Okay, so I have not been a good blogger so far! I really do want to do better, and will try to be more regular. Interaction on the blog will help me to be motivated, so please feel free to respond, ask questions, share sites, etc...
I would like to share some information with you about what we are doing with our literacy instruction. The way that we instruct students in literacy is changing. First of all, you will be hearing terms like Reader's Workshop, Writer's Workshop, Daily 5, and CAFE in relation to literacy time. What all of this means is that the instruction and practice opportunities for students is very individualized. Students are spending a lot of time reading independently at their level. During this time, they are working on the skills that they need to work on to improve their reading. The reason that much of this is done independently is that our students are not all reading at the same level, and they do not need to work on the same skills. So, we are moving away from whole group lessons on reading skills and having students all read the same book. Instead, our teachers are using assessments to find out where are students are in their reading abilities and what skills they need to refine in order to advance. They are helping students find books at the appropriate level and they are conferencing with them individually or in small groups to guide them and provide them with instruction on specific skills. Our students are engaged in literacy activities like the ones I have described for 90 minutes each day.
Our students also have an additional 30 minutes per day to work in intervention groups. This time is used for intensive work on specific reading skills for students who are not meeting the grade level benchmark. These students will be in small groups working with other students who have similar needs. The rest of the students are in larger groups working on enrichment activities to help them advance their reading levels and deepen their thinking about what they read.
What can you do as a parent to support our literacy instruction? Encourage your child to read for enjoyment. This means that they are reading whatever they are interested in- the newspaper, magazines, graphic novels, chapter books, etc... Talk with them about what they are reading and ask them questions. It is also wonderful when you read with your child. When children listen to reading, they are still working on important comprehension skills. Encouraging your child to write is also very beneficial. You can purchase a journal for your child to write their thoughts and feelings, or just to record what they do each day. You can also encourage them to write letters or e-mails to friends or family.
As always, we appreciate all that our parents do to support the education of our Prairieland Cougars!
It's a GREAT day to be a Cougar!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
1st and 3rd Grade class sizes
I have heard from a number of parents with concerns about the size of our 1st and 3rd grade class sizes. I have been in contact with the Unit Office and we have discussed the concerns. I am posting a message here from Nate Cunningham, our Assistant Superintendent regarding the concerns:
Thank you for expressing your concern about staffing at Prairieland Elementary School. The board and administration share your concerns. The board has established ranges for classrooms by grades in the elementary schools to ensure our schools can complete the mission of educating each student to personal excellence. The following are the ranges of students per class as established by the board of education: kindergarten (20-25), 1st grade (20-25), 2nd grade (22-27), 3rd grade (22-27), 4th grade (24-29), and 5th grade (24-29).
One of my many duties is to report the number of elementary classrooms that are under, within, and above the range, to the board of education. As a part of the process of reporting, I visit each school and talk to the principals and teachers of classrooms that are over the range. The options that we normally use are guided by the percentage of students that are under the range (combine classes-reduce sections) and sections that are over the range (split classes or add a paraprofessional/teaching assistant).
Please know, we value your concern and just as you, we do not take these actions lightly. We will investigate and review stability of the classroom before acting. Keep in mind, as school enrollment is very volatile; we do not act on our numbers until we have some stability and understanding of the classrooms. We do however; understand the importance of class size and will review and revise the appointment of employing a teacher or paraprofessional, when and if needed.
I can assure you that I have been in communication with your principal and that we will investigate your concerns. Though I have noted your concerns, I cannot promise you that we will split a section or add a paraprofessional. I can promise that we will consider all options; and will always work to achieve what is best for every student in Unit 5 schools.
If you would like to discuss our school staffing process further, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your continued interest and education of all McLean County Unit 5 students!
Sincerely,
Nathaniel Cunningham, Jr.
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources McLean County Unit District No. 5
Thank you for expressing your concern about staffing at Prairieland Elementary School. The board and administration share your concerns. The board has established ranges for classrooms by grades in the elementary schools to ensure our schools can complete the mission of educating each student to personal excellence. The following are the ranges of students per class as established by the board of education: kindergarten (20-25), 1st grade (20-25), 2nd grade (22-27), 3rd grade (22-27), 4th grade (24-29), and 5th grade (24-29).
One of my many duties is to report the number of elementary classrooms that are under, within, and above the range, to the board of education. As a part of the process of reporting, I visit each school and talk to the principals and teachers of classrooms that are over the range. The options that we normally use are guided by the percentage of students that are under the range (combine classes-reduce sections) and sections that are over the range (split classes or add a paraprofessional/teaching assistant).
Please know, we value your concern and just as you, we do not take these actions lightly. We will investigate and review stability of the classroom before acting. Keep in mind, as school enrollment is very volatile; we do not act on our numbers until we have some stability and understanding of the classrooms. We do however; understand the importance of class size and will review and revise the appointment of employing a teacher or paraprofessional, when and if needed.
I can assure you that I have been in communication with your principal and that we will investigate your concerns. Though I have noted your concerns, I cannot promise you that we will split a section or add a paraprofessional. I can promise that we will consider all options; and will always work to achieve what is best for every student in Unit 5 schools.
If you would like to discuss our school staffing process further, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your continued interest and education of all McLean County Unit 5 students!
Sincerely,
Nathaniel Cunningham, Jr.
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources McLean County Unit District No. 5
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Welcome Back!
We are so excited to start a new year at Prairieland! Our staff has been busy preparing for our Cougars and we are looking forward to seeing everyone.
We will be posting class lists on Friday, August 12 at 4:00.
I think I became an educator because I just love the idea that every year is a fresh start with new beginnings. I love it that each year, the students get to learn with different children and different adults who bring new and diverse ideas and ways of thinking. I also love this age because children's interests, talents and dreams are constantly developing and maturing. I love talking with the kids about the things that they are passionate about and watching them glow as they learn and mature. I can't wait to continue our journey together!
As always, please let me know if you have questions, concerns or celebrations to share. Communication and parent involvement are very important to me and I want all of us to work together at all times to create the best learning environment possible!
It's a Great Day to be a Cougar!!
We will be posting class lists on Friday, August 12 at 4:00.
I think I became an educator because I just love the idea that every year is a fresh start with new beginnings. I love it that each year, the students get to learn with different children and different adults who bring new and diverse ideas and ways of thinking. I also love this age because children's interests, talents and dreams are constantly developing and maturing. I love talking with the kids about the things that they are passionate about and watching them glow as they learn and mature. I can't wait to continue our journey together!
As always, please let me know if you have questions, concerns or celebrations to share. Communication and parent involvement are very important to me and I want all of us to work together at all times to create the best learning environment possible!
It's a Great Day to be a Cougar!!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
ISATs and Lunch changes
I would like to send a huge thank you to our Prairieland families for providing our students with healthy snacks for ISAT testing. The kids absolutely loved it and looked forward to it each day. Anything we can do to make these weeks a little more fun and a little less stressful is great!
I will be sending a mass e-mail soon about a couple of changes that we are making for lunch. The first change relates to negative lunch balances. If a student has a negative balance greater than $20.00, we will not be able to serve him/her a hot lunch. You will be notified before this happens, but we wanted you to be aware of the new approach to keeping balanced lunch accounts.
The other change relates to the lunch/recess times. We continue to have concerns from students and parents about students not having enough time to eat their lunch. In fact, I even received a petition from a group of 5th graders about the fact that they always have to wait so long for their lunch. We have decided to try a staggered lunch to address the concern. We will begin the new schedule after break so that we can try it out and make decisions about next year. The schedule will be as follows:
Grade /Recess /Line up /Lunch
2nd /11:00-11:25/ 11:20/ 11:25-11:50
5th /11:10-11:35/ 11:30 /11:35-12:00
Kind./ 11:30-11:55/ 11:50/ 11:55-12:20
3rd /11:40-12:05 /12:00 /12:05-12:30
1st /12:00-12:25/ 12:20 /12:25-12:50
4th /12:10-12:35 /12:30/ 12:35-1:00
We are very hopeful that this new schedule will work well in ensuring that all students get the most time possible to eat and that it will cut down on the amount of time that they are waiting in lines.
I will be sending a mass e-mail soon about a couple of changes that we are making for lunch. The first change relates to negative lunch balances. If a student has a negative balance greater than $20.00, we will not be able to serve him/her a hot lunch. You will be notified before this happens, but we wanted you to be aware of the new approach to keeping balanced lunch accounts.
The other change relates to the lunch/recess times. We continue to have concerns from students and parents about students not having enough time to eat their lunch. In fact, I even received a petition from a group of 5th graders about the fact that they always have to wait so long for their lunch. We have decided to try a staggered lunch to address the concern. We will begin the new schedule after break so that we can try it out and make decisions about next year. The schedule will be as follows:
Grade /Recess /Line up /Lunch
2nd /11:00-11:25/ 11:20/ 11:25-11:50
5th /11:10-11:35/ 11:30 /11:35-12:00
Kind./ 11:30-11:55/ 11:50/ 11:55-12:20
3rd /11:40-12:05 /12:00 /12:05-12:30
1st /12:00-12:25/ 12:20 /12:25-12:50
4th /12:10-12:35 /12:30/ 12:35-1:00
We are very hopeful that this new schedule will work well in ensuring that all students get the most time possible to eat and that it will cut down on the amount of time that they are waiting in lines.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
February 22
I hope you have all enjoyed some time with your students over the long weekend. We had a very productive day at school today, but we are ready to have the children back tomorrow!
Our teachers worked hard today on a number of initiatives. Much of our time was spent preparing interventions and enrichment activities that will allow us to challenge all students at their own level. The Prairieland staff is such a dedicated group, and they are always looking out for each and every student in the building!
Next week our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will begin taking the ISATs. We do not want the children to be nervous or anxious about the tests. We have tried to keep it low key and let them know that their best is all that we can expect and that they are well-prepared and ready to go. Please help your child do his/her best by encouraging plenty of rest and good healthy eating.
Thank you for all that you do! It is a GREAT day to be a Cougar!!
Our teachers worked hard today on a number of initiatives. Much of our time was spent preparing interventions and enrichment activities that will allow us to challenge all students at their own level. The Prairieland staff is such a dedicated group, and they are always looking out for each and every student in the building!
Next week our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will begin taking the ISATs. We do not want the children to be nervous or anxious about the tests. We have tried to keep it low key and let them know that their best is all that we can expect and that they are well-prepared and ready to go. Please help your child do his/her best by encouraging plenty of rest and good healthy eating.
Thank you for all that you do! It is a GREAT day to be a Cougar!!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 28
We managed to get the kids outside this week! We have noticed that the kids are starting to have a tougher time with inside recess. When we have so many days in a row of inside recess, the kids get tired of their options and they get very antsy! The teachers also notice a difference in student focus and attention in the afternoon if they do not get to move around and get fresh air during recess. On Thursday, it was still a little cold, so we just took the kids on a lap around the building to get fresh air in their lungs and to get their bodies moving. I am hopeful that we will be outside today!
We have seen an increase in student illness, which is not uncommon at this time of the year. When we are all enclosed in a building all day, every day, it creates a breeding ground for germs. We have asked our custodians to spend more time on table and desk surfaces, and we have increased the number of times we clean the water fountains. Please encourage your child to wash his/her hands regularly, and be sure to keep your child home if he/she has a fever or has vomitted. Let's hope that the Groundhog tells us that spring is just around the corner!
I look forward to seeing everyone at the concert on Thursday. I have heard the students practicing their songs and can tell you that you are in for a great night! I will be sending an e-mail with tips and reminders for the concert.
Have a wonderful weekend!
We have seen an increase in student illness, which is not uncommon at this time of the year. When we are all enclosed in a building all day, every day, it creates a breeding ground for germs. We have asked our custodians to spend more time on table and desk surfaces, and we have increased the number of times we clean the water fountains. Please encourage your child to wash his/her hands regularly, and be sure to keep your child home if he/she has a fever or has vomitted. Let's hope that the Groundhog tells us that spring is just around the corner!
I look forward to seeing everyone at the concert on Thursday. I have heard the students practicing their songs and can tell you that you are in for a great night! I will be sending an e-mail with tips and reminders for the concert.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Back to Blogging!
I have not been good about keeping up with my blogs! I would, however, like for this to be an active and effective source of communication. Therefore my New Year's resolution is to make every effort to blog once a week. If I do not have new and important news to share, I will just share some funny, sweet, exciting, or encouraging sights that I observe throughout the week at Prairieland.
For now, I would like to make sure that everyone is aware of our phone number changes. For most of this year, our old numbers still worked, but soon only our new numbers will work. Here are the new numbers:
Office- 557-4424
Attendance- 557-4473
Have a wonderful weekend!
For now, I would like to make sure that everyone is aware of our phone number changes. For most of this year, our old numbers still worked, but soon only our new numbers will work. Here are the new numbers:
Office- 557-4424
Attendance- 557-4473
Have a wonderful weekend!
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