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Methods course documentation
Developing a mathematical inquiry independently (D7.2)
Text of homework assignments connected with the task of developing an
independent math inquiry
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| Assignment #1. Providing
directions for the beginning stages of the inquiry |
| Assignment #2. Providing
directions for writing a first draft of the written report and a brief oral
presentation |
| Assignment #3. Reminding
of the deadline for the final draft of the report |
Assignment #1:
- Begin your inquiry on the theme of your choice (whether within or outside
of the topic of alternative geometries). Try to go as far as you can, since
final presentations and a first draft of your written report will be due
on the following class. Keep a written "trail" of your explorations
and make sure that you bring it to class, since most of our next session
will be devoted to small groups discussions on each individual's work with
the goal of providing feedback and/or new ideas. Also bring to class a
brief statement (a page or so) identifying the topic of your inquiry and
some key questions/directions for inquiry that you are planning to pursue
(to be handed in to the instructor).
- You may want to begin to do some of the readings on reading and writing
in mathematics and/or geometry due in two weeks, since a lot of things
will be due by that time, and these readings may even give you ideas for
your own inquiry.
Assignment #2:
- Write a first draft of the final report on your inquiry and bring
2 copies to class. (To be handed in to the instructor at the end of
class, and to be picked up by Friday Dec.1 in your mailfile in Dewey 1-217
with the instructor's comments; though no grade will be assigned to this
first draft, not turning it in on time will result in a penalty of 5 points).
- Be prepared to give a 10-15 minute presentation summarizing the main
results of your inquiry. Come prepared with posters, transparencies, hand-outs
or whatever else you think would be helpful for your classmates to understand
your findings and their significance, and also provide you with some feedback
for further elaborations and/or clarifications.
- You may want to begin/continue to do some of the readings on reading
and writing in mathematics and/or geometry due in a week, since a lot of
things will be due by that time, and these readings may even give you ideas
for your own inquiry.
Assignment #3:
- Write the final draft of the report on your inquiry and bring 2
copies to class. (Major assignment worth 15 points).
- In preparation for a discussion on the roles and uses of reading and
writing in the context of mathematics instruction, read the following:
- Borasi, R., Sheedy, J.R., & Siegel, M. (1990). The power of stories
for learning mathematics. Language Arts.
- Siegel. M. et al. (in press). The unexplored role of reading in mathematics
meaning-making. 1996 NCTM Yearbook.
- Chapters 1 and 2 in Connelly & Villardi (1989). Writing in mathematics
and science instruction.
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a mathematical inquiry independently"
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