Grade Level Teachers

The District Early Learning Philosophy

The goal of early learning is to nurture the development of children to be inquisitive, eager to learn, creative, confident, compassionate, and self –initiating. Early learning should support cooperative learning, socialization, healthy self-esteem and creativity while maximizing the growth of problem-solving, decision-making, communication and early literacy and math skills.

Our programming consists of teacher-facilitated, hands on activities that address the individual children’s needs and interests. Children assume increasing personal responsibility and independence as they grow and develop.

Essential connections between home, school and the community are acknowledged and strengthened through early learning programming. Families and teachers work cooperatively to encourage and support children on their unique journey of lifelong learning.

Welcome to Kindergarten!

The District 196 kindergarten program provides an environment where each child is respected as a unique individual. It responds to differences, special needs, interests, temperaments and learning styles. The atmosphere in the classroom is nurturing and inviting.

Kindergarten instruction encourages the growth of problem solving, decision-making and communication skills and supports cooperative learning, socialization, healthy self-esteem and creativity. Growth occurs as children actively participate in concrete, hands-on activities each day. Teachers determine the activities based on the children in their classroom and curriculum frameworks. Children have opportunities to assume increasing responsibilities for self-care and independence.

Welcome to First Grade!

First graders are enthusiastic learners, which makes learning a lot of fun!

In our nurturing, inviting first grade classrooms, reading and writing are an integral part of our day through our Units of Study. By the end of first grade, we have confident and successful readers and writers. Math is another large component of our day. Students will learn numerous strategies to solve problems as well as how to explain their work. Science, Social Studies and Health are integrated throughout the year in our Units of Study.

First grade highlights during the school year include making new friends, learning routines for independence, using technology, becoming independent readers and writers, and communicating our thinking!

Welcome to Second Grade!

Northview Elementary recognizes the special needs of second-graders. Children at this grade level have already learned the foundations of reading, science and math. Second-graders are ready to put their knowledge into action and build on it in a fun, hands-on way. Our enthusiastic team of second-grade teachers is eager to help your second-grader use their unique skill set to discover new solutions for challenging problems.

Welcome to Third Grade!

In Third Grade students are beginning to transition between the fundamental skills they have learned in Kindergarten through Second Grade and put those skills to work in a more collaborative and creative way. Northview strives to provide children at this level with a learning environment that is both fun and engaging in order to continue to prepare them with a strong foundation for learning, productive struggle and inquiry.

Welcome to Fourth Grade!

Fourth-graders are learning to apply more abstract thinking and problem-solving skills in both academic and personal environments. They have learned the basics and now they are ready and eager to apply what they know to their own lives. Fourth-graders are learning how to make responsible decisions and also learn how less-responsible decisions may impact themselves and those around them. Coupled with this is an increased awareness of, and desire for, increased responsibility. Personal interests tend to appear during this time. Northview's Fourth Grade teachers enjoy helping their students explore their individuality in a safe and encouraging learning environment.

Welcome to Fifth Grade!

As a Fifth Grader, your child is beginning to experience both physical and developmental changes and is beginning to transition between childhood and adolescence. Your fifth-grader is learning to develop greater communication skills at many different levels and is experiencing increased problem-solving, reading and listening skills.

Children at this grade-level are also gaining a greater awareness of the expectations of those around them. They might spend some time testing the impact that their own actions and choices have on others. We look forward to helping our fifth-grade students successfully navigate this transitional year. We encourage them to develop positive study habits, increase personal responsibility and accountability, and gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. It is our goal that fifth grade students leave elementary school as confident, self-motivated learners.

To achieve that goal students will need to:

• • take responsibility for their own work habits
  • demonstrate good organizational skills
  • apply decision-making skills and take responsibility for their own choices

We, as fifth grade teachers, strive to teach the skills the children will need and we will work together with families to provide the best education possible.