Sunday, August 26, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

Welcome to the first blog entry of the 2018-2019 school year. We have had a busy first week (plus two days). So far, we have completed our paper bag biographies, two art projects, started DOL, drafted summer reflections essays, and finished our fall MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests. We have also started our breakout (Science, SS, and STEAM) sessions. We finished our first read aloud (Frindle), and lastly, had a pancake breakfast on Friday, capped off with movie and game night. 

Last Monday, I sent my classroom/parent handbook home for your review, and there were a few items in there to fill out and return. Please look that over soon - if you have not already - and send back the forms.

I mentioned in the handbook that I would maintain a class blog for you to see a "snapshot" of what lessons and activities we do in class. As you will see, the blog includes a rough sketch of our schedule for the week, highlighting some of our main events, but please keep in mind that things may change from time to time. At the bottom of the blog post, I will list the homework that is due for the week, for your reference. Please also check your student's planner.

For your convenience, you can subscribe to the blog and receive this in your email weekly. Simply enter in your email address at the bottom of the page or in the sidebar to the right, where it says "Follow By Email." You will receive an email from "Feed Burner" confirming your participation. Follow the instructions and check your spam folder if you do not receive an email. This will set you up for the email campaign.

This week

For our writing campaign: we will continue drafting and finalizing our Summer Reflections papers, editing sentences during DOL, and start spelling packets. For reading, we will begin our first quarter book reports (reading logs please), and step into the new world of Journeys. "Walk to Math" kicks off on Monday and lastly, breakout sessions will progress.

If you are looking for clarification on any of the aforementioned details from above, please feel free to call or email me. In the meantime, please know that there will be a back-to-school night planned in the near future. We can also speak then.

OUR FIRST FIELD TRIP IS THIS WEDNESDAY! All three sixth grade classes will be traveling to Angel Rocks (39 mile Chena Hot Spring Road) for a three mile hike. At the top, we will have lunch and we expect to return to Woodriver around 3 PM. Feel free to join us and please fill out the volunteer commitment form if you plan on being there. Otherwise, please send back your child's permission slip to attend the trip.

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

English/Language Arts

-Summer Reflections

-DOL

-Spelling

12:00 - 12:00

EAT

12:30 - 1:00

PLAY

1:00 - 1:40

Read Aloud - Where the Red Fern Grows

-Art (Warm/Cold Trees)

-Cursive Handbooks

1:40 - 2:15

Special - PE

2:15 - 3:20

English/Language Arts

- Poetry (Autumn Haikus)

3:20 - 3:30

Clean up and dismissal

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

By Friday
First Draft - Summer Reflections
Book picked our for first quarter book reports - Step Book Cover Completed
Speling Packet Lesson 1

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK

By Friday
Reading Logs turned in

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

Due On
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 1-4
Friday, August 31, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 1-5

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 - 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)

Further Clarifications
Monday the students will be sorted into four Math groups, based on their test scores. Each group will cover the 6^th grade Math curriculum; however, the pace and depth will vary. The students will be continually assessed and a small handful of students may change classes, based on their evolving skills, at the end of each quarter.  The ELP teacher, Mrs. Dullen, will teach the Advanced Math class.

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.

Classes and Assignments

Math

It is imperative that all students have a firm mastery of the multiplication table, 1 to 12, to be successful in 6^th grade Math. This is your child’s number one priority.

Writing

The kids will have four major writing assignments. We will also several ongoing units in DOL, spelling, poetry, free writing, and in-class cross-curricular projects.

Reading

The kids will have four major reading assignments this year (Four book reports). I also have a "Daily Five" reading model in my room. Each day, we will try to accomplish: SSR, Read Aloud, Read-to-someone, Word Work (writing), and Work on Writing (Writing). Kids are also required to read 20 minutes a night at home (a book of their choice), and turn in reading logs initialed by you and them.

Social Studies (Mrs. Clark) 

Currently, The students are learning about Mesopotamia.

Science (Mr. Kinder)

The students are learning about Earth Systems: Water, Rock, and Soil cycles and Weather and Climate. Please refer to the Earth Systems packet for all the planned graded assignments for the entire unit. In addition, the students will complete experiments almost every week.

STEAM (Mr. Sassman)

Mr. Sassman is teaching the students a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math lessons. Our first lesson is "Towers" and focuses heavily on the Engineering Design Process.

DATES TO REMEMBER (this section will fill up soon)

Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Angel Rocks Hike and Field Trip - All day

Monday, September 3, 2018

No School - Happy Labor Day

TBD

Back to School Night - 5 to 6 PM

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman