Sunday, February 22, 2015

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog


TWO BIG ITEMS

Read-a-thon:
I have met with almost every parent to explain what we are trying to achieve and how. Our Read-A-Thon starts this Monday, February 23, 2015!!! I sent home pledge forms at parent-teacher conferences so please ask your child to see it...and help them with sponsors. I will collect these Monday, March 2, 2015, to copy and record our progress so far. If you do not see one soon, please contact me or have your student get another ASAP. This fundraiser is for our Twin Bears Trip!

AND

Frog Pond:
This Friday, February 27, 2015 is our trip to Frog Pond with our buddy class, Mr. Hensel's first graders. We hope that you will be able to join us! Please plan on sending in your students with an extra warm layer and a sack lunch (please let me know if you would like me to order a sack lunch through the school district). We would appreciate it if some folks sent in warm beverages and cups. Please label your thermos with your name and the contents.

We would also appreciate it if volunteers brought a shovel, sled, sleeping bag and/or whistle. Shovels can be used to clear areas of the pond and look at the ice. Sleds can be used to carry lunches and drinks. A whistle could be helpful for getting the group’s attention, and a student could be pulled back to school in a sleeping bag in a sled if necessary.

We plan to leave the school at 9:30 A.M. At the pond, we will do some activities and have lunch around 11:00 A.M. We hope to be back at school by 12:15 P.M. We hope for warm weather. If it is below -10 we will try to reschedule our excursion. 

ALSO...

Scholastic Book Fair from February 16 - 27! 

Science Fair night this week. Thursday, February 26, 2015 from 5-7 PM. Projects due the 24th.

If you have not yet sent in your student with field trip money from last week...please do. It's $7 and thanks.  

THIS WEEK...a full five days!!!
  • DOL (Daily Oral Language)
  • StoryTown
  • Folk Tale Studies
  • Field Trip Friday to Frog Pond...VOLUNTEERS PLEASE!
  • Scholastic book orders should arrive this week.
The Becky Fund fundraiser is still going. TheBecky Fund was created to help enhance the student classrooms and learning environment for school aged children in Peru. Last year the funds raised by Pearl Creek students were able to purchase a desk for every student at one school in Peru. The class that raises the most money in the next two weeks will be rewarded with a healthy snack and donut party - compliments of student council. 100% of the money raised goes directly to the cause. 

Monday looks like:
9 - 9:20
Class Meeting
9:20 - 10:55
StoryTown
DOL
Spelling
10:55 - 11:30
Library
11:30 - 12:00
Read Aloud - Return of the Indian
12:00 - 12:30
Lunch
12:30 - 1:00
Recess
1:05 - 2:15
Math Block: Topic 11-4
2:15 - 2:30
Recess Part II
2:30 - 3:30
SSR - Day 1 Read-A-Thon

HOMEWORK HOMEROOM
Homework due Friday, February 27, 2015
-- Spelling Packet
-- StoryTown
-- GeoNotes 8

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)
Homework due Tuesday, February 24, 2015
-- Re-teach/Practice 11-4 Equivalent Fractions

Homework due Wednesday, February 25, 2015

-- Reteach/Practice 11-5 Number Lines and Equivalent Fractions

Homework due Thursday, February 26, 2015

-- Re-teach/Practice 11-6 Comparing Fractions

Homework due Friday, February 27, 2015
-- Re-teach/Practice 11-7 Ordering Fractions

*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, February 27, 2015
Science Expedition - We will walk to Frog Pond with our first grade buddy class. This is one mile trek and parent volunteers needed for the morning please!

Friday, March 6, 2015

World Ice Art Championship Park Tour with Mrs. Hammer's class - AM TBD

Friday, March 13, 2015

Last day of the third quarter.
Early dismissal at 2 PM.
African Guitar Summit at Herring Auditorium

Tuesday, April 7, 2015 - Thursday, April 9, 2015

AMP Statewide Testing - These days may change a bit due to availability of technology.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

UAF Museum of the North - Art Expedition

Thursday, May 14, 2015 - Saturday, May 16, 2015

Twin Bears Camp - Details to follow

Last week of school - Arctic Bowl, Chena Hot Springs (or Hamme Pool), Musk Ox Farm Expedition.


Please Note: There will be several field trips in May - the schedule and details are still being finalized.

If you are interested in volunteering 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, and we can arrange it so!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog


Student-led Parent-teacher Conferences Monday and Tuesday this week!

Congratulations to Darcy, Jenna, Zadock, and Dylan!!! They competed in the school spelling bee and went up against some tough competition! They all made it far and should be very proud! This year's winner was Gage Tilly (sixth grader) from Mr. Brent's class! Congrats to Gage as well!


ALSO...

Congratulations to Augustin Standlee-Strom for being a 2015 PTA Reflections Art Program Award Winner in the Visual Arts category. Great job Gus! 

A BIG THANK YOU to our Pearl Creek PTA for awarding us a mini-grant to help with our trip to Twin Bears Camp in May. If you see a member of the PTA in passing, please be sure to thank them!

ONE MORE THANK YOU to the PTA for organizing the book exchange. Our class was able to pick out new books in the commons last Friday. There were a ton of great choices and they were even able to pick out books for our first grade buddy class. THANKS AGAIN PTA! YOU ROCK!

Library Book Fair from February 16 - 27! 

Science Fair open viewing this February 26, 2015 from 5-7 PM. Projects due the 24th.  

Conferences Monday and Tuesday this week...no school...see you soon.
These type of conferences may be new to some of you. The primary goal for students is accepting responsibility for reporting to you, how they are doing in school and the progress they are making. The secondary goal is for students to learn to communicate in a way which is understood and satisfying for themselves, and for you as a parent/guardian. 

Over the next week, the students will be reflecting on their efforts and responsibilities as learners using self-evaluation techniques. Students will be writing about the many aspects of their lives, including at school and at home, both academically and socially. 

The main goal for parents, is to reinforce the fact that your children are enthusiastic, articulate, and able to properly report what they are doing at school and how well they are doing it. I realize that many of you already know this, and I offer this as one more special time for your child to shine. Thanks and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you!

THIS WEEK...
  • TFK - Grow Your Brain.
  • Moon Journals final day is Wednesday, February 18, 2015 (the last day of the cycle day 29).
  • GeoNotes 8.
  • Field Trip Thursday for band members to UAF.
  • Field Trip Friday to Herring Auditorium for TorQ Percussion (check them out by following the link).
  • Scholastic book orders came in last week from January orders...we filled up quickly for February so I sent the first order last week. I will send another at the end of the month. Hopefully our books will arrive this week.
PLEASE NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BLOG, WE HAVE A LIST OF FIELD TRIPS POSTED WITH DATES. WE WILL NEED HELP, SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS. THANKS SO MUCH!

The Becky Fund fundraiser is starting up again. TheBecky Fund was created to help enhance the student classrooms and learning environment for school aged children in Peru. Last year the funds raised by Pearl Creek students were able to purchase a desk for every student at one school in Peru. The class that raises the most money in the next two weeks will be rewarded with a healthy snack and donut party - compliments of student council. 100% of the money raised goes directly to the cause. 

Read-a-thon
We will in fact have a read-a-thon fundraiser this quarter...more details at parent-teacher conferences.

Wednesday looks like:
9 - 9:20
New Seats
New Jobs
9:20 - 10:55
Class Meeting - Goal Setting for the rest of the year...where do we stand now?
TFK: Grow Your Brain
10:55 - 11:30
Music
11:30 - 12:00
Read Aloud - Return of the Indian
12:00 - 12:30
Lunch
12:30 - 1:00
Recess
1:05 - 2:15
Math Block: Topic 11-1
2:15 - 2:30
Recess Part II
2:30 - 3:30
AMP TESTLETS

HOMEWORK HOMEROOM

Homework due Wednesday, February 18, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 29 (last one)

Homework due Friday, February 20, 2015
-- $7 Field Trip Money

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

Homework due Thursday, February 19, 2015
-- Re-teach/Practice 11-1 Factors

Homework due Friday, February 20, 2015

-- Reteach/Practice 11-2 Prime and Composite Numbers

*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:
Monday, February 16, 2015 and Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Student-Led, Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday, February 20, 2015

TorQ Percussion at Herring Auditorium 10 - 11 AM (depart 9:15 AM)

Friday, February 27, 2015

Science Expedition - We will walk to Frog Pond with our first grade buddy class. This is one mile trek and parent volunteers needed for the morning please!

Friday, March 6, 2015

World Ice Art Championship Park Tour with Mrs. Hammer's class - AM TBD

Friday, March 13, 2015

Last day of the third quarter.
Early dismissal at 2 PM.
African Guitar Summit at Herring Auditorium

Tuesday, April 7, 2015 - Thursday, April 9, 2015

AMP Statewide Testing - These days may change a bit due to availability of technology.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

UAF Museum of the North - Art Expedition

Thursday, May 14, 2015 - Saturday, May 16, 2015

Twin Bears Camp - Details to follow

Last week of school - Arctic Bowl, Chena Hot Springs (or Hamme Pool), Musk Ox Farm Expedition.


Please Note: There will be several field trips in May - the schedule and details are still being finalized.

If you are interested in volunteering 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, and we can arrange it so!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog







LAST WEEK WAS A SHORT WEEK!
We are half way through our Moon Journals so far...students are required to complete a minimum of three entry logs per week. I would like them to observe the sky every night, but they will turn in their Moon Journals for review on Mondays. I left feedback for most of the students so far. I have read more scientific terms in the descriptions. In addition, students have been using their five senses when writing!

I have graded a lot of assignments over the weekend and PowerSchool should be current! Please check and make sure all is well with your kiddos...we will be meeting next week.

PEN PAL Letters have been mailed...let's stay tuned! 

THIS WEEK IS PACKED
I mentioned that there will be a good amount of homework over the next few weeks...please check our the schedule regularly and PowerSchool when you are able. This time of the year is when we really hit our stride and really test our maximum potential! 
  • We are finishing up StoryTown Lesson 11, to cover cause and effect, non-fiction text analysis, and informative writing. Spelling Packet 11 is also due on Wednesday, February 11, 2015. I gave this out last week and allowed some extra time.
  • We are also continuing persuasive essay writing...final drafts this week!
  • Moon Journals will continue as planned.
  • GeoNotes start up again!
  • Student-led parent-teacher conference preparation this week!
Read-a-thon
We will in fact have a read-a-thon fundraiser this quarter...more details at parent-teacher conferences.

CONFERENCES
Mrs. Lisa Corbett in the office has finished the schedule, so if you would like to make a change, please call her at 907.479.4234 x222. Notices and time confirmations have been sent home. This is a student-led conference, so it is imperative that your student be present.

These type of conferences may be new to some of you. The primary goal for students is accepting responsibility for reporting to you, how they are doing in school and the progress they are making. The secondary goal is for students to learn to communicate in a way which is understood and satisfying for themselves, and for you as a parent/guardian. 

Over the next week, the students will be reflecting on their efforts and responsibilities as learners using self-evaluation techniques. Students will be writing about the many aspects of their lives, including at school and at home, both academically and socially. 

The main goal for parents, is to reinforce the fact that your children are enthusiastic, articulate, and able to properly report what they are doing at school and how well they are doing it. I realize that many of you already know this, and I offer this as one more special time for your child to shine. Thanks and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you!

Monday looks like:
9 - 9:20
Class Meeting
9:20 - 10:55
Persuasive Essays
Conference Preparation
10:55 - 11:30
Library
11:30 - 12:00
GeoNotes
12:00 - 12:30
Lunch
12:30 - 1:00
Recess
1:05 - 2:15
Math Block: Topic 10 Review
2:15 - 2:30
Recess Part II
2:30 - 3:30
Conference Preparation

HOMEWORK HOMEROOM
Homework due Monday, February 9, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 20 (ONLY 3 PER WEEK)
--GeoNotes Week 6 (in-class)*

Homework due Tuesday, February 10, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 21 (ONLY 3 PER WEEK)

Homework due Wednesday, February 11, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 22 (ONLY 3 PER WEEK)
-- Spelling Packet 11

Homework due Thursday, February 12, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 23 (ONLY 3 PER WEEK)
-- StoryTown Lesson 11 (in-class)*
--GeoNotes Week 7 (in-class)*

Homework due Friday, February 13, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 24 (ONLY 3 PER WEEK)
-- Persuasive Essay Final Draft (in-class)*
-- Pictures in the Stars

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)
Homework due Tuesday, February 10, 2015
-- Review Packet Topic 10

Homework due Thursday, February 12, 2015

-- Re-test Topic 10

Homework due Friday, February 13, 2015

-- Reteach/Practice 11-1 Factors 

*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:
Monday, February 16, 2015 and Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Student-Led, Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday, February 20, 2015

TorQ Percussion at Herring Auditorium 10 - 11 AM (depart 9:15 AM)

Friday, February 27, 2015

Science Expedition - We will walk to Frog Pond with our first grade buddy class. This is one mile trek and parent volunteers needed for the morning please!

Friday, March 6, 2015

World Ice Art Championship Park Tour with Mrs. Hammer's class - AM TBD

Friday, March 13, 2015

Last day of the third quarter.
Early dismissal at 2 PM.
African Guitar Summit at Herring Auditorium

Tuesday, April 7, 2015 - Thursday, April 9, 2015

AMP Statewide Testing - These days may change a bit due to availability of technology.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

UAF Museum of the North - Art Expedition

Thursday, May 14, 2015 - Saturday, May 16, 2015
Twin Bears Camp - Details to follow

Last week of school - Arctic Bowl, Chena Hot Springs (or Hamme Pool), Musk Ox Farm Expedition.

Please Note: There will be several field trips in May - the schedule and details are still being finalized.

If you are interested in volunteering 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, and we can arrange it so!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Sunday, February 2, 2015

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog




HAPPY SUPER BOWL SUNDAY...if that's your thing! Please note: Teacher Professional Development Day this Friday, February 6, 2015! No School.

THANK YOU to Mrs. Diane Herrmann for starting a games donation campaign for the classroom...Last week was tough without good indoor activities during recess. The uncooperative weather kept us inside and restless almost everyday! Hopefully this week will be warmer than 30 below zero! Thanks so much for your donations.

LAST WEEK - WHOA!!! SO MUCH AWESOME!
I am really impressed with our Moon Journals so far...once again, students are required to complete a minimum of 3 entry logs per week. I would like them to observe the sky every night, but they will turn in their Moon Journals for review on Mondays. I left feedback for most of the students so far, and I would like to see more scientific terms added to their descriptions. In addition, we spoke about using our 5 sense when writing, so this week I will be looking for another level of proficiency.

Our class was selected for a lunch menu tasting/feedback program from the school district, and it was a really fun opportunity. The food was delicious! It was prepared by the UAF Culinary Program with local Organic Alaskan ingredients! WOW!  

Most PenPal letters were finished up Friday...I have just a few kids left (which are almost done), so we will work on that this week. I would like to send them along with some nice Alaskan Treats in a care package to our buddy class. Our friends are from Lambertville, New Jersey. A quaint and bustling little city. It is a "Historic River Town," nestled along the Delaware River, with strong ties to the Revolutionary War and the early years of our country! You can look it up here: Lambertville.

The Intergalactic Nemesis was AWESOME!!! You can see a bit right here: Intergalactic Nemesis.  

Scholastic Book Club Orders were entered on Friday...Thanks for ordering...every bit helps our class and library for this year and many years to come! Give the gift of books! Items should arrive within the next 2 weeks.

THIS WEEK - EVEN MORE AWESOME
There will be a good amount of homework over the next few weeks...please check our the schedule regularly and PowerSchool when you are able. This time of the year is when we really hit our stride and really test our maximum potential! I have a feeling it's going to be great!
  • We are jumping to StoryTown Lesson 11, to cover cause and effect, non-fiction text analysis, and informative writing. 
  • We are also starting persuasive essay writing...this should be very engaging!
  • Moon Journals will continue as planned.
  • We will finish up our Planet Studies this week!
  • More Coding on the computers!
Read-a-thon
We will in fact have a read-a-thon fundraiser this quarter...more details at parent-teacher conferences.

Parent-teacher conferences by the way...Mrs. Lisa Corbett in the office has the master schedule. The "time slots," are currently the same as the fall conferences, so if you would like to make a change, please call her at 907.479.4234 x222. I will send home notices and time confirmations with the kiddos soon. Thanks and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you! This is a student-led conference, so please check and see if your student will be able to be present as well.

Monday looks like:
9 - 9:20
New Jobs
Class Meeting
9:20 - 10:55
StoryTown Lesson 11
Counselors
10:55 - 11:30
Library
11:30 - 12:00
Our Moon
12:00 - 12:30
Lunch
12:30 - 1:00
Recess
1:05 - 2:15
Math Block: Topic 10-3
2:15 - 2:30
Recess Part II
2:30 - 3:30
Persuasive Writing - Essays and Outline

HOMEWORK HOMEROOM

Homework due Monday, February 2, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 13 (ONLY 3 PER WEEK)

Homework due Tuesday, February 3, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 14 (ONLY 3 PER WEEK)
-- Our Moon

Homework due Wednesday, February 4, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 15 (ONLY 3 PER WEEK)
-- Planets and Dwarf Planets

Homework due Thursday, February 5, 2015
-- Moon Journals Entry 16 (ONLY 3 PER WEEK)
-- Our Solar System


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

Homework due Tuesday, February 3, 2015
-- Reteach/Practice 10-3 Dividing 2-Digit by 1-Digit Numbers

Homework due Wednesday, February 4, 2015
-- Reteach/Practice 10-4 Dividing 3-Digit by 1-Digit Numbers

Homework due Thursday, February 5, 2015
-- Reteach/Practice 10-5 Deciding Where To Start Dividing


*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, February 6, 2015
Teacher In-Service - Professional Development (no school)

Monday, February 16, 2015 and Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Student-Led, Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday, February 27, 2015
Science Expedition - We will walk to Frog Pond with our first grade buddy class. This is one mile trek and parent volunteers needed for the morning please! 

If you are interested in volunteering 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, and we can arrange it so!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman