WELCOME

Dear Parents,
I look forward to getting to know you and your child this year. The first few weeks of
school will consist of several assessments so I can identify where my instruction needs to be for
each student. Don't worry if your child seems to have work that is too easy or hard. We are just
starting and instructional modifications will be made. Please contact me if you have any
concerns. E-mail: blonghurst@graniteschools.org

Here is a general outline of the year's subject matter.

Literacy
We will use several different programs through the year designed for advanced learners.
These include: The Comprehension Toolkit by Harvey & Goudvis, the Great Source Literacy
program, College of William and Mary's Language Arts Program for gifted learners, and Junior
Great Books. Granite School District has found students to be successful with these advanced
learning programs.

Spelling
I am using Words Their Way which is the same program those students who participated
in the ALC program last year in first grade used. It will take a few weeks to assess the students'
spelling levels. The spelling patterns and rules will be taught. Spelling is not a graded subject
since it is embedded in the writing standards in the Utah State Core.

Writing
The writing program will consist of the 6 Traits of Effective Writing, learning the writing
process (prewrite, draft, revise, edit, and share), and lessons from the Write Source program.

Penmanship
Students will practice their penmanship during the year starting with worksheets. Then
they will learn how to monitor their own penmanship and how to make improvements as they
write.

Mathematics
Our math program is Go Math! which you can access from home to help assist your
child. I will supplement this with hands on activities for enrichment and problem solving.

Science/Social Studies
In second grade science we learn about the moon and stars, weather, matter, living
things and their habitats, and rocks and minerals. In social studies we will learn about
communities, cultures, citizenship, and geographical skills.
Discipline
I use positive reinforcement for classroom rules, honesty, fairness, respect, and
cooperation. This follows the school expectations where students earn tokens, Fox Tickets, and
points for following rules which earn special activities.

Absence/Missing Assignments
Attendance is important. We move at a faster pace and there is less practice or review
of skills. Many of the experiences in class cannot be repeated at home. Students who have
absent work will be allowed to work on it during recess if the work requires my assistance.
Absent work can be taken home if it does not require school materials or my direct assistance.
Although attendance is important please do not send your child to school if they are sick.
A sick child has difficulty concentrating and learning. In addition, the other children do not need
to be exposed to an illness when it can be avoided.

Grading
Granite School District has moved to a report card with a 1 to 4 scale: 4- Above
Proficient, 3- Proficient, 2- Approaching Proficient, and 1-Below Proficient. Art and PE have
participation grades. I will grade a student based on their mastery of a skill. Please see the
attached letter from Granite School District pertaining to the revised grading policies.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your child or
our class. Also, please don't assume your child will always tell me if something happens at
recess, on the bus, etc. If your child mentions something that concerns you please contact me
so I can start resolving the issue immediately. I believe when the teacher and parents work
together it helps ensure the student will have a good learning experience for the year.

Email: blonghurst@graniteschools.org
Class phone number: 385-646-0750