Elementary Disclosure Document Backman Elementary-4th Grade ...

Elementary Disclosure Document 

Backman Elementary-4 th Grade 

2009-2010 

Ms. Rodgers 

Room 220 

801-578-8100 ext. 220 

barbara.rodgers@slcschools.org 

My web page: http://my.uen.org/98899 

Dear Parents, 

I am pleased to take this opportunity to meet you and welcome your child to my class. 

A good learning experience is built on a cooperative effort between parent, child, and 

teacher. My expectations for conduct and standards for academic growth are very high. With 

your participation in and out of the classroom we can look forward to a productive, creative, 

and fun year TOGETHER. 

I am excited about this new year. I hope we can work together to make it one of 

growth, discovery, and significance for your child. You can help by giving me any further 

information that will help me understand your child better. Anything you say will be kept in 

confidence. 

Again, WELCOME!!! Please feel free to contact me about your concerns. I will return 

your call as soon as possible. 

Class Description: 

Our goals for this year are to learn and grow both academically and socially. The first rule in 

my class is; Try, even if it’s new or hard. We will be learning many new things, and some may be hard, 

but I expect students to try. I expect my students to work and participate in class every day. 

Homework will be given each night and is expected to be returned the following morning. I will only 

occasionally give homework on the weekend. 

We will be learning many new things in English, Mathematics, Science, Computers and 

Technology, Social Studies, Art, Music, and Physical Education. An exciting aspect of our class is that 

we will be a Technology in the Classroom (ETC) class. This means that we will have access to laptopsone 

for every two students. We may or may not use the laptops every day. Because of this added 

aspect students are required to show respect to everyone in our class as we will be working together 

throughout the year. Again, we will be working very hard every day and I have very high expectations 

of all my students. 

Grade Level Goals and Objectives 

Utah has developed a Core Curriculum which outlines standards of learning that are essential 

for all students at each elementary grade level. The curriculum includes ideas, concepts, and skills to 

provide a foundation on which subsequent learning may be built. 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.

Instructional Materials 

Texts: 

Language Arts: 

Storytown: Harcourt Publishers, 2008. 

Math: 

Math Expressions: Houghton Mifflin Publishers, 2006. 

Social Studies: 

The Utah Adventure: Gibbs Smith Publishers, 2005. 

English Language Development (ELD): 

Santillana-Spotlight on English: Santillana USA Publishers, 2008 

Technology in the Classroom (ETC): 

Dell Laptops: Each student has signed an AUP (Authorized User Policy). Students will 

be expected to use the computers as per the AUP policy. 

Instructional Practices 

In my class I will be using many different types of instruction and activities to aid all students 

in learning our vast and interesting core topics. We will work as a class, in groups, as partners, and 

independently depending on the subject matter. 

Salt Lake City School District requires English Language Development (ELD) daily for all 

students. During this instructional time students across the grade level will be divided upon their 

abilities and may be taught by myself or one of the other fourth grade teachers. ELD instruction is 

required. It will occur one hour a day, four days a week (Monday through Thursday), at the end of the 

day school wide. 

Course Requirements (Assignments, Attendance, Tardies, Discipline, etc.) 

There are a lot of facts and data to cover over our year in fourth grade. I cover a large amount 

of information daily. Because of this, I expect students to be here daily, on time, and ready to learn. 

Assignments will vary greatly through out the year to maximize student’s learning. Students 

will have journals in Math, English, and Science to document knowledge gained, to reinforce new 

information, and to use as a reference and study guide. We will be working hands on and 

experimenting in science. We will use different reading texts, worksheets, manipulatives, white 

boards, numerous art mediums, and of course, our computers. Students will be learning Microsoft 

Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Publisher and utilizing the web in several ways. 

Backman Elementary has school wide rules that are mandated for all students and they are as 

follows; 

1. Follow Directions the first time given. 

2. Keep hands, feet6, and all other objects to self. 

3. Do not swear, tease, yell, scream, argue, put down, bully or harass. 

4. Be on time and be prepared. 

In addition to school rules, there are additional rules to adhere to in my classroom. They are; 

1. Students are expected to try, even if it’s new or hard. 

2. Be honest. 

3. Be respectful to all things and people 

4. To listen the first time directions are given.

I also expect students to participate in all activities and classroom discussions. We have a lot 

to do every day and adherence is expected. If rules are not followed on any of the aforementioned my 

discipline plan is as follows: 

‣ Warning 

‣ 5 Minutes of their recess will be altered within the classroom 

‣ No computers for the day 

‣ Buddy room (they will be sent to another teacher to complete 

their work so as other students may learn and I may teach). 

‣ Red Letter (a letter will be sent home explaining the infraction, 

what the student did, and how they will improve. The letter 

needs to be signed by the parent(s) or guardian(s) and then 

returned to me the next day. 

If a problem persists or cannot be resolved the student will be sent to the principal’s office. 

Grading Procedures 

Clear standards and expectations are established for all students at each grade level. To be on 

grade level, students are expected to be able to demonstrate knowledge for the information that has 

been taught with minimal assistance from the teacher. 

Students will be graded on daily/weekly coursework, various tests, journal work, homework, 

monthly reading logs, and participation in class. There will be at least two tests every Friday, one for 

times tables and one for the weeks spelling words. 

I expect students to complete their daily homework which is always due the next day. I also 

expect students to read 30 minutes per day including weekends. Students are allowed by district 

Policy S-4 to make-up work for excused absences (illness, extracurricular activities, religious 

observance, family activities,). Students will be allowed one week for late assignments with an 

excused absence, after one week no late assignments will be accepted. 

Parents are always welcome to contact me or come into class and view students work if there 

are any concerns about the student’s progress. Parents should look for weekly tests in spelling and 

times tables to be brought home from students each Friday. Graded homework will also be returned 

along with selected class work and assignments. 

Twice a year we will have parent teacher conferences (SEP’s), where we will have the 

opportunity to meet and discuss your student’s progress and any concerns regarding your student. 

Tentative Class and Activity Schedule 

Our tentative weekly schedule appears on the following page. 

We will be using our laptops when appropriate throughout the day. 

Dependent on funding, we will also be attending various field trips as the 4 th grade core 

relates to Utah and the habitats and resources found within and around our state.

8:00-8:15 Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 


Arts/Reading 

Groups 


Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

Language 

Arts/Reading 

Groups 

8:45-8:55 P, D, SC,, #, GD, J P, D, SC,, #, GD P, D, SC , #, GD P, D, SC , #, GD P, D, SC, #, GD 

8:55-9:15 Language Arts Language Arts Language Arts Language Arts Language Arts 




10:00-10:15 RECESS RECESS RECESS RECESS RECESS 

10:15-10:30 Language Arts Content/Writing Language Arts Content/Writing Math/Computers 

10:30-10:45 Language Arts Content/Writing Language Arts Content/Writing Math/Computers 

10:45-11:00 Language Arts Content/Writing Music Content/Writing Math/Computers 

11:00-11:15 Computers P.E. Music Community 

Council 

11:15-11:30 Computers P.E. Music Community 

Council 

Library 

Library 

11:30-11:50 LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH 

11:50-12:10 RECESS/P.E. RECESS/P.E. RECESS/P.E. RECESS/P.E. Science 

12:10-12:20 Math Math Math Math Science 

12:20-1:00 Math Math Math Math 



1:37-1:40 Homework/WILT Homework/WILT Homework/WILT Homework/WILT 

1:40-2:00 ELD ELD ELD ELD 



P=Pledge 

D=Date 

SC=Skip Count 

#= Number & 

Place Value 

J=Jobs 

GD=Great Day 

WILT=What I 

Learned Today

Please return the bottom section to me as soon as possible. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ 

I have read the disclosure document for Ms. Rodgers’ class. I am aware that I 

may call or come in any time if I have any further questions or concerns. 

Student Name_____________________________________________________________ 

Parent/Guardian signature_______________________________________

Elementary Disclosure Document Backman Elementary-4th Grade ...

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