I knew I wanted to teach math in high school when I was selected to tutor a couple of kids who had previously failed their annual state exams. I know I did a good job because 100% of those students passed that year's exam. I knew what I was teaching and I was having fun doing it. Math isn't just about reading a book and answering questions. It's about knowing how to solve the problems in more than one way while having fun doing it. Adding numbers isn't limited to tally's on a paper, adding can go sky high such as counting a flock of birds, counting how many pairs of shoes you own, and counting the minutes left before schools starts.

*In a maximum of 2 sentences, briefly describe how math is used in your daily life...

-I use math the determine how long it takes my daughter to go to sleep. I average out the numbers every week to determine whether she is falling asleep faster or taking longer.

 

Class Rules

Lets take the time to read and learn our class rules. The better you know them the more fun this class with be.
1. Don't be mean or treat others badly. Remember all of you are in this class together for an entire year so get along and help each other out.
2. No food or drinks allowed. This isn't your lunch period. Any food seen out will be tossed, any drink out will be confiscated and if caught again with food the consequences won't be tasty.
3. Raise your hand if you know the answer, raise your hand if you need to go use the restroom, raise your hand to speak! If your hand is up and none of these pertain to your question, put your hand back down.
4. Math IS fun if you try. Math is a fundamental building block to the rest of your life. It's okay if you don't understand it the first time. That is why you are here, to LEARN!
5. Participation is required, so participate or receive more homework. One way or another I will know if you truly are learning or if you are letting your classmates learn for you.
6. Any class misbehavior will only result in more rules, so BEHAVE!

Welcome to the 6th grade world of math where numbers are everywhere including your imagination. Lets begin by taking a look at how you perceive the math world with a few questions. This is not a test but rather a survey on how you enjoy working with math. Answer what you truly believe. The only grade given here will be a completion grade.

1. Do you feel more comfortable working with fractions or decimals?
2. How would you rate the previous year of math? Do you believe you understood the material?
3. What is your favorite subject? Why?
4. Homework is mandatory, how would you like your homework to be turned in? Daily, at the end of the week, every other day?
5. Would you rather I use a smart board and teach, or have you assist me with completing problems yourself on the dry erase board?
6. Why do you think math is important for your future? Name a job that doesn't use math at all.

* Please post your answers with correct grammar and no negative or foul language will be tolerated and will result in automatic 0. Have fun, the survey will better shape my teaching strategy to prevent sleeping heads in my class room so be completely honest.