Embedded Files
PARK HILL ELEMENTARY
Upcoming events
Upcoming events
9/1 Labor Day - No School
9/1 Labor Day - No School
9/16 & 9/17 Picture Days
9/16 & 9/17 Picture Days
Order here: mylifetouch.com
Individual photos: EVT8P9V6K Class photo code: EVT6MRHRH
9/18 Dazzle Jazz Field Trip
9/18 Dazzle Jazz Field Trip
9/19 Movie Night
9/19 Movie Night
9/22 Teacher Planning Day, no school
9/22 Teacher Planning Day, no school
What we are learning...
What we are learning...
Literacy: Unit 1 Classic Tales
Literacy: Unit 1 Classic Tales
Unit Summary
Students explore classic tales from different parts of the world, including The Wind in the Willows, Alice in Wonderland, and “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.” They study character development, themes, and narrative perspective, and they write text-based opinion paragraphs about characters and themes.
Language
Students review significant foundational skills, including short and long vowel sounds, r-controlled vowels, /er/ and its spelling, and syllables with ‘le.
Math: Unit 1 Introducing Multiplication
Math: Unit 1 Introducing Multiplication
Unit Learning Goals
Students represent and solve multiplication problems through the context of picture and bar graphs that represent categorical data.
In this unit, students interpret and represent data on scaled picture graphs and scaled bar graphs. Then, they learn the concept of multiplication.
This is the first of four units that focus on multiplication. In this unit, students explore scaled picture graphs and bar graphs as an entry point for learning about equal-size groups and multiplication.
In grade 2, students analyzed picture graphs in which one picture represented one object and bar graphs that were scaled by single units. Here, students encounter picture graphs in which each picture represents more than one object and bar graphs that were scaled by 2 or 5 units. The idea that one picture can represent multiple objects helps to introduce the idea of equal-sized groups.
Students learn that multiplication can mean finding the total number of objects in groups of objects each, and can be represented by. They then relate the idea of equal groups and the expression to the rows and columns of an array. In working with arrays, students begin to notice the commutative property of multiplication.
Later in the unit, students see situations in which the total number of objects is known but either the number of groups or the size of each group is not known. Problems with a missing factor offer students a preview of division.
Science: Balancing Forces
Science: Balancing Forces
Students, taking on the role of student scientists, are challenged to figure out how a floating train works in order to explain it to the citizens of Faraday. People in Faraday are excited to hear that a new train service will be built for their city, but are concerned when they hear that it will be a floating train. Students develop models of how the train rises, floats, and then falls back to the track, and then write an explanation of how the train works.
Our team
Our team
Hi I'm Katie Main, I teach reading and writing. I love seeing students be creative and accomplish their goals. My passion is in reading and writing instruction so students have the tools they need to do anything they dream of. With the gift of literacy, the sky's the limit.
I'm originally from Davis, California. I earned my undergraduate degree from UC Santa Barbara and the my masters in Elementary Education from MSU. I recently completed my EdS in Educational Leadership.
Before working in the Denver Public Schools, I was a children's ski instructor in Steamboat Springs, CO. I still love going up to the mountains every chance I can, especially with my dog Libby. I also love traveling to new and exciting places.
"The more you read, more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go" - Dr. Seuss
Hello! I'm Meredith Strumor and this is my 9th year teaching at Park Hill Elementary and 16th year overall. I will be teaching math and science this year.
I love working with students and strive to support them in reaching their goals and aspirations.
Hello! My name is Heather Brulet, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Park Hill community as a new third grade teacher! I recently earned my Master’s in Education with a specialization in reading, and I had the wonderful opportunity to complete both my student teaching and reading intervention internship right here at Park Hill. I’m so excited to continue my journey with this amazing school and can’t wait to dive into a fantastic year of learning with my third graders!
I absolutely love living in Denver with my husband and our son, who’s heading into sixth grade. I earned my undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University—Go Pack!—and while most of my family still lives in North Carolina, Colorado has truly become home.
Outside the classroom, I’m passionate about the outdoors and enjoy hiking, backpacking, camping, international travel, and gardening. I’m committed to creating a warm, inclusive, and engaging classroom where every student feels supported, valued, and excited to learn each day.
I’m so happy to be part of the Park Hill team and look forward to a wonderful school year ahead!
Hi! I'm Beth Connelly and this is my 28th year as an educator and my 15th year at Park Hill. Prior to moving to Denver in 2001, I taught in Minneapolis for 3 years. I've been teaching in DPS ever since.
My son, Kiran, will be in 10th grade at Northfield High School.
My husband Rob, Kiran and I spend a lot of our time outdoors enjoying the beauty of our state. As a family we love to mountain bike, ski and take our dog Gracie out for adventures.
My favorite aspects of teaching are developing positive relationships with students and their families as well as working together to help all students succeed!
I'm Lori Gates and this is my 21st year as a classroom teacher. I moved to Park Hill in 2002. I then became a Paraprofessional here, and then got my teaching license at Stanley British. I taught 4th grade in Aurora for 10 years and then transitioned "home" to Park Hill in 2015.
I was in the Music Business (publicity, artist relations, promotions, product manager) in SF, LA and Denver (KBCO and e-Town) for 15 years in the '80s and '90s.
I'm a 4th generation San Franciscan, but also lived in Los Angeles, London and just outside of NYC (also called New Jersey). So glad to still have my roots firmly planted in Park Hill where I live and work.
Traveling is a big part of my life. Just back from London, Amsterdam and a 13-day safari adventure in Kenya.
Ms. Shomaker
Ms. Shomaker
Hello. My name is Leslie Shomaker and I am part of the 3rd grade team and also work as a Math Intervention teacher for grades 2-5. I have been teaching for over 20 years and have been part of the Park Hill community on and off since 2012. I love teaching math and molding the minds of students and getting them excited about Math.
In my free time I love to travel and spend time with my family. I have two sons, Matthew who attends University of Colorado in Boulder and Ryan who is a junior at East High School.
Ms. Amanda
Ms. Amanda
I'm Amanda Leib, and I am a paraprofessional in the third grade. I started working at Park Hill in January of 2022. It's extra special to be back at Park Hill, because I went to Park Hill for elementary school!
I am known for my love of Halloween, cats, and anything purple. I love getting to know the new third graders each year, talking to them about their favorite books and movies, and supporting them in the classroom. Outside of school I love reading, vintage and antique shopping, making art, and watching movies.
Ms. Christina
Ms. Christina
Hi, I am Christina McNamara and I am a paraprofessional with the 3rd grade team. I was born and raised in Denver, then lived in Brooklyn for many years, then moved back to Colorado in 2018. Prior to joining the Park Hill team, I was working as a professional actor and teaching artist, and I continue to teach theatre classes and workshops at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Before that I was a publicist at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for the Education and Humanities programming.
I also am a mom to two Park Hill kids, one in 4th grade and the other in kindergarden. I have loved joining the Park Hill community in a more hands-on fashion where I get to engage in the school community, get to know the kids even better, and use my skills and experience to serve the team.
My favorite thing to do is swim–pools, lakes, oceans, kiddie pools, I’m not picky. Beyond that, as a family, we love to travel, spend time with friends and family, play games, ski, hike, and ride bikes.
Resources
Resources
Use the links below to easily connect to additional sites, parent sites, and extension ideas for students.
Extra Practice and Extension Sites
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