MR. SASSMAN'S 4th GRADE CLASS BLOG: September 2018

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

I hope you had a nice weekend...I sure enjoyed my family time!

My daughter Zemra starting Kindergarden!

My wife Meagen and daughter Zarina!

Pillows!!! WHAT!!!

Last week

Was a sort one, but packed with fun and learning all at the same time! As the first quarter is coming closer to an end, the kids have been checking things off of their TDLs exponentially.

Pillow making was grand. THANK YOU to our parent and grandparent volunteers who made it here with their sewing machines and skills. And thank you for making one for me! I was delightfully surprised when I returned to the room :)

I sent out a link for you to sign up for parent-teacher conferences to please sign up if you have not already. Here is the link again: Sassman P/T Conference Sign-up Link

This week

We are back to a full week. The kids will be working again on their assigned tasks, but we will also start our class book, Dogsong. I am excited to read this book with the kids and the discourse that will follow. As I mentioned last week, we will be implementing Read LIVE in our room. In STEAM, I will be facilitating a lesson on the five types of Pacific Salmon, biology, and life cycles; followed by salmon dissections. I have been able to acquire about 20, for our scientific study. After, we will donate the remains to local dog mushing teams for consumption...

***Please have your kids bring boots or shoes that can get a bit dirty...we will be gettin' a bit dirty on Monday afternoon by digging for spruce roots***

Current Events:

We have a large line-up of Current Event Presentations and I am eager to see what the kids have in store for us.

Presenting on:

Monday - Jesse, Noah, Nevaeh

Tuesday - Alanna, Aliah

Wednesday - Ethan, Madison

Thursday - Aaliyah, Chris

Friday - Bode, Will

Two weeks until the end of the first quarter...wow!!!!

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 - DOL/TDL

Read Aloud - Where the Red Fern Grows

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:00 - 1:40

Current Events Presentations

1:40 - 2:15

Gym

2:15 - 3:30

Outside Adventures (place-based education) - Digging for Spruce Roots

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

By End of Quarter TDL

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, October 2, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-3
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-4
Thursday, October 4, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-5
Friday, October 5, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-6

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)

Friday, October 12, 2018
End of Quarter - Early Dismissal at 2 PM

Thursday, October 18, 2018
Pumpkin Carving - Please send in a pumpkin with your kiddo (we will team up and carve as many as we get)

Friday, October 19, 2018
Woodriver Halloween Carnival 5:00 - 7:30 PM

Thursday, October 25, 2018
No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Friday, October 26, 2018
No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

Last week

As you can tell from the pictures, we had beautiful weather (the one day in the past two weeks). Our trip was engaging, exciting, and educational! Thank you so much to the parents that volunteered. It wouldn't have been possible without you!

It was great to see you at back-to-school night this past Tuesday, and I hope you enjoyed the chili. I made a special, spicy mix, and it was all gone in the end, so I was very happy! If you couldn't make it, maybe next year...

The Alaska Room never seems to disappoint. The kids seemed to enjoy the outing and learned quite a bit. I will send home the Alaskan Native arts and crafts they made this week.

Lastly, our STEAM lesson last week focused on the Brooklyn Bridge. The kids made their own models out of K'NEX. They had constraints, budgets, and plans. Almost all groups built bridges that could sustain about 40 pounds...wow!

This week

Will be a short one, and I will use this time to meet with kids one-on-one about their grades and where they are at with their To Do Lists. For kids that are done with their items, I will be giving enrichment activities for them to really stretch their minds and think outside the box. I assure it is not "busy work." :)

*********************3 weeks till' the end of the first quarter...wow************************

I will also be implementing a new Read LIVE program in our room, to help support our reading curriculum here at school.

Early Dismissal this Thursday, September 27th, at 2 PM. Staff here have a District mandated staff training.

No School this Friday, September 28th. State and District mandated Professional Development day.

This Wednesday, September 26th, we have our Pillow Extravaganza. I sent home a flyer with this information already, but here it is again in the event that you missed it. Please bring your child to Joann's or Michael's and have them pick out a 1/2 yard of fabric of their choosing and a small bag of poly-fil. We will be making pillows in class.

A 1/2 Yard of fabric

A small bag of poly-fill

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

12:00 - 12:30

Lunch

12:30 - 1:00

Recess

1:00 - 1:40

Current Events Presentations

Read Aloud

TDL

1:40 - 2:15

Gym

2:15 - 3:30

ELA/TDL

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

By End of Quarter TDL

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, September 18, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-1
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-2
Thursday, September 20, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-3

ONGOING INFORMATION

READING LOGS

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

Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org (for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org)

Password: s#g (for example: s123456g)

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Pillow Making - Please send in 1/2 Yard of fabric and a small bag of poly-fil

Thursday, September 27, 2018
Early Dismissal (2:00 PM) - Staff Professional Development

Friday, September 28, 2018
No School - Staff Professional Development

Thursday, October 25, 2018
No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Friday, October 26, 2018
No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

This week

It is going to be a busy week across the board...Tomorrow, Monday, September 17th, from 10:40 AM - 2:00 PM, we have a field trip to Ballaine Lake. There, we will set up three stations, studying (hands-on exploration) aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, and put our writer's caps on with Six Rooms Poetry. Please send in $5.00 with your kiddo if you have not yet. This helps us pay for our transportation. Thanks.

This Tuesday, September, 18th, Woordriver is hosting a back-to-school night for you to come and visit your child's classroom. You can come and see some of their poetry and artwork. I will be here from 5 PM to 6 PM, to answer questions that you may have about our classroom policies and procedures. Please keep in mind, this is not the time to discuss your child's grades. If you would like to meet before parent-teacher conferences (October 26th and 27th), feel free to make an appointment. Thanks for your understanding.

This Tuesday, September, 18th, Woodriver is also hosting our annual Harvest Festival from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The school will be serving chili. This event is sponsored by the PTA and is a fundraiser. There are usually more than 500 people that attend.

This Wednesday, September 19th, our class has another field trip. We will be visiting The Alaska Room at Anne Wein Elementary School from 12:05 PM to 2:00 PM. There, the kids will learn about Alaskan Native Culture and engage in hands-on arts and crafts.

This Wednesday, September 19th, our class is scheduled for school pictures. I sent the kids home with information and a flyer last week. We will most likely have them taken in the morning (before our field trip).

Next week, Wednesday, September 26th, we have our Pillow Extravaganza. I sent home a flyer with this information already, but here it is again in the event that you missed it. Please bring your child to Joann's or Michael's and have them pick out a 1/2 yard of fabric of their choosing and a small bag of poly-fil. We will be making pillows in class.

A 1/2 Yard of fabric

A small bag of poly-fill

Lastly, mid-term grade reports will come home this week, most likely Tuesday. I also made our first TDL (To Do List) for the kids last week and gave it to them for reference. I will post a picture below. Be sure to check Power School for grades and assignment updates.

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 - 2:15

Ballaine Lake Field Trip - Please send in $5.00 for transportation if you have not already, thanks.

2:30 - 3:30

Six Rooms Poetry Typing

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

By End of Quarter TDL

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, September 18, 2018
--Envision Topic 1 Review (Topic 1 test today)
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-1
Thursday, September 20, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-2
Friday, September 21, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 2-3

ONGOING INFORMATION

READING LOGS

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

Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org (for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org)

Password: s#g (for example: s123456g)

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

Monday, September 17, 2018
Field Trip - Ballaine Lake

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Back to School Night - 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Harvest Festival - 6:00 to 7:00 PM

Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Pillow Making - Please send in 1/2 Yard of fabric and a small bag of poly-fil

Thursday, September 27, 2018
Early Dismissal (2:00 PM) - Staff Professional Development

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, September 10, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

Last Week

Our classwork is moving right along. The kids have been working hard and I am so proud of the progress they are making. I know you will be too, when you read some of the poetry they are writing. As we progress through our first quarter, I will be creating and distributing an official TDL (To Do List), to the students for them to keep track of the assignments that need to be completed by October 12th. Yes, it is about a month until we are there!

This week

Again, we will be finalizing our Summer Reflections papers and editing sentences during DOL, but we will also be finishing both sets of "I AM" poems and I will introduce our Current Events Projects. Please look for more info on that if you are able/want to help at home. Autumn Haikus should be completed by now, and the Characters/Setting sections of our stepbooks should be complete by the end of the week.

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 - 12:00

EAT

12:30 - 1:00

PLAY

1:00 - 1:40

Read Aloud/Art - Where the Red Fern Grows

1:40 - 2:15

Special - GYM

2:15 - 3:30

Introduction to Current Events Project

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

By Friday
Final Draft - Summer Reflections
Step Book Book Report
-- Setting
-- Characters
"I am" poetry
Autumn Haikus

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, September 11, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 1-9
Thursday, September 13, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 1-10
Friday, September 14, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 1-11

ONGOING INFORMATION

READING LOGS

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

Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org (for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org)

Password: s#g (for example: s123456g)

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

Monday, September 17, 2018
Field Trip - Ballaine Lake (two volunteers needed to join us)

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Back to School Night - 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Harvest Festival - 6:00 to 7:00 PM

Thursday, September 27, 2018
Early Dismissal (2:00 PM) - Staff Professional Development

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Mr. Sassman's 6th Grade Class Blog

Woodriver Elementary School

Labor Day: The first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

For more information about Labor Day, follow the link below! Some interesting stuff!

http://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm

Angel Rocks 2018

TOWERS 2018

Last Week

Thank you to all of our wonderful chaperones that joined us at Angel Rocks...the trip was amazing! We couldn't have done it without you. Our STEAM lessons went really well for our first group and our final two groups will be up this week.

This week

We will be finalizing our Summer Reflections papers, editing sentences during DOL. We are also well underway with our academic campaigns in class and the kids have been working hard. We have started our Stepbook Book Reports, "I am..." poetry drafts, Autumn Haikus, Summer Reflection Personal Narratives, and "S" Groups. We will continue with this work all week.

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

"S" Groups

12:00 - 12:00

EAT

12:30 - 1:00

PLAY

1:00 - 1:40

Writers Workshop

1:40 - 2:15

Special - Library

2:15 - 2:50

Read Aloud - Where the Red Fern Grows

2:50 - 3:30

Special Make-up - PE

IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS

By Friday
Final Draft - Summer Reflections
Step Book Book Report
-- Cover Completed
-- About the Author Completed
"I am" poetry
Autumn Haikus

HOMEROOM HOMEWORK

By Friday
Reading Logs turned in

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

Due On
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 1-6
Thursday, September 6, 2018
--Envision Practice Worksheet 1-7
Friday, September 7, 2018

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).

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

Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org (for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org)

Password: s#g (for example: s123456g)

DATES TO REMEMBER (more to come)

Monday, September 17, 2018
Field Trip - Ballaine Lake (two volunteers needed to join us)

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Back to School Night - 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Harvest Festival - 6:00 to 7:00 PM

Thursday, September 27, 2018
Early Dismissal (2:00 PM) - Staff Professional Development

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman