Mar 31, 2015
•GREW UP IN EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA
•ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA •RECEIVED MY BACHELORS OF ARTS DEGREE IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (EMPHASIS ON JOURNALISM/MASS COMMUNICATIONS) AND A MINOR IN DANCE IN 2005
•WORKED AS AN ASSISTANT LOAN TRADER IN LAKE FOREST, IL
•RETURNED TO SCHOOL TO PURSUE MY MASTER’S IN EDUCATION, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION ENDORSEMENT @ ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY (GRADUATED IN 2011)
•WORKED AS A 5TH GRADE PARAPRO LAST YEAR AT DUJARDIN
•LIVE IN PALATINE, IL WITH MY HUSBAND OF 3 YEARS AND BULLDOG NAMED ELWOOD
•GREW UP IN EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA
•ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA •RECEIVED MY BACHELORS OF ARTS DEGREE IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (EMPHASIS ON JOURNALISM/MASS COMMUNICATIONS) AND A MINOR IN DANCE IN 2005
•WORKED AS AN ASSISTANT LOAN TRADER IN LAKE FOREST, IL
•RETURNED TO SCHOOL TO PURSUE MY MASTER’S IN EDUCATION, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION ENDORSEMENT @ ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY (GRADUATED IN 2011)
•WORKED AS A 5TH GRADE PARAPRO LAST YEAR AT DUJARDIN
•LIVE IN PALATINE, IL WITH MY HUSBAND OF 3 YEARS AND BULLDOG NAMED ELWOOD
About Mrs. McGrane…
Teachers Working With Students:
Tina Kolzow, Kathryn McGrane, Dina Tenerelli (5th grade teachers)
Danielle Fishleigh, Sue Hanneman, Lisa Thompson (paraprofessionals)
Karen Patelle and Betsy Jannush (supportive reading services/interventions)
Charla Treanor (Social Worker)
Tina Kolzow, Kathryn McGrane, Dina Tenerelli (5th grade teachers)
Danielle Fishleigh, Sue Hanneman, Lisa Thompson (paraprofessionals)
Karen Patelle and Betsy Jannush (supportive reading services/interventions)
Charla Treanor (Social Worker)
CLASSROOM SCHEDULE
What is MAP testing?What is MAP testing? Results determine…Results determine…
Computerized test in the areas of Reading and Mathematics for students k-5
Allows for immediate feedback on areas of strength and weakness
Adaptively branched/questions differentiated
Results show what students are ready to begin learning, not what they have mastered.
Fall (Aug. 20th) Group goals for reading and
math Discussed at PT conferences
Winter (Nov. 26th) Individual goals for reading Sent home to review with
your child Spring (April 8th)
Analyze growth targets for reading and math
As a school we believe that 70% of our students should meet their growth targets.
MAP Testing
MAP Testing Cont…
*** After the fall MAP test is given, students will be given individual goals in literacy and group goals in mathematics.
These goals will be discussed with parents at the November conferences.
***
ECRA TESTING – WEEK OF APRIL 1ST
OLSAT TESTING – FIRST WEEK IN FEBRUARY
ISAT TESTING – WEEK OF MARCH 4TH
Additional Testing
READING
GRAMMAR WORK
SPELLING
HANDWRITING
READING
GRAMMAR WORK
SPELLING
HANDWRITING
Daily Literacy Block – (90 minutes):
Balanced Literacy ModelBalanced Literacy Model Pearson Scott Foresman’s Reading Street
Pearson Scott Foresman’s Reading Street
Shared Reading Teacher model skill and strategy Direct vocabulary instruction Building background knowledge
Guided reading Small groups based on guided
reading level, and skill knowledge Skill and strategy revisited Vocabulary revisited (except for
advanced readers – new vocab. Integrated)
Independent Reading Application of skill and strategy on
your own Graphic organizer to show
understanding Exit tickets to gauge comprehension On-line test to show comprehension
of skill and strategy
Shared Reading Teacher model skill and strategy Direct vocabulary instruction Building background knowledge
Guided reading Small groups based on guided
reading level, and skill knowledge Skill and strategy revisited Vocabulary revisited (except for
advanced readers – new vocab. Integrated)
Independent Reading Application of skill and strategy on
your own Graphic organizer to show
understanding Exit tickets to gauge comprehension On-line test to show comprehension
of skill and strategy
Literature is more nonfiction based to give readers as much experience with real world texts
Students progress is monitored to provide remediation and/or needs for greater challenge and differentiation
Baseline test: reading placement given at the beginning of the school year
Formative assessment: weekly selection test with online results for students, teachers, and parents
Summative assessment: given at the end of the reading unit (usually after a 5 week interval)
My Sidewalks: Alternative program from struggling readers/Tier III intervention
Literature is more nonfiction based to give readers as much experience with real world texts
Students progress is monitored to provide remediation and/or needs for greater challenge and differentiation
Baseline test: reading placement given at the beginning of the school year
Formative assessment: weekly selection test with online results for students, teachers, and parents
Summative assessment: given at the end of the reading unit (usually after a 5 week interval)
My Sidewalks: Alternative program from struggling readers/Tier III intervention
Reading Part #1
Reading Part #2
The Reading Street series provides explicit, systematic, high quality instruction focusing on five critical elements of reading that have been identified by research:
Phonemic Awareness Phonics Fluency Vocabulary Text Comprehension
Common Core Extensions
Common Core Extensions Extension BreakdownExtension Breakdown
With the development and adaptation of the new common core state standards, students will be asked to complete weekly writing and mini-research inquiries in addition to reading work during the reading block.
Mini writing assignments and research projects will be completed on a weekly basis in relation to the weekly reading theme and/or skill
During the unit period students will also gain exposure to 3-5 informational texts as well as 3-5 works of poetry
With the development and adaptation of the new common core state standards, students will be asked to complete weekly writing and mini-research inquiries in addition to reading work during the reading block.
Mini writing assignments and research projects will be completed on a weekly basis in relation to the weekly reading theme and/or skill
During the unit period students will also gain exposure to 3-5 informational texts as well as 3-5 works of poetry
Mini-Research Students will be asked to develop their
own inquiry questions pertaining to a given subject, and research the answers to their questions.
Mini-Writing Students will be asked to compare
multiple texts with a common theme in writing pieces to support and clarify their knowledge of a given topic
Informational Texts Students will be exposed to numerous
informational text pieces, familiarizing themselves with the look and purpose for such texts.
They will be asked to use what they know and have read to formulate responses and deeper thinking
Poetry Works Students will read poetry relating to the
weekly theme/topic. They will then write their own poetry to expand upon what they have learned
Mini-Research Students will be asked to develop their
own inquiry questions pertaining to a given subject, and research the answers to their questions.
Mini-Writing Students will be asked to compare
multiple texts with a common theme in writing pieces to support and clarify their knowledge of a given topic
Informational Texts Students will be exposed to numerous
informational text pieces, familiarizing themselves with the look and purpose for such texts.
They will be asked to use what they know and have read to formulate responses and deeper thinking
Poetry Works Students will read poetry relating to the
weekly theme/topic. They will then write their own poetry to expand upon what they have learned
Reading Part #3
READING FLUENCY
The National Reading Panel has noted that 80% of reading comprehension problems result from a lack of reading fluency
Students will be given grade level benchmark tests 3x/year (fall, winter, spring)
If the target is not met on one of the 3 the benchmark test given, computer based interventions and/or PMM’s will be given and monitored throughout the year (Tier II)
INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: Tier II interventions
PMM’s Read Naturally (oral fluency) Reading Plus (silent fluency)
Spelling & Handwriting
Handwriting: Cursive letter formation
Spelling Structure: Practice Test at beginning of week Workbook pages due at the end of the week Challenge activity for those who have tested out of the
spelling list for a particular week Mastery test at the end of the week
In order to help with cursive mastery, students will complete their spelling tests in cursive
Language Arts (45 minute block)
Three Modes of Writing Expository (analysis)
Grades 3-5 12 structured mini-lessons to create a common vocabulary
and structure/framework for writing Research through inquiry
Persuasive/Opinion
Narrative Personal narrative
Grammar Skills taught based on academic standards Pre-assessments given each unit
Science – Mrs. McGraneScience – Mrs. McGrane Social Studies – Mrs. McGrane
Social Studies – Mrs. McGrane
Order of Units:1. Unit C: Chapters 7-8
Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils
2. Unit D: Chapter 13 Solar System: Seasons, Earth,
Moon
3. Unit A: Chapter 3 Cells to Body Systems
4. Unit A: Chapter 1 Plant growth
5. Unit E: Chapter 14 Properties of Matter
Tests and projects
Order of Units:1. Unit C: Chapters 7-8
Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils
2. Unit D: Chapter 13 Solar System: Seasons, Earth,
Moon
3. Unit A: Chapter 3 Cells to Body Systems
4. Unit A: Chapter 1 Plant growth
5. Unit E: Chapter 14 Properties of Matter
Tests and projects
Order of Units:1. The Colonial and Revolutionary
War time period
1. Our government and the westward expansion time period
1. The Civil War time period
1. Growth of our country – industrialization and immigration
Tests and projects
Order of Units:1. The Colonial and Revolutionary
War time period
1. Our government and the westward expansion time period
1. The Civil War time period
1. Growth of our country – industrialization and immigration
Tests and projects
Science and Social Studies(4 ½ weeks of each grading quarter)
•Emphasis in math is on concepts and thinking process.
•Pictures, acting out, models, and hands-on materials are used for the understanding of concepts and problem solving
•Daily homework WILL be given and supported with examples in math logs/notes
•Assessments vary per quarter (not all homework will be graded but is expected to be completed)
•Common core had changed the way we use the series. We pull lessons from trailblazers and supplement materials to cover a wider range and difficulty of concepts
•Rocket Math: supplemental curriculum to support the acquisition of basic facts automatically, which is critical in order for students to apply higher order thinking in math
•Emphasis in math is on concepts and thinking process.
•Pictures, acting out, models, and hands-on materials are used for the understanding of concepts and problem solving
•Daily homework WILL be given and supported with examples in math logs/notes
•Assessments vary per quarter (not all homework will be graded but is expected to be completed)
•Common core had changed the way we use the series. We pull lessons from trailblazers and supplement materials to cover a wider range and difficulty of concepts
•Rocket Math: supplemental curriculum to support the acquisition of basic facts automatically, which is critical in order for students to apply higher order thinking in math
Trailblazers: Mathematics(Kolzow, McGrane, Tenerelli)
Technology In the Classroom
With the advancement of technology, as well as the accessibility of it to many children, I feel as though technology is
something that needs to be explored and utilized within the classroom. Therefore, we will be working with technology as
much as possible!
Projects and assignments will be typed Students will use desktop computers, laptops, and netbooks
Technology programs may include: MS Word Excel PowerPoint (with and without hyper-linking) Blogging PhotoStory Audacity Wiki Pages
Common Core State Standards
Common Core will be gradually introduced into the curriculum throughout the school year.
Students will be exposed to difficult texts for analysis and response
Students will also be expected to complete more rigorous assignments in all areas that require higher-level thinking
Preparing students for college readiness
*** Please see pamphlet for more information! ***
Homework!!!
Homework is an extension of the work we are doing in class
Completed homework may or may not be gradedStudents can expect between 45 minutes – 1 hour each
nightSeek extra help if needed – set up a time with me!Absent class work and homework will be received upon
returning to school (student responsibility)Late work coupons – 2/quarterIf students fail to complete their homework, you will be
notified via “late-work slip”
Please note: ANY class work that is missed due to band, service worker duties, or bathroom breaks remain the STUDENTS’
RESPONSIBILITY to find out what he/she missed.
Late Work Policy
Students will be given TWO days to turn in any late assignment
If handed in within the two days, a grade of “3” and no higher than a 70% is given on the assignment
If the student does NOT have the assignment finished on the 2nd day, a grade of “2” and no higher than a 50% is given on the assignment
A “late-work” slip notice will be sent home the day of the missed assignment, and will need to be signed by an ADULT
Notification of the late work policy (after day three) will be made by the child via phone so the home-school connection is upheld
*** check your child’s backpack and plan book daily ***
School Improvement
DATE: The 1st Wednesday of each month, except for the month of March
TIME: 1:40pm dismissal for grades 1-5
PURPOSE: Used for staff development and school improvement opportunities
~ remember to mark YOUR calendars ~
SIP Goals (School Improvement Planning)
The school improvement goals for this year are to maintain student growth rates in both reading and math as measured by the MAP fall to spring assessment at 70% or greater.
A second goal is to continue a composite ISAT score of 90% + in grades 3-5. An additional goal will have to do with the common core and writing in grades K-5.
Special Events: Mark Your Calendars!
Parent Teacher Conferences Please sign up for conferences online at: www.sd13.org Sign-up starts September 13th Dates: November 19th and 20th
Loredo Taft Outdoor Education Trip Parent information meeting: TBD Dates of trip: January 23rd-25th, 2013
Robert Crown Health Center Field Trip Date: April 2013
Lifetime Fitness Date: ???
Portfolio Night Date: Thursday, May 2nd, 2013
Contact…
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or comments!
The best way to reach me is through email at: [email protected]
Thanks for your support in making this a great school year!