The Elementary Math Methods (EMM) subgroup of the CMC Task Force on Preservice Education was established in 1995 to identity, support, and challenge those who teach EMM courses. Members of the subgroup (Richie Berman, Carol Fry Bohlin, Lynne Gray, and Randy Philipp) have collectively presented at regional, state and national conferences; developed a database of EMM instructors in California; collected syllabi, sample activities, and demographic information from EMM instructors; held an invitational conference (co-sponsored by NSF) to discuss practical and theoretical issues in teaching EMM courses; and developed a web site for EMM instructors (http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/mathed).The EMM subgroup has found that instructors of EMM courses are vitally interested in continually rethinking their courses as well as in establishing linkages between math content and math methods faculty/courses. The EMM subgroup would like to offer several suggestions for current and prospective EMM instructors: (a) seek out and attend sessions offered by Task Force members at this year's CMC conferences, (b) visit the EMM web site and e-mail suggestions and feedback to any of the Task Force members, and (c) consult the below-listed resources, which the EMM subgroup members have found particularly useful:
- Guidelines for the Mathematical Preparation of Prospective Elementary Teachers (1996) - This document was produced by the Texas Statewide Systemic Initiative's Action Team on Strengthening the Mathematical Preparation of Elementary Teachers. Contact Susan Hull at the University of Texas at Austin, 512-471-6190 for more information.
- Making the Change: Pioneering Attempts in Implementing Reform in Mathematics Teacher Preparation (1996) - Included in an appendix is a report entitled "Mathematical Preparation of Elementary Teachers: Issues and Recommendations," prepared at the request of the AMS, MAA, NCTM, AMATYC, and SIAM. For a copy, send a check for $5 to the Department of Mathematics, University of New Hampshire--Attn: Dr. James Leitzel, Kingsbury Hall; Durham, NH 03824.
- A Call for Change: Recommendations for the Mathematical Preparation of Teachers (1991) - Prepared by the Mathematical Association of America's Committee on the Mathematical Education of Teachers, this report is available from MAA ($12.99; 800-331-1622). Heeding the Call for Change (1992), by Lynn Steen, provides specific examples for improvement of curriculum and instruction ($29.95, also from MAA).
- Teaching, Learning, and Learning Teaching (1997) - This document is a collection of papers from an Exxon/Cal Poly Pomona conference on the Preparation and Professional Development of Mathematics Teachers. Contact Judith Jacobs for more information: jejacobs@csupomona.edu
- Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) - This relatively new organization has a newsletter, a discussion listserv (amte@csd.uwm.edu), and a web site: http://ceemast.scx.csupomona.edu/amte/ (annual dues are $20)
- Professors Rethinking Options in Mathematics for Prospective Teachers (PROMPT) - PROMPT is an NSF-funded project based at Humboldt State for mathematics faculty who teach content courses for prospective elementary teachers: http://weasel.cnrs.humboldt.edu/~prompt
- NCATE Guidelines for the Preparation of Mathematics Teachers (currently undergoing a review by an NCTM-NCATE Task Force): http://www.nctm.org/ncate-1997/ncate-home.htm
- The Math Forum (http://forum.swarthmore.edu/) , the Math Forum Internet Newsletter (send a message to majordomo@forum.swarthmore.edu , and write in the body subscribe newsletter), and SCORE Mathematics (http://www.kings.k12.ca.us/math/ SCORE Mathematics) - These sites contain information useful for instructors preparing prospective K-12 math teachers. The Math Forum's Internet Resource Collection on math education topics is particularly extensive (http://forum.swarthmore.edu/~steve/steve/mathed.html) .
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