Third Grade
Jean von Heimburg, with Da Vinci since 2000
Contact
Phone: 847-841-7532 ext 222
Email: jvonheimburg@dvacademy.org
Education and Training
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education, University of
Wisconsin - Whitewater
- Certification in Elementary Education, Northern Illinois
University
- Master of Science Degree in Special Education with an emphasis
on Gifted Education, Rosary College (now Dominican University)
Experience
- Have taught for 38 years in Wisconsin, Kentucky and Illinois
(28 years in Illinois)
- Taught summer program at Rosary College
- Presenter at the IAGC Conference in Chicago
Organizations and Conferences
- Member of Illinois Association for Gifted Children
- ISACS Division Heads Conference
- Workshops attended yearly
- Task Force for Chicagoland Ride for Kids supporting
research and cure for childhood brain tumors
Teaching Style
- Teach to the whole child
- Mixture of hands-on, independent study, and direct
teaching
- Character development
Curriculum
Please read the curriculum overview below. Families
can also read the Homework Guide for tips on study
skills and time management skills that will help your child with
homework.
Language Arts: reading based on leveled novels, writing in a
variety of genres, provide opportunities for students to publish
and showcase their writing, vocabulary building program, English
skills taught formally and through writing, cursive handwriting in
full use by second semester; study of Latin and Greek roots
Mathematics: taught at various levels within the classroom to
meet students' needs, text book as well as supplemental materials
are used, many math games and logic problems are emphasized at this
level
Social Studies: students study an extensive unit on Colonial
Times and move into the development of the United States by regions
through reading, research, and projects; Illinois and Chicago
history, mapping skills, and current events, many prominent
historical people are studied throughout the year
Science: Physics for Kids and Biology for Kids are studied
throughout the year. Many hands-on projects are done as well
as a scientific notebook journal used to keep track of our
findings. Students experience dissection of a frog and shark
(models), and do individual research into areas of interest; a unit
on the skeletal and muscular system and major organs of our bodies
is also studied.
Additional Learning: Students participate in Morning Workout,
Spanish, Music, Art, PE, Computers, Library, Reading Buddies with
Pre-K, chess, various competitions and contests throughout the
year, unique field trips to enhance our curriculum, family nights,
creating pioneer homes from nature, designing a game with
electrical circuitry, spending a day in a Colonial Village.
Goals
My goal for each student is to develop a love for learning
and self-worth of themselves, find uniqueness,
independence, and knowledge in what they do, and to leave my class
with wings to fly.
Personal Reflections
Working at Da Vinci Academy and with its students has been
a rewarding experience. I compare it best to the character in
the book, Miss Rumphius, who was growing old and wanted to
make a difference in the world before she died. She ended up
spreading Lupine seeds over the hillside. After she passed
on, a beautiful hillside of blue flowers bloomed in her honor every
year. That's what starting a school like Da Vinci
Academy is all about - making a difference in the lives of children
so they can grow and bloom and be beautiful.