Sunday, August 31, 2014

Sunday, August 31, 2014


Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog


HAPPY LABOR DAY! 

Labor Day: The first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

For more information about Labor Day, follow the link below! Some interesting stuff!


Last week was our first full week of school and it was a great one. Some of our main focuses have been organization, responsibility, and procedures (classroom and school). The students responded well, but there is still some work to do...particularly, in the homework department!

This coming week is a short one, so there will be a bit of a push to get things done on time, but I am confident that the students will rise to the occasion. We also have some important dates on the calendar this week, so please make note of the dates below. They are also in your child's planner, which I am pleased to report, are getting some great use so far!

I have received many of the Parent Volunteer Forms back. A big THANK YOU for your willingness to help and flexibility. I am sorting through them now and I will have more information to you as soon as possible. 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014 we will have a Back to School Night for our class. There are several items on the agenda so I have included it here for you to brainstorm or come prepared with questions if you have any. The meeting will be held from 5:30 - 6:30 in room 324 at the school. If you cannot make it, I can always meet with you at another time if necessary.

Agenda: Fundraising, Class Field Trips, Family Project Night, Letters Home, Homework Procedures, Pillow Making, Parent Survey, Parent Volunteer Forms, Class Contact List, Power School/Checking Grades, and Open Forum. 

Thursday, September 4, 2014 I will be making pancakes for breakfast for the students when they arrive in class (roughly 9:10 - 9:30ish). I am very aware of dietary restrictions and/or allergies, so I can make special arrangements when and where necessary...just speak to me on Wednesday evening! Thanks!

Tuesday's schedule looks good:

9 - 9:20
Class Meeting
Planners
Social Skills Building (Weekend Re-cap)
9:20 - 10:55
ELA: Daily Oral Language Week 2
ELA: Spelling Packet Week 2
Read Aloud: Frindle
Health/Science: Germs and Hygiene
10:55 - 11:30
PE
11:30 - 12:00
Social Studies: The American Landscape (Packet 2)
12:00 - 12:30
Lunch
12:30 - 1:00
Recess
1:05 - 2:15
Math Block: EnVision Lesson 1-3
2:15 - 2:30
Free Write to Music!
2:30 - 3:30
ELA: Re-told Book Report Activity and pick book
ELP

Homework due Friday, September 5, 2014
-- Spelling Packet 2
-- Re-told Activity 1
-- SS Packet 2: The American Landscape Packet
-- DOL TEST (in-class)
-- SPELLING QUIZ (in-class)

Thanks so much! Your help and support are much appreciated! Have a nice week!

Mr. Sassman

p.s. more pictures of our classroom activities will come this week...stay posted!

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Welcome back and welcome to 4th grade! 

What a great first day of school at Pearl Creek Elementary School!




This is a great opportunity for ice breakers and team building activities!


I had the opportunity and pleasure to meet several parents during the annual Ice Cream Social and it was a huge success. Thank you for attending and if you were unable to make it, I am sure we will meet in the near future (Parent/Teacher conferences October 27th and 28th). 

I mentioned that I would maintain a class blog for you to see a "snapshot" of what lessons and activities we do in class. I will also include a rough sketch of our schedule for the week, highlighting some of our main events, but please keep in mind that things may change from time to time. At the bottom of the blog, I will list the homework that is due for the week, for your reference.

Our typical day looks like this:
9 - 11 am 
English/Language Arts instruction and special projects work
11 - 11:30 am
Special (Music, Library, PE)
11:30 - 12:00
Morning instruction continued
12:00 - 12:30
Lunch
12:30 - 1:00
Recess
1:00 - 2:15 
Math block
2:15 - 2:30
Movement activity or second recess
2:30 - 3:30
Science or Social Studies projects/unit work

*Please note that Special, Lunch, and Recess are school-wide schedules and at times curriculum instruction will be moved around to accommodate different initiatives.  

For example, Monday 8-25-14, we will have a special Pearl Creek Garden Tour at 2:15 pm - 3:00 pm.

This week we have some additions to the schedule:
Monday 8/25 - Counselors Lesson, Band Demos, and Garden Tour
Tuesday 8/26 - Queen Honey Bee in the commons, Universal RTI Screening
Wednesday 8/27 - Technology Session with computer specialist from the district, Universal RTI Screening
Thursday 8/28 - Reading Groups, Universal RTI Screening

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please feel free to call or email me anytime to discuss things further. I hope you find this information helpful and useful.

Homework Due Friday, August 29, 2014:
-- DOL TEST
-- Spelling Packet 1
-- Summer Reflections
-- Where is the United States

Sincerely,

Mr. Sassman