Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Math K-6: Problem Solving (Online)

EDPD 5454-01

Course: EDPD 5454-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TED
CRN: 13512

Course Description

In this course we will be looking at research to better understand what we mean by problem solving and how to teach problem solving in a meaningful way. We also want to better understand how children think about basic topics in Data Analysis and how to teach these topics using problem solving. We will also think about how this knowledge can inform our own teaching.

Required Texts


Required:   Implementing Standards-Based Mathematics Instruction: A Casebook for Professional Development. 2nd Edition. By Mary Kay Stein, Marjorie A Henningsen, Margaret Schwan Smith, Edward A. Silver.


Other reading includes two journal articles that can be found under "Files" in Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Explore different types of mathematical tasks for problem solving.
  2. Differentiate among levels of cognitive demand for problem solving tasks.
  3. Discuss cases where teachers have used mathematical tasks in the classroom and follow the level of cognitive demand in those cases.
  4. Apply knowledge of problem solving tasks to topics in Data Analysis, such as mean, median, and mode.

Course Requirements


There are 7 modules in this class. Each module will have a reading assignment and a writing assignment. When you finish the reading and the writing you will submit the assignment on Canvas. The grading will be based upon adequate completion of the assignment. If you have answered the questions completely then you will get full credit and can move on to the next module. If your answers are incomplete or not accurate, I will give you feedback and then you can resubmit your work. This process will be repeated until the writing is complete and conveys the correct information. There is no partial credit or extra credit. Once the assignment is complete you will receive full credit and then can move on to the next module. 


You need to complete the modules in order so plan ahead for the 7 modules in 7 week format. 

Course Outline


Please turn in the assignments as soon as possible for feedback and to be able to move on to the next module.To get an A you will want to do at least one module a week. 

Module 1.  Read Introduction and Chapter 1 from Implementing Standards-Based Mathematics Instruction: A Casebook for Professional Development 

Module 2.  Read Chapters 2-3 from Implementing Standards-Based Mathematics Instruction: A Casebook for Professional Development

Module 3. Read Chapters 5-6 from Implementing Standards-Based Mathematics Instruction: A Casebook for Professional Development

Module 4. Read Chapters 7 and 9 from Implementing Standards-Based Mathematics Instruction: A Casebook for Professional Development

Module 5. Research to practice: The Mean as Balance Point

Read the following article provided on Canvas:
O'Dell, R. S. (2012). The Mean as Balance Point. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 18(3), 148-155.

Module 6. Research to practice: Finding Balance at the Elusive Mean

Read the following article provided on Canvas:
Hudson, R. A. (2012). Finding balance at the elusive mean. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 18(5), 300-306.

Module 7. Read chapter 10 from Implementing Standards-Based Mathematics Instruction: A Casebook for Professional Development

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

No late work will be accepted past the last day of the course. 

You need to complete the modules in order so plan ahead for the 7 modules in 7 week format. 

To get an A you must complete all 7 modules. For a B, you must complete the first 6 modules. For a C, you must complete the first 5 modules. For a D, Complete the first 4 modules. You can turn in assignments as soon as they are finished.

Attendance Policy

Attendance on your canvas course is mandatory to complete the necessary coursework. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.