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Lincoln Prairie School is a primary and middle school located in Hoffman Estates, Cook County, Illinois. Lincoln Prairie is part of School District 54.

History

Lincoln Prairie opened in September 1999 and initially served students from pre-kindergarten to seventh grade. In its second year of operation, the school expanded to include a class of eighth graders. The school was the fruition of two years of collaboration between students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members. Lincoln Prairie was, and still is, the only school of its kind in the district.

Philosophy

Lincoln Prairie is distinguished from the rest of the District 54 schools by its unique philosophy, which results in a unique admissions policy as well. Unlike the rest of the district, wherein geography determines which school one would attend, students from across all of District 54 are eligible for admission to Lincoln Prairie. Children are eligible for a transfer out of their current District 54 schools at any time. Because the school is much smaller than comparable schools in the area, admission is determined by a lottery held in the spring before the following school year. Siblings of current students are automatically admitted.

The School's curriculum is designed to give students real-world experience in working in groups on various projects. As such, few textbooks are utilized, and group projects are instead heavily emphasized. To foster social development, a multi-age system is used as opposed to the traditional K-8 grades. Kindergarten and first-grade students are grouped together, (known as the K-1s), as are the second- and third-graders (2-3s), fourth- and fifth- graders, (4-5s), and sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders (6-7-8s or, more commonly, Middle Level). According to the official website, the school is "focused on the original Greek meaning of school – "discussion" – an exchange of ideas and thoughts among learners".

Curriculum

Lincoln Prairie's curriculum is different for each grade level. Each grade level group learns something different, but at the end of a career at Lincoln Prairie, a student will have covered a great deal in the core subjects of English, History, Math, and Science. In Middle Level, the curriculum is as follows:

• English:

All students in Middle Level are taught what is basically an English class, however it is called Language Arts. The two Language Arts teachers cover a wide range of important topics in the class. Students study in depth grammar, comma usage, roots and prefixes/suffixes, poetry, etc. etc. Several papers are written throughout the year as well, including a Narrative paper, Expository paper, Persuasive paper, and also a Research paper. Also, depending on what is being studied in History or Science, that may also tie in to what will happen in this class. For example, while you are studying the Civil Rights Movement in Humanities, you might also right a research paper on a person or event that was part of that, such as Martin Luther King, Jr.

• History:

All things historical are studied in the class of Humanities. During one's time at Lincoln Prairie, one will study a wide range of significant historical events. What is learned in the class rotates, depending on what was studied in the year previous. Kids learn about mostly American History, including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Industrial Revolution, as well as the Civil Rights Movement. Also studied is World War I and World War II, including the Holocaust, and the Vietnam and Korean wars.

• Math:

The recommendations of your teacher in the year previous to coming to Middle Level determine which Math class you will be part of. The Math classes range from pre-Algebra to Algebra II. The classes mostly follow the book that your class is assigned, give or take some bits here and there. Depending on your class, you may be tested on what you've studied frequently or rarely. Some students are at an intellectual level beyond the other students in the class and as such must take math classes at other Junior Highs nearby.

• Science:

In the Science class, you are always busy. This class has the most projects assigned to demonstrate your knowledge of what was studied. Projects have included making a painted model of a planet to creating a model of a cell out of food. You will learn about all parts of Science, including but not limited to: Astronomy, Chemistry, Genetics, Microscopes and more. There are also many labs which could require a student to complete the Scientific Method about something, or to drawing graphs and displaying your understanding of your assigned work.

In addition, all students have a Gym class that studies Health at one point in the year, and instruction in the Spanish language is offered, but not required. Band and Orchestra are also available.

PDT

One of the most distinctive elements of the LP curriculum is known as Project Development Time, or PDT. These special classes meet twice a week for 4-12 weeks to offer groups of students the chance to intensively study a particular subject of their choosing. Each member of the staff creates their own PDT and presents it at a Whole School Meeting. Past subjects have ranged from stagecraft to criminology to the history of Japan. PDTs generally have the intent of completing a project, be it making a PowerPoint presentation or preparing one aspect of the school play. PDT choices are also created around the theme for that school year. They are also heavily endorsed and supported by staff members.

Extracurricular Activities

Lincoln Prairie offers a wide range of activities available to students of all ages. Past clubs have included:

• Art Helper Club
• Aviation Club
• Child Care Club
• Cooking Club
• Knitting Club
• Spanish Club
• Speed Stacking Club
• 1st Grade Dance Club
• 2/3 Dance Club
• Art Studio
• Art Helpers
• Author Study
• Board Game
• Breakfast with Strawberry Shortcake
• Comedy Club
• Community Book Club
• Crafts! Crafts! Crafts!
• Creative Writing and Literary Magazine
• ER Club…Engineering and Robotics
• Environmental Club
• Fun Foam Creations
• G.E.M.S. (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science)
• Get Going!
• Lads and Dads
• Reflections Lunch Club
• Multicultural Club
• Newspaper
• More Fun with Strawberry Shortcake
• Poetry Club
• Patrols
• Rainy Day Community Service
• Student Council

etc. etc.

Sports

Depending on the season, Lincoln Prairie offers many sports, including:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Cheerleading

Themes

Each year, a conceptual learning theme is selected to provide connections through all learning areas and for all students.

1999-2000:Community

• Musical: The Music Man

2000-2001: Patterns

• Musical: Meet Me in St. Louis

2001-2002: Communication

• LP EXPO:Journey through Communication

2002-2003: Discovery

• Musical: Fiddler on the Roof

2003-2004: Connections

• LP EXPO: A Connection Collection

2004-2005: Diversity

• Musical: Annie

2005-2006:Change

• LP EXPO: A Change Exchange

2006-2007: Opportunity

• Musical: The Wizard of OZ

2007-2008: Balance

• LP EXPO: Balancing Acts

2008-2009: Dedication

• Musical: Oliver

Principals

• Mrs. Jan Jetel (1999-2004)
• Mr. Jake Chung (2004-2008)
• Ms. Amanda Stochl (2008-present)

Notes

1. Keith Ferengul (August 17, 2006). "Lincoln Prairie School Philosophy".

• Educational institutions established in 1999
• Elementary schools in Illinois
• Middle schools in Illinois