5th Grade Math - Mr. Usem
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Investigations -Gr 5 cover
Investigations Curriculum by Pearson / Scott Foresman

5th Grade Math at Field uses the INVESTIGATIONS Curriculum from Pearson/Scott Foresman. This curriculum is based on work supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), and developed by TERC (Technical Education Research Center, Cambridge, MA). Our curriculum is alligned with Minnesota state standards for 5th-grade math. Students receive this curriculum in small "Unit packets" that they insert into their 3-ring math binders. The math binders become a valuable resource for them throughout their 5th-grade year. [*NOTE: You'll find a LINK to each unit packet, as we do them, on the "5th-Grade Math" classwork & homework page.]

 I also teach a B.E.S.T. class for 5th-graders. B.E.S.T. stands for Basic and Enrichment Skills Time. B.E.S.T. classes occur on an "every-other-day" basis, on a "BLACK" and "TEAL" day rotation (see official Field School calendar). During B.E.S.T. we will be working on students' needed math skills, will be supporting the students' learning within the regular math curriculum, and will be building math literacy by previewing some of the upcoming math concepts prior to their full implementation in students' regular math classes. Most all work will be designed to be completed within the B.E.S.T. math period, and students should receive little additional homework from this class other than occasionally having to finish an assignment that could not be completed by the student in the class time allotted.

Click on the LINKS in the right column to access information on classwork & homework.

** These homework links are good links for both students and parents.

 

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Mr. Usem's "Help" Availability Schedule

Click on this link above to find the hours that work best to get HOMEWORK & CLASSWORK HELP from me!

I will generally be available for HOMEWORK & CLASSWORK HELP for individual students at the following times:

  • MONDAY: before school (by appt.) and at lunch
  • TUESDAY: before school (by appt.); at lunch; and 2:40-4:00
  • WEDNESDAY: before school (by appt.); and at lunch
  • THURSDAY: before school (by appt.); and at lunch
  • FRIDAY: before school (by appt.); at lunch; and 2:40-3:30

(*Note: It is best if you would like to meet with me before school... to do so please make an appointment the day before so that I know you're coming, and don't plan to use that time for other class preparation time... Otherwise, you can always check with me, and if I'm not already committed, we can certainly work on things.)

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Class Syllabus (...this is a "click-able" LINK)

You can access the class syllabus for your class here. Click the link above.
Math Helps, Games, Puzzles, and Links (...this is a "click-able" LINK)

Click the link above to access some various math helps, games, puzzles and other links. Also, if you find something you think others might be interested in, let me know and I can add a link to it!
Contact Info:
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email:  mark.usem.mpls.k12.mn.us
voice-mail: 612-668-7729
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Classwork & Homework LINKS

Click the LINKS ABOVE for access to classwork and homework for all of Mr. Usem's classes. (When the calendar pops up for that class, just click on the day for which you want to know the classwork or homework)

*NOTE... All assignments are given out in class, however, and internet website postings of classwork and/or homework are done as a courtesy and as a "secondary resource" only for students... this posting is not guaranteed each day.  Students should write down all assignments in their planners when given in class each day.     -- My goal is to have assignments posted and accurate by 5pm each day at the latest, if not earlier.
About Mr. Usem (2012-13)

A little about my background...

I have been teaching for ten years now. This was a mid-life career change for me. Prior to teaching I owned a furniture store in Red Wing for 15 years. My entire teaching career has been spent in Minneapolis Public Schools, and I have taught middle grades in Lincoln and Lucy Laney schools prior to coming to work here at Field. Over the past seven years I have taught 7th and 8th grade math and algebra at Field School, and have most recently been Field School's math specialist working with students in all grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. This will be my first year teaching 5th-grade math at Field. I am very excited about the potential of this new position and being able to connect with Field's youngest students.

I have a wife and four children. My wife is a registered nurse at Children's Hospital in St. Paul, working in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit. My oldest son graduated from the University of Minnesota, works for Q-Products camping and adventure equipment distributor and recently got married this fall. My next oldest son graduated from the University of Kansas and is currently spending the year traveling abroad; he was in Costa Rica for 3 months this last fall, and will be traveling to Thailand over the winter months. My daughter graduated from the University of Wisconsin, just recently started working at HCMC downtown Minneapolis, and is participating in a psychology study at the University of Minnesota. Lastly, my youngest son just returned from a year studying in Israel, and is beginning as a freshman this year at the University of Minnesota.

I have an undergraduate B.A. degree from the University of Michigan, with majors in Philosophy and Economics, and a M.Ed. degree from the University of Minnesota in Education.