Probability, geometric concepts and principles, measurement, and topics selected from graphing and computing. The course includes a laboratory. The formal prerequisite is M 157. Students really need high school geometry and skills in basic algebra, which are prerequisites for M 157. This course is controlled by the Elementary Mathematics Education Committee which selects the book and prepares the syllabus.
Individual instructors are responsible for deciding the order of the presentation of the material.
Learning Objectives M 257 is a content course and not a methods course. Our goals are that students learn the mathematical content necessary to teach mathematics in grades K-8, with emphasis on the geometric, probabilistic, and statistical topics frequently found in the middle grades. Use various systems of measurement, including the English system, the Metric system and nonstandard systems which they develop. Provide derivations of basic area, volume and surface area formulae. Categorize geometric objects both in 2 and 3 dimensions and explain the relevant characteristics of each object.