EDUC155 Math Experiences for Young Children PreK-4

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Education

I. Course Number and Title
EDUC155 Math Experiences for Young Children PreK-4
II. Number of Credits
3 credits
III. Number of Instructional Minutes
IV. Prerequisites
V. Other Pertinent Information

Course includes 5 hours field experience.
Pennsylvania Department of Education clearances required

VI. Catalog Course Description
Participants in this course identify mathematics education relevant to the PreK-4 child. Students create math experiences, select appropriate materials, learn specific mathematical techniques, design developmentally appropriate lesson plans, and learn how to integrate math instruction into the PreK-4 curriculum. Course involves field experience.
VII. Required Course Content and Direction
  1. Course Learning Goals

    Students will:

    1. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of developmentally appropriate math education and an understanding of mathematical principles for the PreK-4 curriculum;
    2. demonstrate an awareness of the cognitive, linguistic, physical and social-emotional development of the PreK-4 child and its relationship to the development of appropriate math experiences;
    3. develop and create a unit of math instruction. The lesson plans of this unit will include integrating math curriculum into other areas of the PreK-4 curriculum;
    4. demonstrate an awareness of the importance of including quality children's literature in the math curriculum; and
    5. evaluate children's experience and knowledge, including their family, linguistic, cultural, and community backgrounds; their individual approaches to learning and their informal knowledge.
  2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities

    1. introduction: concept development
      1. concepts and how they develop
      2. how concepts are acquired
    2. assessment and instruction
      1. concept development through problem-solving
      2. children's developmental levels
      3. observation strategies
    3. fundamental concepts and skills
      1. using quality children's literature to support concepts
    4. applying fundamental concepts and skills
      1. building a knowledge base
      2. using "concept books" to support skills
    5. mathematics in the primary grades
      1. the math environment
    6. primary math skills
    7. integrating math into the curriculum
  3. Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals

    The assessment of course learning goals will be based on participation in classroom discussions, written exams, assignments, papers, field experiences, and performance-based tasks and projects.

    See course syllabus.

Approval/Revision Date: 11/16/2012; New Core 8/2015