CT 803 Draft Letter Option 1 Lofflin

Welcome
back to
Hillcrest
Elementary
5th Grade!
Where the world goes to school
Quick Teacher Facts
Bachelor of Science in
Newswriting, University
of Kansas, 1994
Bachelor of Science in
Photojournalism,
University of Kansas,
1994
Teacher Certification,
Ottawa University,
2011
ESL Endorsement, 2013
Currently a Graduate
Student in Curriculum
and Teaching at the
University of Kansas
My name is Ms. Heather Lofflin and this will be my 11th

year as an educator, sixth year as a classroom
teacher. Before coming to teaching, I worked as a
journalist and photographer at a community

newspaper in Kansas City, Mo., and was an at-home
mom for eight years. Both of my children attended
Hillcrest Elementary, so I have not only experienced
this school as a teacher, but as a parent, as well. I am excited to be your
students fifth-grade teacher!
We have many engaging activities planned for your learner, and I would
like to take a moment to explain how our fifth-grade classrooms work.
Here are some important points to note:
We strive to provide Differentiated Instruction for all learners. This

means not all students will be working on the same exact activities
at the same time. We will provide multiple ways to meet the same
goals that honor each students ability level, interests, background,
strengths, and challenges. In this way, differentiation is studentdriven, rather than teacher-driven. You may also hear this referred
to as personalized learning in our building.
We are a Blended Learning grade level. This is a strategy for

differentiation. Blended Learners have access to technology and
resources so they can often work at their own pace and direct their
own learning. This includes students working individually, in partners,
or with small groups, often coaching each other to learn concepts.
This blends with the more traditional style of whole-group, paperpencil instruction.
With such a diverse school community some 40 different countries

and multiple languages can be found here we strive to provide
students with choices in their schoolwork that will allow them to
connect to their personal experiences, cultures, communities, and
values.
While there will be an emphasis placed on meeting students at their

individual academic levels, particularly in math and reading, we do
not wish to rush students through the curriculum. We would rather
provide students at all levels with challenging activities to deepen
their understanding of standards.
As part of Blended Learning, students have access to an online

resource called Blackboard, which can be accessed from home
using individual usernames and passwords, By now, most students
have these memorized, yet they will also be written in their planners
so parents know them, as well.
At any time you can access this information to see what activities
and standards students are working on in math or content areas. If
you do not have computer access at home, feel free to contact
me to get an update on activities. Bb can also be downloaded as
an app to your cell phone.
If you were to visit our classroom, heres an example of what you may see:
Students are learning health concepts related to disease, both what it is scientifically and
how to avoid being sick. They will present what they have learned to the class.
Chaz and Emilio both have a cold, and decide they are interested in how they got sick
and how to prevent this in the future. They decide to team up as partners and research
the common cold. They are reading and taking notes from their textbook, as well as
online resources. They decide to create a model showing how germs enter the body.
They are in one corner of the room practicing their presentation to be given to the class.
Thalia doesnt particularly like talking in front of the whole group, although she does like
writing. She has a good friend with diabetes and wants to know more about it. At one
point, she visits the school nurse and interviews her about the subject. She is going to
create a PowerPoint to show what she has learned, and record a narration to go over
the slides. The teacher will upload her project to Blackboard so students can watch and
listen to it on headphones.
Beck and Cindy are both sports fanatics. They are interested in what diseases are
common in professional sports players. They decide to research concussions. They create
a poster that shows the proper ways and improper ways to perform certain football and
soccer moves. Along with presenting the information,
they plan a demonstration as well, and practice the
moves on the playground at recess.

CT 803 Draft Letter Option 1 Lofflin

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Welcome

Quick Teacher Facts

My name is Ms. Heather Lofflin and this will be my 11th

We strive to provide Differentiated Instruction for all learners. This

We are a Blended Learning grade level. This is a strategy for

With such a diverse school community some 40 different countries

While there will be an emphasis placed on meeting students at their

As part of Blended Learning, students have access to an online

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