News from Mrs. Caldwell's Classroom

Office: 111
Work phone: 847-963-5933
Fax: 847-963-5906
E-mail: caldwelm@ccsd15.k12.il.us

Mission Statement
We, the students
in Room 111
during the 2006-2007 school year
will learn to read, write, speak, do math, and use computers
by communicating with each other, listening, practicing, behaving, and doing our best work
to be successful in school and in life.

  Language Arts

This year we'll be using a Balanced Reading Program.  The four components are Word Study, Guided/Shared Reading, Independent Reading, and Writing.  During Word Study, we'll learn Phonics and Spelling.  Guided/Shared Reading involves learning sight vocabulary, comprehension skills, and strategies.  The Accelerated Reading Program is used during Independent Reading.  Writing includes the development of colorful vocabulary, expanded sentences, and paragraphs.
  A variety of materials are used for these components.  The district adopted Harcourt Trophies program directs the sequence of skills.  It is used for Guided Reading, Word Study, and Writing.  All skills that teach the district Learner Statements are included in the lessons.  Additional materials are used as needed.  Two of the most important methods of instruction are teacher modeling and the use of Cognitive Strategies.   

Math

  Our Math lessons this year will also be based on a balanced approach.  Each day there will be time devoted to mental math, computation, problem solving,  basic fact practice, and review of concepts.   A variety of materials will be used, along with modeling and lots of student practice.  The program that we will use for new skills is the Houghton Mifflin Program.   It covers number sense, concepts, and operations; measurement and geometry; algebraic thinking; data analysis and probability; and mathematical thinking.   Lessons consist of hands on instruction, guided practice, and independent practice. 

Science/Social Studies

This year we will alternate Science and Social Studies units.  We'll begin with a Social Studies unit on the bodies of land and water that comprise the earth.  This will lead to a study of landforms and bodies of water.   The next unit will focus on the Five Senses.  During November we will learn about our government and elections.  Then we will look at people in different countries around the world, as well as their cultures. This will include the reading of folktales from around the world.  In January, we'll read biographies of famous Americans,   We'll look at the many different types of leaders that our country has had.  We'll also look at the different time periods when this people lived.  Our next unit will be the study of the three states of matter.  In the spring we'll construct a business community for our Social Studies economics unit.   The children will become the employees, make the buildings, and advertise their businesses.  At the end of the year, we will finish with the insect unit.  Hopefully, we'll have success keeping our insects alive!  Throughout the year we will work on map skills and geography concepts.  These concepts will be taught through the use of experiments, activities, and videos, as well as reading non-fiction materials.

F.Y.I

  • This year we will have several different people helping in our room.  First of all, Mrs. Folkers and Mrs. Rice will work with small groups and individuals as needed.  We will also have help from our Seniors, Miss Liberty and Mrs. Plecki.  This will vary throughout the year. 
  • Each day we will also have help from parents during the A.R. time.  These parents will read with children and help them prepare for their tests.  This is very helpful and the children love to see their parents here.
  • We will be performing Readers Theater plays throughout the year.  Many will be recorded and sent home for you to view.  Each child will have their turn to bring the tape home and is asked to return it the next day.  There may not be enough days between plays for everyone to see the tape.  We will continue through the class so that everyone will see plays, although they may be different ones.  I hope to keep the tape moving through the class on a daily basis.

Things To Do At Home

...Your child should read every day! Library books can be checked out every day if you need  A.R. books to read at home.  Please have your child read for twenty minutes a night.  A.R. books should be read until your child's goal has been met for the month.  I encourage them to continue reading after the goal is met, by either adding to their points or reading other materials that they are interested in.
...Review addition and subtraction. Help your child to memorize the facts for a few minutes every day.
...Review telling time to the half hour and counting sets of coins using quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies.
...Review addition and subtraction of two digit numbers without carrying.  Be sure that your child adds the ones place first, and then the tens place. 

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