MR. SASSMAN'S 4th GRADE CLASS BLOG: April 2016

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

EARTH DAY CLEAN UP!!!

Mock Trial!!! Did Monkey take the banana???

Special THANK YOU to Judge Jane KAUVAR for allowing us this wonderful opportunity!!!

Countdown to Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Camping/Educational Excursion!

17 DAYS!!!

Volunteer meeting is this Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 5 PM.

We will go into further details about volunteering and form a few committees so things can go smoothly. We will also be discussing follow cars, schedules, and shopping. I hope you can make it. I would also ask, for you to be "cleared" by the district offices downtown by then, or at least have done everything on your end. Sometimes, it takes a while to get things processed. Kara Beck has also informed me that your clearance is effective for 2 years, so this will take care of next year if you need, or if you had it done last year, you may still be good to go!

The Final Quarter
-- Kahn Academy
-- Narrative Writing - Spring Break Reflections
-- Tableaux
-- Mount Fuji
-- Fossils
-- Ecosystems
-- K'NEX Bridge Building
-- Zentangle
-- Book Battles
-- Debates

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:10

Class Meeting

9:10 - 11:00

D-YO-L

Spelling

SSR

11:00 - 11:40

Library

11:40 - 12:10

Lunch

12:10 - 12:40

Recess

12:40 - 2:00

Math Block

2:00 - 3:30

Writing Workshop

Zentangle

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

Tuesday, April 26, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-8
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-9
Thursday, April 28, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-10
Friday, April 29, 2016
-- Topic 14 Review (Test Friday)

ONGOING INFORMATION

READING LOGS
I have decided to implement weekly reading logs as a regular part of our class for this next quarter. Students will receive "points" for for each day that they read a minimum of 20 minutes at home. The purpose: for students to read each day (not 100 minutes over the weekend or 40 minutes on Tuesday to catch up for Monday).
The logs will be due on a rolling basis and should have dates read on them. I will give credit as they are turned in and filled out correctly (please initial these). The points students receive will be added to their overall reading grade, counting towards their final grade.
It is simple, if students read and turn in their logs, they will see their grade improve significantly while naturally benefitting in fluency and accuracy. If they do not, they will not be given a "0" on the assignment, they simply will not receive any points.
Please look for these to come home this week. I have a yellow folder by the classroom front door filled with new reading logs. Email me with any questions or concerns please.

GOOGLE DRIVE
You can access all of your student's digital assignments online and work at home if you would like. Just go to www.gmail.com and type in their email address and password. Then find the Google Menu (where you will find the Drive, Docs, and Slides) icon in the top right corner (it is a nine square grid next to their s-number). This is where they will make their Google Slides Presentation for their Biography Book Reports. It is as follows:

Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org (for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org)

Password: s#g (for example: s123456g)

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Twin Bears Parent Volunteer Planning Meeting

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 through Friday, May 13, 2016

Angel Rocks Hike and Twin Bears Camping Trip - Details to follow

Monday, May 16, 2016
Arctic Bowl and Pioneer Park Picnic

Tuesday, May 17, 2016 (also an early out day - dismissal at 2 PM)
Birch Hill Recreation Hike and Picnic

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

HOAGIE/MOVIE NIGHT IS NOW MOVED TO THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016
FROM 3:30 - 6:00 PM

NOW THESE ARE SOME COOL VOLCANOES!!!

WE WILL PLAN OUR ERUPTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

ON THURSDAY MORNING IF YOU HAVE SOME TIME TO STOP BY!!!

WOW!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. AS A CLASS, WE RAISED $1,632.00 DURING OUR READ-A-THON WITH ONLY A FEW MORE STUDENTS TO TURN IN THEIR EARNINGS. WE HAVE SURPASSED OUR GOAL, SO WE WILL HAVE A HOAGIE/MOVIE NIGHT FOR OUR CLASS HERE AT PEARL CREEK ON FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016 FROM 3:30 - 6 PM.

THIS BRINGS OUR CLASS BANK ACCOUNT BALANCE TO JUST OVER $2,100 INCLUDING PREVIOUS FUNDRAISERS! THE EXTRA FUNDS WILL ENABLE US TO PAY FOR THE REMAINING FIELD TRIPS WE HAVE PLANNED THIS YEAR. IF THERE ARE EXTRA FUNDS STILL, I HAVE SOME IDEAS FOR PROJECTS AROUND OUR SCHOOL THAT OUR CLASS COULD DO!!! MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW ON THAT.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY PARENTS ABOUT
OUR UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS AND I HAVE A LIST
OF NAMES. SOME PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE SO THANK YOU.

IF YOU STILL HAVE NOT EMAILED ME TO CONFIRM, I ASK:

IF WE HAVE ALREADY
SPOKEN OR NOT, CAN YOU PLEASE SEND ME
AN EMAIL CONFIRMING THAT YOU ARE ABLE
TO VOLUNTEER. THIS WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY!
THANK YOU!

Two weeks ago, we had an informational parent meeting about our planned Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Camping/Educational Excursion! At the meeting, we talked logistics, planning, volunteering, and packing lists. I also mentioned that we would have another meeting soon for VOLUNTEERS and/or parents that couldn't make it. This will be on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 5 PM.

We will go into further details about volunteering and form a few committees so things can go smoothly. We will also be discussing follow cars, schedules, and shopping. I hope you can make it. I would also ask, for you to be "cleared" by the district offices downtown by then, or at least have done everything on your end. Sometimes, it takes a while to get things processed. Kara Beck has also informed me that your clearance is effective for 2 years, so this will take care of next year if you need, or if you had it done last year, you may still be good to go!

The Final Quarter
-- Literacy Groups
-- Literacy Circles
-- Kahn Academy
-- Narrative Writing - Spring Break Reflections
-- Mock Trial
-- Tableaux
-- Mount Fuji
-- Fossils
-- Ecosystems
-- K'NEX Bridge Building
-- Zentangle
-- Book Battles
-- Debates

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:10

Class Meeting

New Jobs

New Seats

9:10 - 11:00

D-YO-L

The Roving Reporter: On Site at an Active Volcano!

Final touches to our volcano models

11:00 - 11:40

Library

11:40 - 12:10

Lunch

12:10 - 12:40

Recess

12:40 - 2:00

Math Block

2:00 - 3:30

Writing Workshop

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

Tuesday, April 19, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-4
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-5
Thursday, April 21, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-6
Friday, April 22, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-7

ONGOING INFORMATION

Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org (for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org)

Password: s#g (for example: s123456g)

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Friday, April 22, 2016 - Still need two volunteers!!!
Fairbanks Cultural Center in the morning and then a picnic lunch beside the Chena River downtown
Supreme Court Mock Trial at the Courthouse in the afternoon

Friday, April 29, 2016
Hoagie/movie night from 3:30-6 PM

Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Twin Bears Parent Volunteer Planning Meeting

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 through Friday, May 13, 2016

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Sunday, April 11, 2016

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY PARENTS ABOUT
OUR UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS AND I HAVE A LIST
OF NAMES. I ASK: IF WE HAVE ALREADY
SPOKEN OR NOT, CAN YOU PLEASE SEND ME
AN EMAIL CONFIRMING THAT YOU ARE ABLE
TO VOLUNTEER. THIS WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY!
THANK YOU!

Last week we had an informational parent meeting about our planned Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Camping/Educational Excursion! At the meeting, we talked logistics, planning, volunteering, and packing lists. I also mentioned that we would have another meeting soon for VOLUNTEERS and/or parents that couldn't make it. This will be on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 5 PM.

We will go into further details about volunteering and form a few committees so things can go smoothly. We will also be discussing follow cars, schedules, and shopping. I hope you can make it. I would also ask, for you to be "cleared" by the district offices downtown by then, or at least have done everything on your end. Sometimes, it takes a while to get things processed. Kara Beck has also informed me that your clearance is effective for 2 years, so this will take care of next year if you need, or if you had it done last year, you may still be good to go!

FINAL PLEDGE FORMS AND MONEY WERE DUE LAST WEEK. PLEASE HAVE YOUR KIDDOS TALLY UP THEIR HOURS/MONEY OWED, AND SEND IT IN WITH THME IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY (I AM STILL MISSING 11 :)

I WILL BE ABLE TO TALLY UP OUR TOTAL EARNINGS THIS WEEK AND I WILL ANNOUNCE OUR CLASSROOM BALANCE NEXT BLOG!!! IF WE SURPASS OUR GOAL, WE WILL HAVE A HOAGIE/MOVIE NIGHT HERE AT PEARL CREEK ON FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 FROM 3:30 - 6 PM.

IF YOU ARE GIVING CHECKS, PLEASE MAKE THEM PAYABLE TO PEARL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL...THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOU HELP AND SUPPORT!

Speech Festival starts this week!!! The finals will be the week of the 22nd if you would like to come by! We also have our annual Artist in Residence this week. In the afternoons from 2:30-3:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the students will be engaged in printmaking down in the commons!!! Also...can you please send your kiddos in with a 2 liter bottle - empty and clean please - or something like it in size along with a large cardboard box if you have any of these items? We are going to make volcanoes this week and need materials!!! Thanks

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:10

Planners

Class Meeting

9:10 - 11:00

D-YO-L

The Pacific Rim

Read Aloud - Zero Tolerance

11:00 - 11:40

Library

11:40 - 12:10

Lunch

12:10 - 12:40

Recess

12:40 - 2:00

Math Block - Topic 14

2:00 - 3:30

Writing Workshop

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 THIS WEEK
Monday, April 11, 2016 (students received these Monday, April 4, 2016)
-- Spelling Lesson 17
Monday, April 11, 2016 (students will receive these Monday, April 4, 2016)
-- TFK: Kids Speak Up

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

Tuesday, April 12, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-1
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-2
Thursday, April 14, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-3
Friday, April 15, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 14-4

ONGOING INFORMATION

Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org (for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org)

Password: s#g (for example: s123456g)

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Friday, April 22, 2016
Fairbanks Cultural Center in the morning and then a picnic lunch beside the Chena River downtown
Supreme Court Mock Trial at the Courthouse in the afternoon

Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Twin Bears Parent Volunteer Planning Meeting

Friday, April 29, 2016
Potential hoagie/movie night from 3:30-6 PM

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 through Friday, May 13, 2016

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Sorry folks...electronics will be prohibited during this field trip!!!
We will talk more about that on Tuesday!!!

FINAL PLEDGE FORMS AND MONEY ARE DUE THIS WEEK. PLEASE HAVE YOUR KIDDOS TALLY UP THEIR HOURS/MONEY OWED, AND SEND IT IN WITH THEM OR BRING IT TUESDAY EVENING.

THIS Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 5 PM we will have an informational parent meeting about our planned Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Camping/Educational Excursion! Please mark your calendars. This has been a great event in past years for Mrs. Hammers' class and mine, but we cannot do it without support and help from families like yours. At the meeting, we will talk logistics, planning, volunteering, and packing lists. PLEASE try and make it.

As you have probably already heard, the School District has decided to forego
AMP testing this year due to all the technical problems that were encountered. The validity and fairness of the tests have been compromised, so the decision was made quickly and notice was sent out late last week. To say the least, I am pleased with how the whole situation was handled and I applaud the state for their actions. Let's see what comes next, but for now, let's enjoy the rest of this wonderful school year and NOT worry about "high-stakes testing."

I have changed up our spelling routine a bit. Spelling Lesson Packets will be due on Mondays (one week from the day given), so that students may have the weekend to finish them up/complete them. My hope is that I will see a higher rate of return, given that the students have a full week, including a weekend. Those that are turned in on Fridays, will receive a bit of "extra credit" and students will inherently be more prepared for the quizzes that day! That's correct, we will still have quizzes on Fridays.

The Final Quarter

Literacy Groups
Literacy Circles
Kahn Academy
Narrative Writing - Spring Break Reflections
Mock Trial
Tableaux
Mount Fuji
Fossils
Ecosystems
K'NEX Bridge Building
Zentangle
Book Battles
Debates

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:10

Planners

Class Meeting

9:10 - 11:00

New Jobs

New Seats

Writing - Spring Break Finish

11:00 - 11:40

Library

11:40 - 12:10

Lunch

12:10 - 12:40

Recess

12:40 - 2:00

Math Block

2:00 - 3:30

Recess Part II

Project Keoni

Fossils

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 THIS WEEK
Monday, April 11, 2016 (students will receive these Monday, April 4, 2016)
-- Spelling Lesson 17
Monday, April 11, 2016 (students will receive these Monday, April 4, 2016)
-- TFK: Kids Speak Up

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

Tuesday, April 5, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 13-8
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 13-9
Thursday, April 7, 2016
-- Practice/Reteach 13-10
Friday, April 8, 2016
-- Topic 13 Review (TEST TOPIC 13 ON FRIDAY)

ONGOING INFORMATION

Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org (for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org)

Password: s#g (for example: s123456g)

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 - 5 PM in the commons
Parent informational meeting about Twin Bears

Friday, April 22, 2016
Fairbanks Cultural Center in the morning and then a picnic lunch beside the Chena River downtown
Supreme Court Mock Trial at the Courthouse in the afternoon

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 through Friday, May 13, 2016

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman