TEACHER:
Ms. Harkin
SCHOOL:
St. John Catholic School
CLASSES:
First Grade: Blue class and Purple class
SCHOOL PHONE:
843-9511
My name is Lisa Harkin. I am a central Iowa native and a graduate
of Iowa State University. I've taught first grade for the past twelve years
at St. John, and previously taught fourth grade as well as seventh, eighth
and ninth grade students. Mrs. Shoulberg, my first grade co-teacher, has
taught school for more than 40 years. Between the two of us we have over 56
years of teaching experience!
I have three great kids of my own. Two who graduated from St. John,
and a son who is currently a third grader at St. John School.
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with your children. Thank
you for sharing them with me!
In our first grade classrooms we have a mix of active children who
love school and are eager to learn about their world. I team teach ½ of the
first grade subjects. My subject areas are: math, science, and social
studies. I see each first grade class for about ½ the morning and again for
about ½ the afternoon. Mrs. Shoulberg, my co-teacher, teaches the other
academic areas of reading, language arts, and religion.
One thing that is a very important part of our philosophy of teaching
and instruction in first grade at St. John School is the recognition that
children are each where they belong. We want to meet them in that place and
gently move them forward. We ask parents to encourage any progress,
however small it may be. Children put themselves down so easily when they
start comparing themselves to other children. We ask our parents to assist
us in teaching them that we all develop at different paces and that doing
their very best is what is important.
For the social studies curriculum, we study maps, geography, families,
neighborhoods, communities, careers, needs and wants, American history, US
symbols, holiday customs, and citizenship. The series is called "My World".
I supplement the social studies series with lessons about famous Americans.
In science we learn about plants, life cycles of living things, animal homes
and habitats, weather, technology, health and personal care, safety, and the
scientific method for exploration.
Our math curriculum follows the Kansas state math standards using the
Houghton Mifflin series. Each math lesson is identified, aligned and
coordinated to teach the First Grade Kansas Mathematical Standards. I use
FlashMaster as a supplement to teach addition and subtraction facts.
The students use a variety of manipulatives to gain hands on experience in
order to learn and practice concepts we are studying. We use blocks,
centimeter cubes, penny counters, pattern blocks, multilinks, geofix forms,
pentominoes, geoboards, and all sorts of materials for hands-on learning. We
study geometry, patterns, place value, money, time, measurement, fractions,
probability, estimation and graphs. Besides our regular math work, the
children also take home optional homework pages.
I feel blessed to be a part of such a nurturing and loving school
environment with a dedication to spirituality and academic excellence.
Please come and visit!
-Ms.Harkin