Math4020 Practicum

For this assignment, you are to spend three hours observing a math lesson in a K-6 elementary classroom and three
hours teaching a math lesson to a small group of two or more children (not tutoring and not
simply reviewing a worksheet the teacher gave you). The math lessons will probably be split into 2 or 3 sessions.
The lessons should be relevant to this course. That is, the topic you choose for your lesson must be related
to statistics, probability or geometry (there will be an automatic 15 percentage points deducted from your
practicum grade if this is not adhered to). At the end of the semester, you are required to submit a typewritten practicum
report (4-6 pages) analyzing your teaching experience. The intent of the practicum is:

To provide a connection between the theory and the practice of teaching mathematics.
to give you some practical experience in an elementary mathematics classroom.
To encourage reflection in teaching mathematics.

These practicums are possible only through the cooperation of the in-service teachers. There is a form attached to
this description that you can take with you to the school. The form describes the Math4010/4020 sequence, the purpose
of the practicum, and asks for the signatures of the teacher and principal granting permission for you to visit the
classroom. This form also gives the name and phone number of the course instructor so that the school can contact us
in case problems arise.

Your practicum report should include the following:

Your goals for your lesson.
A brief outline of the lesson plan.
The number of students at the observation and then at the lesson, as well as their grade level.
A description of the mathematical discussion and learning that took place during the lesson along with the
pupils' dialogue and questions/responses to the mathematical discussion.
An analysis of the student response including a discussion of what worked and what didn't work mathematically
in the lesson and how the lesson might be improved.

(Note: The last two items should take up about 80-85% of your report.)

Grading of your practicum report will be based on the depth of the analysis of your lesson presentation. Refer
to your syllabus for the practicum due date. (For every day that your practicum report is late, you will be deducted
20 percentage points! Remember that writing the practicum report is required to pass this course.)

Note: Please remember to take detailed notes during your observation and immediately following your teaching since
it's likely that enough time will pass between the observation date, your teaching, and the writing of your report
that you may forget the details unless they are recorded in writing.