Whittier Elementary School Disclosure Document

Sharon Moore Fourth Grade ELP 2014-15 801-481-4846 ext. 211 sharon.moore@slcschools.org,
elp4th@gmail.com, website: msmooreelp4.weebly.com

Fourth Grade ELP Class Description
This class is structured for students previously identified as gifted and talented by the Salt Lake City School
District. The class focuses on the Intellectual, Academic, Social, and Emotional needs of Gifted Learners. This
class will focus on learning how to learn rather than just amass academic knowledge. Attention is focused on
individual development and on the premise that progressive learning experiences promote that development.
This class embraces the ideals of inquiry and exploration and their effect on a successful educational experience.
Fourth Grade ELP Goals and Objectives
The Fourth Grade ELP follows the Utah State Core Curriculum which outlines standards of learning that are
essential for all students at each elementary grade level. The curriculum now includes and embraces the
National Common Core in both Language Arts and Mathematics. It includes ideas, concepts and skills to provide
a foundation which subsequent learning may be built. This curriculum can be accessed on the Utah State Office
of Education website at: http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/core .
In addition to these state standards, our objective is that students will engage in activities and specialized
learning experiences that will develop appropriate practices in
o Higher Level Thinking
o Creativity
o Task Commitment
o Independent Learning
o Product Excellence
o Behavior
Instructional Materials
Literary Reflections The College of William and Mary
Junior Great Books The Great Books Foundation
Commonly Misspelled Words Magnan and Santovec, Caesars English Michael Thompson
Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success Collins Block & Mangieri
Math Expressions Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Math Olympiads Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools
Discovering Utah McCormick & McCormick
The Utah Adventure John McCormick
Discover Science - Scott, Foresman
Instructional Practices
Students will work individually as well as in small groups in all areas across the curriculum.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in competitive debate and science fair.
The Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary provides the ELP Fourth Grade with
numerous models and practices that will guide the student and expand their level of thinking and processing.
They include, but are not limited to:
o The Research Model
o The Literature Web
o The Vocabulary Web
o Pauls Elements of Reasoning
o The Hamburger Model for Persuasive Writing
o Reasoning about a Situation or Event
o Analyzing Primary Sources Model
o The Wheel of Scientific Investigation and Reasoning
Course Requirements (Assignments, Attendance, Tardies, Discipline, etc.)
Students will engage in classroom activity. This class work is to be completed IN CLASS and will not be allowed
to be completed at home. Failure to complete classwork will result in forfeiture of free-choice activities and
fieldtrips.
Homework is defined as student-learning activities conducted outside of regular classroom hours. The intent is
to extend and support classroom-learning opportunities. Students will have opportunities for inquiry based
exploration with a strong emphasis on parental involvement. ADDs will be given to students randomly.
Students will then attempt to Answer whatever question is posed. They will follow this up with Defining the
parameters of the topic and conclude with a parental Discussion. Vocabulary Webs and Junior Great Books are
a weekly part of homework. Students have a calendar week to complete these assignments. Two late or missing
assignments will result in a telephone call home, requesting the parent help the student be more responsible in
finishing and turning in their work.
Responsibility for self is a huge component of Fourth grade ELP. Student planners are an essential part of the
learning process in Fourth grade ELP. Students will bring their planners daily. As homework assignments are
given, it is the students responsibility to record them in their planner. Teacher signature will be given to
indicate to the parent that the student is taking responsibility for the assigned task. Because we are a
CHROMEBOOK classroom, students will need to have a Gmail account. All communication with parents is done
primarily through Gmail, google+, and Remind. Parents need to join the ELP4th circle on google+ to insure timely
access to information.
Students are expected to attend school regularly. Any student arriving after 8:15 must report to the office and
receive a tardy slip. The tardy slip will act as a pass into class. After three tardies the student will receive a
White Slip.
Fourth Grade ELP embraces and practices P to the Power of 5. P1 Prompt: Be on time. Be quick paced. P2
Prepared: Have all supplies and materials ready and Activate Prior Knowledge (APK). P3 Positioned: Be in the
right place at the right time. P4 Polite: Act nice and use manners. P5 Participate: Join in and have a positive
attitude.
ELP Fourth grade students are expected to follow the school-wide behavior management program. Parents will
be notified of a students repeated misconduct.
Rules that are universal to all classes at Whittier Elementary are:
o 1. Be Responsible: Follow directions the first time given.
o 2. Be Respectful: KYFHOOTY Keep your feet, hands, and other objects to yourself.
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.
Work habits, study skills, social and personal growth will be assessed in accordance with the Salt Lake City
School District Performance Results. They include the areas of:
o Complex Thinker and Problem Solver
o Effective Communicator
o Quality Worker and Producer
o Self-Directed Learner
o Contributor to the Community
o Cooperative Worker
Grades are based on rubrics, tests, assignments, observations and class activities. Parents and students can
access grades via Power School. Key words to describe each level are:
o Emergent
o Novice Begins to understand, imitates, observes
o Developing Independence explores, approximates, demonstrates, needs assistance
o Fluent internalizes, persists, shows confidence, excels
o Distinguished creates, initiates, innovates
Tentative Class and Activity Schedule (Monday Thursday, Friday has early dismissal.)
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Math Language Arts Math Language Arts Coding
Science Utah Studies Science Utah Studies Problem Solving
Keyboarding Keyboarding Keyboarding Keyboarding Keyboarding
Block Music Art

Disclosure Signatures/Contact Information
Please sign and return this portion of the disclosure document indicating receipt of the disclosure document.
Student Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Parent(s) Name: ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Parent Phone: (cell) ________________________________________________________________________
(work) ________________________________________________________________________
(home) ________________________________________________________________________
Parent email: ________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________ ______________________________________________
Student Signature Parent Signature date

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Parent Signature date