Monday, December 17, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

If you haven't already recognized, winter is here. This week the temperatures should reach as low as -21 on some days and warm up to a nice -9 on most! Please make sure your kiddo has the proper outside gear. Last week the kids made neck gators for them to keep and wear in the frigid temperatures.

Early out this week...Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the kids will be dismissed at 2 PM. Please make arrangements. Thanks.

If you haven't already, please send in $6 with your child for our visit to the Hap Ryder Riverfront Theater two weeks ago. We saw the play Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I am still waiting on about 9 kids to bring in money. We have other field trips planned for the spring and if our class account goes in the red, we cannot afford to take them. Please let me know if there are extenuating circumstances and I will be more than happy to make other arrangements, no questions asked. Thanks.

Last week, I sent home another letter and sign up sheet on Friday about the annual 6th grade "Family Traditions Feast." On Wednesday, December 19th, 2018, all three sixth grade classes will host a family traditions feast from 11 - 12 pm in the MPR. The purpose is to recognize and celebrate students' cultures and family traditions. We ask that every student brings one specific food item. The food should be enough to feed 6-8 people. Ideally, the students will make the items at home and parents will help as needed. The students should write a half-page summary of the item's history and they will present this in class.

One week until winter break and we have some work to get through. Most, if not all students should be done with their TDLs and Google Slides Presentations. If not, perhaps they may be able to this week. We will be working on winter haikus, origami wreaths, and superhero fictional narratives. 

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:20

Class Meeting

New Jobs

New Seats

9:20 - 10:30

Walk to Math

10:30 - 10:40

Break - Snack

10:40 - 12:00

Winter Haikus

Origami Wreaths

12:00 - 12:30

Eat

12:30 - 1:00

Play

1:00 - 1:40

Read Aloud - My Side of the Mountain

TDL

1:40 - 2:15

PE - Inside

2:15 - 3:30

ELA

TDL

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

The students have all made personalized To Do Lists. Please check with your kiddo...

MATH HOMEWORK 

None this week

Please regularly check your child’s grades in PowerSchool and update the Web and Technology Use forms. I would appreciate it if you gave permission for your child’s picture to be published on the class blog. The forms are located under the Registration section. Please refer to this link for details: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/3162  

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Family Traditions Feast
11 AM - 12 PM (join us)

December 19 - December 21, 2018

Early Dismissal at 2 PM

December 21, 2018 - January 7, 2019

Winter Break - No School

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

Last week was a bit crazy...Band, orchestra, and chorus concerts, a field trip, and a class party, oh my! The kids did an excellent job and it was a pleasure watching the performances.

If you haven't already, please send in $6 with your child for our visit to the Hap Ryder Riverfront Theater last week. We saw the play Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. One of our own (a student in our class) performed in the show, and he did great.

Last week, I sent home a letter and sign up sheet on Friday about the annual 6th grade "Family Traditions Feast." On Wednesday, December 19th, 2018, all three sixth grade classes will host a family traditions feast from 11 - 12 pm in the MPR. The purpose is to recognize and celebrate students' cultures and family traditions. We ask that every student brings one specific food item. The food should be enough to feed 6-8 people. Ideally, the students will make the items at home and parents will help as needed. The students should write a half-page summary of the item's history and they will present this in class.

Two weeks until winter break and we have some work to get through. We are plugging away with biography book report presentations and To Do List items. This week we will continue our work and I have a couple of enrichment projects underway for the students that are done.

From Mr. Ribbens:

Hello, this is Mr. Ribbens,

Two weeks ago, as part of my teaching program at UAF, I had the opportunity to teach ELA all week. I began to read “A Single Shard” for read-a-loud and students also had multiple sessions of independent reading. We wrote a short fictional narrative focussing on descriptive detail. Last week we reviewed figurative language, specifically hyperbole and personification. Students had opportunities to continue work on their biography book reports and persuasive essays. I am continually grateful that I was assigned to such a great group of students for my internship!

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:20

Class Meeting

New Jobs

9:20 - 10:30

Walk to Math

10:30 - 10:40

Break - Snack

10:40 - 12:00

ELA

12:00 - 12:30

Eat

12:30 - 1:00

Play

1:00 - 1:40

Read Aloud - Surviving Bear Island

TDL

1:40 - 2:15

PE

2:15 - 3:30

ELA

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

The students have all made personalized To Do Lists. Please check with your kiddo...

MATH HOMEWORK 

Tuesday, December 11, 2018
--Practice 6-2
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
--Practice 6-3
Thursday, December 13, 2018
--Practice 6-4
Friday, December 14, 2018
--Practice 6-5

Please regularly check your child’s grades in PowerSchool and update the Web and Technology Use forms. I would appreciate it if you gave permission for your child’s picture to be published on the class blog. The forms are located under the Registration section. Please refer to this link for details: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/3162  

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Family Traditions Feast

December 19 - December 21, 2018

Early Dismissal at 2 PM

December 21, 2018 - January 7, 2019

Winter Break - No School

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, December 3, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

Looks like we had some more snow over the weekend...We have a busy and full week ahead. With just about three weeks left in the quarter, TDL items are quickly becoming due. The kids took their winter MAP tests last week and I am happy to report that almost everyone has shown significant improvements in both math and reading from this point last year. If you are interested in more information, I can send home a letter and report with your kiddo. Just send me an email. 

This week is also the winter band and orchestra concerts. They will be on Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am and 2 pm here in the MPR. 

We have a field trip this Friday, December 7, 2018. We will visit the Hap Ryder Riverfront theater to see Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. One of our own (a student in our class) is also performing in the show, so this is going to be great. Please send in $6 with your student so we may pay for transportation and general admission...thanks.

Speaking of fun things...our class has filled the marble jar and has voted on a "Free time and slime" party. This week, I will give the kids some free time to play and banter in the afternoon. I will also pick up materials for them to make slime, as this has rapidly become "a thing" in our class.

Lastly for now...I sent home a letter and sign up sheet on Friday about the annual 6th grade "Family Traditions Feast." On Wednesday, December 19th, 2018, all three sixth grade classes will host a family traditions feast from 11 - 12 pm in the MPR. The purpose is to recognize and celebrate students' cultures and family traditions. We ask that every student brings one specific food item. The food should be enough to feed 6-8 people. Ideally, the students will make the items at home and parents will help as needed. The students should write a half-page summary of the item's history and they will present this in class. Thanks. 

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:20

Class Meeting

New Jobs

New Seats

9:20 - 10:30

Walk to Math

10:30 - 10:40

Break - Snack

10:40 - 12:00

ELA

12:00 - 12:30

Eat

12:30 - 1:00

Play

1:00 - 1:40

Read Aloud - Out of My Mind

TDL

1:40 - 2:15

PE

2:15 - 3:30

ELA

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

The student have all made personalized To Do Lists. Please check with your kiddo...

MATH HOMEWORK 

None - We will not have math for two days this week due to band and orchestra concerts.

Please regularly check your child’s grades in PowerSchool and update the Web and Technology Use forms. I would appreciate it if you gave permission for your child’s picture to be published on the class blog. The forms are located under the Registration section. Please refer to this link for details: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/3162  

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

December 7, 2018

Field Trip - Narnia

Please send in $6 with your child

December 18, 2018

Family Traditions Feast

December 19 - December 21, 2018

Early Dismissal at 2 PM

December 21, 2018 - January 7, 2019

Winter Break - No School

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, November 21, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

Advice from the moon...

Live life to the fullest

Be someone to look up to

Don't be phased by difficulties

Take time to reflect

Enjoy a little space

Honor the cycles of nature

Light up the night

--BR

Back to it this morning and all week. Mr. Ribben's will be implementing our ELA curriculum this week as part of his training. Spelling, DOL, and GeoNotes will all be on the agenda. The kids have almost finished their Google Sheets individualized TDLs last week as we have about three weeks left of the second quarter. 

Please make sure your kiddos have warm weather gear this week. Gym classes will be outdoors, snowshoeing and at times, we will be outside doing an art project. 

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:20

Class Meeting

Jobs

9:20 - 10:30

Walk to Math

10:30 - 10:40

Break - Snack

10:40 - 12:00

ELA

12:00 - 12:30

Eat

12:30 - 1:00

Play

1:00 - 1:40

Read Aloud - Out of My Mind

TDL

1:40 - 2:15

PE

2:15 - 3:30

ELA

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

--Biography Book Reports are due soon. Please check with your kiddo. 

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK

By Friday

--Reading Logs

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

Due On
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
--Practice 5-7
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
--Practice 5-8
Thursday, November 29, 2018
--Topic 5 Review
Tuesday, November 30, 2018
--None (Topic 5 test today)

ONGOING INFORMATION

READING LOGS

Reading logs are a regular part of our class. Students will receive "points" 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 - I will be sending the kiddos home with their specific login information soon

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)

Please regularly check your child’s grades in PowerSchool and update the Web and Technology Use forms. I would appreciate it if you gave permission for your child’s picture to be published on the class blog. The forms are located under the Registration section. Please refer to this link for details: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/3162  
I will never post identifying names with the pictures.

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

December 19 - December 21, 2018
Early Dismissal at 2 PM

December 21, 2018 - January 7, 2019
Winter Break - No School

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, November 19, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

I hope you and yours, have a nice holiday weekend.

This week is a short one with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up. On Monday and Wednesday, we the kids will have MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing. The good news: we had an epic breakfast this morning. Pancakes and sausage filled our bellies :)

In the afternoons, during testing week, I like to do art lessons with the kiddos. We will make snowflakes and listen to our book "Out of My Mind." It is an amazing read if you have the chance. 

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:20

Class Meeting

Jobs

Pancakes

9:20 - 10:30

Walk to Math

10:30 - 10:40

Break - Snack

10:40 - 12:00

MAP Testing

12:00 - 12:30

Eat

12:30 - 1:00

Play

1:00 - 1:40

Read Aloud - Out of My Mind

TDL

1:40 - 2:15

PE

2:15 - 3:30

Art - Snowflakes

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

By Friday
--NONE

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK

By Friday

--NONE

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

Due On
--NONE

ONGOING INFORMATION

READING LOGS

Reading logs are a regular part of our class. Students will receive "points" 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 - I will be sending the kiddos home with their specific login information soon

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)

Please regularly check your child’s grades in PowerSchool and update the Web and Technology Use forms. I would appreciate it if you gave permission for your child’s picture to be published on the class blog. The forms are located under the Registration section. Please refer to this link for details: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/3162  
I will never post identifying names with the pictures.

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

November 22 and November 23, 2018
Thanksgiving Holiday - No School

December 19 - December 21, 2018
Early Dismissal at 2 PM

December 21, 2018 - January 7, 2019
Winter Break - No School

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, November 12, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

As you can see, our field trip to UAF was awesome. Special thanks to Mr. Brashear for opening up his classroom studio and guiding our lesson. Also, to Mr. Ribbens for arranging the experience. We hope to see some of the bowls back here and others donated for auction as a fundraiser for the Fairbanks Food Bank.

This week coming up is a short one, but it is packed with things to accomplish...

Tuesday looks like:

9:00 - 9:20

Class Meeting

New Jobs

9:20 - 10:30

Walk to Math

10:30 - 10:40

Break - Snack

10:40 - 12:00

"S" Groups - Astronomy and Gravity

12:00 - 12:30

Eat

12:30 - 1:00

Play

1:00 - 1:40

Read Aloud - Out of My Mind

TDL

1:40 - 2:15

Library

2:15 - 3:30

Art - Birch Tree Dioramas

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

By Friday
--The kids finish making their personalized TDLs

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK

By Friday
--Reading Logs
--Ongoing math homework...see below

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

Due On
Wednesday, November 15, 2018
--Envision Practice 5-2
Thursday, November 16, 2018
--Envision Practice 5-3
Friday, November 17, 2018
--Envision Practice 5-4

ONGOING INFORMATION

READING LOGS

Reading logs are a regular part of our class. Students will receive "points" 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 - I will be sending the kiddos home with their specific login information soon

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)

Please regularly check your child’s grades in PowerSchool and update the Web and Technology Use forms. I would appreciate it if you gave permission for your child’s picture to be published on the class blog. The forms are located under the Registration section. Please refer to this link for details: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/3162  
I will never post identifying names with the pictures.

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23, 2018
Thanksgiving Holiday - No School

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, November 5, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

Good morning! Wow, it is already November and as you may have noticed it is getting cold outside and we have snow on the ground. Please make sure your kids have appropriate outdoor gear. Warm coat, gloves, hat, boots, snow pants. Kids go out for recess in temperatures as cold as -20 Fahrenheit, so please...again. 

We have a field trip to the UAF Fine Arts Building today. Mr. Ribbens has arranged for the kids to attend the pottery studio, in conjunction with his current Social Studies unit for his student teaching requirements. There, the kids will make two clay coil bowls. They will be able to keep one, and they will make a second to donate to the Fairbanks Food Bank. 

This week, we have an early out on Friday, due to professional development (ALICE Training) for all staff in the District. We will also use this week for the creation of personalized TDLs. The kids will learn to navigate the program Google Sheets (same as Excel). As the year progresses, students will receive class assignments as a group, but some will have different or additional assignments to meet their individual educational needs. On that list, and for this week, we will do some catch-up. There are just about seven weeks until winter break, and I don't want kids to fall behind. I am giving some time to work in class to on past assignments, while we implement a new art lesson and two new books to the class. Mr. Ribbens will also be facilitating a Social Studies unit. 

Monday looks like:

9:00 - 9:20

Class Meeting

New Jobs

9:20 - 10:30

Walk to Math

10:30 - 10:40

Break - Snack

10:40 - 11:15

Class Novel - Dogsong

Read Aloud - Out of My Mind

11:15 - 2:15

Field Trip to UAF

2:15 - 3:30

Art - Birch Tree Dioramas

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

By Friday
--The kids will start to make their personalized TDLs

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK

By Friday
--Reading Logs
--Ongoing math homework...see below

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

Due On
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
--Topic 4 Review
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
--Test (No homework due today)
Thursday, November 8, 2018
--Envision Practice 5-1
Friday, November 9, 2018
--Envision Practice 5-2

ONGOING INFORMATION

READING LOGS

Reading logs are a regular part of our class. Students will receive "points" 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 - I will be sending the kiddos home with their specific login information soon

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)

Please regularly check your child’s grades in PowerSchool and update the Web and Technology Use forms. I would appreciate it if you gave permission for your child’s picture to be published on the class blog. The forms are located under the Registration section. Please refer to this link for details: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/3162  
I will never post identifying names with the pictures.

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

Monday, November 5, 208
Field Trip - UAF Fine Arts Building with Mr. Ribbens
Bowl Making - Feel free to join if you please!
A flyer went home with info and a request for $5...to pay for transportation. Thanks. 

Friday, November 9, 2018
Early Dismissal at 2 PM - Professional Development 

Monday, November 12, 2018
No School - Professional Development Day

Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23, 2018
Thanksgiving Holiday - No School

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman