Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog
Weller Elementary School
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| The Science Fair is coming in February...and we will be heavy on science this quarter! |
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| Spelling Bee is also coming in February. |
Last week...
I informed the kids that the Science Fair and the Spelling Bee are both coming up in February. I copied the forms that the kids need and told them that if they complete a project, they will get "Extra Credit" in class for the work they do. In the past, I have required students to do a project, but experience has told me that a class project is the way to go. Stay tuned for more on that. I also made copies of the top 450 Scripps Spelling Bee words (from 2018-2019), for the kids to study from. I included the definitions and parts of speech for a deeper understanding of the words. I have more copies available in our room if needed.
We have started our Q3 Writing piece - Persuasive Essays - and the kids are excited to tell us why there should be more recess, less homework, and later start times. Yes, these are some real issues, but they must give a sound argument as to why. When you have a moment, ask your child what their essay is about and chat with them a bit. I am impressed with the variety of fantastic ideas I get to read about.
In an effort to save paper (and money), the district has now gone digital with all report cards. Please sign on to Power School (Parent Account) for access. There is a tab on the left-hand side that says "Report Cards." Thanks and here is the link - Power School Parent Login
This week...
We will continue with our thinking maps of Persuasive Essays and I will introduce the kids' Current Events Projects. They will create another Google Slide Presentation, but this time, they will also need to incorporate a classroom activity that ties into their article. I will give the kids the guide and rubric this week and I will also send home a copy for you. Please help them with this if you are able.
We will get back into DOL this week. Specifically, I will have the kids paragraph editing and diving into figurative language more. These are some of my favorite lessons and I can't wait to see evidence of their learning in upcoming writing pieces - and poetry unit in the spring.
Still a hold on Space Art...when will this weather let up? Stay tuned for that ASAP.
On your radar...
I have updated the Dates to Remeber section below with a lot of items. Included is our Twin Bears Parent Information Night. Several parents have asked, can the kids come too? Most definitely. In addition, Parent-Teacher conferences are coming up in February. This round is "Student-Led" so PLEASE make sure your child is here for it. I can't tell you how important this is for them and their development, and I know you will love it. When I get sign-up information, I will let you know. Let's hope it goes smoother than the fall's sign-up procedures.
The third-quarter looks like:
Space Art
Rock Cycle
Pacific Rim
Volcanoes
Spelling Packets
DOL - Paragraph Development and Figurative Language
Geo Notes
Step-Book Book Reports***(Project)***
Current Events Google Slides Presentations***(Project)***
Persuasive Essay Writing***(Project)***
Folk Tale Triramas
Exploding Canisters
Read LIVE
Paper Airplanes (Possibly Q4)
Rockets (Possibly Q4 at UAF)
Newton's Laws of Motion
Student-led Parent-teacher Conference Prep
Monday looks like:
8:30 - 8:50
Writing Prompt
Morning Announcements
New Jobs
8:50 - 9:20
Gym
9:20 - 9:50
Music
9:50 - 11:20
Snack/Read Aloud - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
DOL
Persuasive Essays - Thinking Maps
11:30 - 12:00
Recess
12:00 - 12:30
Lunch
12:35 - 1:50
Math Block
1:55 - 2:10
SSR
2:10 - 3:00
Our Place in the Universe - Planets and Dwarf Planets
Clean Up
Pack Up
Stack Up
Mailboxes
*Please note that math, specials (PE, music, and library), lunch, and recess are part of a fixed schedule and stay in blocks. At times, curriculum instruction will be shuffled 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.
IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - QUIZZES - TESTS
DUE ON
--I would like the kids to be finished with their Thinking Maps (Persuasive Essays)
--My Side of the Mountain Study Guide (Chapters 8-12)
--"Planets and Dwarf Planets"
--"Moons in Orbit"
HOMEWORK
ONGOING
--Reading Logs (ongoing)
--Spelling Packet this week (Lesson 8 - Please keep in mind that these are highly personalized, so not every student will have the same words)
MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK
DUE ON
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
--Reteach 8-3
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
--Quick Check 8-4
Thursday, January 16, 2020
--Quick Check 8-5
Friday, January 10, 2020
--Quick Check 8-6
***A brief note about homework. It is my philosophy that homework is an opportunity for students to practice skills that they have learned in school that day/week. The benefits are proven and tremendous. I try to keep things simple: 20 minutes of reading practice (reading logs), 20 minutes of math practice (worksheet), and 5-10 minutes of spelling (1 page per night). If your student is working on homework for more than an hour each night (Monday - Thursday, none on the weekends), please contact me so we can discuss things further. It is not my intention to make life impossible for you at home.
DUE ON
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
--Reteach 8-3
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
--Quick Check 8-4
Thursday, January 16, 2020
--Quick Check 8-5
Friday, January 10, 2020
--Quick Check 8-6
***A brief note about homework. It is my philosophy that homework is an opportunity for students to practice skills that they have learned in school that day/week. The benefits are proven and tremendous. I try to keep things simple: 20 minutes of reading practice (reading logs), 20 minutes of math practice (worksheet), and 5-10 minutes of spelling (1 page per night). If your student is working on homework for more than an hour each night (Monday - Thursday, none on the weekends), please contact me so we can discuss things further. It is not my intention to make life impossible for you at home.
***Please keep in mind, projects, or tests we have in class may have to be brought home to be finished or to study. Please ask your child if they have completed their work and check PowerSchool regularly.
ONGOING INFORMATION
READING LOGSReading 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).
Reading 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 grades improve significantly while naturally benefitting 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.
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. Simply 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. All passwords have been reset and synched to their individual defaults for the start of the school year. Please do not make any changes. It is as follows:
Username: s#@student.k12northstar.org
Password: s#g
User Name for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org
User Pswd for example: s123456g
User Name for example: s123456@student.k12northstar.org
User Pswd for example: s123456g
DATES TO REMEMBER AND FIELD TRIPS
Monday, January 20, 2020
--Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
Friday, January 31, 2020
--Field Trip to UAF's Davis Concert Hall to see "Bach to the Future." More details to follow.
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Educational Excursion and Camping Trip, "Parent/Guardian Information Night." It will be from 5-6 PM in room 22 (next to ours), with some time built in for questions. I will have a lot of information for you, and we will need all hands on deck for the trip. This meeting will be the first of two. The second meeting will be in March and it will be for volunteers that have signed up and been cleared through the district. Your help and these meetings are critical to our success. Thanks so much!
Monday, February 17, 2020
--Professional Development Teacher Work Day (No School).
Tuesday and Wednesday, February 18 and 19, 2020
--Student-led Parent-Teacher Conferences (Please make sure your child is present for this).
Friday, March 6, 2020
--End of Q3. Early dismissal at 1:30 PM.
Monday, March 9, 2020 to Friday, March 13, 2020
--Spring Break - No School
Friday, March 20, 2020
--Field Trip to Herring Auditorium at Lathrop HS to see "Eileen Ivers." More details to follow.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - Friday, May 15, 2020
--Angel Rocks Hike and Twin Bears Educational Excursion. We will have several meetings throughout the year about this as it is a 3-day overnight camping trip, and yes we will need volunteers!
Friday, May 15, 2020 to Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Early dismissal at 1:30 PM and final three days of the school year.
It's a good life!
Mr. Sassman
