MT190, Section 01 Fundamentals of Mathematics I
Spring Semester 2007 Boston College
Special Project
Goal: To encourage students to integrate their developing Profound Un-
derstanding of Elementary Mathematics (in the sense of Liping Ma) with their
own classroom teaching activities.
Assignment: Complete all parts.
(a) Write a one-page summary of one of Chapters 1 to 4 of Ma’s book.
(b) Design a series of 5 multi-part problems or multi-step activities that treat
some topic in the elementary curriculum in the area of Numbers and
Operations and are suitable for elementary school use. Some examples
of appropriate topics are understanding place value, multi-digit whole
number multiplication and the multiplication of fractions. There are
many others. Your exercises should build both algorithmic skill and
mathematical understanding of the topic at hand, and should draw on
your own deep understanding of the topic. At least one exercise should
include an aspect of mathematical exploration or a problem that requires
students to extend their understanding. Please indicate the grade level
you intend your problems for. (See the links at the bottom of our class
web page for curriculum frameworks that will help you determine the
grade level of your topic.)
(c) Explain in a maximum of one page how your series of problems in part
(b) builds your students’ mathematical knowledge and how it is informed
by your own pedagogical content knowledge.
Plagiarism strictly prohibited: Your problems may not be taken from
other textbooks or the internet. Plagiarism, such as “borrowing” problems
from other texts, websites, or friends, will result in a failing grade in the
course and sanctions as determined by the university. Instead, please create
your own problems or activities. All work you hand in must be original
work by you.
Due date: Tuesday, May 1, 2007.
Grade: As specified in the syllabus, your grade on this project will be
10% of your course grade.
