MAT 305: Basic Concepts of Mathematics I
Undergraduate course, Southern Virginia University, 2026
Number systems and operations for prospective elementary school teachers, together with the pedagogical knowledge needed to teach them to K–6 learners.
About the course
This is the first of a two-semester sequence for future elementary teachers. It covers set theory; number systems, their structure, basic operations, and properties; number theory; and ratio, proportion, and percent. The aim is not only that students can do this mathematics, but that they understand it deeply enough to explain why it works to a child.
Each section of the text gets two kinds of class meeting: a Demo Day and a Deeper Day, with hands-on work using a kit of classroom manipulatives. Students write task reflections, complete lesson guides and homework with full reasoning, and finish the semester by writing a Final Lesson Plan of their own.
Textbook: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: A Conceptual Approach, 10th edition, by Bennett, Burton, Nelson, and Ediger. MAT 305 covers Chapters 1–6; MAT 306 covers Chapters 7–12.
Prerequisite: MAT 115: College Algebra.
Syllabus (Fall 2026)
Helpful resources
- Math Learning Center apps. Free virtual versions of the manipulatives we use in class: base-ten pieces, number lines, fraction bars, geoboards, and more.
- Polypad. A free virtual manipulative workspace, good for building demonstrations for your lesson plan.
- NCTM Illuminations. Lesson plans and interactive activities from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.