Course Descriptions


  1. Required Courses for Any Illinois Endorsement in the Middle Grades
  2. Required course Specifically for the Middle Grade Mathematics Endorsement
  3. Algebra Initiative
  4. Mathematics Content-Courses
  5. Science Content-Courses




Required Courses for Any Illinois Endorsement in the Middle Grades


  1. Math 51200: Middle Grade Curriculum, Philosophy, and Instructional Methods

    Required for both State Endorsements in mathematics and science, this course will provide practicing teachers with further knowledge and understanding of the unique intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and developmental characteristics and needs of the young adolescent. Teachers will develop middle school lessons to be shared with their peers in this course and used with their middle school students in the future.


  2. Math 51300: Early Adolescent Psychology

    This course is required for both State Endorsements in mathematics and science. The first half of this course explores adolescent development: biological, cognitive, social, moral, identity, psychosexual, and special issues relevant to adolescence. Adolescent risk-taking, the development of gender identity, self-concept and self-esteem are reviewed. Historical and cross-cultural contexts will also be examined. During the second half of this course issues related to working with students who may have special needs or circumstances are explored. The teacher’s role in the identification, assessment, and referral of students to health and social services is examined.

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Required course Specifically for the Middle Grade Mathematics Endorsement

  1. Math 50600: Methods of Teaching Mathematics Grades 6-8

    This is a required course for State Endorsement in mathematics. Teachers will be given the opportunity to improve and refine their mathematics teaching practice at the middle school level through participation in and reflection on varied teaching and learning models informed by seminal research from the fields of mathematics education and cognitive science. Reflection on practice will be further informed through mathematics content-rich class activities using manipulatives, when appropriate, video case studies, analysis of student work with an emphasis on mathematical reasoning and with constant attention to standards-based teaching of middle school mathematics at the international, national, state, and local levels.

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Algebra Initiative

  1. Math 50900: This is the first of the three Algebra Initiative courses. This course can also be taken for the mathematics endorsement. It will cover the fundamental elements of algebraic thinking, including a deep exploration of the basic number systems and the rules of arithmetic, as well as the basics of set theory, linear relations, functions, coordinate systems, graphing, solving equations, estimation, and problem solving.


  2. Math 52200: Algebra II for Elementary School Teachers

    *Prerequisite: Math 50900: Introduction to Algebra or with special permission from director Paul Sally
    This is the second of three courses in the Algebra Initiative series. Some of the material covered will be linear functions, system of linear equations, rational expressions, and exponential and logarithmic functions.


  3. Math 52300: Algebra III for Elementary School Teachers

    *Prerequisite: Math 52200: Algebra II for Elementary School Teachers
    This is the third of three courses in the Algebra Initiative series. Some topics include inverses and radicals, polynomials, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry, algebraic numbers.
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Mathematics Content-Courses

  1. Math 50300: Number Theory

    In this number theory course, you will learn about the rules of arithmetic, the well-ordering principle, division algorithm, Euclidean algorithm, primes and divisibility, palindromes, Fibonacci numbers, Egyptian fractions and much more.


  2. Math 50400: Probability for Elementary School Teachers

    This course is an introduction to basic concepts in Probability and Statistics, from the elements of set theory and combinatorics through probability spaces and distributions. Emphasis throughout is placed on using and interpreting data and doing hands-on experiments with dice, cards, coins, words, and birthdays, all accompanied with a thorough discussion of underlying principles.


  3. Math 50500: Geometry for Elementary School Teachers

    This course is a survey of the fundamental geometric ideas encountered in the early and middle grades. We take a rigorous approach to the subject, using Euclid’s The Thirteen Books of the Elements as our foundation. Topics to be discussed include constructions, symmetry groups, tessellations, spherical geometry, area, and lattice geometry. These ideas will be explored through a combination of class discussions, problem solving, and homework, all of which will include geometric proofs.


  4. Math 50800: Computer Science

    In this course, students will learn the basics of a programming language, and concepts in computer science such as variables, declarations, branching conditions, procedures, and functions. Students will also learn to apply computer programming to problems in number theory. Number theory is not a prerequisite for this course.


  5. Math 50900: Introduction to Algebra (Algebra I) for Elementary School Teachers

    This is the first of the three Algebra Initiative courses. This course can also be taken for the mathematics endorsement. It will cover elements of set theory, linear relations, functions, coordinate systems, graphs of linear functions, graphing polynomials, measurement, estimation, and problem solving.


  6. Math 51000: History of Mathematics

    Some of the topics discussed in this course will be Euclid’s elements, Descartes’ geometry, and Apollonius’ conic sections. This course will investigate the different ways in which people have thought about and used mathematics in the past, and how they affect the student of present day mathematics.


  7. Math 51100: Calculus for Elementary School Teachers
    *Prerequisite: at least two of the following: Number Theory, Geometry, or Algebra
    This course is an introduction to the basic concepts in Calculus, including derivatives and integrals of functions of one real variable. Emphasis throughout is on hands-on numerical computations, which are eventually generalized into compact formulas. The main results concern polynomial functions and power functions, with as much extension as time allows. Results are presented from multiple points of view, in particular, using equations, graphs, tables, pictures, and practical applications to problems of motion. The notion of limit is treated intuitively, but given this limitation, we develop the concepts underlying important theorems such as the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.


  8. Math 51600: Mathematical Strategies I

    When does multiplication stop being repeated addition? This new course in mathematics endorsement is designed to help teachers develop strategies to answer nonstandard and/or perplexing questions, as the one above, asked by students in mathematics classes from grades 6 – 12. The course will involve a discussion of questions posed by students and a discussion of the materials on mathematics available in textbooks and school curricula. After which, the Lecturer will present a variety of ideas and suggestions about the mathematical foundations of the topics being discussed.


  9. Math 52000: Advanced Geometry

    *Prerequisite: Math 50500: Geometry for Elementary School Teachers or with special permission from director Paul Sally
    Topics in geometry are discussed which build on the SESAME course in Elementary Geometry. These topics include tessellation, packing, dissection, and lattice point geometry. The objectives of this course are to build teachers’ knowledge in the fundamental ideas of geometry and their application.


  10. Math 52100: Advanced Number Theory
    *Prerequisite: Math 50300: Number Theory or with special permission from director Paul Sally
    The goal of this course is to understand and answer the very pretty question: which odd prime numbers may be written as the sum of two squares. In obtaining this goal, the course will survey many of the fundamental number theoretic ideas encountered in the secondary grades. We will take a fairly rigorous approach to the subject, building on the understanding of the axioms for the integers that was developed in the course Number Theory. Working with three examples (the integers, the Gaussian integers, and the integers mod m) we will discuss topics including the Axioms for commutative rings with identity, divisibility, primes, units, greatest common divisors, modular arithmetic, some elegant theorems from elementary number theory, and, finally, conclude with a discussion of which odd prime numbers may be written as a sum of two squares. These ideas will be explored through a combination of class discussions, problem solving, and homework, many of which will include proofs.


  11. Math 52600: Use of Calculators in Algebra

    This course will explore use of calculators in the study of Algebra. Registrants are required to have complete the Algebra Initiative courses or some equivalent prerequisite such as a high school certificate in mathematics.

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Science Content-Courses

    Biological Sciences:
  1. Bios 50000: Cells and Multi-Cellular Organisms

    Through experiments and lecture, teachers will learn about the smallest living building blocks of life – cells. Then the course will discuss the development of cells into larger organisms and their function as a collective circulatory, respiratory, excretory, or reproductive system.


  2. Bios 50100: Evolution and Genetics for Elementary School Teachers

    How do we inherent traits from our parents? This course will cover the biochemical origin of life, geologic time, fossil record, Darwin and the theory of Natural Selection, DNA and molecular components, methods of inheritance, pedigrees and karyotypes, gamete formation, mitosis and meiosis, Hardy-Weinberg Law, and gene frequencies.


  3. Bios 50700: Environmental Science for Elementary School Teachers

    Environmental Science will be taught in context as a course in a modern science curriculum and will comply with the Illinois Standards for Teaching and Learning. Science as Inquiry and Hands-on Science will be emphasized throughout the course. Topics such as flow of energy through ecosystems, populations, hierarchy in biological organizations, cycles in nature, environmental social dilemmas, and current topics in ecology will be discussed. Teachers will leave with a wealth of instructional materials to use in their classrooms to implement a strong environmental science program of their own.


  4. Bios 50800: Plant Science for Elementary School Teachers

    This is a course designed to reinforce and extend teachers' understanding of science by associating basic biological science concepts with relevant plant applications. This course will concentrate on the initiation and management of plant growth. Through in-class experiments and discussions, teachers will discover the processes of plant germination, sensory mechanisms, photosynthesis, respiration, metabolism, and reproduction. Experiments may include seed germination and rag dolls, water movement in plants, terrariums, and flower dissection.


    5. Physical Sciences:
  5. Phsc 50000: Physics for Elementary School Teachers

    This course will concentrate on mechanics – motion, velocity, free fall, gravitation, force, work and energy, momentum, and Newton’s laws. Other topics include measurement, data collection, and thermal energy.


  6. Phsc 50200: Chemistry for Elementary School Teachers

    Take this course to get a science endorsement while learning about chemical reactions and why they happen. What is the chemical reaction that occurs when you mix baking soda and vinegar? This course starts with states of matter, atoms, and elements, and eventually discusses acid/base, organic chemistry, and polymers.


  7. Phsc 50300: Astronomy for Elementary School Teachers

    How big is the universe? Is there life out there? Teachers will learn about planetary motions, the nature of planets and stars, and their formation. This course will also discuss Mars as an abode for life, habitable zones around the sun and stars, and the Copernican Revolution.


  8. Phsc 50400: Materials Science for Elementary Teachers

    This class provides a general overview of materials science. We will focus upon applying fundamental chemistry, physics, and engineering concepts to the understanding of solids and explorations of liquid properties. The diverse array of topics to be covered includes atoms and molecules—the “building blocks” of materials, the physical properties of solids, an introduction to the specialized instrumentation used to study materials, and topics in contemporary materials science. We will also provide opportunities to directly engage with materials through hands-on activities. This class will involve two components: (1) conveying systematic information about the science of materials and (2) providing an opportunity to engage in hands-on materials-related activities while developing a deeper understanding of the teaching and learning of scientific inquiry through materials science.


  9. Phsc 50500: Earth Science for Elementary School Teachers

    This course focuses on the basics of earth sciences. We'll look at all three components on the earth - the rocks, oceans, and atmosphere. For rocks, we'll study rock and mineral identification, plate tectonics, fossils and the geological time scale. Ocean discussion topics include ice ages and understanding ocean flow. Lastly, we'll discuss the composition of the atmosphere and the hot topics related to it: the ozone hole and global warming. The course will include fun readings and plenty of hands-on problems and labs you can take back to your classrooms.


  10. Phsc 50900: Scaling in Nature: Dimensional Analysis and Fractals in Physics

    Many phenomena in nature exhibit so-called scaling. The simplest form of scaling is the dependence of various relevant quantities on one another in a power-law fashion. For example, the radius of a black hole is proportional to its mass; the period of oscillations of a pendulum is proportional to the square root of its length, etc. Fractals are very unusual and beautiful objects that appear almost everywhere and can be relatively easy modeled mathematically. Fractals and their relation to scaling is the subject of the second half of this course.

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Seminars for Elementary Specialists And Mathematics Educators
5734 S. University Avenue · Chicago, IL 60637 · Phone: (773) 702-7389 · Fax: (773) 702-9787