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

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

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

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:

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

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