I'm sure my name sounds familiar to many of you because this is my twenty fourth year to teach sixth grade here at AMS. I have developed some definite objectives during that time. My main objective is to help sixth graders analyze and solve all kinds of stated problems because I avidly believe that reading and understanding what you read is the key to solving many of the problems everyone faces in life . . or in math class.

I feel that all students should be able to do the assignments BY THEMSELVES if they were in class for the instruction.

My class motto is "If you don't understand, ask!" and the students ARE EXPECTED to ask questions about anything we have discussed in class if they do not fully understand. After all, they are the ones who we are trying to educate!

For that reason I tell them to call me at home if they are having trouble, and I will try to explain it to them. Then they can finish the assignment and be ready to move on to the next concept instead of being more confused the next day. If for some reason I miss their call, I will call them back if I see the message before 9:00 PM. If it is later, I will talk to the student the next morning or at the first of class.

Late papers will be assessed a 15 point per day deduction. After three days, the paper earns a zero. The sudent will also have lunch detention every day the paper is late, and I will contact parents on the second and third days. If the paper has not been turned in by the third day, the student will also be sent to the office. We will have time to do a large part of the assignments in class, so maybe there won't be very many late papers.

If a student makes a failing grade on a test or assignment, he/she can redo the paper; but it will cost 20 points for that privilege and it should be redone in two days. I allow them to do this because I want them to understand every type of skill we cover, and I want them to pass! (If the grade was low because the paper was late, that paper may not be redone.)