What's going on in Mrs. Prairie's room?
by Heather Prairie
Welcome to the third grade! My name is Heather Prairie. This is my fifth year in 3rd grade at Chebanse Elementary. I previously taught four years in 2nd and 3rd grade in St. Anne. I grew up in Chebanse and decided to return home due to my own growing family. My husband and I reside in Clifton with our three daughters.
I received my bachelor's degree from Olivet Nazarene University. I have also received a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from St. Francis University.
Promethean Board!!! The students have really been enjoying the new board! There are so many cool things to do on it.
Spelling- Our new spelling program is working great! Some of the students are now learning 20 new words each week. They come to me asking to do more! It allows the students to partner up and give the test to each other three days a week. This is great because it allows pair work and a chance for student's work to be checked instantly. Each student receives a star for each word spelled correctly each day. After the third day, the words with three stars are added to a Graduated Words list. The words without three stars stay on the list for the next week. Then, the students move down the list to form their next week's spelling list. It is great because words are worked on until three stars are earned in a row. The students are doing a great job and seem to love it because they are more in charge of their learning!
Reading- We have completed all of our reading stories! During the last month we will be going back into our previous sections of our reading book to complete some of the extra focus areas. A couple of the focus areas are fairy tales and biographies. In the past, the students have really enjoyed the biographies section.
Math- We are studying our multiplication facts. The students are so excited to learn them! Some of our students have already earned a Dilly Bar. We will celebrate in May with the ice cream treat! We are also reviewing many items from the entire school year.
We have now entered the division chapter. I do not expect the students to master division, but I would like for them to continue to work on multiplication. Once they are fluent in multiplication, the division will follow right behind!
Social Studies- Time For Kids magazines help to keep the students talking about current events. They supply great illustrations and graphs for the students to work on. This is great ISAT practice. The articles are also a great way to discuss current events with the students. It also has links to use with our Promethean Board!
Writing- We have shifted our focus from expository writing to cursive writing with the Handwriting Without Tears program. The students really enjoy this and seem to be learning a few things too! In addition to cursive, the students have completed some journal writing and letter writing.
Co-teaching- We are implementing a new program this year and it is called co-teaching. Ms. Waters is coming into our classroom for an hour and a half in the morning to help us during our reading and writing time. We are also lucky enough to have her back for a half hour in the afternoon to assist with math work time and a short study hall. Ms. Waters and I feel this is working tremendously because we are able to reach so many more students' needs.
The co-teaching has been a very successful adventure in my classroom this year. I feel like I have benefited from the experience just as much as the students!
The best way to reach me is by sending a note with your child, or sending an e-mail at hprairie@cusd4.org.
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