Monday, February 27, 2017

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Just when you thought there was enough snow for this winter...

Parent informational meeting for our Angel Rocks/Twin Bears Camping Trip will be THIS Tuesday, February 28, 2017 from 5-6 PM. We will discuss details, packing lists, permission forms, medical forms, volunteering, and fundraising. Please mark you calendars. Thanks.

ELA Workshops are on for this Monday and Tuesday. 

Field Trip this Friday. Please send in $7 with your student for transportation and the show if you have not already sent in $20. This is the final "performance" field trip of the year. I have also added some additional dates to our field trip calendar. Please take a look.

Thank you to everyone who made it to PT Conferences last week. I was impressed with all of the students' reflections and self-assessments. We have grown so much this year and I am looking forward to finishing strong!

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:10

New Seats

9:10 - 10:30

Adjectives vs. Adverbs

10:30 - 11:10

Library

11:00 - 11:40

Persuasive Essays

Read Aloud - The One and Only Ivan

11:40 - 12:10

Lunch

12:10 - 12:40

Recess

12:40 - 1:55

Math Block

1:55 - 3:30

Partner Read

SSR

TDL

*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

Here is our TDL (To Do List)
--Persuasive Essays
--Spelling City
--Cursive Handbook
--Science Fair Spit Bread
--Kahn Academy
--Typing Agent
--Book Review

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK

Flex Date - Book Report Final Write Up

I have explained to the kids that they should be finished reading their book report selections by the end of this week of they have not already. On my desk is a reflection sheet with writing prompts, that I would like them to fill out, using complete sentences. This does not have a due date quite yet. I will accept them on a rolling basis. Please ask them about this and help where necessary. Thanks!

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if your child is in my math class)

Tuesday, February 28, 2017
--Quick Check 11-6
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
--Quick Check 11-7
Thursday, March 2, 2017
--Quick Check 11-8
Friday, March 3, 2017
--Topic 11 Take home test

*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 LOGS
Reading 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 benefiting 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, February 28, 2017
--Angel Rocks/Twin Bears Informational Meeting

Friday, March 3, 2017
Portland Cello Project (AM)

Thursday, April 20, 2017
--UAF's Permafrost Tunnell - THANKS TOM DOUGLAS for getting us access to this wonderful, local resource, during our rock cycle unit.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

--Morris Thompson Cultural Center (AM) and Superior Courthouse tour/mock trial (PM)

Wednesday, May 10 - Friday, May 12, 2017 (3-days)
--Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Hiking/Camping Trip

Field Trips coming in the spring...Dates to be determined.
--Birch Hill
--Bowling/Pioneer Park
--Ice Park (hopefully)

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

STUDENT-LED PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES THIS MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENT IS THERE ALSO :) I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL!

Parent informational meeting for our Angel Rocks/Twin Bears Camping Trip will be on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 from 5-6 PM. We will discuss details, packing lists, permission forms, medical forms, volunteering, and fundraising. Please mark you calendars. Thanks.

PTA will be starting the book drive for the spring book giveaway.  Students can bring in gently used books and drop them off in the box by the kaleidoscope.  The giveaway will be just before spring break. Keep an eye out for more details coming home.

Due to conferences being this Monday and Tuesday, ELA Workshops will not be this week. They will resume until next week.

This week, there is National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) testing being conducted for the fourth graders at our school. Kids will be pulled from class in small groups and take assessments across several subjects and is often referred to "Our Nations Report Card." Click Here for the link for more information.

Wednesday looks like:

9:00 - 9:10

Class Meeting

9:10 - 10:30

NAEP TESTING (some students)

Persuasive Essays

10:30 - 11:10

Library

11:00 - 11:40

NAEP TESTING (some students)

Read Aloud - The One and Only Ivan

11:40 - 12:10

Lunch

12:10 - 12:40

Recess

12:40 - 1:55

Math Block

1:55 - 3:30

NAEP TESTING (some students)

Neptune

*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

NONE

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK

Flex Date - Book Report Final Write Up

I have explained to the kids that they should be finished reading their book report selections by the end of this week of they have not already. On my desk is a reflection sheet with writing prompts, that I would like them to fill out, using complete sentences. This does not have a due date quite yet. I will accept them on a rolling basis. Please ask them about this and help where necessary. Thanks!

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if your child is in my math class)

Thursday, February 22, 2017
--Quick Check 11-5
Friday, February 23, 2017
--Quick Check 11-6

*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 LOGS
Reading 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 benefiting 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

Monday, February 20, 2017 and Tuesday, February 21, 2017
--Student-led Parent-Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, February 28, 2017
--Angel Rocks/Twin Bears Informational Meeting

Friday, March 3, 2017
Portland Cello Project - TBD

Wednesday, May 10 - Friday, May 12, 2017 (3-days)
--Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Hiking/Camping Trip

Field Trips coming in the spring...we will talk more about these soon.
--Morris Thompson Cultural Center
--Superior Courthouse tour and mock trial
--Birch Hill
--Bowling/Pioneer Park
--Permafrost Tunnel UAF (hopefully)
--Ice Park (hopefully)

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!

The kids asked if they may exchange Valentine's Day cards.
On Tuesday, they will be able to do so during our
classroom reward party.

Student-led Parent-teacher Conferences next week...

Last week was fantastic. We have some great momentum with our new reading and writing programs, and personalized learning objectives have been tailored to each student. I am so proud of their hard work and every student is making tremendous progress. This week will be very similar to last. This will also be the final week of our Space Unit. After, we will be studying regions of the United States and the Pacific Rim, with a couple of STEM lessons in the mix.

Parent informational meeting for our Angel Rocks/Twin Bears Camping Trip will be on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 from 5-6 PM. We will discuss details, packing lists, permission forms, medical forms, volunteering, and fundraising. Please mark you calendars. Thanks.

PTA will be starting the book drive for the spring book giveaway.  Students can bring in gently used books and drop them off in the box by the kaleidoscope.  The giveaway will be just before spring break. Keep an eye out for more details coming home.

Marble Jar/Classroom Party - We have filled it for the second time this year. The kids have formulated ideas and this is what they have come up with: Two-hour block of free time to build forts in class using what we have and they bring in. They have also asked that they may wear their PJs for the event and this will be okay with me. Students will also be allowed to exchange Valentine's Day cards if they would like to.

Monday and Tuesday ELA Workshops are on for this week from 3:30-4:30. We have also started the Read Live program and Reading Groups on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00-11:40. 

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:10

New Jobs

9:10 - 10:30

Student-Led Conferences Prep

Persuasive Essays

10:30 - 11:10

Library

11:00 - 11:40

Read Aloud - The One and Only Ivan

11:40 - 12:10

Lunch

12:10 - 12:40

Recess

12:40 - 1:55

Math Block - Topic 11

1:55 - 3:30

Uranus

*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, February 17, 2017

-- Cursive Handbooks (should be up to letter "O")

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK

Flex Date - Book Report Final Write Up

I have explained to the kids that they should be finished reading their book report selections by the end of this week of they have not already. On my desk is a reflection sheet with writing prompts, that I would like them to fill out, using complete sentences. This does not have a due date quite yet. I will accept them on a rolling basis. Please ask them about this and help where necessary. Thanks!

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if your child is in my math class)

NO MATH HOMEWORK THIS WEEK

*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 LOGS
Reading 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 benefiting 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

Monday, February 20, 2017 and Tuesday, February 21, 2017
--Student-led Parent-Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, February 28, 2017
--Angel Rocks/Twin Bears Informational Meeting

Friday, March 3, 2017
Portland Cello Project - TBD

Wednesday, May 10 - Friday, May 12, 2017 (3-days)
--Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Hiking/Camping Trip

Field Trips coming in the spring...we will talk more about these soon.
--Morris Thompson Cultural Center
--Superior Courthouse tour and mock trial
--Birch Hill
--Bowling/Pioneer Park
--Permafrost Tunnel UAF (hopefully)
--Ice Park (hopefully)

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Thanks for attending STEM night at school last week. It was a great crowd and huge fun with a lot of learning. Our class made Flubber as part of our States of Matter unit in school and we sold small batches during the event. We made about $230 for the fourth grade fund, and this will go towards our Twin Bears Camping trip at the end of the year. 

PTA will be starting the book drive for the spring book giveaway.  Students can bring in gently used books and drop them off in the box by the kaleidoscope.  The giveaway will be just before spring break. Keep an eye out for more details coming home.

Marble Jar - We have filled it for the second time this year. The kids have formulated ideas and this is what they have come up with: Two-hour block of free time to build forts in class using what we have and they bring in. They have also asked that they may wear their PJs for the event and this will be okay with me. Date to be determined, but it will likely be soon. I would like to have all the students back from trips, and there are four kiddos away at this week. Most likely it will be the following Friday afternoon (2/17/2017).

Quick note about field trips: The last one was the best one yet, as noted by the kiddos! We have been to two now, and there are still about 10 kiddos that have not brought in any money. If you could please do so, if you haven't yet, that would greatly help so we do not dip into our Twin Bears funds. I tallied up the amount each student needed, as some parents have asked, and $20 will cover the total amount of all three shows. I realize that some kids have been away and/or missed a trip. Feel free to adjust the amount you send in if that is the case. Each show is/has been about $7.

Finally, I have the correct week :) Mr. Dunavin is taking kids snowshoeing THIS week. Our class goes on two separate days: FEEL FREE TO JOIN IN. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS HAVE ALL THE APPROPRIATE WINTER AND SNOW GEAR. They will have to sit at the office and wait till the class gets done otherwise. Thanks so much.

OUR TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

--Tuesday, February 7th, from 9:15-10:25 

--Thursday, February 9th, from 11:00-12:10

Monday and Tuesday ELA Workshops are on for this week from 3:30-4:30. Thanks for your flexibility with me last week. Zemra is feeling much better. Wow, that was scary. We have also started the Read Live program and Reading Groups on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00-11:40. Special thanks to Mrs. Wendy Connelly for facilitating one of the groups. I could use one more volunteer to help yet, so if you are able, please don't be shy ;) 

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:10

New Jobs

New Seats

9:10 - 10:30

Student-Led Conferences Prep

Persuasive Essays

10:30 - 11:10

Library

11:00 - 11:40

Read Aloud - The One and Only Ivan

11:40 - 12:10

Lunch

12:10 - 12:40

Recess

12:40 - 1:55

Math Block - Topic 11

1:55 - 3:30

MARS

*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 Thursday, February 9, 2017
-- Cursive Handbooks (should be up to letter "N")

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK
NONE this week - I would like to try another new spelling format, so please send in the quick technology survey (OUR CLASS ONLY) that I send home with the kiddos this week. The web site is called www.spellingcity.com, but I need to see if this is possible for everyone.

MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if your child is in my math class)

DUE ON
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
-- Practice 11-3
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
-- Practice 11-4
Thursday, February 9, 2017
-- Practice 11-5

*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 LOGS
Reading 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 benefiting 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

Monday, February 20, 2017 and Tuesday, February 21, 2017
--Student-led Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday, March 3, 2017
Portland Cello Project - TBD

Wednesday, May 10 - Friday, May 12, 2017 (3-days)
--Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Hiking/Camping Trip

Field Trips coming in the spring...we will talk more about these soon.
--Morris Thompson Cultural Center
--Superior Courthouse tour and mock trial
--Birch Hill
--Bowling/Pioneer Park
--Permafrost Tunnel UAF (hopefully)
--Ice Park (hopefully)

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman