Welcome to 6th Grade Advanced Math  |  Homework 

...for 6th Grade Advanced Math, First Period, Mrs. Nettling's Class

September 8, 2006

Class Routine. The schedules are starting to settle down and our class lists have been consistent for a couple of days now. This should help everyone get into a regular routine for math class and know what to expect. Because I did a "Math Camp" the first week, some students who just joined our class experienced a couple of days of repeated instruction. This past Friday (9/08) should have been the last day for that to occur. Thanks for your patience as we worked to get the school year started!

Homework and Planners. Unlike in 5th Grade, I will not be checking homework planners every day -- that is the student's responsibility. I will keep homework assignments posted on the website, however events and instructional pace can change at the last minute. Students should have the most current, accurate homework listed in their planner.

Class Time. Advanced Math class is only 42 minutes long. Since it is 1st period, class also includes time for taking the daily attendance and listening to the morning announcements. Time is short! I have asked students to come into the room and get out their homework, homework log, math notebook, math textbook, pencil, and red pen right away so they do not have to waste time getting back into their supplies multiple times during class -- everything will be out and ready for action!

Travel Time. The classroom I am using, Mr. Wiggins room, is a long hike for students traveling to get to their second period class. I Let Mr. Milner know, and spoke with Mr. Fischer so that students leaving my class will have an additional minute for traveling. Please let me know if traveling to second period becomes a problem for your child.

Study Halls. With the schedules settling down now, there should no longer be any students with three study halls (please let me know if I am wrong about that). Study Halls should be used to do a good job on homework, and to study in a quiet atmosphere for tests. If your child is finding that they have extra time, Study Halls can provide time to read a good book! Does your child have a good book to read just in case? 

Conferences. To prevent my conference schedule from overlapping with the Intermediate's (where most of my teaching assignments are), I will be holding 6th Grade Math conferences on October 12th, the early date for Middle School Conferences. I look forward to meeting you at that time to discuss your child's 6th Grade Advanced Math progress. Watch for a note regarding conferences to come home some time in the next couple of weeks.

Math Instruction This Week. This week students reviewed numbers, ordering numbers, and exponential notation. We also began our discussion of the commutative properties of multiplication and addition, associative properties of multiplication and division, and the distributive properties of math.

Basic Multiplication and Division Facts. Does you child still need to master basic facts? It is not too late, and it is more important than ever! This is true especially of multiplication and division.

Consequences for not knowing facts include: longer time spent doing math work (including homework), computation errors, failure on facts tests, lower math grades, and less confidence in their ability to be successful in math. Much of the math your child will do will require having a sound foundation in multiplication facts. Here are some great resources for thinking about facts memorization and helping your child:

• Math Magician Game - Fun Facts Coverage! Interactive, graphic, and friendly, this site will provide painless opportunities for your child to practice multiplication facts.
• More Games and Links for Students - This is my complete list of fun links and interactive games on my 5th Grade site.
• Education World - Although this site is developed for classroom teachers, parents are teachers, too!
• Ask Dr. Math FAQs - Dr. Math answers letters from parents and students about memorizing multiplication facts, addressing some of the challenges that go with it, and providing some tips, too.
• Hoagie's Gifted Education Page - Aimee Yermish, Educational Consultant, writes about Gifted students, their boredom with the tedious task of memorizing facts, and why it is important that they stay on the task to completion.
• About.com - This article, "Math Tricks to Learn the Facts" has a paragraph connecting parents with the importance of making home the place for students to learn their facts, then goes on with tips and tricks.
• Multiplication.com - Who says memorizing multiplication facts has to be boring? See these Interactive Video games that will make learning their facts exciting for kids! Some have free versions, some you must purchase.
• Homeschool Math - Every student has their own special way to learn. This article provides one or two of simple ways in which parents can become the math facts teacher.

Graphic by www.education-world.com

Thanks for all you do to support learning in our math classroom!

Mrs. Nettling