About Ms. Berg: In 2004, I graduated from college with a degree in Art Studio from Concordia University. I studied painting, pottery, and photography. Following college, I worked as a clerk in a school beginning in 2006. There, I decided to return to college to get my teaching degree. I received my teaching license in 2011 from Augsburg College. I joined The Heights Community School in January, 2017 (the 2016/17 school year), teaching 3^rd grade. I began teaching 4th grade beginning the 2018-2019 school year. I received my Masters Degree in differentiated instruction in 2020 from Concordia University. I came back to teach 3rd grade in 2020 during and after distance learning. I taught 5th grade for the first time in 2021/22 and continued in 2022/23. I'm glad to be teaching 5th grade again for the 2023/2024 school year.

My Interests: I love to read mystery and suspense, play at the beach or pool with my children, draw, write, paint (creative stuff), watch movies and shows, cook (I LOVE being in the kitchen), and play with my son and daughter.

This year, 5th graders will strengthen multiplication facts, addition and subtraction of multi-digit numbers using regrouping (carrying and borrowing), work with geometry, fractions, and division concepts. Learning long division is a big part of 5th grade. We also learn important algebraic concepts, with a focus on getting ready to be 6th graders. 6th grade requires a lot of work in and out of school. I will assign homework weekly and I feel it is a good idea to get into the habit of doing homework and studying for tests, although the homework will not count toward their grade. 

In literacy, we constantly work to increase fluency in reading, discussing various aspects of literacy through a variety of rich texts and author studies. In writing we will research topics, write opinion pieces, write essays, and write narratives.

Students will get folders with communication from the school community. Scholars are expected to read for 20-30 minutes a night and keep a reading log to record pages. There will also be some math homework corresponding to what unit we are working on. This will be due the following week and it is expected that the scholars work on it for 15 minutes each night. I differentiate homework for each student and welcome you to help your scholar at home. I also use Schoology classroom online and students can find links and resources there.

I welcome parents and guardians to contact me or come and visit the classroom anytime. As a community school, I encourage you as members of the community to come and get to know the students' learning community. 

The Heights Community School welcomes parent volunteers. Please contact Julie Wellman, our school parent coordinator, at 651-293-8815 or julie.wellman@spps.org, if you are interested in volunteering.