Disclosure Document.
Mrs. Spackman’s First Grade Disclosure
Welcome to South Jordan's Hawthorn Academy campus. I am excited for the upcoming school year and watching your student(s) grow and learn. Below you will find some information that will help you know what to expect this year. Please keep in mind that we are constantly changing to meet the needs of our classes. If these changes affect you or your child I will let you know.
Curriculum:
Math: In first grade, we use MyMath, which is an excellent, inquiry based math program. This program offers a great deal of resources which connects math to real world applications. It teaches many strategies for students to use as tools to solve problems and finding the solution path that works best for them. When working with your child, keep in mind that they are practicing different ways to solve problems and that there isn’t “one right way”. Your child will still need to learn and try the various strategies (even if there is an easier way) so that they can have a variety of tools in their belt when they are faced with a problem.
Literacy: Our school uses the Spalding Method for literacy instruction. Through a detailed study of phonograms, word patterns, conventions, and being introduced to aspects of quality literature, your child will learn the necessary skills to become a successful and confident reader, writer, and speaker. Each week your child will have 15 spelling words to practice and apply in their writing. By the end of the year, your child will need to be able to read/write all 70 phonograms. As the year progresses I will place your students into groups which will be based on their individual needs.
Guided Reading: Guided Reading is the reading program that we use at our school. During this time I will work with students in small reading groups. Students are grouped according to reading abilities which are leveled and each level is identified by a letter. Students should come into first grade at about a “c” level and leave first grade at a “I” level.
Unit: As part of the I.B. program, our science and social studies curriculum will be integrated into six, 6-7 week units. Each unit will have a culminating activity or project for the students to share and display what they have learned. Some may be an at home project.
Classroom Procedures:
Star Student: Your child will be the Star Student in our class for one week out of the year. This means that our class will get the opportunity to get to know your child’s interests and hobbies. I will send a poster home prior to the week your child will become the Star Student. Please help your student complete and return the poster for the following Monday.
Absences: First grade is full of hands on learning experiences, and interactive lessons, which often cannot be replicated through a sent home worksheet, thus attendance is critical. Please make every effort to be at school and on time each day. Please let the office know if your child will not be at school. If your child is ill, I will send home makeup work for them to do, though as mentioned, some of our hands on experiences cannot be replicated at home. If you are going on vacation, please let me know at least ONE WEEK in advance!
Birthdays: As part of our school’s wellness policy, no treats are to be given out for a child’s birthday. Our class will celebrate and recognize your child on their special day. If you would still like to do something special, you are welcome to donate a book or game to our classroom library, or to send in a small favor, like a pencil or eraser, etc.
Volunteering: There will be many opportunities to volunteer this coming year! Volunteers will be organized by the room parents and myself to be used for reading, grading, homework folders and any other things that I may need help with. If you have any special talents I would love to have you share.
Discipline: Students must follow all classroom and school rules. Classroom rules will be made up in the first week as a class to create classroom collaboration. The following are the school rules:
Be Responsible- be prepared for class, complete and turn in assignments on time, and arrive on time for class.
Be Respectful-Raise your hand to speak, be an attentive listener, speak respectfully to all, and be kind to all.
Be Positive- follow directions, work together, and help your teachers and staff as asked.
Be on Task-Know what is expected and do it!
Be Safe- keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, follow school safety procedures.
For every action, there is a consequence. If your child is outstanding, they will receive a positive consequence. If they are not following our rules, they will have an appropriate consequence (i.e. writing an apology note, missing some or all of recess, call home etc). If we have a substantial problem I will e-mail or call you, depending on the severity about a plan of action for your student. I really feel that communication is key between parents and teachers. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please email me or set a time to meet and discuss your concerns, as this is what I will be doing throughout the year.
Grading:
We will be using the SIS/Aspire program in first grade. I will send out an email when grades are updated, but I am planning to update them every 1-2 weeks on Mondays. Our grading scale will be as follows:
A= Accomplished
(Independent and accurate work)
A 90-100 Performs above grade level.
P= Progressing
(practicing towards independence and accuracy)
THIS IS WHERE MOST STUDENTS ARE!
B 80-89 Performs on grade level
S= Supported
(needs prompts and guidance)
C 70-79 Performs slightly below grade level. We are working on it.
C= Challenged
(difficulty grasping the concept and requires extra time and support to progress)
D 60-69
F below 59
Homework: Sent home Friday, due Wednesday!
*Reading will be recorded on your student’s homework packet. Your student will be required to read 20 minutes every school day! As the parent, you will need to write in how long your student read and initial each day. Your student should read 100 minutes per week. Reading minutes will be part of your student’s homework grade. There will also be a weekly math page(s) sent home, as well as a spelling and phonogram list and literacy review page.
Missing and Late Work: Late work will be accepted within ONE WEEK the assignment is due. This is for all assignments in or out of class, including homework! As stated in the school’s policies and procedures, make up work will be given to students who have excused absences. If your student misses tests I will excuse one day per quarter. I will ask our first grade aide or a parent volunteer to give the tests to your student but this is not a guarantee as we have one aide for four teachers. If your student misses tests days regularly you will need to come in and test your students or take a 0 on that days tests. Again attendance is very important.
Special Programs:
The easiest and fastest way to contact me is through email. My address is: [email protected]
you may also contact me by calling the school. The number is: (801)282-9066.
If you call during the school day, you will be asked to leave a message. I will make every effort to respond to emails and phone calls within 24 hours.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year working with you and your child!
Please check my webpage regularly. I will post pictures, spelling and phonogram lists, projects and what we are doing each week so that you are aware of all the great things going on in first grade. IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!!!
Welcome to South Jordan's Hawthorn Academy campus. I am excited for the upcoming school year and watching your student(s) grow and learn. Below you will find some information that will help you know what to expect this year. Please keep in mind that we are constantly changing to meet the needs of our classes. If these changes affect you or your child I will let you know.
Curriculum:
Math: In first grade, we use MyMath, which is an excellent, inquiry based math program. This program offers a great deal of resources which connects math to real world applications. It teaches many strategies for students to use as tools to solve problems and finding the solution path that works best for them. When working with your child, keep in mind that they are practicing different ways to solve problems and that there isn’t “one right way”. Your child will still need to learn and try the various strategies (even if there is an easier way) so that they can have a variety of tools in their belt when they are faced with a problem.
Literacy: Our school uses the Spalding Method for literacy instruction. Through a detailed study of phonograms, word patterns, conventions, and being introduced to aspects of quality literature, your child will learn the necessary skills to become a successful and confident reader, writer, and speaker. Each week your child will have 15 spelling words to practice and apply in their writing. By the end of the year, your child will need to be able to read/write all 70 phonograms. As the year progresses I will place your students into groups which will be based on their individual needs.
Guided Reading: Guided Reading is the reading program that we use at our school. During this time I will work with students in small reading groups. Students are grouped according to reading abilities which are leveled and each level is identified by a letter. Students should come into first grade at about a “c” level and leave first grade at a “I” level.
Unit: As part of the I.B. program, our science and social studies curriculum will be integrated into six, 6-7 week units. Each unit will have a culminating activity or project for the students to share and display what they have learned. Some may be an at home project.
Classroom Procedures:
Star Student: Your child will be the Star Student in our class for one week out of the year. This means that our class will get the opportunity to get to know your child’s interests and hobbies. I will send a poster home prior to the week your child will become the Star Student. Please help your student complete and return the poster for the following Monday.
Absences: First grade is full of hands on learning experiences, and interactive lessons, which often cannot be replicated through a sent home worksheet, thus attendance is critical. Please make every effort to be at school and on time each day. Please let the office know if your child will not be at school. If your child is ill, I will send home makeup work for them to do, though as mentioned, some of our hands on experiences cannot be replicated at home. If you are going on vacation, please let me know at least ONE WEEK in advance!
Birthdays: As part of our school’s wellness policy, no treats are to be given out for a child’s birthday. Our class will celebrate and recognize your child on their special day. If you would still like to do something special, you are welcome to donate a book or game to our classroom library, or to send in a small favor, like a pencil or eraser, etc.
Volunteering: There will be many opportunities to volunteer this coming year! Volunteers will be organized by the room parents and myself to be used for reading, grading, homework folders and any other things that I may need help with. If you have any special talents I would love to have you share.
Discipline: Students must follow all classroom and school rules. Classroom rules will be made up in the first week as a class to create classroom collaboration. The following are the school rules:
Be Responsible- be prepared for class, complete and turn in assignments on time, and arrive on time for class.
Be Respectful-Raise your hand to speak, be an attentive listener, speak respectfully to all, and be kind to all.
Be Positive- follow directions, work together, and help your teachers and staff as asked.
Be on Task-Know what is expected and do it!
Be Safe- keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, follow school safety procedures.
For every action, there is a consequence. If your child is outstanding, they will receive a positive consequence. If they are not following our rules, they will have an appropriate consequence (i.e. writing an apology note, missing some or all of recess, call home etc). If we have a substantial problem I will e-mail or call you, depending on the severity about a plan of action for your student. I really feel that communication is key between parents and teachers. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please email me or set a time to meet and discuss your concerns, as this is what I will be doing throughout the year.
Grading:
We will be using the SIS/Aspire program in first grade. I will send out an email when grades are updated, but I am planning to update them every 1-2 weeks on Mondays. Our grading scale will be as follows:
A= Accomplished
(Independent and accurate work)
A 90-100 Performs above grade level.
P= Progressing
(practicing towards independence and accuracy)
THIS IS WHERE MOST STUDENTS ARE!
B 80-89 Performs on grade level
S= Supported
(needs prompts and guidance)
C 70-79 Performs slightly below grade level. We are working on it.
C= Challenged
(difficulty grasping the concept and requires extra time and support to progress)
D 60-69
F below 59
Homework: Sent home Friday, due Wednesday!
*Reading will be recorded on your student’s homework packet. Your student will be required to read 20 minutes every school day! As the parent, you will need to write in how long your student read and initial each day. Your student should read 100 minutes per week. Reading minutes will be part of your student’s homework grade. There will also be a weekly math page(s) sent home, as well as a spelling and phonogram list and literacy review page.
Missing and Late Work: Late work will be accepted within ONE WEEK the assignment is due. This is for all assignments in or out of class, including homework! As stated in the school’s policies and procedures, make up work will be given to students who have excused absences. If your student misses tests I will excuse one day per quarter. I will ask our first grade aide or a parent volunteer to give the tests to your student but this is not a guarantee as we have one aide for four teachers. If your student misses tests days regularly you will need to come in and test your students or take a 0 on that days tests. Again attendance is very important.
Special Programs:
- Scholastic Book Orders: I will provide an opportunity for you to purchase books from the Scholastic book club each month. This is a great way to buy well written, low cost books. However, it is not required!
- Box Tops for Education: By turning in 10 box tops each month, your child will earn a dress down day for the month. You may also purchase dress down days from HOPE at the beginning of the school year.
The easiest and fastest way to contact me is through email. My address is: [email protected]
you may also contact me by calling the school. The number is: (801)282-9066.
If you call during the school day, you will be asked to leave a message. I will make every effort to respond to emails and phone calls within 24 hours.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year working with you and your child!
Please check my webpage regularly. I will post pictures, spelling and phonogram lists, projects and what we are doing each week so that you are aware of all the great things going on in first grade. IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!!!