Mr Rasband
6th Grade Disclosure Document
2010-11
Welcome to my class! I’m excited to start the new school year, and to let you know some important things that will help you succeed in my class this year.
Class philosophy- I am an elementary school teacher - sixth grade to be exact. My job is to ensure that my students successfully complete sixth grade with the knowledge the state of Utah requires them to have. I don’t believe it is my job to run some kind of superficial, perfunctory bootcamp for middle school. Having taught middle school for six years and having been a middle school principal for another four years, I can safely say that middle school will take care of itself. Sixth graders don’t need hours of homework every night to “prepare them for middle school,” because not all middle school teachers even give hours of homework.
- Kids need time to be kids: work hard when it is appropriate, but play hard when it is appropriate, too. They also need to learn how to get along with others while they’re doing those things.
- Sixth graders - and elementary school kids in general, really - need teachers who will teach at an age appropriate level, and who can adjust and modify the curriculum as needed to better suit their students’ educational needs.
Class rules- Listen while the teacher is speaking
- Raise your hand and wait to be called on
- Use appropriate language
- Respect your teacher and classmates, and their property
DisciplineI expect students to do what I ask the first time I ask. Continual disruption of class will result in the loss of privileges, up to and including spending time in the office and phone calls home. I define “disruption of class” as any action that prevents a student or his or her classmates from learning, or me from teaching.
GradingIn most subjects, grades are weighted so that half of the grade is based on assignments, and the other half is based on tests and quizzes.
Our school-wide grading scales is as follows:
A 100-93%
A- 92.99-90%
B+ 89.99-87%
B 86.99-83%
B- 82.99-80%
C+ 79.99-75
C 74.99-70
C- 69.99-65
N 64.99-0
The Legendary Homework PolicyI don’t give weekly homework packets. Listening and doing the work assigned in class will help students be successful in my class, without the additional grief (for everyone) of keeping track of, completing, handing in, and checking those homework packets. I do expect any work not completed in class to go home and be completed there.
I expect students to read at least thirty minutes a night as part of our “Road To Success” reading program, keep track of the minutes they read, and hand in the “Road To Success” folder every Friday. I also expect students to study their weekly spelling lists every night, and to be ready for the spelling test on Friday.
I may also assign other out of class projects, such as book reports.
Late WorkI expect students to hand in assignments when they are due. I understand that occasionally things happen that prevent a student from handing an assignment in on time. Students have one week after the due date to hand in late work. After that, I won’t accept it. If a student misses work because of illness, he or she has one week from the day he or she returns to class to hand in missed assignments. If there are other, extenuating circumstances, such as a death or serious illness in the family, please let me know. I will work with you.
CommunicationI believe communication between parents and teacher is essential for a student to succeed, and to avoid any misunderstandings that occasionally occur.
Here are ways you can reach me:
Phone: 801-789-8300 ext. 216
E-mail: rrasband(at)alpine.k12.ut.us, or even better, misterrasband(at)gmail.com. The district firewall sometimes blocks e-mail from parents, so I have set up an additional e-mail address for contacting me.
I have also created a class blog this year. The web address is http://misterrasband.blogspot.com. I will use the blog for posting daily assignments and any other information that parents need, such as weekly spelling lists. I hope this will be a useful, additional resource for parents and students.
Class materialsIt would be very helpful if students have the following items:
- Three ring binder, with pockets for loose papers
- Looseleaf paper
- Pencils - please, no pens!
- Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
I also have these items available in my classroom. However, I’ve found that students treat materials more responsibly if they bring them themselves.
I welcome any donations of Kleenex or anti-bacterial wipes.
Students also need to have a silent reading book at school every day.6th grade curriculumHere is a link to what we will cover this year, from the state office of education website
http://www.uen.org/core/Classroom VolunteersMelissa Leatherwood will be our room mother this year. She will be coordinating class parties - Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. If you would like to help, please let Melissa or me know.
I also have volunteer opportunities available in my classroom. Please let me know if you are interested.
Field TripsWe will have at least two field trips this year: our fall walkabout, where we visit city offices, the sheriff’s office and the fire department. That field trip will happen on Wednesday, October 13. We will also be going to the planetarium at the Gateway in Salt Lake. We do not have a date for that trip yet. We will need parent volunteers for both field trips.
Again, I am very happy to have you in my class. I look forward to a great year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Rasband
