Disclosure Documents

Disclosure Cover Letter

Disclosure Document

FIRST GRADE-MRS. MCLELLAND (Mrs. Mac)

MISSION STATEMENT

The goal of first grade is to empower each student to function effectively in society as a competent, productive, caring, and responsible citizen. (This correlates with the mission statement of the Utah State Board of Education.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE

The subjects taught in first grade are reading and writing skills, math, language, spelling, social studies, science, humanities (art and music), health and P.E. (Physical Education). Requirements from the State Core curriculum guide will be satisfied.

READING/WRITING: The Alpine School District has adopted a district wide balanced literacy program. The components of the approach are read alouds, shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, word work and phonics, comprehension study, modeled and shared writing, interactive writing, writer’s workshop, independent writing and assessment. Through these teaching programs your child will acquire a good foundation in reading, including; sound discrimination, mastery of letter sounds, the ability to decode both regular and rule-governed words, and extensive sight vocabulary, a major increase in oral vocabulary, the ability to use contextual clues to read new words, reading for meaning and information, and the ability to read fluently.

Grovecrest Elementary uses the Zaner-Bloser writing model that studies have shown is a more manageable handwriting form for the young writer. In addition, I will be teaching and practicing good writing skills using several resources. A writing workshop will be initiated to enable students to write about topics they select themselves and express their thoughts and feelings in written form. Some of the student’s work will be selected to edit and publish during the year.

LANGUAGE: Listening, speaking, composition, grammar and spelling will be part of our language arts program. High frequency words and spelling patterns studied weekly will be posted on the homework calendar.

MATH: The Alpine District also supports a comprehensive approach to balanced math. Using several math programs as a resource, and the state core as a guide, I will teach the math standards outlined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Your student will gain an understanding of mathematics through inquiry-based tasks that are linked to real world context, receive direct instruction in mathematical techniques and algorithms, and explore mathematical ideas using manipulatives and hands-on activities. Students will be able to explain and justify their solutions to problems and will engage in mathematical discussions. At the end of each unit students will be assessed.

P.E. & HEALTH: State Core curriculum goals include defining personal space, physical development with movement, balance and coordination, play skills, manipulative skills, creative movement and dance performance. Coach will be teaching P.E. school wide this year. Our scheduled P.E. time is each Thursday at 12:30. First grade health topics will be taught in our classroom.

SOCIAL STUDIES/SCIENCE: The Utah State Core will be followed. Some formal assessments will be given as well as informal observations.

HUMANITIES (ART/MUSIC): State Core goals will be met through a singing music period twice weekly and through art projects, appreciation lessons and the study of art as a means of expression.

COMPUTER STUDIES: A computer lab time is scheduled once weekly to enable us to work on first grade computer goals.

PROGRESS REPORTS: Computerized progress reports will be sent home on the dates specified by the school to help keep you will informed of your child’s progress. First grade reports are Standards-based. Skills that a first grade student is expected to be able to perform are listed under the headings of reading, math, writing and content areas, learning habits and specialty classes. As these skills are taught, they will be assessed and your child’s progress will be marked with the following notations:

1=Student does not attempt or cannot accomplish the task with prompting

2=Student can accomplish task with prompting

3=Student can accomplish part of the task without prompting

4=Student can accomplish all elements of the task without prompting

If necessary, and when appropriate you will be contacted by telephone, e mail or written communication to inform you of any achievements or concerns.

There are two Parent/Teacher conferences scheduled during the school year. These provide an opportunity for you to meet with me to discuss your student’s progress.

GRADING: Grades will be determined using assessment of skills. Reading grades will include running record assessments that record reading accuracy, fluency assessments, and comprehension questions. A benchmark reading test (DIBELS) will be administered three times during the year by district personnel. Writing grades will be determined by the skills demonstrated in the student’s independent writing. Math grades will be determined by assessment activities for each math concept taught. Parents can expect tests and assignments to be sent home in a timely manner.

HOMEWORK: Beginning readers need the practice of reading at every opportunity. 15 to 20 minutes each evening should be devoted to reading. Please help your child establish a solid foundation for reading by participating with him or her and supervising this exercise. Reading homework completed should be acknowledged on the monthly reading calendar that should be kept in the homework folder. Homework completed and marked on the calendar will be rewarded at school.

Class work missed because of absence will be sent home with your student when he or she returns to school and will be considered homework. Time does not allow me to prepare homework ahead of time for trips or planned absences.

ATTENDANCE: I comply with the Alpine School District’s attendance policy. After an absence of three consecutive days, parents will be contacted. It is important that your child is on time for school and that he or she attends regularly. Excessive absence creates a feeling of hopelessness as the student falls further and further behind. Unless a child is ill, he or she should be in school. Make-up work will be saved until the child returns to school. A written excuse should accompany your child upon returning to school.

DISCIPLINE: Mrs. Mac’s First Grade is generally a happy place filled with music and activity. I don’t experience too many discipline problems that can’t be handled here at school. I do expect respectful behavior towards myself and the other members of the class. I will not tolerate insolence, arguments or fighting. The most common offense is inattention and talking during a lesson. I give three opportunities to change the behavior. After three warnings, the student completes a written “essay” done during recess time. After three “essays”, the student will be sent to “Think Time” in an upper grade classroom and reports to that teacher. If further discipline is needed, parents will be notified and a discipline report will be sent home for you to review, sign and return to school. This also involves a visit to the principal’s office. I expect you will initiate some form of parental discipline at home to reinforce the action taken at school. You will be informed immediately if there is a critical discipline problem involving injury to another student or an infraction of school rules. (Please view the Discipline Policy tab on my web page for the policy in full.)

MATERIALS AND FEES: Any special materials or fees, in accordance with Alpine District Policy, will be requested as donations to be given voluntarily. That said, I am asking for a $20.00 donation for the year to cover the cost of Field Trips and a class T-shirt.

The only supply required is some sort of book bag or backpack to carry homework to and from school safely. Other supply donations listed in the Welcome letter and Wish list are very much appreciated.