Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog
Feels good to be back...As some of you may know, I was out of the state last week visiting relatives on the east coast for the holiday. It was so great seeing family and old friends, and I am feeling more thankful than ever.
I asked the kids before I left, how many of them had family in the Lower 48, and almost the entire class raised their hands. I am amazed at what a strong community we are and how we learn to live in camaraderie under extreme circumstances at times (temperatures, sun deprivation, and mosquitoes :) These are small samples of the bonds we share, and we often call each other our "Alaskan Family" without forgetting our roots, learning and teaching from our past, and appreciating every second we get to share with people we travel so far to see.
On a lighter note: My substitute, Mrs. Wendy Kern, left a very nice note about the class and how wonderful they are. I would have to emphatically agree. I am so excited to see the kids tomorrow.
Oh...While I was in New Jersey, I had the opportunity to meet our pen pal class, and facilitate some Alaska-based lessons. They were also very excited to talk about our correspondences and had many questions about their new friends. It was a great experience and should make for a more rich collaboration for the remainder of the year. Hopefully we will finish up our next round of letters these next few weeks.
I apologize for missing last week's blog post...in addition to my planned travels, both my daughter and I became extremely sick prior to leaving. My concentration was with getting us better before flying cross-country. Besides being ill, I felt a bit off-balance not posting, but life moves forward. Above you will see a picture taken by Mrs. Kern on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 (Wacky Hair Day).
I hope that you and your families enjoyed your break, whatever you celebrate. I myself, am particularly thankful for family in both New Jersey and Alaska, my health, and for having such amazing students.
This week, we will be back to some regular curricula items, and I am looking forward to catching up with the kiddos.
I am all over the place here...
PLEASE SEND IN $7 WITH YOUR STUDENT THIS WEEK FOR THE FIELD TRIP TO HERRING AUDITORIUM THIS FRIDAY. WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE NUTCRACKER AND ONE OF OUR OWN FROM THIS CLASS IS IN IT THIS YEAR (WAY TO GO ELLIE)! VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME, AND UNFORTUNATELY, ALSO COST SEVEN BUCKAROOS! WE PLAN TO LEAVE AT 9:15 AM.
A note from PTA...
Thank you Mr. Sassman's class for answering our call for volunteers for the reflective tape sew-on! Thanks to your strong response we were able to spread the load and finish by lunch. Couldn't have done it without you!
MATH: Mrs. Wendy Kern introduced Topic 7 last week and I will have a review of the lessons covered to make certain we are all on the same page. Check the homework section, there are some minor changes to this weeks assignments. This week should get us back on track.
Monday looks like:
9:00 - 9:10
Class Meeting
New Jobs
9:10 - 10:25
New Seats
DOL
Spelling
10:25 - 11:00
Library
11:00 - 11:40
Read Aloud - Cursive Handbooks
11:40 - 12:10
Lunch
12:10 - 12:40
Recess
12:40 - 2:00
Math Block
2:00 - 3:30
Intro to Current Events Reports - December's project
Pen Pal Letters
*Please note that Math, Specials, Lunch, and Recess are Intermediate schedules and stay in blocks. At times, curriculum instruction will be shuffled to accommodate different initiatives.
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.
IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS
By Friday, December 2, 2016 (WOW December?)
-- Cursive Letters "G" and "H"
-- Pen Pal Letters Rough Draft (perhaps final draft)
HOMEWORK (homeroom)
DUE Thursday, December 1, 2016
-- Spelling Lesson 11 (Quiz Friday)
-- Pick a current events article
MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if your child is in my math class)
Homework due Tuesday, November 29, 2016
-- ONLY RETEACH 7-1 and 7-2 (NOT THE PRACTICE SIDES)
Homework due Wednesday, November 30, 2016
-- Practice 7-3
Homework due Thursday, December 1, 2016
-- Practice 7-4
Homework due Friday, December 2, 2016
-- Practice 7-5
-- ONLY RETEACH 7-1 and 7-2 (NOT THE PRACTICE SIDES)
Homework due Wednesday, November 30, 2016
-- Practice 7-3
Homework due Thursday, December 1, 2016
-- Practice 7-4
Homework due Friday, December 2, 2016
-- Practice 7-5
*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.
ONGOING INFORMATION
READING LOGSReading logs are a regular part of our class. 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
THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016
Field Trip - The Nutcracker at Herring Auditorium
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Field Trip - Alaska Room at Anne Wien Elementary
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Field Trip - West Valley High School Performing Arts Center
"Amahl and the Night Visitors" - Two volunteers needed
Friday, January 27, 2016
Field Trip - University of Alaska - Davis Concert Hall
"A Children's Symphony" - Two volunteers needed
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Field Trip - Herring Auditorium
Versa Style Dance Company - Two volunteers needed
It's a good life!
Mr. Sassman
