My philosophy of teaching is “to learn is to do”. I am a believer of sensory learning and I believe that all senses need to be engaged to make learning possible for everyone.

Educational Objectives

Bible: A survey of the Old Testament. Beginning with Genesis students will gain a clearer perspective of how the stories of the Old Testament fit together into one pattern.

Math: To not be afraid of math and to be competent in mental math.

Spelling: Weekly spelling tests to develop spelling and vocabulary skills.

Shurley English: Review and introduction of new skills to develop students grammar.

Reading: Continuing to develop fluency and comprehension through a variety of literature. Students should be reading outside of school at least 25 minutes each day.

Science: To love science. To be an observer of their world. Experience hands on labs.

History: To love history and know that if you learn about it you won’t be destined to repeat it. Illinois History is this year’s focus.

Writing: To be able to write in an interesting and organized way. Ability to understand the parts of a paper and how to outline.

Activities

      Our 5^th graders do LOTS of field trips. A few of the trips they go on are to the Pumpkin Works, George Rogers Clark, Walking field trips, Swope Art Gallery, Terre Haute Theatre, Hutsonville Encampment, Springfield, IL, and whatever else we can find that helps the students learn from their environment.

Daily Schedule

          8:30 – 8:45 ————————————————– Opening

          8:45 – 9:00 ————————————————– Manners (Midgett)

          9:00 – 10:10 ———————————————— Art (T) Adams

          9:00 – 9:15 ————————————————– Writing (M,W,Th,F)(Midgett)

          9:15 – 10:10 ———————————————— Math (M,W,Th,F) (Midgett)

          10:10 – 10:25 ———————————————– Recess

          10:30 – 11:00 ———————————————–History (M,T,W,F) (Midgett)

          10:30 – 11:30 ———————————————– Science Lab (Th) (Midgett)

          11:00 – 11:30 ———————————————– Science (M,T,W,F) (Midgett)

          11:30 – 11:50 ———————————————– Lunch

          11:50 – 12:20 ———————————————– Recess

          12:30 – 1:00 ————————————————- Spelling (M) (Kartawich)

                                                                                    Shurley (T) (Kartawich)

                                                                                    Reading (Th) (Kartawich)

          12:30 – 1:15 ————————————————- Spelling (W, F) (Kartawich)

          1:00 – 1:45 ————————————————— Reading (M) (Kartawich)

          1:00 – 1:30 ————————————————— Reading (T) (Kartawich)

          1:30 – 2:00 ————————————————— Computer (T) (Adams)

          1:15 – 2:00 ————————————————— Reading (W) (Kartawich)

          1:00 – 2:00 ————————————————— Computer (Th) (Adams)

          1:15 – 2:00 ————————————————— Bible (F) (Kartawich)

          1:45 – 2:30 ————————————————— Shurley (M) (Kartawich)

          2:00 – 3:00 ————————————————— Chapel (T)

          2:00 – 2:30 ————————————————— Music (W) (Piersall)

          2:30 – 2:50 ————————————————— Shurley (W) (Kartawich)

          2:00 – 2:30 ————————————————— Shurley (Th) (Kartawich)

          2:30 – 2:50 ————————————————— Bible (Th) (Kartawich)

          2:00 – 2:15 ————————————————— Break (F)

          2:15 – 2:45 ————————————————— P.E. (F)

          2:45 ———————————————————— Switch Classes

          2:50 – 3:00 ————————————————— Final Instructions

          3:00 – 3:10 ————————————————— Clean up & Dismissal

About the Teacher

    Mrs. Vanessa Midgett has been teaching for 15 years and has been teaching at NHCS for 13 of those years. She has a AA & AS from Lincoln Trail College, a BSed and a MSed from EIU and will soon be working on her Phd!

    Mrs. Midgett has been married to her husband Les for 33 years. She has 3 children, Paula in FL, Matt in Champaign, IL and Janna in Chicago, IL. She also has 3 grandchildren, Holly, Alison and one on the way, Parker due in April ‘09. In her spare time she enjoys pets, reading, cooking, decorating, learning and spending time with her grandchildren.

    Mrs. Midgett is very active in our school and in the community. She is the leader of the NHCS Science Club and is very involved in our reading nights and events. She is a member of Highland Church of Christ and is involved in Small Group Bible Study there. She is a member and the Board Secretary of the Illinois Reading Association and a member of the National Science Teachers Association. She likes to take additional college classes to expand her knowledge. Currently she is taking a Spanish class at LTC.

    Mrs. Midgett’s personal philosophy about being a teacher:

I Believe …………

                                                That teaching is not just a career but a lifestlye. I am an example to my students whether positive or negative. What I do and say both in my professional and personal life is weighed in the minds of my students.

    That students placed under my care are placed there by God. I do not believe in coincidence. I believe God is in all things.

    That the atmosphere of the school is set by the principal and the atmosphere of the classroom is set by the teacher.

    That all students, regardless of strengths or weaknesses, can achieve great and wonderful things. As their teacher, it is my job to guide them in a way that will bring out their greatest strengths.

    That children and teachers should be allowed to make mistakes. This is how learning takes place. School is the learning lab for life. Mistakes are an important part of learning.

    That the best and most concrete way to teach is through experience. A child will learn and remember more if the subject matter is made real to them.

                        And………..

    That long after a teacher has passed on, they continue to live through the hearts and dreams of their students. It is a cycle of knowledge.

Vanessa Midgett