MR. SASSMAN'S 4th GRADE CLASS BLOG: April 2015

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

SO MUCH AWESOMENESS!!!

Earth Day 2015 Hike and Trash Collection!!!

Budding engineers at work trying to design and build a watchtower!

Successes everywhere!!!

Ask ~ Imagine ~ Plan ~ Create ~ Improve

A special thanks to Ms. Jennifer Corrigan from the University of Alaska's School of Engineering and School of Education. She designed and delivered this lesson to the kiddos and it was AMAZING! Thanks again and we look forward to our next session this Monday!

TWIN BEARS MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY 5:30-6:30!!!

Mrs. Hammer and I are full into the planning process and we will be hosting a parent information meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM. We will go over logistics, agenda, packing lists, student checklists, check the status of parent volunteers, and answer any questions at this time. PLEASE BE THERE!

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE DATES TO REMEMBER SECTION! THERE HAS BEEN SOME ADDITIONAL TRIPS ADDED!

Budget update:

There is a Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly Meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 6:00 PM at the Borough Assembly Hall, downtown. This is an opportunity for public testimony to the board for our local funding contributions. As of now, there are a lot of cuts and we need additional local funding to keep our class sizes down. This will affect you and your children! I will be there to testify and I hope you are too!

MONDAY looks like:

9 - 9:20

Class Meeting

9:20 - 11:00

Wind Mill Engineering (STEM)

11:00 - 11:35

Library

11:35 - 12:00

Read Aloud - Where the Red Fern Grows

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:05 - 2:15

Music Concert

2:15 - 2:30

Recess Part II

2:30 - 3:30

PenPal Letters (finish and send)

HOMEWORK HOMEROOM

In-class assessment - no homework!

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)
Tuesday, April 28, 2015

-- Reteach/Practice 15-1 Making Line Plots

Wednesday, April 29, 2015
-- Reteach/Practice 15-2 Solving Problems Involving Line Plots

Thursday, April 30, 2105

-- Reteach/Practice 15-3 Solving Perimeter and Area

Friday, May 1, 2015
-- Reteach/Practice 15-4 Solving Measurement Problems

*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, April 28, 2015 DEPART AT 9:15 AM - Still need 2 parent volunteers
UAF Museum of the North - Art Expedition

Wednesday, Aril 29, 2015
TWIN BEARS PARENT MEETING IN THE COMMONS FROM 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 - DEPART AT 9:30 AM - Still need 2 parent volunteers
Trip to the Fairbanks Courthouse - Mock Trial with Alaska Superior Court Judge Kauvar
Trip to Morris Thompson Cultural Center - picnic lunch downtown

Monday, May 11, 2015 - Still need parent volunteers
Field Trip to Birch Hill - Picnic and outdoor activities

Monday, May 18, 2015 - Still need 2 parent volunteers
Arctic Bowl and Pioneer Park Field Trip

Thursday, May 14, 2015 - Saturday, May 16, 2015 - Still need parent volunteers
Twin Bears Camp - Details to follow

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Thursday, May 21, 2015
Early dismissal at 2:00 PM

Thursday, May 21, 2015
Last Day of School May 21, 2105 - Field day in the AM
Cookout and picnic at 1:00 PM

If you are interested in volunteering on a field trip, you must be cleared with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (it's a very simple process)...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, April 19, 2015

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

PowerPoint Presentations continue this week!

I am...

I am the unique nautilus resting on the sea floor.

I wonder what creatures await me in the colorful reef above.

I hear the water ripple as I slip through the ocean.

I see the bright splotch of the moon shining in the sky.

I want the concealment of the night to last forever.

I am the unique nautilus resting on the sea floor.

I fear the strong beak of the octopus cracking my hard shell.

I feel the scent of prey brushing my tentacles.

I touch the rough coral claiming my arrival.

I cry out as a predator senses my hidden form.

I am the unique nautilus resting on the sea floor.

I understand the complex ocean currents.

I say nothing, letting the blanket of silence fall over me.

I dream of the seas wide and cool.

I try to locate my prey in the dark waters.

I hope my hunt will prove safe.

I am the unique nautilus resting on the lonely sea floor.

(We will be working on "I am" poems this week and next!)

If you have:

Half-gallon milk cartons, please send them in with your kids (preferably cleaned out:) We will be using them next week for some engineering activities and lessons!
During our Twin Bears Camping Trip, we will tentatively be having a Recycled Goods Art Gallery and Fashion Show, so please save your recycled goods for us! It should be fun and educational!

TWIN BEARS - UPDATE

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE DATES TO REMEMBER SECTION! THERE HAS BEEN SOME ADDITIONAL TRIPS ADDED!

More budget news:

There is a Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly Meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 6:00 PM at the Borough Assembly Hall, downtown. This is an opportunity for public testimony to the board for our local funding contributions. As of now, there are a lot of cuts and we need additional local funding to keep our class sizes down. This will affect you and your children! I will be there to testify and I hope you are too!

MONDAY looks like:

9 - 9:20

New Jobs

New Seats

Class Meeting

9:20 - 11:00

Social Studies: Regions of the United States (The Midwest)

Spelling Quiz (postponed from last week by popular demand :)

Biography PowerPoint Presentations

Counselors

11:00 - 11:35

Library

11:35 - 12:00

Read Aloud - Tale of Despereaux (Final few chapters)

Next Up - Where the Red Fern Grows

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:05 - 2:15

Math Block

2:15 - 2:30

Recess Part II

2:30 - 3:30

Human Growth and Development (Boys with Mr. Abe/Girls with Nurse Marth and Mrs. Bartusch)

HOMEWORK HOMEROOM

Friday, April 24, 2015

-- Expository Essay Final Draft (in-class)*

-- PenPal Letters Final Draft (in-class)*

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)
Tuesday, April 21, 2015

-- Practice Sheet 14-8/14-9

Wednesday, April 22, 2015
-- Practice Sheet 14-10/14-11

Thursday, April 23, 2105

-- Topic 14 Review Packet 1

Friday, April 24, 2015
-- Topic 14 Review Packet 2 (TOPIC 14 MATH TEST ON FRIDAY)

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, April 28, 2015 DEPART AT 9:15 AM - Still need parent volunteers
UAF Museum of the North - Art Expedition

Wednesday, Aril 29, 2015
TWIN BEARS PARENT MEETING IN THE COMMONS FROM 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 - DEPART AT 9:30 AM - Still need parent volunteers
Trip to the Fairbanks Courthouse - Mock Trial with Alaska Superior Court Judge Kauvar
Trip to Morris Thompson Cultural Center - picnic lunch downtown

Monday, May 11, 2015 - Still need parent volunteers
Field Trip to Birch Hill - Picnic and outdoor activities

Monday, May 18, 2015 - Still need parent volunteers
Arctic Bowl and Pioneer Park Field Trip

Thursday, May 14, 2015 - Saturday, May 16, 2015 - Still need parent volunteers
Twin Bears Camp - Details to follow

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Thursday, May 21, 2015
Early dismissal at 2:00 PM

Thursday, May 21, 2015
Last Day of School May 21, 2105 - Field day in the AM
Cookout and picnic at 1:00 PM

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

HERE WE GO...FINAL STRETCH! 6 STRONG WEEKS OF SCHOOL LEFT AND WE HAVE A TON PLANNED!!!

This week we have the mother/daughter duo Klara and Mary Maisch returning to Pearl Creek for a very special, weeklong Artists in Residence! On Tuesday, our class will spend the morning Printmaking. Specifically we will be relief printing. A relief print is created by from raised areas of a plate. The kids will use a variety of materials to create their own relief plates, roll ink onto the surfaces, and apply pressure to specific materials and transfer the ink for beautiful artwork! We will do this at 9:15 AM in the commons if you would like to join, learn, help out, and/or make your own!

This Friday is our annual Speech Festival at 9:15 AM, in the gym. Students from grades 4-6 have been working on speeches in the following categories: Extemporaneous, Serious (Dramatic) Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, and Original Oration. They have been reciting and competing during recesses last week and will continue this week. The finalists in each category will compete on Friday! Feel free to come by!

If you have:

Half-gallon milk cartons, please send them in with your kids (preferably cleaned out:) We will be using them next week for some engineering activities and lessons!
During our Twin Bears Camping Trip, we will tentatively be having a Recycled Goods Art Gallery and Fashion Show, so please save your recycled goods for us! It should be fun and educational!

Mrs. Hammer and I made a trip out to Twin Bears last Thursday and WOW! This is going to be epic! We are currently in the planning process and we would like to host a parent information meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM. We will go over logistics, agenda, packing lists, student checklists, check the status of parent volunteers, and answer any questions at this time. PLEASE BE THERE!

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE DATES TO REMEMBER SECTION! THERE HAS BEEN SOME ADDITIONAL TRIPS ADDED!

Additional info:

New Pearl Creek PTA T-Shirts and sweatshirts are available. This is a PTA fundraiser!
I believe that many of us have heard...next year's school budget has been reduced significantly. This will certainly have an effect on our schools, classrooms, and ultimately your children. I promise not to rant either way (we realize I am biased), but I will provide you with some links to make your voice heard if you choose to do so. I will say that parent and community advocacy make a HUGE difference to our legislators. Our budget has been cut by $11.2 million so far, and we are set up to lose another $6.1 million from the state. This is going to run deep! If you don't want class sizes to increase, lose hard-working staff on multiple levels, and eliminate valuable programs (Music, Art, RTI, Counselors), please say something. Thanks so much for your help and support! That is all.

Legislator Contact Tool: http://www.k12northstar.org/a/51336

EMAIL: senator.firstname.lastname@akleg.gov

OR CALL

PHONES:

877-465-6601 Senator Dunleavy

877-665-3709 Senator Kelly

866-465-4945 Senate President Kevin Meyer

MONDAY looks like:

9 - 9:20

Class Meeting

9:20 - 11:00

Social Studies: Regions of the United States

PenPal Letters

Biography PowerPoint Presentations

11:00 - 11:35

Library

11:35 - 12:00

Read Aloud - Tale of Despereaux

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:05 - 2:15

Math Block

2:15 - 2:30

Recess Part II

2:30 - 3:30

LAPTOPS - Biography PowerPoints and Expository Essays

HOMEWORK HOMEROOM

Friday, April 14, 2015

-- Expository Essay (in-class)*

-- PenPal Letters (in-class)*

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)
Tuesday, April 13, 2015

-- Practice Sheet 14-1/14-2

Wednesday, April 14, 2015
-- Practice Sheet 14-3/14-4

Thursday, April 15, 2105

-- Practice Sheet 14-5/14-6

Friday, April 16, 2015
-- Practice Sheet 14-7/14-8

Dates to Remember:

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

We have officially raised $1679, with a few more dollars trickling in!!! That is simply amazing!!! We also had a great Friday evening here at school during our celebration for reaching our goal. Our class, as well as Mrs. Hammer's class took over the gym, ate hoagies, and watched Penguins of Madagascar! Many of the kids said thanks, and that was sweet, and I say they earned it! Hopefully you enjoyed it too, with a free night out/off!

AGAIN...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP, EFFORTS, AND ONGOING SUPPORT! I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT PLACE-BASED, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, HAVE PROFOUND AND LASTING EFFECTS ON STUDENTS. YOU HAVE ENABLED US TO EXPAND OUR CLASSROOM WALLS AND UTILIZE OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY. FAIRBANKS IS RICH IN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND WE WILL HAVE THE FUNDS FOR SEVERAL FIELD TRIPS TO END OUR AMAZING YEAR TOGETHER!

COMPASSION AND INVOLVEMENT ARE TWO VALUES WE HOLD IN HIGH REGARD HERE AT PEARL CREEK, SO WE WILL PAY IT FORWARD. WE WILL MAKE A CHARITABLE DONATION TO A LOCAL ORGANIZATION HERE IN FAIRBANKS AND GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE WILL MAKE UP A LIST AND VOTE!

IDEAS...EMAIL ME!

TESTING IS OVER!!!

FEEDBACK FORMS went home regarding student placements for next year. If you have a classroom preference for placement next year, please fill it out and send it back in NO LATER THAN APRIL 6, 2015. DISCLOSURE: THIS IS PREFERENCE FORM, AND EFFORTS TO ACCOMMODATE REQUESTS WILL BE MADE. IT IS NOT A "GUARANTEE" FORM.

Well...it's back to business this week

Biography PowerPoints are starting this week...Please ask your child when their presentation is!

Additional info:

New Pearl Creek PTA T-Shirts and sweatshirts are available. This is a PTA fundraiser!
PTA General Membership Meeting if you would like to attend is: Monday, April 27, 2015 at 7:00 PM in the Library (right before the spring music concert here at school).
I believe that many of us have heard...next year's school budget has been reduced significantly. This will certainly have an effect on our schools, classrooms, and ultimately your children. I promise not to rant either way (we realize I am biased), but I will provide you with some links to make your voice heard if you choose to do so. I will say that parent and community advocacy make a HUGE difference to our legislators. Our budget has been cut by $11.2 million so far, and we are set up to lose another $6.1 million from the state. This is going to run deep! If you don't want class sizes to increase, lose hard-working staff on multiple levels, and eliminate valuable programs (Music, Art, RTI, Counselors), please say something. Thanks so much for your help and support! That is all.

Legislator Contact Tool: http://www.k12northstar.org/a/51336

EMAIL: senator.firstname.lastname@akleg.gov

OR CALL

PHONES:

877-465-6601 Senator Dunleavy

877-665-3709 Senator Kelly

866-465-4945 Senate President Kevin Meyer

MONDAY looks like:

9 - 9:20

New Desks

New Jobs

Social Skill Building

9:20 - 11:00

StoryTown Lesson 9

DOL 11

11:00 - 11:35

Music

11:35 - 12:00

Read Aloud - Tale of Despereaux

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:05 - 2:15

Math Block

2:15 - 2:30

Movement

2:30 - 3:30

SS: Regions of the USA

Biography PowerPoint - Darcy Misel (Amelia Earhart)

HOMEWORK HOMEROOM

Friday, April 10, 2015

-- Spelling Packet 9

-- StoryTown Lesson 9

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if you are in my math class)
Tuesday, April 7, 2015

-- Topic 13 Pre-test (at home)
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
-- Topic 13 Test (in-class)
Thursday, April 9, 2105
-- Practice Sheet 14-1/14-2
Friday, April 10, 2015
-- Practice Sheet 14-3/14-4

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, April 28, 2015
UAF Museum of the North - Art Expedition

Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Trip to the Fairbanks Courthouse - Mock Trial with Alaska Superior Court Judge Kauvar
Trip to Morris Thompson Cultural Center - picnic lunch downtown

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

Last week of school - Arctic Bowl, Field Day at Pearl Creek, Musk Ox Farm Expedition, Birch Hill. Times and days TBD.

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