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

5th Grade- FTM Escape Room

Students started the week out by participating in a Freak the Mighty Escape room. They were then given the challenge to create their own FTM escape room and have their classmates try and escape!

NWEA Testing

Reading NWEA testing will begin next week during regular reading class time.
 
6th Grade
107: Wed 1/15 & Fri 1/17
109: Tue 1/14 & Thur 1/16
 
4th & 5th Grade
Thur 1/16 & Fri 1/17

4th Grade Responding to Text Practice

4th graders work hard in groups to respond to text dependent prompts and then help provide constructive criticism to their classmates to help improve their responses!

Don't Forget!

Picture Day is Wednesday, October 2nd!
 
Make sure to check the JR MS REMINDERS page for other important links, news & updates!  

BOY NWEA Testing

We will be taking our beginning of the year NWEA testing next week during regular reading class time on the following days:
  • 6th Grade: 107 Mon. 9/23 & 109 Tues 9/24
  • 5th Grade: Thur 9/26-Fri 9/27
  • 4th Grade: Thur 9/26-Fri 9/27

The PARCC test in Illinois has been replaced by the The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) for students in grades 3-8. The computer adaptive assessment measures the same Illinois Learning Standards test content and mimics the format as its predecessor while reducing testing time by one-third. Please click here to access a parent letter and learn more from CPS.
 
We will begin IAR testing in your child's homeroom Monday, April 1st from 8-11 AM and it will continue until Wednesday, April 3rd. Please help make sure that your child arrives to school each day on time and is well rested.  Thank You!

6th grade student uses quotes from our text to help illustrate imagery used in our novel, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.  
6th grade students engage in learning stations to develop background knowledge about the Holocaust before starting their new novel, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.