Elementary Disclosure Document

Sharley Bradley
ELP First Grade 2019-2020
Hawthorne Elementary, Room 6
(801)481-4824 Ext. 1060
Email: Sharley.Bradley2@slcschools.org

Grade Level/Class Description

First grade is a critical year in your child’s education. The goal for first grade students is to work
towards attaining proficiency in all academic areas. Language Arts curriculum will emphasize
explicit instruction in the areas of phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing.
Literacy will be integrated throughout the day in all content areas. Eureka Math includes
fluency practice, hands-on opportunities to explore, problem-solve, and articulate their
understanding of mathematics. Students will learn about themselves and make connections
between home, school, community and the world around them. Students will be encouraged
to express their thoughts and ideas creatively. They will be challenged to use their imaginations
and reflect on their own thinking.

Grade Level Goals and Objectives

The state of Utah has developed a core curriculum that outlines standards of learning
that are essential for all students at each grade level. The curriculum includes ideas, skills, and
concepts that provide a foundation on which further learning is built. The curriculum for each
grade level can be accessed on the Utah State Office of Education’s website at
www.schools.utah.gove/curr/core.

Instructional Materials

 Language Arts Curriculum: A World of Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Words (Language Arts
Unit from the College of William & Mary – The Center for Gifted Education), Jacob’s
Ladder - Reading Comprehension Program, Lucy Calkins Units of Study in Opinion,
Information, and Narrative Writing, Junior Great Books, Wonders
 Math: Eureka Math, ST Math
 Science/Social Studies: Foss Science kits, Mystery Science, Ancient Civilizations – College
of William & Mary

Instructional Practices
Students are taught using a variety of instructional practices. Students will work alone,
in pairs, in small groups, and as a whole class. Students are often placed in small groups to
facilitate learning, especially in math and reading. There is a great deal of group discussion.
Students are expected to participate and be attentive to other students as well as adult
presenters. I teach using the Gradual Release of Responsibility model which means that I will
model a concept for the class, we will practice the concept together, and then the students will
have time to practice the concept independently. Active, hands-on learning will be an
important part of our learning environment.

Course Requirements (Assignments, Attendance, Tardies, Discipline)

 Absences and Tardies: Students are expected to attend school regularly, be on time,
and come prepared to learn. Regular attendance without tardiness is a key to success
and a positive habit to establish. Please try to schedule family vacations at times when
we are not in school. If you will be taking your child out of school for longer than 4 days,
you will need to go to the office and complete a request form. If your child will be
absent (due to illness or any other reason) please call the office and leave your child’s
name, room 6, and the reason for the absence. The bell rings at 8:10. Any student who
is not in the classroom by 8:15 will be marked tardy. Please work to have your child at
school on time. It is a disruption to the class when students are late.
 Entering and Exiting the Building: At Hawthorne, each class has an assigned door to use
for entering and exiting the building. Our assigned entrance is the south doors, just
outside of our classroom. Please make sure that your child waits outside on the south
side of the building in the morning until the bell rings. Students are not allowed to be
inside the building before the bell rings. In situations where weather dictates students
are allowed to be in the gym only. Students will enter the same doors after recess and
exit through the same doors after school.
 Homework: Children need time after school to play and participate in other activities.
Students are expected to read for a minimum of 20 minutes per night. Unfinished work
will be sent home for homework and should return to school the following day. There
will also be bi-weekly spelling tests. I encourage you to practice spelling words and
math facts at home to supplement in class instruction.
 Behavior: Students are expected to help create a safe and pleasant atmosphere for
learning. Our classroom rules are:
1. We will listen and follow directions.
2. We will raise our hands to talk.
3. We will be kind to others.
4. We will respect our classroom.
5. We will do our best.
  I model and encourage students to make appropriate choices and be accountable for
their actions. Students are to help create a safe and pleasant environment for learning.
I look for every opportunity to praise and acknowledge great behavior with rewards and
recognition. We use Love and Logic and the 8 Keys of Excellence school wide.
 I use a clip system in our classroom. Everyone will start each day on green which is
“Ready to Learn”. Students will have the opportunity to move up multiple times when
positive choices are made. When they move “off the chart,” they will receive a jewel on
their clip and will earn prizes and rewards. They will move their clip down according to
consequences of their behavior. Yellow is a warning. Orange is teacher’s choice-
consequences are sit by teacher, sit in a different place, visit principal, or losing a
special. If the behavior continues, I will contact the parent and set up a meeting to put a
plan of action in place.

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 who miss school with an excused absence will generally have make-up work
sent home in their homework folder. Missed work should be completed and returned in
a timely manner.
 Most in class assignments are graded using a point system. These papers will come
home with a score at the top indicating the number correct over the number possible.
Some assignments will be for credit only and will come home with a check at the top.
Other assignments are graded using a rubric where students will determine a portion of
their points. If an assignment comes home with “redo” at the top, I highly recommend
correcting the missed problems at home.
 Student progress will be communicated through parent teacher conferences, report
cards, and personal emails.

Other Information:

Starting/ending times: Mon. to Thurs. 8:10 – 2:45; Fri. 8:10 – 12:35. If we have a short week
(Fall Break, Thanksgiving, etc.), the day before the holiday is usually a short day and follows the
Friday schedule. You will receive a calendar each month identifying short days and days off
school. Please make sure your child knows where they are being picked up from school each
day.
Snacks: With the help of parent donations we will have snacks this year. To improve students
learning power they will receive a small morning snack. I do not have the storage space that I
had last year, so I cannot have large donations of snacks. This year, you will receive an email
from our snack coordinator with instructions on how to sign-up for snacks. I would like parents
to sign-up to bring snack for a full week (Monday-Thursday). Please only bring enough for each
student to have one item for each day you are signed up. You may bring the snacks to the
classroom either the Friday before your week, or the Monday of your week. Some examples of
good non-perishable snacks are goldfish crackers, pretzels, raisins, animal crackers, and granola
bars. I have a small refrigerator is you would like to donate fruit, string cheese, yogurt, etc. If
there are any food allergies, please let me know ASAP.

Supplies: Please provide a backpack for your child to bring to school each day. Keep in mind
that lockers are shared, and large bags or backpack will not fit. I will provide all school supplies
for students. However, we can always use donations of thick Expo markers, hand sanitizer, and
Clorox wipes.

Book orders: I will send out a monthly set of book orders for each student. Your orders benefit
the class by earning points that we can use for classroom books. The first book order of the
year is the most beneficial. We can earn thousands of extra points to use for the class. Books
can be ordered online. Our class code is L4F9M.

Birthday Celebrations: On or around a student’s birthday we have a little celebration in the

Clothes: Please send your child dressed appropriately for the weather. Every child will go out to
recess except during heavy snow or rain. Appropriate footwear (no open toed shoes) is also
encouraged, especially for PE on Tuesday. No flip-flops. For further information, see the district
dress code.

Co-oping: Your assistance as co-opers in the classroom is essential to the success of the school
year. Thank you in advance for your time and your support in the classroom. Our program
would not be what it is without parent co-opers. Please do your best to be reliable throughout
the year. There will be many activities that I will not be able to do if I do not have the help of
you as co-opers. I understand that there may be times when you cannot come in during your
scheduled co-oping time. Please try to find a substitute.
Please be aware that children often act differently with their parents in the classroom. Please
make your child aware that you are there to help the whole class and it’s likely that they will
not be in your group all the time. If you have questions about managing groups of children,
please do not hesitate to ask. Learning is most productive when students are on task and
engaged in the learning activity. Also, please keep any information you gather about other
students to yourself. You may tell me if you have concerns, but please do not discuss with
other parents.

Contacting the Teacher: The best way to communicate with me is by email. I check my email
in the morning before the bell rings, but do not always have time to check it during the day. I
will be available for phone calls after school between 2:45 and 3:15 Monday through Thursday.
You may also contact me through Remind. Please do not come to the classroom for an
unscheduled visit during school hours as this can be a distraction for students and cuts into
teaching time.

Disclosure Documents

The Salt Lake City School District requires that each teacher completes a disclosure document
explaining pertinent information about the classroom. Teachers are also required to submit
proof that parents have been given and read this document. Please complete the following
form and return it to me after you have read the disclosure.

Thank you, Mrs. Bradley

I have read Mrs. Bradley’s open disclosure document.

Student name: __________________________________

Parent Signatures: _______________________________ Date: ______________________

_______________________________ Date: ______________________