Chestnut Middle School, Talented and Gifted

6th Grade Mathematics Ms. Muusse

Email: muussen@springfieldpublicschools.com

Website: https://www.msmuusse.weebly.com

Remind: Muusse-Math @msmuusse

Welcome to middle school! I am so happy you are here. This year, we will be exploring the mysterious world of mathematics together, and I couldn’t be more excited to be on this journey with you. What follows is a brief introduction to our school year to help you and your family get acquainted with your new math classroom. Check out our seven theme-based modules outlined below to get started – and let’s get ready for a magnificent year of mathematics!

Module 1 The Language of

Numbers

Essential Question: What does it mean to study mathematics?

Module 2 How Numbers Inform

Essential Question: How can sets of numbers

help us make meaning of our lives?

Module 4 How Numbers Break

Apart

Essential Question: Why do we compare

quantities?

Module 3 How Numbers Build

Essential Question: How have geometric shapes

and patterns influenced human evolution?

Module 5 How Numbers Fit

Together

Essential Question: How does dividing

fractions by fractions help us understand how

numbers work?

Module 6 Numbers in Translation

Essential Question: How can algebraic

expressions help us make sense of problems in our

daily lives?

Module 7 Numbers in

Conversation

Essential Question: What does it mean to speak the language of

mathematics?

What will you do in this classroom?

What is expected of you in this classroom?

There are four main expectations I have of you. They are in place to maintain a safe classroom

environment where all students are free to enjoy uninterrupted learning:

1. Follow directions the first time

2. Respect your classmates and teacher

3. Raise your hand before speaking

4. Keep hands, feet, and belongings to yourself

Collaborative Team Tasks• Explore multiple pathways to an

answer and support your decisions• Step into four unique team roles:

ambassador; developer; navigator; and processor

• Foster a mutually supportive learning community of young mathematicians

Illustrative Mathematics • Make sense of real-world problems

and find mathematical solutions• Model and analyze geometric,

numeric, and algebraic relationships that create the world around us

• Develop a conceptual understanding of mathematical processes

Inquiry through Game Play• Strengthen mathematical processes

and proficiency of learned skills• Cultivate habits of mind through the

use of strategy and logical reasoning• Practice articulating and justifying

your mathematical conjectures

Acceleration• Grow your capacity for reflection

and self-directed learning• Build your own learning landscape as

you solve complex problems• Further deepen and apply your

thinking in meaningful ways

6th GradeMathematics

What happens if expectations are not met?

Our behavior policy is simple. The series of logical consequences listed below is an extension of the

classroom expectations noted on the previous page. Each time an expectation is not met, you will

move through the series of consequences. Note: every day you start with a clean slate.

1. Try it again (warning and do-over)

2. Removal from group with reflection sheet

3. Student-teacher conference

4. Parent letter home (to be signed and returned the following school day)

5. Formal admin write-up* and/or Referral to guidance

*Please note, a formal admin write-up will also be assigned for the following:

• Arriving to class without your laptop

• Unexcused tardiness

• Unauthorized technology use (texting, online gaming, etc.)

• Not returning the above-mentioned parent letter to school

What is the key to success in this classroom?

As a middle school student, you will be taking on more responsibility for the direction and depth of

your own learning. With increased freedom and flexibility in the work you choose to complete, the

heights you reach will be up to you. While this may be challenging to balance and manage at first, I

hope you will consider the words and guidance below as you find your way during this transition:

w Curiosity – Always keep an open mind and search for meaning in everything you do.

w Creativity – Dare to see beauty in unlikely places and share your bold vision with others.

w Compassion – Remember to care for yourself and each other – we need a team to succeed.

w Courage – Be willing to try and fail, over and over – and before you give up, ask for help.

<3 Ms. Muusse

August 27, 2018

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your child will be using the following computer programs this year, both during school and at home:

Using Freckle’s Differentiation Platform, students can practice standards-based mathematics skills that automatically align with their own unique ability level, which constantly changes as they journey forward.

It is important for your child to use Freckle independently because this enables the program to continually offer the appropriate level of challenges. If they are having difficulty with a concept, there are video tutorials available to help them make sense of what is in front of them. Alternatively, they are welcome to move on to a different section until they feel more confident and ready to try again.

Students’ online learning journey with Khan Academy will consist of instructional videos and short quizzes that will help them make connections beyond the classroom and move toward mastery of each grade-level standard.

Quizlet will primarily be used in class to give students an interactive study tool for upcoming assessments.

For each of the above listed programs, your child will log in for the first time during class to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions and/or concerns: muussen@springfieldpublicschools.com.

Thank you very much for supporting your child’s mathematics education!

Very Sincerely,

Nadia Muusse 6th Grade Mathematics

___________________________________________  ________________________ 

Parent/Guardian Signature  Date 

Chestnut Middle School Talented and Gifted Principal Colleen O’Connor, Ed.D.

Assistant Principal Andrea Strom-Cooley Voice: (413) 750-2333 Ext 41807

355 Plainfield Street Springfield, MA 01107

ChestnutTAG.com

[Date]

Dear Parent/Guardian,

This letter is to inform you that your child, ________________________________, did not meet the following classroom behavior expectation(s) today:

Follow directions the first time

Respect your classmates and your teacher

Raise your hand before speaking

Keep hands, feet, and belongings to yourself

Classroom expectations must be followed to protect the rights of every student to learn and enjoy school. By choosing not to follow them, your child interfered with those rights.

Please acknowledge receiving this letter by signing your name at the bottom and having your child return it to me tomorrow. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me at school. I can be reached at (413) 750-2333, or by email at muussen@springfieldpublicschools.com.

Thank you for your continued support.

Very sincerely,

Nadia Muusse6th Grade Mathematics

example

letter

I-1 of 1

Dear Parent or Guardian:

What does math mean to your child’s future? Everything! And family involvement in mathematicseducation is an important part of student success.

You can make a difference! Studies show that when there is a high level of parent involvement in edu-cation, children are more successful in school—and in everyday life.

Figure This! challenges are an easy and enjoyable way to get involved with your child’s mathematicseducation. Each challenge was written by mathematics teachers, then tried out with middle school fam-ilies—like yours—to ensure that themathematics is sound and the inter-est is high.

The 80 mathematical challenges inFigure This! illustrate mathematicsin real-world contexts. Each chal-lenge includes a problem, a tip forgetting started started, a completesolution, and an extension of the ini-tial problem called "Try This."Additional problems, things to thinkabout, and a description of wherethe math is used in the real worldhelp support your explorations. Youalso will find some fun facts relatedto the problem and some resourcesfor further investigation.

You can get Figure This! materialson the Web at www.figurethis.org.

ILov

e

Math

Acknowledgment

Students, please acknowledge that you have read the Welcome Packet for Ms. Muusse’s Grade 6

Mathematics classroom by printing and signing your name below.

____________________________________

Student Name (Print)

____________________________________ _____________________

Student Signature Date

Parents/Guardians, please acknowledge that you have read and reviewed the Welcome Packet

with your child by printing and signing below.

____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (Print)

____________________________________ _____________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at school. I can be reached at

(413) 750 -2333, or by email at muussen@springfieldpublicschools.com.

Please remove this page from the Welcome Packet, and have your child return it

to me by the end of the first week of school (Friday, August 31, 2018).