Fundamentals of Calculus for Teachers

Helps readers connect the dots between key calculus concepts. The text prepares future instructors to fully understand the mathematical content taught in lower and higher grades, build upon the knowledge their students will bring to the classroom, and prepare students for study of more advanced topics.

Fundamentals of Calculus for Teachers helps readers connect the dots between key calculus concepts and the mathematics content taught in the middle grades, namely fourth through eighth grade in the United States. The text prepares future instructors to fully understand the mathematical content taught in lower and higher grades, build upon the knowledge their students will bring to the classroom, and prepare students for study of more advanced topics. The book focuses on broad concepts rather than detailed techniques. Over the course of five targeted chapters, students are introduced to key calculus concepts that relate to limits, derivatives, and integrals. Each chapter begins with a description of prerequisite knowledge and brief warmup exercises to prepare the reader for forthcoming content. Students are guided through a set of exercises that demonstrate the concepts in action, with distinct opportunities for input from their instructor and the use of technology (graphing calculators, spreadsheets, etc.) to encourage practical application. Designed to help students sharpen their conceptual knowledge of calculus concepts, Fundamentals of Calculus for Teachers is an ideal resource for courses that prepare future instructors to teach classes in middle-grades mathematics.