Sunday, November 30, 2014

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Our states potluck was a great time! Thanks to all who participated!

Watercolors with Mrs. Moore and learning about Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring!

A little write-up about our project!

Final Products!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I hope you and your family enjoyed the long weekend and holiday break. I personally spent some treasured time with my wife and daughter, while visiting friends and family. We ate, we laughed, and we re-charged our batteries! Now we have a good three week push until the end of the second quarter, and the beginning of winter break. 

RE-CAP from last week!

Thank you to everyone that participated and attended our POTLUCK dinner and gallery walk of the 50 states! It was a great night and the food was delicious. I hope you learned a little something new, and enjoyed seeing your child's hard work! 

Mrs. Moore had an opportunity to stop in and facilitate a lesson about Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring, while integrating art and science using watercolors. The lesson was great, the kids enjoyed it immensely, and learned so much!

This week!

We have a full week ahead of us! 

• Winter music concert at 1 PM and 7 PM at Pearl Creek this Tuesday, December 2, 2014.
• Ms. Misha will join us on Thursday, December 4, 2014 in the morning to learn more about the AMP (Alaska Measure of Progress) testing program.
• Art Specialist lesson on Thursday afternoon from 2:15-3:30. Feel free to come by and participate!
• Field Trip to Herring Auditorium to see: The Nutcracker

School Info-bytes!

Girl Scout Troop 48 SOAP Toiletry Drive 

Pearl Creek's Girl Scout Troop 48 is collecting personal hygiene items to donate to SOAP - Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption's Street Outreach and Advocacy Program.  SOAP is a program that reaches out to young people ages 10 to 21 who are at risk of homelessness, are homeless, or who have run away from home.  They provide support and resources for morale, health, and physical needs.  

Some physical needs that can be hard to meet are personal hygiene and wellness.  Toiletry products are expensive but necessary.  SOAP gave us a short list of toiletry items that homeless youth often need:

• Lipbalm or Chapstick
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant - for males and females
• Lotion

If you have other related items you would like to donate, we will pass them along.   We will be collecting items until December 15th in the box by the kaleidoscope.  Look for our posters around the school!  Thanks from Troop 48!

From Mrs. LaPlaunt:

The FNSBSD Curriculum Dept. is offering a Parent Night for Math Strategies on Dec. 1st at North Pole Elem. and Dec. 8th at University Park Elementary.   They will run from 6-8pm at both locations. This is not a "Family Night" with games and food but an opportunity for parents/guardians to learn math strategies to help their students be successful in math.

Monday looks like:

9 - 9:20

New Seats

New Jobs

Social Skill Building

Planners

9:20 - 10:55

Spelling Lesson (No Excuse Spelling Words)

StoryTown (Lesson 3 Finish)

Counselors

10:55 - 11:30

Library

11:30 - 12:00

States of Matter Intro - Solids/Liquids/Gases

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:05 - 2:15

Math Block: EnVision Math Topic 7-1

2:15 - 2:30

Recess Part II

2:30 - 3:30

Reading Group - Charlotte's Web

Homework due Wednesday, December 3, 2014

-- Field Trip $$$ ($7) for transportation and ticket.

Homework due Thursday, December 4, 2014

-- Typed Fictional Narratives (to be done at home).

Homework due Friday, November 25, 2014

-- Newbery Book Picks

-- Spelling Quiz (no excuse spelling words)*

-- States of Matter Quiz (in-class)* 

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)

Homework due Tuesday, December 2, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 7-1 

Homework due Wednesday, December 3, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 7-2

Homework due Thursday, December 4, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 7-3

Homework due Friday, December 5, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 7-4

*Please keep in mind, projects or tests we have in class may have to be brought home to be finished or to study. Please ask your child if they have completed their work before you have signed their planner. 

Dates to Remember:

Friday, December 5, 2014 (AM)
The Nutcracker - Herring Auditorium Lathrop High School time. Please send in you child with $7 for transportation and ticket. 

December 17-19, 2014
Last day of the second quarter is Friday, December 19, 2014. There are half-days on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (December 17-19), with a 2 PM dismissal time.

If you are interested in attending or helping out as a chaperone on a field trip, you must be cleared with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District...see me for a packet. If you would like to simply help out in class or volunteer, just let me know!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Alaska Native Studies in "The Alaska Room" at Anne Wein Elementary School!

Alaska Native Studies in "The Alaska Room" at Anne Wein Elementary School!

"Stringman" assembly.

Bake for Good Assembly

CLASS POTLUCK THIS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2014!!! 5-7 PM at PEARL CREEK

I sent home RSVP slips so we can get an idea/head count for the event. Please send it back with your child on Monday...it will really help us logistically!

School Info-bytes!

Girl Scout Troop 48 SOAP Toiletry Drive 

Pearl Creek's Girl Scout Troop 48 is collecting personal hygiene items to donate to SOAP - Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption's Street Outreach and Advocacy Program.  SOAP is a program that reaches out to young people ages 10 to 21 who are at risk of homelessness, are homeless, or who have run away from home.  They provide support and resources for morale, health, and physical needs.  

Some physical needs that can be hard to meet are personal hygiene and wellness.  Toiletry products are expensive but necessary.  SOAP gave us a short list of toiletry items that homeless youth often need:

• Lipbalm or Chapstick
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant - for males and females
• Lotion

If you have other related items you would like to donate, we will pass them along.   We will be collecting items until December 15th in the box by the kaleidoscope.  Look for our posters around the school!  Thanks from Troop 48!

ALSO...from Mrs. LaPlaunt:

The FNSBSD Curriculum Dept. is offering a Parent Night for Math Strategies on Dec. 1st at North Pole Elem. and Dec. 8th at University Park Elementary.   They will run from 6-8pm at both locations. This is not a "Family Night" with games and food but an opportunity for parents/guardians to learn math strategies to help their students be successful in math.

RE-CAP from last week!

The King Arthur Bake For Good program was a huge success and thank you so much for all those that participated. Our school helped in baking over 600 loaves of bread for the Fairbanks Community Food Bank. We should all be proud of our Involvement and Compassion towards our local community and fellow citizens. It is always such a wonderful lesson to teach our kiddos to give back and help where they are able. I am so proud to be a part of this school and community! A small article was written in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner last week: Article

I hope you like Class Dojo so far. I certainly encourage friendly feedback: comments, questions, concerns!

We have made a strides catching up on our outstanding homework...especially with our new homework board posted in the classroom. I am proud of the students' hard work.

This week!

It is a short week and I hope you all enjoy the Holiday break (gobble till' you wobble)! No School Thursday, November 27, and Friday the 28th, 2014.

We are finishing Phase 3 of the States Reports! The posters are coming along and fictional narratives are being drafted. Again, we will showcase our progress on Tuesday evening, November 25, 2014 here at Pearl Creek during a Potluck! Please come with your student and bring a dish from their state! Mrs. Hammer and I will provide the location and set-up. (5-7 PM) 

Phase 1 and 2 of the States Reports have been graded (from those I have received). The students have received grades for Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and Art. I have given extensive feedback during the process and on their final summaries. I would also encourage students to revisit some areas in their reports and turn them in for more credit where pertinent, I will average the two!

We are rescheduled with Mrs. Moore for our art specialist visit on Wednesday morning from 9:30 - 11:45! If you would like to come in and help out, we would love to have you!

Monday looks like:

9 - 9:20

Class Meeting

9:20 - 10:55

Fictional Narrative Writing

States Reports Poster Boards

Counselors

10:55 - 11:30

Library

11:30 - 12:00

Social Studies Project

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:05 - 2:15

Math Block: EnVision Math Topic 6 Review

2:15 - 2:30

Recess Part II

2:30 - 3:30

GeoNotes 

Story Town

Homework due Tuesday, November 25, 2014

-- Fictional Narrative Final Draft

Homework due Friday, November 25, 2014

-- States Packet Poster Board (in-class)*

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)

Homework due Tuesday, November 18, 2014

-- Topic 6 Review Packet 

Homework due Wednesday, November 19, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 6-2

*Please keep in mind, projects or tests we have in class may have to be brought home to be finished or to study. Please ask your child if they have completed their work before you have signed their planner. 

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, November 25, 2014 (5-7 PM)
For the culmination of our States Projects, we will have a POTLUCK here at Pearl Creek for Mrs. Hammer's Class and Mr. Sassman's class. We would like it if all students and parents participated in the event. I will send more information home with your student as we get closer to the event, but please mark your calendars.

Friday, December 5, 2014 (AM)
The Nutcracker - Herring Auditorium Lathrop High School time.

If you are interested in attending or helping out as a chaperone on a field trip, you must be cleared with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District...see me for a packet. If you would like to simply help out in class or volunteer, just let me know!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

RE-CAP from last week!

Stringman was exciting last week and the students were buzzing around with their new skills and simple devices last week. Our visit to the Alaska Room was engaging and educational. The students will bring home their artifacts soon! Baked bread for the King Arthur Bake For Good is due back tomorrow so please send your child in with their loaf or kit. We unfortunately had to reschedule with our Art Specialist last week, as she had the flu! Thanks to Mrs. Moore, for not bringing the germs here, and I am glad I got the flu shot last month! I hope you like Class Dojo so far. I certainly encourage friendly feedback: comments, questions, concerns!

This week!

I am concerned with the amount of outstanding work/homework from the class as a whole. I will be making an assignment chart this week to address this, but please look on PowerSchool. All received work has been graded and added to the grade book so it is up to date. I would also encourage students to redo assignments if they have received low grades on previous attempts. I will average the two...every bit makes a difference. In addition, several assignments span multiple subjects (i.e. NatGeo, TFK, States Reports), so it is imperative that homework/classwork be completed.

We are starting Phase 3 of the States Reports! This will consist of the students making a poster board of the information form their reports. We will then showcase them Tuesday, November 25, 2014 here at Pearl Creek during our culminating Potluck! Phase 1 and 2 of the States Reports have been graded (from those I have received). The students will get grades for Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and Art. I have made extensive notes back to the students during the process and on their final summaries. 

Monday looks like:

9 - 9:20

Planners

Class Meeting - Missing Assignments

9:20 - 10:55

States Reports Poster Boards

Counselors

10:55 - 11:30

Library

11:30 - 12:00

Fictional Narrative Writing

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:05 - 2:15

Math Block: EnVision Math Topic 6-1 and 6-2

2:15 - 2:30

Recess Part II

2:30 - 3:30

GeoNotes

Story Town

Homework due Thursday, November 20, 2014

-- Fictional Narrative Rough Draft

Homework due Friday, November 21, 2014

-- States Packet Phase 3 Poster Board (in-class)*

-- ALL MISSING ASSIGNMENTS DUE FRIDAY!

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)

Homework due Tuesday, November 18, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 6-1

Homework due Wednesday, November 19, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 6-2

Homework due Thursday, November 20, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 6-3 

Homework due Friday, November 21, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 6-4

*Please keep in mind, projects or tests we have in class may have to be brought home to be finished or to study. Please ask your child if they have completed their work before you have signed their planner. 

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, November 25, 2014 (5-7 PM)
For the culmination of our States Projects, we will have a POTLUCK here at Pearl Creek for Mrs. Hammer's Class and Mr. Sassman's class. We would like it if all students and parents participated in the event. I will send more information home with your student as we get closer to the event, but please mark your calendars.

Friday, December 5, 2014 (AM)
The Nutcracker - Herring Auditorium Lathrop High School time.

If you are interested in attending or helping out as a chaperone on a field trip, you must be cleared with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District...see me for a packet.

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Class movement activity: Yoga!!!

Handball anyone??? We also had to have a chat about sportsmanship this week! 

We have a busy week ahead of us and I am feeling ambitious! 

Monday, November 10, 2014, we have a one hour assembly featuring David "Stringman" Titus. Flyers went home last Friday about this renowned author/storyteller. He specializes in African, Native American, and Alaska Native string figures that accompany his books. He will have books ($5), DVDs ($10), and extra string (50 cents each) for sale at the school all week as well.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DaveTitusStringman

http://www.Storyteller-Wordsmith.com

Tuseday, November 11, 2014, we will visit the "Alaska Room" at Anne Wein Elementary School for a field trip. We will engage in mini canoe/bracelet making in the Alaska Native style of Tlingit Tribes. Check out the link below for examples and an article from the Newsminer.

Newsminer Article 2010

Wednesday, November 12, 2014, students will participate in the "King Arthur Flour Bake For Good: Kids Learn Bake Share Program." They will learn that math, science, reading, and baking know-how add up to delicious bread! If you choose to participate at home, students will come home with two bags of tools and ingredients (provided by the King Arthur Flour Program), and with your support, on Monday, November 17, 2014, they will return to school with one donation of bread for the FAIRBANKS COMMUNITY FOOD BANK. You keep the other batch of bread for your family to share and enjoy. This is a great event and wonderful way to give back to our community, promoting our Pearl Creek goals or Compassionate, Involved, and Inspired. I will send home a letter and more information with the kids on Monday and thanks in advance for your help and participation. Here is a link for some more information...for now!

King Arthur Flour Bake for Good Program

Thursday, November 13, 2014, we will have another visit from an Art Specialist in our district. Mrs. DeAnn Moore will come by and guide us through "Jellybean Book." We will integrate poetry, bookmaking, and design. It should be great, pictures to follow next week.

I would like to reiterate at this time; that if you would like to visit our class, an activity, or join us for a field trip, please email or call me. We would love to have you!  

I am starting a new classroom progress program called "Class Dojo." I learned about it at our last Staff Meeting, and I think it could be great, so I am giving it a try! I will send your kiddos home with login information and a Parent Signature Card for them to return (showing me that you have received the information). It is free to you and the students, and gives you weekly email updates about classroom behaviors (positive and well...not so positive if necessary), and progress reports (outstanding homework and such). Please let me know what you think as time progresses. This program is not reactive to any particular incident or student. As a teacher, I am always reflecting on my practices and best practices in the field. I hope this adds to our success and serves as a tool. Check it out early?

Class Dojo

WE GOT DESKS BY THE WAY!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MRS. LAPLAUNT, THE PRINCIPAL, FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN! LIFE IS SO GOOD! The students certainly have a much better hold on organization already and it has seriously added to our efficiency!

Monday looks like:

9 - 9:20

New Seats

Planners

Class Meeting

9:20 - 10:55

StoryTown

National Geographic Explorer: NatGeo

STRINGMAN - storyteller

10:55 - 11:30

Library

11:30 - 12:00

States Project Phase 2 - debrief with Mrs. Hammer's Class

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:05 - 2:15

Math Block: EnVision Math Topic 5-5

2:15 - 2:30

Recess Part II

2:30 - 3:30

iPads: States Packet Research Phase 2

Homework due Tuesday, November 11, 2014

-- $5 for Field Trip to Alaska Room at Anne Wein Elementary School

Homework due Thursday, November 13, 2014

-- StoryTown Lesson 3 Workbook (in-class)*

-- NatGeo: Reaching for the Sky, Cheetahs, and Wild Land (3 Reading Comprehension Assessments)

Homework due Friday, November 13, 2014

-- States Packet Phase 2 (in-class)*

-- Class Dojo Signed Sheets (from parents)

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)

Homework due Tuesday, November 12, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 5-5 Using Rounding to Estimate

Homework due Wednesday, November 13, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 5-6 Problem Solving: Reasonableness

Homework due Thursday, November 14, 2014

-- Topic 5 Review 1 

Homework due Friday, November 15, 2014

-- Topic 5 Review 2

This week's calendar for your convenience.

*Please keep in mind, projects or tests we have in class may have to be brought home to be finished or to study. Please ask your child if they have completed their work before you have signed their planner. 

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, November 11, 2014 (9:30-11:30 AM)
Field Trip to Anne Wein Elementary School for Alaskan Native Educational Activities - arts/crafts, bracelet making, canoe making. Two parent volunteers needed please. PLEASE SEND YOUR CHILD IN WITH $5 FOR TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014 (5-7 PM)
For the culmination of our States Projects, we will have a POTLUCK here at Pearl Creek for Mrs. Hammer's Class and Mr. Sassman's class. We would like it if all students and parents participated in the event. I will send more information home with your student as we get closer to the event, but please mark your calendars.

Friday, December 5, 2014 (AM)
The Nutcracker - Herring Auditorium Lathrop High School time. One parent volunteer needed still please.

If you are interested in attending or helping out as a chaperone on a field trip, you must be cleared with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District...see me for a packet.

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

What a day! Pumpkin Carving, Halloween Parade, and Electronics Party (Marble Jar Reward)! 

 

Stack the States and Time for Kids App!!! 

I hope you ended last week with a HAPPY HALLOWEEN, and that you enjoyed your weekend/festivities! It was a great week, and as you can see from the pictures, pumpkin carving was a success!

THANK YOU to everyone who attended parent-teacher conferences! We had a 100% turnout (pretty amazing) and the outlook for quarter 2 is optimistic! Moving forward now...

We have a new student joining our class this week and his name is Isiah Lapp! We will be sure to catch him up to speed on the classroom policies and procedures, but in the meantime, we will give him a nice, warm welcome to our little community!

New desks are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday...it should be brilliant! I can hardly wait!

STATE PROJECTS start this week! Here we go! 

Monday looks like:

9 - 9:20

New Jobs

Planners

Class Meeting

9:20 - 10:55

StoryTown

States Project Phase 1 - Meeting and picking states with Mrs. Hammer's Class

10:55 - 11:30

Library

11:30 - 12:00

DOL

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:05 - 2:15

Math Block: EnVision Math Topic 5-1

2:15 - 2:30

Recess Part II

2:30 - 3:30

Reading Group/Literacy Development: Charlotte's Web

Homework due Wednesday, November 5, 2014

-- StoryTown Lesson 2 Workbook (in-class)*

Homework due Wednesday, November 5, 2014

-- States Project Phase 1 (in-class)*

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)

Homework due Tuesday, November 4, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 5-1 Arrays and Multiplying 10 and 100

Homework due Wednesday, November 5, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 5-2 Multiplying by Multiples of 10 and 100

Homework due Thursday, November 6, 2014

-- Reteach/Practice 5-3 Breaking Apart to Multiply

*Please keep in mind, projects or tests we have in class may have to be brought home to be finished or to study. Please ask your child if they have completed their work before you have signed their planner. 

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, November 11, 2014 (AM)
Field Trip to Anne Wein Elementary School for Alaskan Native Educational Activities - arts/crafts, bracelet making, canoe making. Two parent volunteers needed please.

Friday, December 5, 2014 (AM)
The Nutcracker - Herring Auditorium Lathrop High School time. One parent volunteer needed please.

Please Note: We can always use more volunteers in and out of the classroom, but it is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you are interested in attending or helping out as a chaperone on a field trip, you must be cleared with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District...see me for a packet

Thanks so much and check back for updates!

Mr. Sassman