MTH211, Math for Elementary School Teachers (aka Foundations of Elementary Mathematics)

Welcome to Math for Elementary School Teachers, MfEST, Math fEST, at BMCC with Gary Parker.

This class is taught in person, with Zoom live video, and online. Most of you have opted for the "online" version of the course, vs. the in-person or "zoom" section. The three versions are essentially the same, except that some of you have committed to meet with me to do math together, while others have elected to do math on their own. I have found that math is both an individual and team sport. To really "get" math you must practice on your own, but it is important to have others to work with. I encourage you to reach out to classmates to find study partners.

I teach all of my other classes in person and online, and have for years, but resisted teaching this class online because of all of the hands on activities I do with students in each face to face class. However, since COVID I have had no choice but to find ways to offer this class "online". For those of you taking this class online, you will have virtual toys to play with instead of physical ones. They are almost as much fun as the real thing.

I expect you to keep up with the assignments: reading the text, practice problems, and activity labs. Keep in mind that if you see in a calendar that an assignment is due on a particular day that you must start the assignment before that date if you hope to get it done. The dates posted are deadlines, not start dates!

You should expect from me that I will work hard to help you meet the objectives for this course. You should expect that I will provide good learning opportunities during the scheduled class times, in this Canvas course, and that I will meet with you, physically or virtually, outside of class if you need more assistance. If you would like to meet in person to do math with me then I do hope that you are vaccinated for COVID19 and Influenza; it is your civic duty.

I look forward to helping you become a teacher of mathematics and whatever else you might teach.

Stay in touch and do good math.

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Gary Parker