letters to my class

October 1, 2012

September 30th, 2012

Dear Talkers,

This weekend I was reminded of the Three Sieves. I’m not sure where the three sieves came from–some people say they came from Socrates–but I can see why they’ve been passed down through the years. They remind us that we should always be careful with what we say. To help us, we should pass everything we say through three sieves (a sieve is like a filter. Remember when we used the Sieve of Eratosthenes to filter out all the composite numbers through 100.).

The first sieve is to ask ourselves if what we’re about to say is true. The second sieve is to ask if what we’re about to say is kind. And the last sieve is to ask if what we want to say is necessary. If our words can pass through all of these sieves–if we can be sure that they’re true, that they’re kind, and that they’re necessary–then we truly have something meaningful to share with the world. If not, we should probably leave it unsaid.

I can’t wait to hear your true, kind, and necessary words today,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 28, 2012

September 27th, 2012

Dear Storytellers,

I just got a copy of my favorite author’s latest book. That makes it a sweet day indeed. If you’re a book reader, and a book lover, and you have a few favorite authors, your life will be incalculably sweeter because you’ll always have a new book to keep you satisfied and an upcoming book to look forward to.

Being a book reader is an essential part of the good life. Books not only teach us about the possibilities of our world, but they also teach us of the potential of the human imagination. When you read a book, you enter a world that was created completely by another human being. That’s an amazing thing. My hope for you is not only that you find some of these amazing worlds, but that you create them as well. We always need more storytellers to make the previously unimaginable real.

Happy Reading,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 27, 2012

September 26th, 2012

Dear Innovators,

I saw on the news that California just allowed driverless cars on the roads. That makes it the third state in the country to do so. Can you imagine driving down the road and seeing a car being driving by no one? In just a few years, I think that will be a common sight.

Nowadays, computers and machines do a lot for us, but those computers and machines can only follow instructions humans give them. In the past, humans measured their skills by how well they could handle tools. Now, we measure our skills by how well we can give instructions to those tools. Computers and machines can do amazing things–things we never before thought possible–but we need smart and ingenious designers and programmers to imagine those things. I hope that many of you in this room will be those people.

In order to do that, however, you must have a strong foundation in math and science. That doesn’t mean you have to memorize every single concept we cover in math class, but it does mean that you have to learn to think mathematically. Machines speak in numbers, so you have to have a strong foundation in how numbers work so you can tell those machines all the world-changing things you want them to do.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 26, 2012

September 25th, 2012

Dear Judgers of Chance,

Everyday we face countless probabilities. It’s difficult to get ourselves to think probabilistically because we like to believe that life is a series of simple cause and effect events. It’s usually not, however. Things might happen, or they might not, or something completely unexpected may happen instead. The only thing we can do in the face of all this uncertainty is to think reasonably about what is most likely.

Math equips us with all sorts of tools to think probabilistically. We have dice and cards and spinners and coin flips and rock, paper, scissors, and countless other ways of modeling probability. Today we’ll use these tools to help us build our skills at estimating probability. Some things are more likely to happen than others, and it’s our duty to figure this out and be able to explain why. We might turn out to be right or wrong, but what’s most important is that our estimate is reasonable and based on evidence.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 25, 2012

September 24th, 2012

Dear Poets,

Our oldest and best known stories come from poems. There’s just something about the rhythm and language of poetry that makes it the perfect medium for sharing deep truths about what it means to be human in the world.

I think some of America’s greatest treasures are hidden in its poetry. We already saw how well Woody Guthrie captured the beauty, diversity and free roaming nature of America in “This Land Is Your Land.” You have all heard Francis Scott Key’s words about America’s resilience in “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Today we will meet another great American poet, and throughout the year we will learn about American history and geography and culture by studying the rich song and poetry of the American people.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 24, 2012

September 23rd, 2012

Dear Problem Solvers,

Over the past few days, we’ve practiced our addition and subtraction algorithms. I hate to tell you, but that’s the easy part. Today, we’ll do the hard part: figuring out when to use those algorithms to solve real world problems.

The real world will never hand you a sheet of addition and subtraction problems and ask you to solve them without a calculator. Instead, the world will ask you to figure out how much money you’ve spent so far in the month and how much money you have left. The world will ask you to keep track of bowling scores and fantasy football points and batting averages. The world abounds with numbers, and our job is not just to crunch those numbers, but to really figure out what they mean.

Today we’ll practice that skill by solving number stories, and we’ll learn some great methods, tips, and tricks for solving those number stories. That’s really what math is all about: giving us the tools and mindsets for more efficiently and effectively solving everyday problems.

Let’s have a great day,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 20, 2012

September 19th, 2012

Dear Classmates,

The most important thing in our classroom is that everyone feels safe and that they are valued for who they are. If everyone our classroom feels comfortable being the best them they can be, I know that the learning will happen. Problems happen when we try to change ourselves to please other people’s visions of what we should be like. There’s only one of each of us in the entire history of the universe, so we owe it to the universe to make it the best one.

We’ve learned in social studies that America’s diversity is one of the reasons it is such a rich and prosperous nation. Diversity makes us strong for two reasons: one, it shows us all the different ways there are to solve problems; and two, it allows people to be free to take the risk to be different. When people embrace what makes them unique, greatness is possible.

So make sure you’re being true to yourself and doing what you know is right for you and you’re allowing everyone else to be true to themselves. You will be doing the universe a favor.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 19, 2012

September 18th, 2012

Dear Number Crunchers,

Our number system is an amazing invention. Using only ten symbols, we can make numbers that go on for infinity. Because of our number system, you’re probably faster at multiplying multi-digit numbers than some of the ancient world’s greatest mathematicians. However, speed isn’t the most important thing when doing algorithms. A computer can always calculate faster than us. Our task is to use the algorithms to learn something essential about our number system (and systems in general).

Today, we will continue to practice addition algorithms. Remember, always estimate before you calculate, so you know if your sum is reasonable, and while you’re adding, think about the value of each digit you’re adding and make sure your places are always lined up.

Happy summing,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 18, 2012

September 17th, 2012

Dear Citizens,

As citizens of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, we have some serious responsibilities. There are no easy solutions out there, and we are faced with having to make many difficult decisions. We make those decisions through a process of debate, reflection, and compromise. Sometimes we agree with the decisions that are made, sometimes we don’t, but we must always keep ourselves informed and engaged.

There are a lot of things we have to weigh when make these decisions: what’s best for me and my family, what’s best for my community, what’s best for future generations, what’s best for the environment? There are no easy or correct answers, but we are responsible for making these tough decisions.

Today we’ll think about the impacts of building a dam. There are costs and benefits to doing this, and your job is to weigh them against one another and make your voice heard.

Let’s have a great day,

Mr. Heimbuck
September 17, 2012

September 16th, 2012

Dear Estimators,

For most of the math we do in everyday life, close enough is good enough. When we’re figuring distance or how long something will take or how much groceries will cost at the store, we estimate. That’s because we don’t have the time or tools to figure more precisely and also because sometimes there are so many variables that a perfect reckoning is impossible. There may be times in your life when accuracy is more important–if you’re building a bridge for instance–but usually close enough is good enough.

But estimating is far different from guessing. And estimating is hard work. In many cases, estimating takes more brain work than even finding the most accurate possible because you have to make so many decisions and account for so many variables. You have to think about what unit is best, what method you will use, how close is close enough, and if your final estimate seems reasonable. You also have to think about what “reasonable” would be! Making reasonable estimates is one of the most important skills you’ll learn this year.

Happy estimating,

Mr. Heimbuck