Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog
I hope all is well with you and your families! I had a lovely time with my girls as the bitter cold let up a bit. I am really looking forward to seeing the students this week, and to get working on our reflections! I came across this little saying on Saturday in an email from a teacher friend...
"If you give people tools, and they use their natural abilities and their curiosity, they will develop things in ways that will surprise you very much beyond what you might have expected." - Bill Gates
Food for thought...
Last week: As you can tell from the pictures above, the students had a wonderful time exploring "Mystery Powders," with Mrs. Coffeen. The talent show and handball finals/school assembly were both spirited and entertaining. Thank you for attending the parent informational meeting last week. It was a good turnout and it looks like we will have a lot of volunteers (the more the merrier). We discussed fundraising, volunteering, the agenda, shopping, and packing lists. Lastly, we discussed the stock market a bit in class and had fun with Flocabulary to learn even more about investing! Check out the link.
"Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world...he who understands it, earns it...he who doesn't, pays it." - Albert Einstein
This week: We will be dedicating quite a bit of time to Student-led Parent-teacher Conferences this week, so please, make sure you and your child is present for their meeting. They will be leading most of the dialogue. Unless we have already spoken, your time slot is the same from the fall. Please call me directly if you need to make changes or verify your time.
Many parents have emailed me about Valentine's Day cards...Since there seems to be interest...On Wednesday, we will make some time to allow the kids to exchange sincerities. Please limit the amount of candy you send in...thanks.
Our class will be snowshoeing with Mr. Dunavin this week on:
--Monday, February 26, 2018 from 10:25 - 11:35
--Thursday, March 1, 2108 from 9:15 - 10:25
Please send your kiddo in with plenty of warm weather gear and join us to volunteer if you are able, Mr. D has requested the assistance. Thanks.
***Please note if this applies to your kiddo: After school reading group is now on Tuesdays...Thanks
Third quarter looks like - in brief:
Space Art
Rock Cycle
Pacific Rim
Volcanoes
Spelling City
Pen Pal Letters
DOL
Geo Notes
Biography Book Reports
Google Slides Presentations
Persuasive Essay Writing
Folk Tale Triramas
Read LIVE
Student-led Parent-teacher Conferences
9:00 - 9:10
New Jobs
9:10 - 10:25
Student-led Parent-teacher Conference Prep
10:25 - 11:40
Physical Education - Double Period for Snowshoeing
11:40 - 12:10
Lunch
12:10 - 12:40
Recess
12:40 - 1:55
Math Block
2:00 - 3:30
Science Buddies
Partner Reading
Read Aloud - Indian in the Cupboard
IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS
By Friday
--Conference Prep
--Conference Prep
HOMEROOM HOMEWORK
For FridayNone
MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if your child is in my math class)
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
--Practice 14-9
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
--Practice 14-10
Thursday, February 15, 2018
--Practice 14-11
Friday, February 16, 2018
--Practice 15-1
***Please note that Math, Specials, Lunch, and Recess are Intermediate schedules and stay in blocks. At times, curriculum, instruction, and homework may be adjusted 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.
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. They must login using these credentials:
DATES TO REMEMBER
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. They must login using these credentials:
Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org (for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org)
Password: s#g (for example: s123456g)
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, February 19, 2018
Day one Student-led Parent-teacher Conferences - Please make sure your child is present
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Day two Student-led Parent-teacher Conferences - Please make sure your child is present
Monday, March 5, 2018 ($7.00)
Field Trip to Herring Auditorium - "Taiko Project"
9:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Friday, March 9, 2018 - Sunday, March 18, 2018
Last day of the third quarter - Early out and the beginning of spring break
Friday, March 23, 2018 ($7.00)
Field Trip to Herring Auditorium - "Dervish"
9:15 - 11:30 AM
Friday, March 23, 2018 ($7.00)
Field Trip to Herring Auditorium - "Dervish"
9:15 - 11:30 AM
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 through Friday May, 11, 2018
Angel Rocks Hike and Twin Bears Camping Trip - Details to follow
More yet to be added for the fourth quarter...
--Birch Hill Hiking and Picnic
--Mock Trial at the Courthouse/Morris Thompson Cultural Center
--Bowling and Pioneer Park
It's a good life!
Mr. Sassman
