Mathematics Education Focus

Mathematics Education may be added as a focus to your Science and Environmental Education or Arts and Humanities Concentration

Our schools need skilled teachers to meet the growing demand for higher achievement standards in mathematics. Through this program track, you can become a teacher with a highly marketable strength in mathematics education and the knowledge and skills for general classroom management and instruction. The mathematics education focus is for elementary and early childhood certification students who wish to specialize in mathematics education. Students who add these courses to their program of study first choose to join either the Science and Environmental Education concentration or the Arts and Humanities concentration.

Teach Math with Confidence

The goal of this focus is to instill a deep and flexible understanding of elementary mathematical concepts and procedures, a knowledge of students as learners and a strong repertoire of teaching methods. It is ideal for students with a range of mathematical backgrounds, including those who lack confidence in their mathematical knowledge. They can build their knowledge of fundamental mathematics and the capacity to teach the subject with joy and confidence.

What You Gain

Mathematics education students:

Develop strategies for teaching mathematics to diverse learners
Deepen conceptual knowledge of fundamental mathematics
Develop a confident, flexible and creative approach to mathematics instruction
Gain skill in innovative and effective curriculum design and assessment in mathematics
Build knowledge of current research, policies and standards in mathematics education

The Courses You Take

Students take the same core courses, leading towards elementary and/or early childhood certification, as students in one of the concentration areas. They also take courses that deepen and broaden their mathematical knowledge for teaching, and explore ways to integrate mathematics across the curriculum. These courses teach:

How to design and teach mathematics to children
Hands-on, real-world learning and meaningful problem solving. For example: using measurement and geometry to plan a school garden or decide whether there is space for a new soccer field, plan a symmetrical pattern for a weaving project or analyze the school's use of paper to determine ways to save money and trees
Twenty-first century skills of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication
How to integrate mathematics into other subjects through interdisciplinary themes and projects
Current educational research, policies and standards, and how to advocate for best practices in mathematics education

Specialized courses include:

Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching, Early Childhood
Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching, Upper Elementary
Managing Mathematics Instruction for Diverse Learners
Applied Problem Solving in Mathematics Education

Electives include:

Mapmaking with Children: Integrating Math and Science Through Maps
Thinking Outside the Box
Mystery Classrooms: Journey North

Special Topics in Mathematics Education:

Learning Mathematics with Games and Puzzles
Mathematics and Children's Literature
Learning Mathematics Through Handwork and Art

The initial course, Introduction to Mathematics Education, is an overview and foundation in early childhood and elementary mathematics education. All Elementary/Early Childhood certification candidates are required to take this course (which would be offered both fall and spring semester), and one of the two Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching courses for more depth in either early childhood or upper elementary mathematics. This sequence replaces the current Math Methods requirement for those with an Arts and Humanities or Science and Environmental Education concentration.

This sequence of three courses over the first fall and spring of the program provides a broad and deep understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts, processes and pedagogy for all elementary levels. The summer course addresses aspects of classroom organization and management for mathematics education that promote effective differentiated instruction and build an engaged, equitable community of learners. A variety of mathematics education electives rounds out these core courses.

Last Updated: 2/27/12