Have an amazing winter break!

We cannot wait to see you in 2012.  The entire staff at Country Meadows

wishes your family a wonderful time together.  We love when the students come back

with so many stories about the rest, relaxation, and fabulous times with 

family and friends.  We plan to make this time together memorable and hope you do too!

Happy Holidays-

The Country Meadows Staff

Mark your calendars!

4th Grade Parents are invited to math night on January 11th from 7pm until 8pm at Prairie School.  Click on this link for more information:  PARENTS OF 4TH-GRADERS MATH NIGHT

Friday, December 8th

Sneak Peek

Enjoy this sneak peek of our upcoming music concert!  We hope that you can come even if you do not have a 4th or 5th grader.  The first video highlights our students using green screen technology! At the concert, you'll also see student created digital back-drops such as the second example below.  It is truly going to be amazing.  We hope to see you on Wednesday Night starting at 6:30pm!

Reminder about the iLab...

Students continue to master learning targets through creative technology!  Make sure you ask your student about his/her time in the iLab.  Below, you see examples of student work completed in the iLab.  Have your student take a look to see if it is his or hers!  We are so proud to showcase the integration of technology, literacy, and science or social studies.  

What’s in the iLab?

Through the generous donation from the PTO, the iLab is equipped with 14 new iPad2s and cases for protection.  Through District 96 funds, we have added 10 laptop computers and 9 iPod Touches.  Students will also be using an LCD projector complete with an interactive whiteboard.  We also have access to various cameras for still and video images.  We have added a green screen!  The iLab is located in the center of the building, in front of the Learning Resource Center, also known as the former computer lab. 

How will the ilab be used?

Mrs. Angel (Information Communication Technology Literacy Director) and Mr. Hanrahan (Technology Integration Specialist) are working in tandem to enhance our students’ learning through this experience.  Both are familiar with each grade levels’ targets that are being instructed in literacy, science, and social studies.  Mrs. Angel works with these targets during Learning Resource instruction. During this time, she provides a heavy emphasis on navigating informational text integrating science and social studies targets, research, and project creation for communication purposes.  Using various technologies, students begin work with Mrs. Angel and then continue this workshop during their time in the iLab, which can also expand to the classroom.  Mr. Hanrahan provides creative support to teachers in implementing this technology  in classrooms.  Ask your child about having worked with Mr. Hanrahan.  

All in all, the students will spend this time each work acquiring 21^st Century Learning Skills and continue a rigorous acquisition of science and social studies targets.  The iLab is also a space that classroom teachers can bring students to work.  Further, all of this technology is available for teachers to check-out to use in the classroom as a tool as well.  Continue to ask your student about using these tools as the school year continues. 

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Kathy Angel, Bob Hanrahan or me (Katie Schneider)! 

Friday, December 2nd - WOW, I can't believe it's December!

Hi Families - 

The first light snow indicates that winter is truly, officially here!  Stay warm and please remember that the students go outside for recess each day.  As this year has progressed, I have tried different formats for including information in this blog from bullets to narratives and mid-week postings.  Thank you for your feedback in giving me ideas about what works best for you.   For this week, here are some highlights of the week:

• See below for the schedule of performances tonight at Barnes and Noble in Lincolnshire.

• Today was Dessert Day - YUM!  

• If you missed the report card night hosted by the district and still have questions, click here for the Report Card Podcast complete with teacher testimonial.

• Superintendent of Schools, Julie Schmidt, visited with us this week.  She attended music class this week, our staff meeting on Tuesday, and spent informal time with staff today.  We love that she is so connected to the amazing things happening at Country Meadows.  

• All classrooms received wonderful notes from me about the fabulous learning that has been occurring.  Ask your child about my visit this week!  From preparing for the 4th and 5th grade musical in art and music, to bowling in gym, and including great learning in the classrooms, it's been an amazing week watching the students work.

• Lisa Zimmerman, our math specialist, hosted a math night for our parents to practice our 2nd grade focus algorithms as well as give advice about supporting math learning at home.  Click here for the  presentation.

We loved seeing you at conferences to discuss your child's amazing progress!  Thank you again for attending.  

See you soon!

Katie Schneider