COURSE TITLE:

HANDS-ON MATH: Real World Applications

NO. OF CREDITS:

3 QUARTER CREDITS
[semester equivalent = 2.00 credits]

WA CLOCK HRS:  
OREGON PDUs:  
PENNSYLVANIA ACT 48:  
30
30
30

INSTRUCTOR:

Suzanne Warner
sw11235@yahoo.com

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

“When are we ever gonna use this?” is a question often asked by math students. This happens because skills are so frequently taught in isolation from their application. By participating in hands-on math activities, our students learn the connection between what is taught in the classroom and the real world. This course offers something for all teachers K-12; whether they are specialized math teachers at the high school level or elementary teachers who do it all, Hands-On Math will help students answer their own question…………..“When are we ever gonna use this?”  This course is appropriate for teachers K-12.

Participants will select the text most appropriate to their individual teaching levels:

  • Grades K-8 teachers will use: Math Wise! Over 100 Hands-On Activities that Promote Real Math Understanding by Jim Overholt & Laurie Kincheloe 
  • Grades 6-12 teachers will use: Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications by Judith & Gary Meschla.​​​

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, participants will have:

  • Implement hands-on math activities in their classroom.
  • Broaden the scope of their mathematics curriculum to include other subjects.
  • Connect mathematics learning and real world applications.
  • Create an environment that supports critical thinking in mathematics.
  • Encourage teamwork by students.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Completion of all specified assignments is required for issuance of hours or credit. The Heritage Institute does not award partial credit.


HOURS EARNED:
Completing the basic assignments (Section A. Information Acquisition) for this course automatically earns participants their choice of CEUs (Continuing Education Units), Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, or Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours. The Heritage Institute offers CEUs and is an approved provider of Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, and Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours.




 

UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT
Continuing Education Quarter credits are awarded by Antioch University Seattle (AUS). AUS requires 75% or better for credit at the 400 level and 85% or better to issue credit at the 500 level. These criteria refer both to the amount and quality of work submitted.

  1. Completion of Information Acquisition assignments 30%
  2. Completion of Learning Application assignments 40%
  3. Completion of Integration Paper assignment 30%



 

CREDIT/NO CREDIT (No Letter Grades or Numeric Equivalents on Transcripts)
Antioch University Seattle (AUS) Continuing Education Quarter credit is offered on a Credit/No Credit basis; neither letter grades nor numeric equivalents are on a transcript. 400 level credit is equal to a "C" or better, 500 level credit is equal to a "B" or better. This information is on the back of the transcript.

AUS Continuing Education quarter credits may or may not be accepted into degree programs. Prior to registering, determine with your district personnel, department head, or state education office the acceptability of these credits for your purpose.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

REQUIRED TEXT

Participants will select the text most appropriate to their individual teaching levels:

  • Grades K-8 teachers will use: Math Wise! Over 100 Hands-On Activities that Promote Real Math Understanding by Jim Overholt & Laurie Kincheloe 
  • Grades 6-12 teachers will use: Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications by Judith & Gary Meschla.​​​

Each text costs approximately $20-$25 (Amazon).

  • Math Wise! Over 100 Hands-On Activities that Promote Real Math Understanding, Grades K-8
    ISBN# 0470471999
    by Overholt
    Wiley-Interscience

    Buy from Amazon
  • Hands-On Math Projects With Real-Life Applications: Grades 6-12
    ISBN# 9780787981792
    by Muschla, Judith A., Muschla, Gary R.
    Wiley-Interscience

    Buy from Amazon

MATERIALS FEE

Course texts, Participants will select the text most appropriate to their individual teaching levels: Grades K-8 teachers will use: Math Wise! Over 100 Hands-On Activities that Promote Real Math Understanding by Jim Overholt & Laurie Kincheloe Grades 6-12 teachers will use: Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications by Judith & Gary Meschla.​​​ costs approximately $20-$25 on Amazon.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHING THIS COURSE:

Suzanne Warner, M.S., received her Masters Degree in Education from the University of Rochester, New York.  She has taught mathematics in the middle school, high school, and college settings, most recently in Oregon. Suzanne has been lauded by administrators, colleagues, students and parents regarding her teaching and classroom management skills. Her students enjoy learning in a respectful, productive environment, where each student is in control of her/his own learning and behaviors. She strongly believes that all students want to do well, and creates a teaching environment for them to succeed. 

When not in the classroom, Suzanne enjoys spending time with her family reading, hiking, backpacking and traveling.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

HANDS-ON MATH: Real World Applications

Boaler, Jo. What’s Math Got to Do with It? How Teachers and Parents Can Transform Mathematics Learning and Inspire Success, 1st Edition. 2015.  Penguin Books.  Paperback, 272 pages, ISBN: 978-0143128298, A critical read for teachers and parents who want to improve children’s mathematics learning.  The revised edition is now updated with new research on the brain and mathematics that is revolutionizing scientists’ understanding of learning and potential. Boaler presents research findings through practical ideas that can be used in classrooms and homes.

Erickon, Tim and Rose, Craig.  Get It Together: Math Problems for Groups, Grades 4-12, 1st Edition. 1989.  EQUALS/Lawrence Hall of Science.  Paperback, 180 pages, ISBN: 978-0912511535,  A collection of over 100 mathematics problems for groups of 26 students. The problems cover a wide range of math topics such as logic, functions, algebra, geometry, measurement, and number patterns at various levels of difficulty. Each problem has the same format: six clue cards that provide the information needed to solve a problem. Since each member of the group has a different bit of information, everyone must work together to arrive at a solution.

Muschla, Gary RobertTeaching the Common Core Math Standards with Hands-On Activities, Grades 6-8, 1st Edition. 2012.  Jossey-Bass.  Paperback, 272 pages, ISBN: 978-1118108567, The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics were developed to help teachers give students a thorough knowledge of math at each grade level, thereby enabling them to move on to higher mathematics with competence and confidence.

Muschla, Gary Robert and Judith Muschla. Teaching the Common Core Math Standards with Hands-On Activities, Grades 9-12, 1st Edition. 2015. Jossey-Bass.   Paperback, 312 pages, ISBN: 978-1118710104,  In this book, the Muschlas extend their popular Teaching the Common Core series to the higher grade levels with lessons that can be quickly adapted to suit your students' ability levels and learning styles. Students will build critical thinking skills, learn how to communicate math concepts, hone problem-solving abilities, and have fun while you prepare them to excel in higher education and in the workplace.

Muschla, Judith, Gary Robert, and Erin Mushla-BerryTeaching the Common Core Math Standards with Hands-On Activities, Grades 3 -5, 1st Edition.  2014.  Jossey-Bass.  Paperback, 304 pages, ISBN: 978-1118710333, This book is the first to provide hands-on activities specifically created to address all Common Core Standards for Grades 3-5. Brief background information on each standard, detailed instructions, and handy reproducibles make implementing these activities a breeze. Most of the activities can be done in a single class period and all are designed to capture students’ attention and help them build critical thinking skills, learn how to communicate math concepts, and hone problem-solving abilities.

Shell-Gallasch, Amy.  Hands On History: A Resource for Teaching Mathematics, 1st Edition.  Mathematics Association of America.  Paperback, 220 pages, ISBN: 978-0883851821, Research shows that students learn best when they actively participate in their learning. Hands-on activities, in particular, provide the greatest opportunities for gaining understanding and promoting retention. This volume is a compilation of articles from researchers and educators who use the history of mathematics to facilitate active learning in the classroom.