MIDDLE SCHOOL
MR. GONZALEZ
It starts with a thought
“Whether you think you can
or you think you can’t you’re
right” - Henry Ford (Founder
of Ford Motor Company).
It all starts with a thought. If
you think you can’t do math,
then you are right. If you
think you hate math, then
you are right. If you think
you are no good at math,
then you are right. If these
are your beliefs, then there is
nothing we can do.
However, you have the
power to change this
thought. You and only you.
Give math a second chance.
Believe in yourself. Have the
thought that math is for
everyone. Think about do-
ing well in math. Only you
can change your negative
thoughts into positive
thoughts.
I a m h e r e to h e l p
Any time you have a question,
concern, or suggestions please
let me know. If you don’t tell me,
I can not help. It is your responsi-
bility to ask for help. No one can
do it but you.
Email:
tgonzalezpsp@csu.fullerton.edu
For this year, lets give math
a chance. Lets start thinking
about math in a positive
way!
For those of you who like
math, lets challenge our-
selves to do more and prac-
tice more. The goal is to gain
a deeper understanding of
math. Also, lets help those
who need our help. Lets
work together to figure it
out.
Remember it is OK to strug-
gle with math. It is OK to fail
but do not give up. Keep
trying your hardest. It is OK
to make mistakes but learn
from your mistakes. Keep
believing in yourself and in
your classmates.
Together lets all do better
than we did last year! We
Phone: 760-424-9795
(Voicemail only with your
name and class period)
Text: 760-424-9795 (Don’t for-
get to put your name and class
period)
Website: MrGmath.weebly.com
School Year: 2020-2021
Volume 1, Issue 1
Newsletter Date 08.21.2020
Inside this issue:
It Starts with a Thought 1
I am Here to Help 1
Course Description 2
Course Curriculum 2
Classroom Rules 2
Not Homework 3
will all teach and learn in
Grading 3
this math class. Our goal is
have a deeper understand- Redo and Retakes 3
ing of mathematics. To have
Recap 4
a “positive mathematical
mindset”. Sudoku Anyone 4
My name is Mr. Gonzalez
and I am looking forward to
working together with you
Mathematics:
in having a positive mindset
for mathematics. I am so • Everyone Can Learn
glad you are part of my class Math
and I hope by the end of the
year you can say that you • Mistakes are OK
have a positive mathemati-
• Believe in Yourself
cal mindset. Welcome!
• Making Sense of Math
• Math Understanding is
more important than
Speed
• Math is about working
together
• Visualizing Math
• Making Math Connec-
tions
PAGE 2 OUR MATH COMMUNITY

Course description
The curriculum (math topics) for this 3. Construct viable arguments and 7. Look for and make use of structure
course aligns with “The California Com- critique the reasoning of others
8. Look for and express regularity in
mon Core Standards: Mathematics (CA
4. Model with mathematics repeated reasoning
CSSM)
5. Use appropriate tools strategically
As stated in the standards, “The standards
call for learning mathematical content of 6. Attend to precision
real-world applications, using mathemat-
ics to solve problems, and developing
“habits of mind” that foster mastery of
mathematics content as well as mathe-
matical understanding”. It continues to
state that “the standards for higher math-
ematics reflect the knowledge and skills
that are necessary to prepare students for
college and careers and productive citi-
zenship”.
The Eight Mathematical Standards:
1. Make sense of problems and perse-
vere in solving them
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively

C o u r s e c u r r i c u lu m
The course curricu- www.weebly.com. tioning to quickly and accurately deter-
lum is based on the mine exactly what a student knows and
You will be using the ALEKS
following textbook, doesn’t know in the course. ALEKS then
(Assessment and Learning in
“Glencoe Math instruct you to the topic you should be
Knowledge Space) program. It is a web-
McGraw Hill Educa- most ready to learn.
based, artificial intelligent assessment
tion—Course 1” As
and learning system that follows our
students you will be
curriculum. ALEKS uses adoptive ques-
provided with in
class materials, such as the course book,
but you will have digital access to all of
the curriculum. Materials can be access
from the following site:
“MATH: Mistakes; Allow; Thinking to; Happen”

C l a s s ro o m ru l e s
District policies are followed as outlined 2. Change in Seating Assignment I have high expectations for each one
in the school wide Student Code of of you because I know you will do your
3. Lunch Detention
Conduct. Classroom Rules are posted best at all times.
on the bulletin board. Rules are based 4. Complete Goal Sheet for parent to
on a foundation of RESPECT and AC- review and sign
COUNTABILITY. 5. Parent / Teacher conference
If the rules are not followed, the pro- 6. Office Referral
gression of consequences are as fol-
lows: Please note, in some cases some or all of
these steps may be skipped depending
1. Verbal Warning on the level of the offense.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3

Not homework but practice work

If you are learning a new language,
then you must practice using the lan-
guage. If you are learning to play a new
instrument in band, you must practice
in order to improve. If you are a football
player, then you must practice in order
to win games. If you are a cheerleader,
then you must practice the routines.
Practice work is important part of learn-
ing and mastering math concepts. The
more you practice the better you will be in
math. So, practice, practice, and practice.
Practice work should take about 15-30
minutes and will given out on a daily basis
from Monday to Thursday in order to rein-
force concepts taught during class. All prac-
tice work is due by the following week.
Please do not fall behind. Do not procrasti-
nate and enjoy your weekends.
You will receive credit for the practice work,
provided you show your work, make a rea-
sonable effort, and turn in your assign-
ments by the due date. Plenty of time will
be given, so the expectation is you will
complete your practice work on time.
If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to
check with your classmates for missed work
and notes.

Grading
We follow the Grading Policy. The grad- quizzes (weekly), exams (monthly), and The lowest quiz, exam and practice
ing scale is as follows: cumulative final exam. The 20% will be work will be dropped from the grade
based on classwork and practice work book at the end of the semester.
A: 100% to 90%
which is based on effort, work shown,
B: 89% to 80% and a positive attitude.
C: 79% to 70%
D: 69% to 60%
F: 59% to 50%

Grades will be based on 80% assess-

ments and 20% practice. The assess-
ment will be based on “Checkpoints”,

R e d o & R e ta k e s
We all have our off-days, so I encourage everyone to 2. Meet with me to establish the criteria
redo / retake an assessment (quiz, exam) on which to complete the redo/retake form and
you felt you performed below your level of mastery assessment tasks
(excluding the Final Exam). However, in order to be 3. Redo/retake Form to be signed by
eligible to schedule a redo/retake time, it is your re- both the student and parent
sponsibility to complete the following tasks:
Remember to avoid a retake, study to un-
1. Ensure all assignments for the unit of study are derstand!
turned in
MR. GONZALEZ—MATHEMATICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL

School Address: 123 Main Street

Ontario, CA 92262

School Office: 760-555-1212

School Website: Middle_School.weebly.com

Class Website: Mr_G_Math_Class.Weebly.com

Phone: 555-555-5555
Fax: 555-555-5555
I am looking forward to being your teacher this year. I
E-mail: someone@example.com
hope I can change your mind about math if you have a
negative view of math. If you have a positive view of math,
Everyone can learn math, if you believe in yourself!
I hope we can gain a deeper understanding of mathemat-
ics together. In this classroom, we are all going to be
teachers and learners. We will also be respectful and help
each other become better mathematicians. Math is like
learning a new language the more we practice and under-
stand the language the better we get. Part of learning
math, is looking for relationships and patterns which
helps us become better problem solvers and making better
predictions. So, believe in yourself because I believe in you!

Sudoku anyone
Do you know how to play Sudoku?
If you do, then how fast can you complete the Sudo-
ku?
If not, lets take a look. First, Sudoku is logic based.
The objective is fill a 9x9 grid with digits from 1 to 9.
Each row must contain the digits 1 to 9. Each col-
umn must also contain the digits 1 to 9. Finally, each
subgroups 3x3 should also contain the digits 1 to 9.
Make sure you do not repeat the digits, 1 to 9, in the
row, column, or 3x3 sub grid.
Give it a try!