Katherine Cooper » Mrs. Cooper's Bio

Mrs. Cooper's Bio

My name is Katherine Cooper and I will be the 5th Grade Room 107 Homeroom teacher and 5th Grade Literacy & Social Studies teacher this year!  These are my favorite subjects to teach so I'm excited to share my passion with my students.  This is my 21st year teaching in Chicago Public Schools and my 17th year at Decatur!  I have taught everything from 1st to 8th grade but have found that intermediate grade level is the perfect sweet spot.  I received my undergraduate degree from DePauw University in Elementary Education and History.  Later I attended DePaul University and received my master's degree as a Reading Specialist with a focus in learning disabilities.  I'm excited to be utilizing my background in both history and literacy in my classroom on a daily basis!  I live in Ukrainian Village with my husband and 2 kids, John & Gia, whom I hope will attend Decatur one day! When I'm not teaching, you can catch me chasing after my kids, doing something crafty like needlepoint or crochet or chilling on the couch with my favorite drink, a McDonald's Diet Coke!

 

If you need to get in touch with me, the best way to contact me is through my email ([email protected]). Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have! I do my best to answer emails in 48 hours.

 

 

Posts

We build classroom community by finding ways to connect to each other during our hexagonal thinking SEL activity!
Students use text evidence to draw a detailed setting map of our novel, The Eyes and the Impossible. We are loving our novel study!
Students analyzed images from a personal narrative story that we read this week.  They looked at how images helped convey meaning to the text. Working in small group, students became experts on their images and explained their thinking to other student groups. 
We helped review class/school routines & expectations by working in small groups to create posters to display in our room as ongoing reminders for us throughout the year.

CPS Sexual Health Education

This school year, your child will receive Sexual Health Education as required by the CPS Sexual Health Education Policy. The purpose of this education is to build a foundation of knowledge and skills for all students so that they can make the right choices for themselves now and in the future. This curriculum will also give our students important tools to recognize and report inappropriate behavior in order to keep them safe

  • The lessons, including brief descriptions, for each grade can be found in the Scope and Sequence.  
  • More details about what your child will learn can be found under “Parent/Guardian Resources” on the CPS website.
  • At Decatur we will teach the curriculum between April 2-11 in Science class. 

In alignment with Illinois law, “No student shall be required to take or participate in any class or course in comprehensive personal health and safety and comprehensive sexual health education. A student's parent or guardian may opt the student out [of this education] by submitting the request in writing.” (105 ILCS 110/3). No student with a written parental objection will be penalized for refusal to participate in any such course.

  • If you would like to have your child excused from participation in one, some, or all lessons outlined above, please let your homeroom teacher know in writing.
  • If you would like to have your child participate in this education, no further action is required.

Attention 4th Grade Families!
Here is a list of activities that you can do with your child at home to support their word work study in school.  Check their backpacks for word lists/sorts coming home with your child.

Title IX and Bias-based Behavior Student Training

The District’s Office of Student Protection and Title IX’s includes providing training on preventing and reporting abuse to all Pre-K-12 CPS students.  5th grade will be participating in this training during ELA time on Friday, November 8th.