Elementary Disclosure Document Welcome to 5th grade in Room 115 at Wasatch Elementary! I am very excited to be your teacher this year! Together we will build a strong community of learners and thinkers. Contact Information Krista Findley Anderson Room 115 801-578-8564 extension 115 krista.findley@slcschools.org This is the best way to reach me! (Please note that my email IS NOT krista.anderson) Class Description Our class is a diverse group of students with a range of interests, abilities, and experiences. We will work together as a class towards common grade-level goals as well as have time to work in small groups, individually, and with specialized teachers outside the classroom in order to meet the needs of each student. Our Rotation Schedule 1:30-2:15 unless otherwise stated: Drama and dance are on Mondays and Wednesdays for the first trimester. Our Town Meeting is November 16. Library is on Mondays from 8:45-9:30. Computer Lab is on Thursdays from 11:10-11:55. Music is on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students will choose band, orchestra, or choir. PE is on Mondays and Wednesdays for the second trimester Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Art is on Mondays and Wednesdays for the third trimester with Julie Lewis. 1
Grade Level Objectives Our class will cover the 5th grade core curriculum. The curriculum for each grade level can be accessed on the Utah State Office of Education s website at http:://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/core. Some highlights are: Multiplication and division of whole numbers Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions and decimals United States history from the age of explorers to current day Forces that Change Earth, Heredity, Physical and Chemical changes, Electricity, Magnetism Writing five paragraph essays and using text evidence to support ideas Reading for pleasure and reading to learn, using multiple reading strategies that show mastery of reading skills. Class Expectations My goal is to create an environment that encourages your student to respect themselves, people at school, and the wider world around them. I hope that families will commit to the following: Send your student to school on time every day. Make sure your student reads daily for at least 30 minutes and sign the weekly Reading Log. Talk with your child and ask questions about school each day. Be aware of the school calendar and events. Use the Daily Assignment Page and Home folder as communication tools between school and home. Support your child however will be best for him or her. Please talk with me about any accommodations that I can make for your student. Instructional Materials Math Eureka Math curriculum from Great Minds Extension or review materials as needed 2
Science Peter Haslam will teach science to all fifth graders and I will teach Social Studies to all fifth graders. My homeroom class will have Science on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Materials will be largely teacher-created using creditable resources. Language Arts Wonders basal reading program from McGraw Hill Students will also participate in read-alouds, shared whole-class chapter books, and Reader s Workshop/Literature Circles. Lucy Calkins Writer's Workshop Words Their Way word study program Social Studies My class will have Social Studies on Mondays and Tuesdays. Materials will be largely teacher-created using creditable resources. Grading Procedures and Homework All grades are based on participation, homework, formal unit tests, informal assessment, and/or special projects. I use a computer program called Gradebook in Power School to record grades. Families can expect monthly reports on any missing assignments. Students are responsible for missing work until it is completed. If you know that our student will miss more than a day or two of school, please let me know so I can prepare work for him or her ahead of time. All students will use a Home folder to go back and forth between home and school. This is where students will place any assignments/homework, notes to families, and completed/graded work that is meant to go home or come back to school. Handouts from school come home on Mondays in the Wasatch STAR folder. Students can expect to have Math homework some nights. Eureka Math recommends a TIME FRAME for the homework, not a task frame. This means that students should spend approximately 10 MINUTES on math homework, NOT work until the homework is complete. I will assign "must do, can do, and extension" problems to help guide this along. Parents can access the Parent Portal at 3
greatminds.org/signup for homework help, videos, and other features. In addition, www.zearn.org is a valuable resource for students and parents when looking for help or clarification at home. Students will be responsible for nightly reading and weekly written responses in order to practice reading skills and strategies. These will be due on Mondays. We will begin by learning what a good response to reading looks and sounds like students show mastery they will move onto tasks with more depth and complexity. My aim is to help every student discover or develop a love for reading and joy in writing! Words Their Way is the word study program I use for spelling. Each Monday we will learn to sort a new group of words, practice them during the week, and test on Friday. This program is differentiated based on a pre-assessment, but all students will address spelling patterns, morphemes, and Latin and Greek roots. Every month I will pass out a homework grid with fun and educational activities for students and families alike. It is due the first week of the new month. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. I want us to be part of a team working towards your student's success. I am looking forward to an excellent year! 4
After reading this disclosure document with your student, please sign and return this portion. Thank you. Student Parent Parent 5