University/Organization
NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Title
PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS UNDERSTANDING OF PROOF AND JUSTIFICATION AT THE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS
Synopsis
This paper explores pre-service mathematics teachers’ understanding of the proof process
at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The concept of what constitutes proof and
justification at the K-12 level were examined in a college geometry course designed for future
elementary school, middle school, and high school teachers. Although a variety of geometry
theorems were discussed in the course, this paper focuses on the Pythagorean Theorem and its
converse. Students developed methods to help elementary, middle, or high school students
further their understanding and justification of the Pythagorean Theorem and its converse.