Mary Pat Barmantje

Current Grade/Specialty Area: Kindergarten
Teacher/Staff At OLW Since: 1993
Educator Since: 1980
Education: BS in Education from Eastern Illinois University 1980

Email: mbarmantje@olwschool.org School Phone: (847) 255-0050          Voice Mailbox: 303

I am a graduate of Our Lady of the Wayside. My Mom and stepfather taught middle school here for many years. Prior to teaching at Wayside, I taught second grade at Queen of the Rosary in Elk Grove Village. I have taught preschool, kindergarten, first grade and second grade!

Follow me on Twitter: @mpbarjay

Reading Curriculum
Some of the approaches used to teach reading are:

Reading Aloud
Shared Reading
Guided Reading
Independent Reading
Jolly Jingles
Sound Books

The resources we use to teach reading include:
Jolly Phonics
Letter People

Writing Curriculum
Some of the approaches we use to teach writing are:
Shared Writing
Independent Writing
Journal Writing

The resources we use to teach writing include:
Handwriting Without Tears
Jolly Phonics
Whisper Phones
Dry Erase boards
Word Wall

The writing process progresses as follows:
Children begin the writing process by writing random letter to represent words.
He/she starts to notice the beginning sounds in words.
He/she learns to stretch out words to hear beginning, middle, and ending sounds.
When he/she freely uses sounds in writing, we add common word to our word wall and encourage him/her to remember the spelling.

In our Kindergarten class we use “invented spelling” to write the kindergarten way by listening to the sounds that we hear in a word.

Math Curriculum
Graphing
Estimating
Counting
Exploring the meaning of numbers
Problem solving
Sorting
Recognizing patterns

Calendar Time
Finding the date provides practice with number order
Saying the whole date provides practice with ordinal numbers: September 15th
Exploring patterns with the date and the number of days we have been in school
Zero the Hero

Center Time
Manipulatives are used to practice patterning, counting, sorting and free exploration

Religion
Our Religion series is entitled We Believe by Sadlier.  The topics covered are listed in this packet.  They cover a wide range of topics as well as holidays.

The major units include:
God Gives Us Many Gifts
God is Our Creator
Jesus Shows Us God’s Love
Jesus Want Us to Share God’s Love

Social Studies and Science
Social Studies and Science units are thematic.  Some examples of themes studies throughout the year include:
All About Me
Apples
Fall
Pumpkins
Native Americans
Winter
Gingerbread Man
Spring
Butterflies
Plants

Mystery Readers
We have “Mystery Readers” on Fridays.  The Mystery Reader is a parent, grandparent, sibling etc. that reads a story to the class.  It’s a surprise for the children!  You may bring your own book or let us know and we can provide a book for you.   An email reminder will be sent home at the beginning of the week.  We ask that you to send 3 clues about the mystery reader in advance of the scheduled day. On Friday, stop in the office and Mrs. Tiltz will announce you.  If you were unable to sign up at the Open House, let us know and we will give you some available dates.

Birthdays
We do celebrate birthdays.  Mr. Wood will announce the birthday child’s name during morning announcements. The birthday boy/girl does not have to wear their uniform to school on their birthday. Summer birthdays will have a special day to celebrate.  If you would like to send in a treat, please send a non-edible item, such as a pencil, stickers etc. or a classroom gift, such as a favorite book or game.  Please no balloons!  Room 116=#10 / Room 216=#16 / Room 217-#18.

Field Trips
The Grove’s Pumpkin Trail in Glenview
Peggy Notebart Butterfly Museum

Parties
Halloween Party- children wear their costumes to school
Christmas Party
Valentine’s Day Party

Kindergarten Graduation
We celebrate the end of the year at Kindergarten Graduation.  Grandparents and siblings are welcome.  The Kindergartners sing some songs and prayers they have learned throughout the year.  The children receive diplomas.