Welcome to Math AIS with Mr. Sheffield.  I just wanted to share a little bit with you about your child’s Math AIS class with me. To start with, my name is John Sheffield and I have worked with and taught teens for 20 years.  It is my personal and professional belief that is my obligation to educate your child not only in mathematics and developing positive thinking skills, but to assist them in such things as citizenship, good decision-making, working with others and/or independently, and “doing the right thing.” In short, your child is much more than a test score to me.

I also believe children should be rewarded for good work. I have never been one to give out candy so I have developed what I tell the kids are “game days.” During these days I have certain math puzzles, games, and websites that the kids may choose from. No matter what they choose they will be developing some skill set associated with mathematics; it could be anything from basic strategy and problem solving to pattern recognition to using a “Tetris” program to build rotation and reflection skills. They may also choose to work from one of their AIS booklets if they’d rather do that. I have found these days to be a way of addressing your child’s learning style in a fun and productive way.  Math is more than numbers and this year your child will learn that. I also use music as a reward and there will be one or two days where the kids may listen to music of my choosing. I carefully monitor the number of “reward for work” days and there is a maximum of 8 days total per class. It is rare that a class earns all 8 days. They must consistently model positive behaviors, attitudes, and academic work to earn these days and these days are earned as a group.

As I stated before mathematics is much more than “2 2.” It is logic; it is problem solving; it is the use of reasoning skills. It is also about being able to communicate about math and its processes clearly. It is not only understanding what is read, but also being able to explain through the process itself, verbally, and in writing. We will work on all of these areas and more this year.   I will be reinforcing foundational skills as well as the current skills they are learning in math class.  I also feel that it's important that your child sees the connection between math and the real world.  To that end I will throughout the year build exercises and/or "units around current events and happenings that are going on in the community, nation, and the Your child will be tested throughout the year as a way of measuring academic progress and reassessing strengths and weaknesses. In AIS they will be given a brief computerized test at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. They will also be given a more standardized pencil and paper assessment tests during that time frame. They will be assigned work accordingly and will work at their own pace. There will be days they will work independently on their areas of mathematics; there will be days when they work with either a partner or as an entire group.