TR 1:00pm - 2:15pm in R306 from 1/12/26 - 5/14/26
Introductory topics in statistics, probability, geometry (including shapes, congruence, relationships, constructions, and the Pythagorean theorem), and measurement are studied. This course may be used to satisfy one of the two mathematics requirements for an associate in science degree in Elementary Education. IAI: M1 903.
MATH 1613 with a grade of C or better - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
Course Alignment
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
This course is the second part of the Mathematics for Elementary Education Sequence. It is IAI approved and is designed to be used for transfer to other colleges and universities.
This course is meant to challenge the student to think critically about mathematics starting at the most fundamental idea of what a number is. From there, more advanced concepts will be reconstructed with an emphasis made on making connection between the previous materials and the new. Many of the concepts covered are those that we, as educated adults, take for granted, but elementary students must learn under the guidance of their teachers. The relearning of ingrained material is difficult. “WHY?” is the fundamental question that students must learn both to answer and to ask themselves to be successful in this class.
Faculty Contact Information
MW 1pm – 2pm, TTH 11am – 1pm, 2:30pm – 3:30pm, F 11am – 12pm in R303
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Use the mathematical processes and give examples of what they can be used to do (applications, problem solving, understanding skill, concrete pictorial abstract measurement and number systems of geometry).
- Perform operations with integers, rational numbers and real numbers, with an introduction to algebra, statistics, probability, geometric shape and geometric using coordinates.
- Real Numbers
- Variables
- Equations
- Functions
- Equations in a Coordinate System
- Determining Probabilities
- Multistage Experiments and Modeling Games
- Simulations and Applications in Probability
- Permutations and Combinations in Probability
- Designing Experiments/Collecting Data
- Displaying Data: Pictographs, Stem and Leaf, Dot Plots, Circle Graphs, Histograms, Bar Graphs
- Line Graphs, Scatterplots, Choosing Data Displays
- Measures of Central Tendency
- Abuses of Statistics
- Introductory Geometry
- Curves, Polygons, and Symmetry
- More about Angles
- Geometry in Three Dimensions
- Congruence Through Constructions (SSS, SAS)
- Additional Congruence Theorems (ASA)
- Similar Triangles and Other Similar Figures
- Linear Measure
- Area of Polygons and Circles
- The Pythagorean Theorem, Distance Formula and Equation of a Circle
- Surface Areas
- Volume, Mass, Temperature
A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers. Billstein, Libeskind, & Loft. 13th ed. Pearson Publishing.
Scientific calculator – used by instructor’s discretion
This course will be evaluated as follows:
Homework: 25%
In-Class Activities and Attendance: 15%
Projects/Presentations/Book Study: 15%
Exams: 25%
Final Exam: 20%
Grading Scale by Percentage:
90 – 100 A
80 – 89 B
70 – 79 C
60 – 69 D
Below 60 F
Homework:
Homework is an essential part of any math class. The homework is at the end of each section in the textbook, (titled Assessment 1-2 A for example). Also, specified Mathematical Connections Homework may be assigned.
In Class Activities and Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. To be successful in this course, a student must attend every scheduled class. You are responsible for work missed due to absence. You must contact your instructor before class has started to be marked as excused. If you come in after class has started, you may be marked absent. Leaving early from class will also be noted.
Attendance will count as a small portion of your grade combined with sporadic in-class activities. Note: Math can be taught in the classroom, but can only be learned through practice, critical thinking, and more practice. Please ask questions to help further your understanding, either in class or during office hours.
Projects/Presentations/Book Study:
In order to fully explore and evaluate our knowledge of the math concepts discussed, projects/presentations/papers will be assigned periodically during the semester. These will delve more fully into the material and will have computational as well as verbal parts. The use of proper grammar and mathematical vocabulary will be part of the grading, as well as the ultimate success of the assignment.
Book Study: This semester we will be reading Jo Boaler’s book What’s Math Got to Do with It? There will be discussion questions, group work, and possibly short papers to go along with this book as the semester progresses.
Exams:
Exams will be completed in class on paper. They will consist of short answer questions that cover the material presented in class and/or homework and possibly some multiple choice questions. An exam is worth 100 points.
You may use the calculator on your cell phone on non-quiz/exam days if you do not have a calculator. A non-cell phone calculator must be used on quiz/exam days.
Each student can make up one exam per semester. In order to make up an exam, you will need to inform your instructor of your desire to make up the exam before the exam is given. Notification to your instructor can be made in-person or by email. Makeup exams will take place in the Testing Center (D218) and will be subject to the Testing Center’s schedule. Be sure to bring a valid student ID in order to make up any exams.
Testing Center website: https://www.kcc.edu/academics/exam-makeups/
Exams will not be returned to the class until all makeup exams are finished and graded.
Final Exam:
The final exam will be given during week 17 of the semester so Thursday, May 14th from 12:00pm - 1:50pm. More information on the final exam will be provided in class.
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700
Calculator Usage
You will want some type of calculator, but it doesn't have to be a graphing calculator. Graphing calculators may be used throughout this course. The TI-84 is the preferred graphing calculator. Remember, you can always borrow one from the library for free for the whole semester!
Accommodations:
Students must have an official letter from the Office of Disability Services for any accommodations. If students have this letter, please send to the instructor immediately. Accommodations can only be in effect if given to the instructor at least 24 hours before an assessment. Accommodations cannot be applied after a student has completed an assessment.
Cell Phones or Other Distractions:
Please try to refrain from using cell phones for call, texting, etc while in class. If it is an emergency, please take calls outside the classroom. Using cell phones or other electronic devices on or during the taking of tests/quizzes will be considered cheating and will be subject to academic integrity guidelines below.
Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a resource that you can use to help you learn concepts. If you are using AI to complete all of your homework for you, then you are not utilizing it as a resource, but as a crutch. You will not learn anything from this course if you do not struggle through the homework until you understand what you are doing.
If you are found to be using AI for solutions to homework questions, then you get a warning to not continue using AI to find answers. If you continue using AI, then you will receive a zero for the assignment or possible removal from the course.
Academic integrity:
Cheating will not be tolerated. Infractions will follow the Student Code of Conduct and may result in a zero in the assignment/assessment and/or removal from the class.
| Week and Dates | Topics | Assignments Due or Important Dates |
Week 1: Tuesday, 1/13 Thursday, 1/15 | Syllabus Section 8.1: Real Numbers Section 8.2: Variables | |
Week 2: Tuesday, 1/20 Thursday, 1/22 | Section 8.3: Equations Section 8.4: Functions Read Introduction and Chapter 1 of What’s Math Got to Do with It? | HW 1 (over 8.1, 8.2) due Tuesday, 1/20 by class time |
Week 3: Tuesday, 1/27 Thursday, 1/29 | Section 8.5: Equations in Coordinate System Section 9.1: Determining Probabilities Read Chapter 2 of What’s Math Got to Do with It? | HW 2 (over 8.3, 8.4) due Tuesday, 1/27 by class time Online Discussion / Reflection about Chapter 1 due by Wednesday, 1/28 11:59PM |
Week 4: Tuesday, 2/3 Thursday, 2/5 | Section 9.2: Multistage Experiments and Modeling Games Section 9.3: Simulations and Applications in Probability | HW 3 (over 8.5, 9.1) due Tuesday, 2/3 by class time Online Discussion / Reflection about Chapter 2 due by Wednesday, 2/3 by 11:59PM |
Week 5: Tuesday, 2/10 Thursday, 2/12 | Section 9.4: Permutations and Combinations in Probability Section 10.1: Designing Experiments / Collecting Data Read Chapter 3 of What’s Math Got to Do With It? | HW 4 (over 9.2, 9.3) due Tuesday, 2/10 by class time |
Week 6: Tuesday, 2/17 Thursday, 2/19 | Section 10.2: Displaying Data: Pictographs, Stem and Leaf, Dot Plots, Circle Graphs, Histograms, Bar Graphs | HW 5 (over 9.4) due Tuesday, 2/17 by class time Chapter 8 and 9 Test on Tuesday, 2/17 during class Online Discussion / Reflection about Chapter 3 due by Wednesday, 2/18 by 11:59PM |
Week 7: Tuesday, 2/24 Thursday, 2/26 | Section 10.3: Line Graphs, Scatterplots, Choosing Data Displays Section 10.4: Measures of Central Tendency Read Chapter 4 of What’s Math Got to Do With It? | HW 6 (over 10.1, 10.2) due Tuesday, 2/24 by class time |
Week 8: Tuesday, 3/3 Thursday, 3/5 | Section 10.5: Abuses of Statistics Section 11.1: Introductory Geometry | HW 7 (over 10.3, 10.4) due Tuesday, 3/3 by class time Online Discussion / Reflection about Chapter 4 due by Wednesday, 3/4 by 11:59PM Hand out Chapter 10 Take Home Test due after Spring Break |
Spring Break Monday 3/9 – Friday, 3/13 | No classes this week! | |
Week 9: Tuesday, 3/17 Thursday, 3/19 | Section 11.2: Curves, Polygons, and Symmetry Section 11.3: More About Angles Read Chapter 5 of What’s Math Got to Do with It? | HW 7 (over 10.5, 11.1) due Tuesday, 3/17 by class time Chapter 10 Take Home Test due in class on Tuesday, 3/17 |
Week 10: Tuesday, 3/24 Thursday, 3/26 | Section 11.4: Geometry in Three Dimensions Section 12.1: Congruence Through Constructions (SSS, SAS) | HW 8 (over 11.2, 11.3) due Tuesday, 3/24 by class time Online Discussion / Reflection about Chapter 5 due by Wednesday, 3/25 by 11:59PM |
Week 11: Tuesday, 3/31 Thursday, 4/2 | Section 12.2: Additional Congruence Theorems (ASA) 12.4: Similar Triangles and other Similar Figures Read Chapter 6 of What’s Math Got to Do with It? | HW 9 (over 11.4, 12.1) due Tuesday, 3/31 by class time |
Week 12: Tuesday, 4/7 Thursday, 4/9 | Section 14.1 Linear Measure | HW 10 (over 12.2, 12.4) due Tuesday, 4/7 by class time Chapter 11 and 12 Test on Tuesday, 4/7 during class Online Discussion / Reflection about Chapter 6 due by Wednesday, 4/8 by 11:59PM |
Week 13: Tuesday, 4/14 Thursday, 4/16 | Section 14.2: Area of Polygons and Circles Read Chapter 7 of What’s Math Got to Do with It? | HW 11 (over 14.1) due Tuesday, 4/14 by class time |
Week 14: Tuesday, 4/21 Thursday, 4/23 | Section 14.3: The Pythagorean Theorem, Distance Formula, and Equation of a Circle | HW 12 (over 14.2) due Tuesday, 4/21 by class time Online Discussion / Reflection about Chapter 7 due by Wednesday, 4/22 by 11:59PM |
Week 15: Tuesday, 4/28 Thursday, 4/30 | Section 14.4: Surface Area Section 14.5: Volume, Mass, Temperature Read Chapter 8 and 9 of What’s Math Got to Do with It? | HW 13 (over 14.3) due Tuesday, 4/28 by class time |
Week 16: Tuesday, 5/5 Thursday, 5/7 | Review for Final Exam | HW 14 (over 14.4, 14.5) due Tuesday, 5/5 by class time Final Reflection over What’s Math Got to Do with It? Due by Thursday, 5/7 before class begins |
| Week 17 (Finals Week): | Final Exam over chapters 8 – 12, 14 |
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.