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I am so excited to be a part of the St. Joseph School community as a first grade teacher! I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and attended National-Louis University where I received my degree in education with a concentration in psychology. I am also a certified Orton-Gillingham tutor and teacher, a multi-sensory approach that is very explicit in teaching reading to beginning readers.

I have spent the last 25 years teaching at a Catholic school- the last 18 years in first grade! I fell in love with teaching at a Catholic school because of the loving family atmosphere it provided. I enjoy inspiring children to learn and strive for their goals. I am committed to ensuring each child feels successful, capable, and celebrated while they are in my class. I love and enjoy learning, and I want to share, with my students, this passion and show how fun and exciting learning truly is!

When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two sons. I love to read and spend time outdoors.

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Week at a Glance

ELA

To read with accuracy and prosody
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To blend and read words with consonant blends and digraph blends
To blend and read words with up to four sounds
To add suffix -s to words with four sounds
To read and spell trick words: her, over, number
To read words with R-controlled vowel sounds: ar, or, er, ir, ur
To signal unknown words in Me…. Jane
To select the best topic statement for an informative paragraph
To identify determiners in sentences
To identify the key details and main topic of sections of Me…Jane
To generate and write a topic statement for a partially complete paragraph
To use the illustrations and details in Me…Jane to describe how Jane made discoveries about animals
To write a topic sentence for an informative paragraph about Jane Goodall’s discoveries about animals in the text

MATH

To relate doubles addition facts to subtraction facts
To write a number sentence to solve word problems
To make a ten to subtract

SCIENCE

To carry out an investigation to determine the relationship between the shape of different bird beaks and the food each bird eats. In the activity, Find the Best Beak, students experiment with long pointy beaks that are great for picking up seeds and wide flat beaks that are good for scooping. They discover that different beaks are best for different kinds of food.

RELIGION

To identify Lent as a time to do good things and to live like Jesus
To tell how Jesus helps us grow closer to God the Father

Week at a Glance

ELA

To read with accuracy and prosody
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To blend and read words with consonant blends and digraph blends
To blend and read words with up to four sounds
To add suffix -s to words with four sounds
To read and spell trick words: could, would, should
To read words with R-controlled vowel sounds: ar, or, er, ir, ur

MATH Unit 3 Test on Wednesday

To count back by 1, 2, or 3 to subtract
To use a number line to count back to subtract
To relate doubles addition facts to subtraction facts

SOCIAL STUDIES Freedom Tea on Friday 2/20 at 7:45 am

To learn about important African American leaders and heroes
To understand that Black History is an important of American history
To identify how African Americans have helped shape our country
To listen to and discuss stories about fairness, courage, and kindness
To recognize that everyone deserves respect and equal treatment

RELIGION

To identify Lent as a time to do good things and to live like Jesus
To tell how Jesus helps us grow closer to God the Father
To explain the significance of Ash Wednesday

Week at a Glance

ELA

To read with accuracy and prosody
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To blend and read words with the glued sounds: ank, ink, onk, unk
To read and spell trick words: come, some
To identify the components of an informative paragraph
To analyze the characters’ actions using key details in Seven Blind Mice
To use end punctuation for sentences

MATH

To act it out to solve problems
To use counters and a ten-frame to make sums greater than 10

SCIENCE

In this Read-Along lesson, Juan Carlos visits his grandmother who has a backyard full of ducks. The lesson includes a short exercise where students get moving by acting like ducks. Students will watch videos and discover ways that animal parents help their offspring.

RELIGION

To explain that Jesus shows us the way to God
To explain the difference between wants and needs
To pray the Lord’s Prayer
To explain forgiveness
To define temptation, trespass

Week at a Glance

ELA

To read with accuracy and prosody
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To blend and read words with the glued sounds: ank, ink, onk, unk
To read and spell trick words: put, two
To identify the components of an informative paragraph
To identify key details from the text to determine the lessons of Aesop’s Fables
To identify and use end punctuation for sentences
To generate and answer questions about Seven Blind Mice using key details from the text
To add details to an informative paragraph about the lesson of “The Hare and the Tortoise”
To retell Seven Blind Mice using key details from the text
To sequence the components of an informational paragraph about hares
To identify and use end punctuation for sentences

MATH

To use the doubles to add strategy to help find the sum
To use the near doubles to add strategy to help find the sum
To act it out to solve problems

SCIENCE

In this lesson, students gather evidence that animal offspring look like, but not exactly like, their parents. In the activity, Possible Puppies, students play a game that models how puppies look similar to their parents, but each puppy can vary in many ways.

RELIGION

To explain that Jesus shows us the way to God
To explain the difference between wants and needs
To pray the Lord’s Prayer
To explain forgiveness
To define temptation, trespass

Week at a Glance

ELA

To read with accuracy and prosody
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To blend and read words with the glued sounds: ang, ing, ong, ung, ank, ink, onk, unk
To read and spell trick words: why, by, my, try
To explain the difference between narrative fiction and informational books
To identify the components of an informative paragraph
To analyze the main character’s actions using key details in “The Hare and the Tortoise”
To identify the components of an informative paragraph
To identify key details from the text to determine the lessons of Aesop’s Fables
To collaboratively write an informative paragraph about “The Ants and the Grasshopper” using evidence from the class charts
To identify and use end punctuation for sentences

MATH

To count on using pennies
To use a number line to help find the sum
To use the doubles to add strategy to help find the sum

SCIENCE

Students make observations of baby animals and their parents, gathering evidence that they look similar because they share many of the same traits. In the activity, Baby Bird Rescue, students help identify lost baby birds based on observations of their specific traits.

RELIGION

To tell that the Beatitudes are ways to live in the world
To tell that Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer
To pray the first half of the Lord’s Prayer
To explain that being kind to others is doing God’s will
To define Beatitudes, heaven, Kingdom of God, and prayer

Week at a Glance

ELA unit test on Wednesday

To read with accuracy and prosody
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To read and spell baseword and suffix with the suffix -s
To read and spell trick words: where, there, here
To explain the difference between narrative fiction and informational books
To identify the components of an informative paragraph
To analyze the main character’s actions using key details in “The Hare and the Tortoise”
To identify the components of an informative paragraph
To identify key details from the text to determine the lessons of Aesop’s Fables
To collaboratively write an informative paragraph about “The Ants and the Grasshopper” using evidence from the class charts
To identify and use end punctuation for sentences

MATH unit test on Wednesday

To make groups of hundreds, tens, and ones
To count numerals up to 120

SCIENCE

In this Read-Along lesson, Ryan’s camping trip with his dad includes a night of stargazing, and a mystery to solve. The lesson includes a short exercise where students imagine what they might see looking through a telescope. The activity Where Is North? that will help students learn the cardinal directions.

RELIGION

To demonstrate a way to show respect for Jesus’ name
To tell the story of Jesus’ birth
To identify Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the Holy Family
To define angel, Holy Family, Joseph, and Mary

Week at a Glance

ELA

To read with accuracy and prosody
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To read and spell baseword and suffix with the suffix -s
To read and spell trick words: who, what, when
To explain the difference between narrative fiction and informational books
To identify the components of an informative paragraph
To analyze the main character’s actions using key details in “The Hare and the Tortoise”
To identify the components of an informative paragraph
To identify key details from the text to determine the lessons of Aesop’s Fables
To collaboratively write an informative paragraph about “The Ants and the Grasshopper” using evidence from the class charts
To identify and use end punctuation for sentences

MATH

To compare two two-digit numbers
To compare two two-digit numbers using symbols
To make groups of hundreds, tens, and ones
To count numerals up to 120

SOCIAL STUDIES

To recognize that people celebrate different holidays around the world
To compare and contrast traditions from multiple cultures.
To identify key symbols, foods, and customs related to each holiday.
To show respect for cultures and traditions that are different from their own.

RELIGION

To identify Jesus as the Messiah
To describe how during Advent we prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus into our hearts on Christmas
To define Advent, Light of the World, and Messiah

Week at a Glance

ELA

To read with accuracy and prosody
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To read and spell baseword and suffix with the suffix -s
To read and spell trick words: are, were
To review narrative story structure including setting, character, and main events
To explain the difference between narrative fiction and informational books
To generate and answer questions about “The Hare and the Tortoise” and “The Ants and the Grasshopper”
To categorize words related to the concept of features
To retell “The Hare and the Tortoise” using key details from the text
To identify the components of an informative paragraph

MATH

To identify numbers that are ten more and ten less than a given number
To use nickels to count by fives
To compare two two-digit numbers
To compare two two-digit numbers using symbols

SCIENCE

Students use a model to investigate why the stars are visible at night but disappear when the Sun comes out during the day. In the activity, Star Projector, students use paper cups to project stars onto a sky picture, and observe what happens to these stars when a flashlight acts as a model of the Sun.

RELIGION

To tell that Jesus was born in a stable
To explain that Advent is a time of waiting

Week at a Glance

ELA

To read with accuracy and prosody
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To read and spell the glued sound: am, an
To read and spell trick words: from, have, do, does
To determine the central message of Green Eggs and Ham
To sequence events in a written narrative summary
To identify temporal words and their use in writing
To make connections between My Librarian Is a Camel

MATH

To make groups of ten and some more
To make groups of tens and ones
To make a table to solve problems
To write numbers to 100 in different ways
To identify numbers that are ten more and ten less than a given number

SCIENCE

Students use a model to investigate why the stars are visible at night but disappear when the Sun comes out during the day. In the activity, Star Projector, students use paper cups to project stars onto a sky picture, and observe what happens to these stars when a flashlight acts as a model of the Sun.

RELIGION

To demonstrate a way to show respect for Jesus’ name
To tell the story of Jesus’ birth
To identify Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the Holy Family
To define angel, Holy Family, Joseph, Mary

Week at a Glance

ELA Unit 4 test on Thursday

To practice correct letter formation
To practice sound recognition
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To understand the narrative story form: character, setting, main events
To apply the bonus letter spelling rule: ff, ll, ss, and sometimes zz
To read and spell the glued sound: all
To read and spell trick words: said
To generate and answer questions about Green Eggs and Ham using key details from the text
To write and draw to identify story elements in Green Eggs and Ham
To retell Green Eggs and Ham including details about characters, settings, and major events
To use sentence level context as a clue to the meaning of the words portrait, landscape, and still life

MATH

To count and write numbers 11 to 19
To count groups of tens
To use dimes to count by tens
To make groups of ten and some more

SCIENCE

Students explore all of the different shapes of the Moon that can appear on different nights. In the activity, My Moon Book, students observe photos of the Moon taken over the course of four weeks and draw pictures of the Moon's phases in their book. They use these observations to discover patterns in how the Moon’s shape changes and predict when the next full moon will appear.

RELIGION

To identify psalms as songs and poems of prayer
To explain that Ordinary Time is a time to show our thanks for God’s creation and for the gifts of God’s creation and for the gifts God gives us
To discuss the images of God’s creation- especially wheat and grapes that become bread and wine- displayed during Ordinary Time
To define celebrate, liturgical year, and Ordinary Time

Week at a Glance

ELA

To practice correct letter formation
To practice sound recognition
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To understand the narrative story form: character, setting, main events
To apply the bonus letter spelling rule: ff, ll, ss, and sometimes zz
To read and spell the glued sound: all
To read and spell trick words: was, one, said
To generate a variety of adjectives
To retell That Book Woman, including key details about characters, settings, and major events
To define multiple meanings for words poke, spell
To analyze the main character’s feelings using key details in That Book Woman
To develop vocabulary knowledge of the word scholar

MATH Chapter 2 Test on Thursday

To find related addition and subtraction facts
To determine whether math statements are true or false

SCIENCE

Students explore all of the different shapes of the Moon that can appear on different nights. In the activity, My Moon Book, students observe photos of the Moon taken over the course of four weeks and draw pictures of the Moon's phases in their book. They use these observations to discover patterns in how the Moon’s shape changes and predict when the next full moon will appear.

RELIGION

To identify psalms as songs and poems of prayer
To explain that Ordinary Time is a time to show our thanks for God’s creation and for the gifts of God’s creation and for the gifts God gives us
To discuss the images of God’s creation- especially wheat and grapes that become bread and wine- displayed during Ordinary Time
To define celebrate, liturgical year, and Ordinary Time

Week at a Glance

ELA

To practice correct letter formation
To practice sound recognition
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To learn the bonus letter spelling rule: ff, ll, ss, and sometimes zz
To read and spell the glued sound: all
To read and spell trick words: you, your, I, they
To generate and answer questions about That Book Woman using key details from the text
To generate a variety of adjectives
To retell That Book Woman, including key details about characters, settings, and major events
To define multiple meanings for words poke, spell

MATH

To subtract numbers from eight
To subtract numbers from nine
To subtract numbers from ten
To find related addition and subtraction facts
To determine whether math statements are true or false

SCIENCE

Students explore all of the different shapes of the Moon that can appear on different nights. In the activity, My Moon Book, students observe photos of the Moon taken over the course of four weeks and draw pictures of the Moon's phases in their book. They use these observations to discover patterns in how the Moon’s shape changes and predict when the next full moon will appear.

RELIGION

To demonstrate sharing a sign of peace
To tell that Jesus brings us God the Father’s gift of peace
To explain that the Holy Spirit brings us God the Father’s gift of peace
To define Holy Spirit and Trinity

Week at a Glance

ELA

To practice correct letter formation
To practice sound recognition
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To understand the concept of consonant digraph, keywords and sounds: wh, ch, sh, th, ck
To read and spell trick words: or, for
To generate questions about My Librarian Is a Camel
To create a complete declarative sentence
To ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in My Librarian Is a Camel
To develop vocabulary knowledge of the word remote and mobile

MATH

To compare groups of up to nine objects
To subtract numbers from six and seven
To subtract numbers from eight
To subtract numbers from nine
TO subtract numbers from ten

SCIENCE

Students explore all of the different shapes of the Moon that can appear on different nights. In the activity, My Moon Book, students observe photos of the Moon taken over the course of four weeks and draw pictures of the Moon's phases in their book. They use these observations to discover patterns in how the Moon’s shape changes and predict when the next full moon will appear.

RELIGION

To demonstrate sharing a sign of peace
To tell that Jesus brings us God the Father’s gift of peace
To explain that the Holy Spirit brings us God the Father’s gift of peace
To define Holy Spirit and Trinity

Week at a Glance

ELA

To practice correct letter formation
To practice sound recognition
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To understand the concept of consonant digraph, keywords and sounds: wh, ch, sh, th, ck
To read and spell trick words: to, into
To generate questions about My Librarian Is a Camel
To create a complete declarative sentence
To ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in My Librarian Is a Camel
To develop vocabulary knowledge of the word remote and mobile

MATH

To draw a diagram to solve problems
To compare groups of up to nine objects
To subtract numbers from four and five

SCIENCE

Students explore all of the different shapes of the Moon that can appear on different nights. In the activity, My Moon Book, students observe photos of the Moon taken over the course of four weeks and draw pictures of the Moon's phases in their book. They use these observations to discover patterns in how the Moon’s shape changes and predict when the next full moon will appear.

RELIGION

To demonstrate sharing a sign of peace
To tell that Jesus brings us God the Father’s gift of peace
To explain that the Holy Spirit brings us God the Father’s gift of peace
To define Holy Spirit and Trinity

Week at a Glance

ELA

To practice correct letter formation
To practice sound recognition
To segment and spell three- sound short vowel words
To write a complete sentence using capital letters and punctuation
To understand the concept of consonant digraph, keywords and sounds: wh, ch, sh, th, ck
To read and spell trick words: as, has, to, into
To retell Waiting for the Biblioburro including key details about characters, settings, and major events
To ask and answer questions about key vocabulary in Waiting for the Biblioburro
To add -ed to verbs to make them past tense

MATH

To write subtraction number sentences
To subtract 0 or find a difference of 0
To subtract across and down
To draw a diagram to solve problems
To compare groups of up to nine objects

SCIENCE

Arushi wonders why she has to go to bed while the sun is still up, and learns that the sun stays up longer on some days than others. The lesson includes a short exercise where students get moving by acting out a bedtime routine.

RELIGION

To tell that God is Father to all of us
To explain that we show love for one another in many ways
To identify the Bible as God’s message to us
To tell that God the Father sent his only Son, Jesus, to teach us how much God loves us
To define Bible, Jesus, Scripture, Word of God