Partnership Mathematics Content Courses for Prospective and Practising Elementary and Middle School Teachers

Abstract

Since fall 1995 the Department of Mathematical Sciences at New Mexico State University has been involved in a partnership with the Las Cruces, NM, USA, Public Schools. We offer a series of five one-semester courses attended jointly by prospective and practising teachers of grades K-8. The sequence covers the arithmetic of integers, rational, and real numbers, metric geometry, algebra, and science, with integrated use of technology. Practic\sing teachers act as mentors for prospective teachers, who become their apprentices. Material is organised into units that provide lesson plans for elementary and middle grades. Practicing teachers use them in their classrooms, and their apprentices observe or even teach under their mentors' supervision. The partnership supports preservice teachers as they learn advanced mathematics and use it in a classroom setting.