Mr. Sassman's and Mrs. Coffeen's
4th Grade Class Blog
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| I hope you had a nice weekend with your friends and family! |
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| Just sayin'... |
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| Spring testing is upon us... |
Last Week:
Mrs. Coffeen finished up her full time student teaching and I can say for sure, that the students were served well! We are lucky to have such a committed and caring student-teacher in our room this year. She may have a few items to close out with the kiddos in the coming weeks, but I am back in the driver's seat for the remainder of the year. Speaking of which, we have about eight weeks left...really?
Report cards went home on Friday. I am so proud and impressed with all the hard work the kids have put in thus far. We have one last push of projects in April and May and then...summer break.
We started some new fourth-quarter projects last week. The first one is our final book report. The kids should have chosen a Newbery Medal or Honor book to create a cereal box book report. This is also a great opportunity for the kiddos to log their reading for the Read-a-Thon! This is the last week for logging hours/minutes, so please tally things up over the weekend, and send in whatcha got for our end of the year field trips please! I also made a deal with the kids that, if we beat our classroom goal of $1,200 in funds raised, we will have a hoagie and movie party. Thanks so much for your continued support. We couldn't do it without you.
The other major assignment that kicked-off last week were expository essays - books really - where the students will be experts in a subject, and create a book...yes, create a book.
***Please note if this applies to your kiddo: After school Book Club is now on Tuesdays...Thanks
This week:
I told the kids on Friday, that today, this morning, we will be hiking to Frog Pond again. This time, to get a brief spring preview, but also for some underwater explorations. We have a parent volunteer bringing an ice auger and down periscope. Hopefully we will see some cool things! We will also look for inspiration for our spring Haikus and month of peotry unit in April...more to come about that...Pie and Poetry anyone?
We will be focusing on poetry, spelling...yes spelling packets, test prep, cursive handbooks, Expository Books, and Cereal Box Book Reports this week.
I have posted some additional field trip dates down below and added our testing dates FYI. Please make sure your student has had a good night's rest and hearty breakfast in preparation for test-taking. Thanks.
I will also be adding a Twin Bears Volunteer Meeting to the blog soon...this will be one final meeting before our big trip. If you are planning to volunteer, please try and make this meeting. Friendly reminder to get cleared by the District's background check system please.
Fourth quarter looks like - in brief:
April Poetry Month Pie and Poems
Cereal Box Book Reports
Pacific Rim
Pen Pal Letters
DOL
Geo Notes
Expository Essay Writing
Folk Tale Triramas
Read LIVE
Cursive Handbooks
Organism Trading Cards
Monday looks like:
9:00- 9:30
New Jobs
New Seats
9:30-11:40
Hike to Frog Pond with buddies from Mr. Hensel's Class
11:40-12:10
Lunch
12:10 - 12:40
Recess
12:40 - 1:55
Math Block
2:00 - 3:25
Writing: Expository Books
Spelling
IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS
By Friday
--Spring Haikus
--Spring Haikus
HOMEROOM HOMEWORK
--Make sure your student is logging in their Read-a-Thon hours! Last day is this Friday.
--Spelling Packet (each student will have their own packets)
MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK (only if your child is in my math class)
***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
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
MAP Testing (Measures of Academic Progress) - ELA
Thursday, April 5, 2018
MAP Testing (Measures of Academic Progress) - MATH
Monday, April 16, 2018
PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for AK STudents) - ELA
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for AK STudents) - MATH
Monday, April 16, 2018
MAP Testing (Measures of Academic Progress) - ELA
Thursday, April 5, 2018
MAP Testing (Measures of Academic Progress) - MATH
Monday, April 16, 2018
PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for AK STudents) - ELA
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for AK STudents) - MATH
PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for AK STudents) - SCIENCE (fourth graders only)
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Field Trip to Morris Thompson Cultural Center/Mock Trial at the Courthouse
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 through Friday May, 11, 2018
Angel Rocks Hike and Twin Bears Camping Trip - Details to follow
Monday, May 14, 2018
Birch Hill Hiking and Picnic
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Bowling (Arctic Bowl) and hike to Pioneer Park
Bowling (Arctic Bowl) and hike to Pioneer Park
If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please feel free to contact both myself and Mr. Sassman. My email address is: caitlin.coffeen@k12northstar.org or you can call school directly at 907-479-4234 x41324.
It's a good life!
--Mr. Sassman
