it is OK to observe on a particular day.
  Typical class schedule (most, but not all, of the days):
  7:55 - 8:50 - Advanced Math
  8:55 - 9:52 - IM1
  10:00 - 10:55 - Advanced Math
  11:00 - 11:55 - Advanced Math
  1:00 - 1:55 - Advanced Math
  Teacher: Ms. Michelle Hayden (msanbongi@csufresno.edu)
  Room: (UHS)
  Days: M-F, but please find out in advance if it is OK to observe on a particular day. Also, there is a limit of only one observer per class period.
  Typical class schedule (most, but not all, of the days):
  7:55-8:50 - AP Calc AB
  8:55-9:50 - Advanced Math
  10:00-10:55 - AP Calc BC
  1:00-1:55 - AP Calc AB
  2:00-2:55 - Advanced Math
Upon completion (within 1 month), you must turn in:
- time sheet (template here),
- your notes (handwritten OK),
- your reflections (typed): describe the concepts taught, including definitions given, theorems stated and/or proved, and procedures/algorithms described; were the definitions and statements and/or proofs rigorous? Could they be given more rigorously? If so, how? If not, why not (i.e. what additional knowledge would be needed that is not covered in high school)? Were the procedures/algorithms explained (i.e. explained why they would work, under which conditions they would work, etc.)? Which questions did the students ask? In particular, did they ask to clarify any concepts/theorems/procedures? Which of the teacher's answers or examples were most helpful to the students? Feel free to include any of your thoughts or comments or suggestions. While our main focus is on the content, comments on any teaching styles observed are welcome too. A satisfactory paper should be at least one full page for each hour observed (longer is better).
Grading: Your observation notes and reflections will be graded by your instructor.
Observing, assisting with, and leading extracurricular activities (for advanced students; not tutoring!)
Below are a few opportunities. Choose any that you would like to lead/help with. You will often team up with other people in our class, and work in small groups (of 2-4 people). We will need to meet (sometimes once, sometimes more than) before each problem solving session to go over the concepts, problems, and solutions. Whenever you schdedule a meeting with your group members, please let your instructor know when and where your group is meeting so that the instructor can attend your meeting if possible. Sometimes we may discuss your service learning in class. Pre-approved (see below) group meetings (outside of class) count toward your service learning hours.
- Math Circle, grades 3-8
  1. Saturday, January 26, 9:45-11:30 AM
  2. Saturday, February 9, 9:45-11:30 AM
  3. Saturday, February 26, 9:45-11:30 AM
  4. Saturday, March 9, 9:45-11:30 AM
  5. Saturday, March 26, 9:45-11:30 AM
  6. Saturday, April 6, 9:45-11:30 AM
  7. Saturday, April 20, 9:45-11:30 AM
  8. Saturday, May 4, 9:45-11:30 AM
  Observers are welcome in all groups: grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 (however, the number of observers for each meeting is limited). Helpers are needed for the group of grades 5-6. Preparation meetings with the instructor and/or peers are needed before each session if you would like to help. Contact your instructor for both observation and helping.
  Fresno Math Circle website
- Math Circle, grades 9-12 (regular sessions)
  1. Thursday, February 28, 5:30-7:30 PM, PB 138
  2. Thursday, March 14, 5:30-7:30 PM, PB 138
  3. Thursday, March 28, 5:30-7:30 PM, PB 138
  4. Thursday, April 11, 5:30-7:30 PM, PB 138
  5. Thursday, April 25, 5:30-7:30 PM, PB 138
  No preparation neccessary. Come and participate in the activities along with the high school students. There is no limit on the number of observers/participants. However, please let your instructor know when you are planning to come so that enough materials can be printed.
- AMC 10/12 Preparation and Solutions, mostly grades 8-10, 11-12
  1. Thursday, January 17, 5:30-7:30 PM, PB 138 and PB 106 - AMC 10/12 practice
  2. Thursday, January 24, 5:30-7:30 PM, PB 138 and PB 106 - AMC 10/12 practice
  3. Thursday, January 31, 5:30-7:30 PM, PB 138 and PB 106 - AMC 10/12 practice
  4. Thursday, February 14, 5:30-7:30 PM, PB 138 and PB 106 - AMC 10/12 solutions and awards
  No preparation neccessary. Come and participate in the activities along with the high school students. There is no limit on the number of observers/participants. However, please let your instructor know when you are planning to come so that enough materials can be printed.
  AMC Problems
- Math Kangaroo Preparation
  1. Saturday, February 2 - leaders found
  2. Saturday, March 2 - one more leader needed for grades 1-2, at least 2-3 hours of preparation is needed for each session
  3. Saturday, March 16 - one more leader needed for grades 5-6, at least 2-3 hours of preparation is needed for each session
  - 9:45-11:45 - grades 1-2, 5-6, 9-10
  - 1:30-3:30 - grades 3-4, 7-8
  Your instructor is in charge of these.
  Math Kangaroo web page
- Math Field Day Preparation at Fresno State
  1. Saturday, February 9, 2:00-4:30PM, grades 6-8
  2. Thursday, February 21, 5:30-8:00PM, grades 9-10 and 11-12
  3. Thursday, March 7, 5:30-8:00PM, grades 6-8, 9-10, and 11-12
  4. Saturday, March 30, 2:00-4:30PM, grades 6-8
  5. Thursday, April 4, 5:30-8:00PM, grades 9-10 and 11-12
  Leaders/helpers are needed for grades 6-8 and 9-10. You will work with Dr. Agnes Tuska (agnest@csufresno.edu) to help with grades 6-8, and your instructor to help with grades 9-10.
  Math Field Day website
  Math Field Day Prep Sessions website
- Math Field Day Prep Sessions at Local High Schools, grades 9-12
  Please let your instructor know if you are interested and/or have any ideas.
- Math Kangaroo Competition, grades 1-10
  Thursday, March 21, 5:00-8:00PM, ED 140. No preparation necessary.
  Helpers are needed. Contact your instructor if you wish to help. Update: helpers are found.
- Math Kangaroo Solutions and Awards, grades 1-10
  Saturday, March 30, 9:30AM-12:00PM, S2 building - at least 2-3 hours of preparation is needed
  Leaders are needed in grades 1-2 and 3-4. Contact your instructor if you wish to help.
- Math Field Day, grades 6-12
  Saturday, April 27, the event is approx. from 8AM-4PM, the exact time of your assignment will be determined by you and the Math Field Day coordinator (this year, that's your instructor). Typically assignments are approx. 3-4 hours long. No preparation necessary. MFD Volunteer Flyer.
  As many volunteers as possible are welcome. Sign up to volunteer at the Math Field Day. Dr. Adnan Sabuwala (asabuwala@csufresno.edu) is the Math Field Day coordinator this year.
Upon completion (within 1 month), you must turn in:
- time sheet (template here),
- reflections/thoughts/suggestions for improvement (follow the same guidlines as those for lessson observation, see above),
- evaluation filled out by you (top part) and the teacher (bottom part) - if your instructor was not the faculty in charge of this activity.
- peer evaluation filled out by you for each group member - if had any group prep meetings with peers without your instructor present.
- peer evaluations filled out by your group members will be submitted by your group members directly to the instructor.
Grading: Your reflections will be evaluated by your instructor. Your performance will be evaluated by the teacher (if applicable), group members, and instructor.
Finally, you should prepare a short presentation about your field experience. You may choose the topic you want to present on: a class activity you liked (whether the class was taugh by you or the teacher you observed), your lesson plan, teaching strategies you learned, etc. Since you will be often working in groups, presentations may be prepared by groups as well. However, in this case, make sure that all of the group members are involved in preparing the presentation as well as presenting.
For extra credit
Complete additional hours (i.e. in excess of 20 hours) leading/helping with extracurricular activities. You will get 0.5 points (0.5% of your grade) for each additional hour.

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This page was last revised on 5 February 2019.