Backman Kindergarten Disclosure
2015-2016
Kindergarten Class Description:
The Kindergarten teachers at Backman Elementary are committed to
supporting every aspect of a child’s development. Kindergarten is an opportunity
for children to grow socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. Throughout
the school year, students will receive instruction in math, literacy, science, social
studies and social emotional development. We strive to create opportunities for
your children to learn in whole group, small group and individual contexts. We
believe that each aspect of a child’s development is pivotal to their overall success
in life.
Grade Level Goals and Objectives:
The Salt Lake City School District has adopted the Utah Common Core
Standards as a framework to help guide instruction for each grade level. The
common core curriculum has developed specific, sequential skills to be focused on
in each grade level. 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.
Assessments:
The purpose of assessment in Kindergarten is to determine what skills
students have already mastered and what they still need to be taught.
Assessments help teachers to plan appropriate instruction for each student. The
main assessments used throughout the year include the beginning and the end of
the year is a Kindergarten standardized assessment. Students are also given a
standardized reading assessment (DIBELA) three times a year, to help to evaluate
various reading skills. Teachers also conduct monthly and weekly assessments on
various skills within the classroom.
Instructional Materials:
The primary reading curriculum used at Backman is Wonders, published by
McGraw Hill, (2015). The main math curriculum students will be exposed to
throughout the year is Math Expressions, published by Houghton Mifflin, (2013).
Kindergarteners will also be involved in an early reading intervention program,
called ERI, to help them to develop various reading skills. This instruction is
provided to the students in small groups four times per week.
ELD Instruction:
ELD is a school wide program at Backman. All students will receive 45
minutes of English Language Development (ELD) instruction daily. For English
language instruction, Backman has adopted a program called EL Achieve. Students
will be grouped according to their English language ability, and therefore, may be
assigned to a different teacher during this instructional time.
Course Requirements:
School starts each day at 8:10 a.m. It is very important your child be on time
to school and here every day. If your child is sick, please inform your child’s
teacher and the office that they will not be at school, or send a note to school with
them when they return.
Kindergarten Student Release Policy
School is dismissed at 3:15 P.M. Monday- Friday. Parents are required to
pick up their student at the door located inside the Kindergarten playground. For
the safety of the students, please line up outside on the playground, according to
your child’s teacher. Parents of students in Ms. Tomsett’s class will line up on the
cement wall next to the Kindergarten door. Parents of Ms. Parker’s and Ms. Tyler’s
class will line up by Ms. Parker’s classroom windows. Your child will be sent out to
you as soon as the dismissal bell rings. Anyone picking up your child from school
will need to be listed on the registration form. Please make sure to talk to the
office and your child’s teacher if you want someone who is not listed on the
registration form to pick up your child from school.
Homework
All Kindergarten students will be required to read and complete homework
assignments weekly. Each classroom will have a slightly different homework policy.
Please make sure to attend back to school nights, read notices sent home and speak
to your child’s teacher about homework requirements. Please help your child
complete their homework and return it to school when it is complete. Also, it is a
school wide requirement that all students read 20 minutes per night with a parent,
sibling, or family member. A reading log will be sent home each week with your child
to record their nightly reading. Please remember you are your child’s first and
best teacher. We at Backman are here to help you help your child be successful in
their academic pursuits.
Classroom rules:
1. Follow directions the first time given.
2. Keep hands, feet, and all other objects to self.
3. Be kind to others in speech and action.
4. Be on time, and be prepared.
School Rules
-Be safe
-Be respectful
-Be responsible
Behavior Color/Clip Chart
All Kindergarten classrooms at Backman use a color coded step up, step
down, behavior system. Every day, students begin on the color green. Green means
students are following directions and classroom rules. If students are not
following directions or engaging in inappropriate or dangerous behavior, they may
be moved down to yellow, orange or red. Students with outstanding behavior may
be moved to purple, blue or pink. Each day a small color coded card will be sent
home to inform you of how your child did at school.
Tentative Class Schedule:
We will begin our day with a small group instruction, moving into reading activities,
followed by lunch. After lunch we will continue our day with math instruction,
moving into special activities such as Computers, P.E., Library, Art, Social Studies,
or Music. They will have one of these activities each day. After Specials, the class
will have open literacy centers. English Language development follows centers. Our
day will end with preparations to leave for the day. Early release days will focus
primarily on reading and math activities.
Grading Procedures:
Kindergarteners are graded on their progress. Their instruction is based on the
Utah State Core Curriculum. To be on grade level, Kindergarten students must be
able to demonstrate knowledge of the curriculum they are taught with minimal
assistance from the teacher. Report cards will be sent home at the end of each
trimester. Parents are encouraged to attend SEP conferences to discuss their
child’s progress.
If you understand and support this disclosure please sign and return the lower
portion of this document.
Students Name__________________________________________________
Parent Signature ___________________________________ Date _________