Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Behavior: K/1 students focus on being respectful, responsible, and safe as part of Livin’ It at Lincoln Prairie. Our goal is to foster a community of learners who are kind, thoughtful, accepting, and helpful. We take time to model, role play, provide positive reinforcement, and learn through SEL (social emotional learning) lessons of expected behaviors. We also teach students ways to regulate their bodies and emotions and positive ways to problem solve.
Homework: Students receive a monthly literacy calendar focusing on various reading and writing activities. The purpose of this calendar is to find fun ways to incorporate literacy at home and build a love for reading. Throughout the year, activities are also sent home to reinforce the math skills that have been taught.
Communication: To ensure student success, we know it is important to have open communication and a partnership with parents. We provide weekly emails which include academic updates, upcoming dates/events, and any other important information. We are also always available to share about your child’s progress and happenings at school.
2nd and 3rd Grade
Behavior– Students are expected to make good choices that allow them to be Responsible, Respectful, and Safe throughout the school day. Appropriate behaviors are modeled and practiced throughout the school year. Students may receive behavior praise awards, stickers, positive recognition, etc. when making good choices. If a student needs reminders when not being responsible, respectful, or safe, a behavior reflection sheet may be sent home. This provides the 2/3 students the opportunity to think about choices that were made and what could be done differently next time.
Homework– Students are expected to read for a minimum of 20 minutes at home each day. In addition, math homework is typically given as well. 2/3 students do use a homework chart, which is located in the Home folder. This is the communication tool that is used so that parents know which math pages their child needs to complete each day.
Missing Homework– If students do not complete homework it is expected that they are caught up by the next math class. If a pattern of missing homework is observed then students may be asked to catch up during an alternative time and parents may be contacted.
Recognitions:Students may receive behavior praise awards to recognize responsible, respectful, and safe behavior. They may receive these for being positive role models and leaders as well. Throughout the year Lincoln Prairie may also provide whole-school opportunities to earn Caught You tickets or similar awards as well.
Instruction: Students receive instruction from a variety of teachers on the 2/3 team. For example, math instruction is by grade level. Students are placed in one of the classrooms for either 2nd or 3rd grade math. Flexible groupings of students are consistently utilized by the 2/3 team in all subject areas in order to best meet the variety of learning needs of all students.
Communication: Email updates are sent to parents often. This communication includes information about academic lessons, upcoming dates, and other important timely news. Teachers can always be reached via email, telephone, or handwritten notes.
4th and 5th Grade
Behavior – Students are expected to Live By the Keys throughout the building. If a student is having difficulty making choices that positively impact their learning or the learning of surrounding students, this student is asked to “Step Out” and reflect on classroom behavior with the teacher. The 4/5 Teachers work collaboratively with CST, administration, and families in order to best support students’ social and emotional well being.
Missing Work – Points are deducted every day for late assignments. When the assignment has been missing for a week, it is automatically entered as a 40% in the gradebook. For everyday absent, students get an extra day to turn in the work with no penalty.
Recognitions – Students are recognized informally by peers, teachers, and administrators throughout the day. “Caught Ya” tickets are given when students are being safe, respectful, and responsible. Students can give and receive Over and Above recognitions at our monthly Whole School Meetings.
Instruction – Students receive instruction from a variety of teachers on the 4/5 team. For example, math instruction is by grade level. Students are placed in one of the classrooms for either 4th or 5th grade math. Flexible groupings of students are consistently utilized by the 4/5 team and instructional support staff in the areas of math and literacy to best meet the variety of learning needs of all students.
Communication – The 4/5 Teachers send a weekly newsletter via email to families. Teachers can be reached via email or telephone.
Middle Level (6th, 7th and 8th Grades):
Schedule – Each student in Middle Level has access to a variety of enriching experiences through core classes, acceleration, and exploratories. Students rotate through 7 class periods every day, as well as Project Development Time (PDT), Neighborhood, Whole School Meeting on specific Wednesdays and Fridays throughout each month. Students also have study hall and lunch every day.
Core Classes – Science, Math, and Humanities (a double class period of Language Arts and Social Studies) are the core classes. District curriculum is used and essential outcomes apply.
Exploratories – Students may have, but are not limited to, the following course selections: Band, Orchestra, Choir, three levels of Spanish, Media, Makerspace, FUSE, STEM, and Art. Exploratory classes are scheduled based upon skill development and interest.
FAME = Fitness, Arts, Media, and Español.
We are a group of specialists that have the great opportunity to teach children about our own personal best intelligence. We are lucky to work at a school that welcomes the multiple intelligences and creates an environment for students to grow in all of the specialty areas, whether that is music, art, language, fitness, or technology.
Acceleration – All Middle Level students participate in Acceleration every day. This class period occurs either before or after their P.E. class. Middle Level teachers work with your child to reteach, solidify skills, and/or extend their learning in math, reading and writing throughout the year.
Study Hall – All students have 20 minutes of study hall work time every day. This takes place the first half of the lunch period. The expectation is for students to work on schoolwork or read a book quietly during this time. Students are also able to make an appointment to meet with a teacher if needed.
Lunch – We do not have a central lunchroom at Lincoln Prairie. Students eat in their assigned Middle Level classroom during lunch time.
Advisory – Students meet in a group with a consistent teacher throughout the year for the purposes of information sharing, relationship building, and attendance. There is a short class period every Wednesday morning to connect with students, address social emotional needs/situations, prepare for student-led conferences, etc. Your child’s Advisory teacher is their homeroom teacher.
Behavior Expectations – Middle Level students are expected to follow the same school wide expectations as other grade levels: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. Students are expected to follow the 8 Keys of Excellence in all areas of the school as part of Livin’ It at Lincoln Prairie. Middle Level teachers work collaboratively with administration, families, and CST to support each child individually. If a student needs reminders when not being respectful, responsible, or safe, they may serve a lunch detention to complete a behavior reflection with a teacher. Parents will be notified of any lunch detentions served. Multiple lunch detentions will result in a Behavior Action Plan to address individual behavior needs.
Technology – All Middle Level students will receive a District 54 issued Chromebook, charger, and case for schoolwork purposes. Students are expected to adhere to the Digital Citizenship training and be respectful, responsible, and safe with all technology.
Homework & Missing Assignments – All students are expected to complete homework assignments and projects by the assigned due date. Students with an accumulation of 3 or more missing assignments by each Friday at 3:35 PM will attend a structured study hall/lunch the following week to work with Middle Level teachers and catch up on their work. Students with 5 or more missing assignments will be ineligible for the week and will not be able to participate in clubs, sports, or extracurricular activities. Our goal is for students to develop good work habits and complete assignments on time.
Lincoln Prairie