Friday, May 21, 2021

 

 Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Weller Elementary School

 

 

 

Thank you so much Shannon R. for taking these pictures and sending them to me! Again, it was an amazing field trip!

I want to take this opportunity to say a huge and humble thank you for all the cards, notes, and generous gift cards that came in this week. I also love the mugs and Alaskan Native Art! I feel so lucky to have had such an wonderful group of kids this year, and that's because of the roles you play in their lives. I will always remember this cohort as being kind, caring, and most of all, resilient! I look forward to seeing them walking the halls next year, and possibly being able to teach them again! More on that below!

 

This last week was pretty epic...

We squeezed in as much as I could while keeping the sanity. We built scribble bots, finished Robinson Crusoe, and launched Lunar Landers off the roof of the school! The kiddos cleaned out their desks and cubbies, so you should have seen some artwork and school supplies come home yesterday and Wednesday. I hope you liked the space art and island posters!

Moving ahead...

There has been some talk around town (Weller), that I may not be returning next year. Yes, my wife has received a promotion at her work that will require us to move out of state, but I am happy to report that we will be able to stay in Fairbanks for at least another school year so...I look forward to see you and your kiddos next year! No, we do not know what classes look like yet, or which teachers are teaching what grades! We will know more just before the Ice Cream Social in August. See dates below! In the meantime, if you know of any family or friends returning to Weller next year and they have not registered yet, please let them know that the more kiddos we have enrolled (before August), the more teachers and services stay here at our school!

I am working on finalizing grades and report card comments today. Those should be available (online), early next week. In the meantime, you may check using the link provided below.

ACCESS TO PowerSchool (GRADES AND REPORT CARDS)

To view your child's current assignments and grades that have been recorded, report cards, and other grade book information click the following link and log in using your parent credentials: PowerSchool Log In

DATES TO REMEMBER

Monday, August 16, 2021

-Ice Cream Social!

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

-First day of school!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Saturday, May 15, 2021

 

 Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Weller Elementary School

 

 

 

Well...we made it back in one piece! A huge thank you to all the volunteers (parents, grandparents, uncles) that made it to our Angel Rocks Educational Excursion. The day was fabulous and the weather couldn't have been better. All in all, we had 10 volunteers join us and Mr. Bragonier (ELP teacher here at Weller).  Every student completed the hike, round-trip! It was especially great that one of our parents (not sure if you want me to mention a name), drove their trailer out so we could have a home base, handwashing station, and emergency shelter if needed. The Otterpops and Gatorades were a hit. While everyone did their part in some form (s'mores, balloons, chaperoning) all of you played an integral part in the magical day.

 

This week...

Is the final week of the 2021-2021 school year! I have to say that despite all of our challenges, I have enjoyed this group of kiddos tremendously. I have received many compliments from both staff and parents, about how kind, compassionate, and caring they are. We started online and it was not ideal, but when we came to the classroom in January we hit the ground running and never looked back. This students have grown, learned, and discovered their resiliency in unprecedented ways. Thank you for always being supportive, understanding, and flexible at home. This type of success doesn't happen without parents/guardians like you!

We will be finishing up projects, cleaning out desks/cubbies, tidying up the room, and sending home work that has been completed. We will have some extra outside time and of course, an epic water balloon battle on Thursday (the last day of school). I will also try to fit in an egg drop engineering project, and launch them off the roof! Finally an art project called Mt. Fuji! 

 

Here is a little stat to be proud of: To date, the kids have completed 173 writing prompts and we will finish with four more this week! More to come...

 

Monday looks like:

8:00 - 9:10

Arrival/Breakfast

Writing Prompt

Class Meeting

New Jobs

Math Part 1

9:10 - 9:40

Mrs. Dershin

9:45 - 10:00

Snack

Read Aloud – Robinson Crusoe (abridged, kid-friendly version)

10:00 - 11:00

Math Part 2

TDL

11:00 - 11:30

Math Block

11:30 - 12:05

Lunch

12:05 - 12:35

Class Novel – The Big Wave

12:35 - 1:05

Recess

1:05 - 1:10

Clean up

Pack up

Dismissal

ACCESS TO PowerSchool (GRADES AND REPORT CARDS)

To view your child's current assignments and grades that have been recorded, report cards, and other grade book information click the following link and log in using your parent credentials: PowerSchool Log In

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

Thursday, May 20, 2021

-Last day of school.

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, May 10, 2021

 

 Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Weller Elementary School

 

 

 I hope you and your family had a nice Mother's Day weekend!

 

This week...

As you know, we have a big field trip this Friday. I think that the kids are very excited. That, combined with spring weather, and two weeks of school left, will be a challenge to keep kiddos focused, but I am confident that we will finish strong! Beyond our TDL, I have some fun lessons planned for this week and next. Mars Lander, Mt. Fuji, and Spirit Masks to name a few.

 

As for this Friday, we are scheduled to leave school around 9:30 AM and we will return between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM. I will reach out today and tomorrow to confirm and talk logistics with volunteers/chaperones who indicated they are interested in going. I recently learned that background checks have been delayed due to the AK court systems being down (evidently there has been cyber attack?), so I have been given permission to have family members come, even if their application is not fully processed.

Current TDL:

Create an Island (Poster, Scroll, Flag)

Current Events

Cereal Box Book Report

Spring Haiku

Summer Haiku (finalize Seasonal Haikus document)

Emotions Art

Horizon Art

Diamante Poems

Superhero Story

State Report Poster

 

Monday looks like:

8:00 - 9:10

Arrival/Breakfast

Writing Prompt

Class Meeting

New Jobs

New Seats

Math Part 1

9:10 - 9:40

Mrs. Dershin

9:45 - 10:00

Snack

Read Aloud – The Return of the Indian

10:00 - 11:00

Math Part 2

TDL

11:00 - 11:30

Math Block

11:30 - 12:05

Lunch

12:05 - 12:35

Current Events Presentations

Class Novel – The Big Wave

12:35 - 1:05

Recess

1:05 - 1:10

Clean up

Pack up

Dismissal

HOMEWORK
-Reading Logs each night and record it online or on paper

MATH HOMEWORK

None to take home this week...

ONGOING INFORMATION

ZOOM

Here is our class' meeting ID and password:

https://zoom.us/j/6240846454?pwd=UmVuUHdUaWVKRFZmTTdqWVN0UmpDZz09

Meeting ID: 624 084 6454

Passcode: ROOM23

ACCESS TO PowerSchool (GRADES AND REPORT CARDS)

To view your child's current assignments and grades that have been recorded, report cards, and other grade book information click the following link and log in using your parent credentials: PowerSchool Log In

 

CLASS WEBSITE

If you have not yet, please browse our class' website: www.wellerwhales.org. It has a lot of great resources and we will use this from time to time. I am currently making adjustments and enhancements on some pages, but the site is full and live.

READING LOGS (In-Person)
Reading logs are a regular part of our class and the students' overall reading grade. Students will receive 5 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). I have a yellow folder by the classroom front door filled with new reading logs or they can submit through our GC. If a student reads for 5 days or more, they will receive a ticket for the "Prize Box" drawing. We draw prizes weekly, on Fridays at the end of the day.

ClassLink/GOOGLE CLASSROOM
ClassLink is the portal in which students can access their Google Classroom. Once they log into their Chromebook, kids can access the bookmarks folder on their Chrome browser and click on ClassLink. That will bring them to the apps page where they will find Google Classroom. You can find the landing page for ClassLink right here: ClassLink

DATES TO REMEMBER

Friday, May 14, 2021

-Angel Rocks Educational Excursion!

 

Thursday, May 20, 2021

-Last day of school. Can you believe it? Two weeks!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, May 3, 2021

 

 Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Weller Elementary School

 

 

 

Pie n' Poetry was a huge success. A special thanks to those that sent in some pie. We had apple, cherry, pumpkin, key lime, and chocolate cream! I am so proud of the kids' poems and cannot wait to send them home soon. Mrs. Weckesser and school board president even visited us for some presentations and they were very impressed.

 

This week...

With about 3 weeks of school left, we will continue with our TDL campaigns. I have been updating grades and will enter scores in PowerSchool this week (everyone is doing really well). Currently, students are working on many different things, at different times, and at different paces. Personalized learning at its best in here.

Did someone mention a field trip? Well, we are going to spend the day at Angel Rocks on Friday, May 14, 2021. It will be an all day event (until about 7 PM). I sent home some information and a permission slip Friday. Please let me know if you did not get it. I am super excited about it and so are the kids!

Current TDL:

Create an Island (Poster, Scroll, Flag)

Current Events

Cereal Box Book Report

Spring Haiku

Summer Haiku (finalize Seasonal Haikus document)

Emotions Art

Horizon Art

Diamante Poems

Superhero Story

State Report Poster

Lantern Poems

 

Monday looks like:

8:00 - 9:10

Arrival/Breakfast

Writing Prompt

Class Meeting

New Jobs

TDL

9:10 - 9:40

Mrs. Drershin

9:45 - 10:00

Snack

Read Aloud – The Return of the Indian

10:00 - 11:00

Class Novel – The Big Wave

TDL

11:00 - 11:30

Math Block

11:30 - 12:05

Lunch

12:05 - 12:35

Current Events Presentations

12:35 - 1:05

Recess

1:05 - 1:10

Clean up

Pack up

Dismissal

HOMEWORK
-Reading Logs each night and record it online or on paper

MATH HOMEWORK

None to take home this week...

ONGOING INFORMATION

ZOOM

Here is our class' meeting ID and password:

https://zoom.us/j/6240846454?pwd=UmVuUHdUaWVKRFZmTTdqWVN0UmpDZz09

Meeting ID: 624 084 6454

Passcode: ROOM23

ACCESS TO PowerSchool (GRADES AND REPORT CARDS)

To view your child's current assignments and grades that have been recorded, report cards, and other grade book information click the following link and log in using your parent credentials: PowerSchool Log In

 

CLASS WEBSITE

If you have not yet, please browse our class' website: www.wellerwhales.org. It has a lot of great resources and we will use this from time to time. I am currently making adjustments and enhancements on some pages, but the site is full and live.

READING LOGS (In-Person)
Reading logs are a regular part of our class and the students' overall reading grade. Students will receive 5 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). I have a yellow folder by the classroom front door filled with new reading logs or they can submit through our GC. If a student reads for 5 days or more, they will receive a ticket for the "Prize Box" drawing. We draw prizes weekly, on Fridays at the end of the day.

ClassLink/GOOGLE CLASSROOM
ClassLink is the portal in which students can access their Google Classroom. Once they log into their Chromebook, kids can access the bookmarks folder on their Chrome browser and click on ClassLink. That will bring them to the apps page where they will find Google Classroom. You can find the landing page for ClassLink right here: ClassLink

DATES TO REMEMBER

Friday, May 14, 2021

-Angel Rocks Educational Excursion!

 

Thursday, May 20, 2021

-Last day of school. Can you believe it? Three weeks!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

 

 Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Weller Elementary School

 

 

 

 

This week...

Introducing Poetry and Pie this Friday...the kids will be reciting their "I am" poems about an object, and then about themselves. This unit covers many 4th grade learning standards including: Self-reflection, drafting, editing, revising, sustained writing, figurative language, writing conventions, and finally, presentation. I will be picking up a variety of pies, yes pies (apple, key lime, chocolate cream, ect...) for us to celebrate our accomplishments and the conclusion of National Poetry Month! Even though NPM will be over, we will be working on diamante poems, summer haikus, and lantern poems in May.

 

We finished up The Indian in the Cupboard yesterday and have started the sequel, The Return of the Indian...We are also on the last chapter of Island of the Blue Dolphins, so that will be completed this afternoon. Next up for our class novel, The Big Wave, by Pearl S. Buck.

Wednesday looks like:

8:00 - 9:10

Arrival/Breakfast

Writing Prompt

Class Meeting

TDL

9:10 - 9:40

Library

9:45 - 10:00

Snack

Read Aloud – The Return of the Indian

10:00 - 11:00

Class Novel – Island of the Blue Dolphins

TDL

11:00 - 11:30

Math Block

11:30 - 12:05

Lunch

12:05 - 12:35

Current Events Presentations

12:35 - 1:05

Recess

1:05 - 1:10

Clean up

Pack up

Dismissal

HOMEWORK
-Reading Logs each night and record it online or on paper

MATH HOMEWORK

None to take home this week...

ONGOING INFORMATION

ZOOM

Here is our class' meeting ID and password:

https://zoom.us/j/6240846454?pwd=UmVuUHdUaWVKRFZmTTdqWVN0UmpDZz09

Meeting ID: 624 084 6454

Passcode: ROOM23

ACCESS TO PowerSchool (GRADES AND REPORT CARDS)

To view your child's current assignments and grades that have been recorded, report cards, and other grade book information click the following link and log in using your parent credentials: PowerSchool Log In

 

CLASS WEBSITE

If you have not yet, please browse our class' website: www.wellerwhales.org. It has a lot of great resources and we will use this from time to time. I am currently making adjustments and enhancements on some pages, but the site is full and live.

READING LOGS (In-Person)
Reading logs are a regular part of our class and the students' overall reading grade. Students will receive 5 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). I have a yellow folder by the classroom front door filled with new reading logs or they can submit through our GC. If a student reads for 5 days or more, they will receive a ticket for the "Prize Box" drawing. We draw prizes weekly, on Fridays at the end of the day.

ClassLink/GOOGLE CLASSROOM
ClassLink is the portal in which students can access their Google Classroom. Once they log into their Chromebook, kids can access the bookmarks folder on their Chrome browser and click on ClassLink. That will bring them to the apps page where they will find Google Classroom. You can find the landing page for ClassLink right here: ClassLink

DATES TO REMEMBER

Thursday, May 20, 2021

-Last day of school. Can you believe it? We are 4 weeks from the end of the school year!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, April 19, 2021

 

 Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Weller Elementary School

 

Last week... 

Four groups were successful in working together and completing their "Tower" successfully...We finished our final testing session of the year, PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for Alaskan Students = Standardized State Tests), and some students have started their "Create an Island" projects. I have 12 out of 18 kiddos done with their I AM poems...

This week...

We will mostly be working on TDL:

1. Current Events

2. Cereal Box Book Reports

3. State Reports and Posters

4. Spring Haiku

5. Emotions Art

6. Horizon Art

7. Superhero Story

8. Create an Island (Poster, Flag, and Scroll)

9. I AM Poems

10. Diamonte Poetry

We will continue with The Indian in the Cupboard and Island of the Blue Dolphins. Next up for our class novel, The Big Wave, by Pearl S. Buck.

Monday looks like:

8:00 - 9:10

Arrival/Breakfast

Writing Prompt

Class Meeting

New Jobs

9:10 - 9:40

Mrs. Dershin - School Counselor

9:45 - 10:00

Snack

Read Aloud – The Indian in the Cupboard

10:00 - 11:00

Class Novel – Island of the Blue Dolphins

TDL

11:00 - 11:30

Math Block

11:30 - 12:05

Lunch

12:05 - 12:35

Current Events Presentations

12:35 - 1:05

Recess

1:05 - 1:10

Clean up

Pack up

Dismissal

HOMEWORK
-Reading Logs each night and record it online or on paper

MATH HOMEWORK

None to take home this week...

ONGOING INFORMATION

ZOOM

Here is our class' meeting ID and password:

https://zoom.us/j/6240846454?pwd=UmVuUHdUaWVKRFZmTTdqWVN0UmpDZz09

Meeting ID: 624 084 6454

Passcode: ROOM23

ACCESS TO PowerSchool (GRADES AND REPORT CARDS)

To view your child's current assignments and grades that have been recorded, report cards, and other grade book information click the following link and log in using your parent credentials: PowerSchool Log In

 

CLASS WEBSITE

If you have not yet, please browse our class' website: www.wellerwhales.org. It has a lot of great resources and we will use this from time to time. I am currently making adjustments and enhancements on some pages, but the site is full and live.

READING LOGS (In-Person)
Reading logs are a regular part of our class and the students' overall reading grade. Students will receive 5 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). I have a yellow folder by the classroom front door filled with new reading logs or they can submit through our GC. If a student reads for 5 days or more, they will receive a ticket for the "Prize Box" drawing. We draw prizes weekly, on Fridays at the end of the day.

ClassLink/GOOGLE CLASSROOM
ClassLink is the portal in which students can access their Google Classroom. Once they log into their Chromebook, kids can access the bookmarks folder on their Chrome browser and click on ClassLink. That will bring them to the apps page where they will find Google Classroom. You can find the landing page for ClassLink right here: ClassLink

DATES TO REMEMBER

Thursday, May 20, 2021

-Last day of school. Can you believe it? We are 4 weeks from the end of the school year!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, April 12, 2021

 

 Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Weller Elementary School

 

This week...

PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for Alaskan Students = Standardized State Tests) are this week. On Tuesday, the kids will be taking the English/Language Arts section of the exams, specifically Reading and Vocabulary. On Wednesday, the kids will have the Writing section, and on Thursday, the final portion will be Math. This will take up most of the mornings, and I will keep it light in the afternoons: art, read aloud, lunch, recess, and TDL.

Last week we finished up our Space Art projects and they came out beautifully. I have them hanging in the school at the moment, and they will come home soon. I think that you'll love em. We also finished up Sign of the Beaver last week and will start The Indian in the Cupboard today. "I am" poems are coming along nicely, with just about half of the class finished with both their objects and then their self-reflective versions. Again, you're gonna love em'. Next up for our class novel, The Big Wave, as we are almost done with Island of the Blue Dolphins. Finally, Diamante poems will be next in our line-up for National Poetry Month.

 

Is spring finally here?

Monday looks like:

8:00 - 9:10

Arrival/Breakfast

Writing Prompt

Class Meeting

New Seats

New Jobs

9:10 - 9:40

TDL

9:45 - 10:00

Snack

Read Aloud – The Indian in the Cupboard

Emotions Art or Horizon Art

10:00 - 11:00

TDL

11:00 - 11:30

Math Block – Topic 15

11:30 - 12:05

Lunch

12:05 - 12:35

Class Novel – Island of the Blue Dolphins

12:35 - 1:05

Recess

1:05 - 1:10

Clean up

Pack up

Dismissal

*******Please note now that we are back to in-person instruction***********

-Kids should be reading for 20 minutes every night, and recording it in their reading logs. I will have a folder filled with them by the door. They may also continue with their digital reading logs too. Either one works for me. If they fill 5 days a week, they will get a ticket for the weekly prize box drawing on Fridays.

-Kids will receive about 20-30 minutes of classwork to complete each night that we have school.  This can include math, spelling, Geo Notes...Please work with them on this if they need help. I would like for students to have no more than 40-50 minutes of work each night. Please let me know if this expectation is beyond reach and we can talk about how your child can be successful. Please again, I don't want tears along the way or any surprises at the end of the quarter!

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.

 

The Fourth Quarter Plan:

  

New Additions/Finishing Up

• State Reports and Posterboards (yes, still!)
• Poetry - April is National Poetry Month, so hold on! One of my favorite units to teach!
• Class Novel - Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
  
• Class Novel 2 - The Big Wave 
• Read Aloud - Matilda by Roald Dahl
  
• Read Aloud 2 - Indian in the Cupboard
• Art - Space Art, Horizons, and Mt. Fuji
  
• Advice to a fourth-grader
• Long Division
• Fractions
• Units of measurement
• The Rock Cycle
• Cereal Box Book Reports (yes, still!)
• Superhero Stories
• Newton's Laws of Motion
• STEM Kits
• Current Events
  

The Staples

• Spelling Packets
• Cursive Handbooks
• Reading Logs - SSR
• EnVision Math
• Daily Oral Language (DOL)
• Geography Notes

HOMEWORK
-Reading Logs each night and record it online or on paper

MATH HOMEWORK

None to take home this week...

ONGOING INFORMATION

ZOOM

Here is our class' meeting ID and password:

https://zoom.us/j/6240846454?pwd=UmVuUHdUaWVKRFZmTTdqWVN0UmpDZz09

Meeting ID: 624 084 6454

Passcode: ROOM23

ACCESS TO PowerSchool (GRADES AND REPORT CARDS)

To view your child's current assignments and grades that have been recorded, report cards, and other grade book information click the following link and log in using your parent credentials: PowerSchool Log In

 

CLASS WEBSITE

If you have not yet, please browse our class' website: www.wellerwhales.org. It has a lot of great resources and we will use this from time to time. I am currently making adjustments and enhancements on some pages, but the site is full and live.

READING LOGS (In-Person)
Reading logs are a regular part of our class and the students' overall reading grade. Students will receive 5 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). I have a yellow folder by the classroom front door filled with new reading logs or they can submit through our GC. If a student reads for 5 days or more, they will receive a ticket for the "Prize Box" drawing. We draw prizes weekly, on Fridays at the end of the day.

ClassLink/GOOGLE CLASSROOM
ClassLink is the portal in which students can access their Google Classroom. Once they log into their Chromebook, kids can access the bookmarks folder on their Chrome browser and click on ClassLink. That will bring them to the apps page where they will find Google Classroom. You can find the landing page for ClassLink right here: ClassLink

DATES TO REMEMBER

Friday, May 21, 2021

-Last day of school. Can you believe it? We are 6 weeks from the end of the school year!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Monday, April 5, 2021

  

 Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Weller Elementary School

 

Happy Easter from mine to yours...

Just when we thought spring was coming...

This week...

How about that snow day? We will be back at it tomorrow and from here on out, it is going to be a bit of a steady push to finish up projects. I have a few kiddos that are ready for their final project, Create an Island! With only seven weeks left to the end of school, Current Events Projects/Presentations are well underway. Also on the agenda are: Space Art (we started these last week), Spring Haikus (we will add on to our Autumn and Winter Haikus), I Am poems, and PEAKS preparations.

Speaking of PEAKS (Standardized State Tests). These are different from MAP tests. MAPs are for progress monitoring. PEAKS are required by the state and federal governments as an accountability measure. The kids will be taking them the following week on the Tuesday, April 13th, Wednesday the 14th, and Thursday, the 15th. There are three sections Reading, Writing, and Math. They are "shorter" than the MAP tests, but more formal...so please make sure your kiddos are on time and well rested. I will add more about this to next week's newsletter.

 

Our class novel, Island of the Blue Dolphins is almost done and we finished our read aloud Matilda. We also started our newest read aloud, The Sign of the Beaver. During read aloud and snack time, the students can work on their Emotions or Horizons art projects.

In math, we will be reviewing adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators, converting mixed numbers to improper fractions, and the reciprocal. We will conclude by simplifying. In our next topic, we will start geometry!

Tuesday looks like:

8:00 - 9:10

Arrival/Breakfast

Writing Prompt

Class Meeting

New Jobs

TDL

9:10 - 9:40

Library

9:45 - 10:00

Snack

Read Aloud – Matilda

Emotions Art or Horizon Art

10:00 - 11:00

Introduction to "I am" Poems

11:00 - 11:30

Math Block – Topic 15

11:30 - 12:05

Lunch

12:05 - 12:35

Class Novel – Island of the Blue Dolphins

12:35 - 1:05

Recess

1:05 - 1:10

Clean up

Pack up

Dismissal

*******Please note now that we are back to in-person instruction***********

-Kids should be reading for 20 minutes every night, and recording it in their reading logs. I will have a folder filled with them by the door. They may also continue with their digital reading logs too. Either one works for me. If they fill 5 days a week, they will get a ticket for the weekly prize box drawing on Fridays.

-Kids will receive about 20-30 minutes of classwork to complete each night that we have school.  This can include math, spelling, Geo Notes...Please work with them on this if they need help. I would like for students to have no more than 40-50 minutes of work each night. Please let me know if this expectation is beyond reach and we can talk about how your child can be successful. Please again, I don't want tears along the way or any surprises at the end of the quarter!

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.

 

The Fourth Quarter Plan:

  

New Additions/Finishing Up

• State Reports and Posterboards (yes, still!)
• Poetry - April is National Poetry Month, so hold on! One of my favorite units to teach!
• Class Novel - Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
  
• Class Novel 2 - The Big Wave 
• Read Aloud - Matilda by Roald Dahl
  
• Read Aloud 2 - Indian in the Cupboard
• Art - Space Art, Horizons, and Mt. Fuji
  
• Advice to a fourth-grader
• Long Division
• Fractions
• Units of measurement
• The Rock Cycle
• Cereal Box Book Reports (yes, still!)
• Superhero Stories
• Newton's Laws of Motion
• STEM Kits
• Current Events
  

The Staples

• Spelling Packets
• Cursive Handbooks
• Reading Logs - SSR
• EnVision Math
• Daily Oral Language (DOL)
• Geography Notes

HOMEWORK
-Reading Logs each night and record it online or on paper

MATH HOMEWORK

None to take home this week...

ONGOING INFORMATION

ZOOM

Here is our class' meeting ID and password:

https://zoom.us/j/6240846454?pwd=UmVuUHdUaWVKRFZmTTdqWVN0UmpDZz09

Meeting ID: 624 084 6454

Passcode: ROOM23

ACCESS TO PowerSchool (GRADES AND REPORT CARDS)

To view your child's current assignments and grades that have been recorded, report cards, and other grade book information click the following link and log in using your parent credentials: PowerSchool Log In

 

CLASS WEBSITE

If you have not yet, please browse our class' website: www.wellerwhales.org. It has a lot of great resources and we will use this from time to time. I am currently making adjustments and enhancements on some pages, but the site is full and live.

READING LOGS (In-Person)
Reading logs are a regular part of our class and the students' overall reading grade. Students will receive 5 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). I have a yellow folder by the classroom front door filled with new reading logs or they can submit through our GC. If a student reads for 5 days or more, they will receive a ticket for the "Prize Box" drawing. We draw prizes weekly, on Fridays at the end of the day.

ClassLink/GOOGLE CLASSROOM
ClassLink is the portal in which students can access their Google Classroom. Once they log into their Chromebook, kids can access the bookmarks folder on their Chrome browser and click on ClassLink. That will bring them to the apps page where they will find Google Classroom. You can find the landing page for ClassLink right here: ClassLink

DATES TO REMEMBER

Thursday, May 20, 2021

-Last day of school. Can you believe it? We are 9 weeks from the end of the school year!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman

Sunday, March 21, 2021

 

 Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog

Weller Elementary School

 

Mr. Sassman here! I am back at the helm and eager to get started. Kudos to Ms. Nuss for a job well done! I am sure that she learned just as much as the kiddos over the past three weeks. 

This week...

We will hit the ground running. I will be introducing a few new projects for the kiddos that are ready to take on more. To start, Current Events Projects/Presentations, Space Art (we started these last week), and our month-long poetry unit will begin with Spring Haikus (we will add on to our Autumn and Winter Haikus). Finally, this Wednesday and Thursday, we have our last round of MAP testing. Please ensure that your kiddos have a good night's rest. I will be making the kids pancakes for breakfast Wednesday morning before the test. I will pick up some snacks (oranges and animal crackers) for Thursday morning. Please have your kids to school on time, so we don't have delays. Thanks! 

 

As you know, Ms. Nuss started some activities during her student-teaching, and we will continue with those. Our class novel, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and our read aloud, Matilda. During read aloud and snack time, the students can work on their Emotion art projects.

 

Lastly, I will give the kids a quick, fun, spelling check...more to come on that.

In math, we will be reviewing adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators, converting mixed numbers to improper fractions, and the reciprocal. We will conclude by simplifying.

Monday looks like:

8:00 - 9:00

Arrival/Breakfast

Writing Prompt

Class Meeting

New Jobs

Intro to Current Events Project

9:00 - 9:45

TDL

Spring Haikus

9:45 - 10:15

Snack

Read Aloud – Matilda

Emotions Art

10:15 - 11:30

Math Block – Topic 12

11:30 - 12:00

Lunch

12:00 - 1:00

Class Novel – Island of the Blue Dolphins

Recess

1:00 - 1:10

Clean up

Pack up

Dismissal

*******Please note now that we are back to in-person instruction***********

-Kids should be reading for 20 minutes every night, and recording it in their reading logs. I will have a folder filled with them by the door. They may also continue with their digital reading logs too. Either one works for me. If they fill 5 days a week, they will get a ticket for the weekly prize box drawing on Fridays.

-Kids will receive about 20-30 minutes of classwork to complete each night that we have school.  This can include math, spelling, GeoNotes...Please work with them on this if they need help. I would like for students to have no more than 40-50 minutes of work each night. Please let me know if this expectation is beyond reach and we can talk about how your child can be successful. Please again, I don't want tears along the way or any surprises at the end of the quarter!

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.

 

The Fourth Quarter Plan:

  

New Additions/Finishing Up

• State Reports and Posterboards (yes, still!)
• Poetry - April is National Poetry Month, so hold on! One of my favorite units to teach!
• Class Novel - Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
  
• Class Novel 2 - The Big Wave 
• Read Aloud - Matilda by Roald Dahl
  
• Read Aloud 2 - Indian in the Cupboard
• Art - Space Art, Horizons, and Mt. Fuji
  
• Advice to a fourth-grader
• Long Division
• Fractions
• Units of measurement
• The Rock Cycle
• Cereal Box Book Reports (yes, still!)
• Superhero Stories
• Newton's Laws of Motion
• STEM Kits
• Current Events
  

The Staples

• Spelling Packets
• Cursive Handbooks
• Reading Logs - SSR
• EnVision Math
• Daily Oral Language (DOL)
• Geography Notes

HOMEWORK
-Reading Logs each night and record it online or on paper

MATH HOMEWORK

None to take home this week...

ONGOING INFORMATION

ZOOM

Here is our class' meeting ID and password:

https://zoom.us/j/6240846454?pwd=UmVuUHdUaWVKRFZmTTdqWVN0UmpDZz09

Meeting ID: 624 084 6454

Passcode: ROOM23

ACCESS TO PowerSchool (GRADES AND REPORT CARDS)

To view your child's current assignments and grades that have been recorded, report cards, and other grade book information click the following link and log in using your parent credentials: PowerSchool Log In

 

CLASS WEBSITE

If you have not yet, please browse our class' website: www.wellerwhales.org. It has a lot of great resources and we will use this from time to time. I am currently making adjustments and enhancements on some pages, but the site is full and live.

READING LOGS (In-Person)
Reading logs are a regular part of our class and the students' overall reading grade. Students will receive 5 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). I have a yellow folder by the classroom front door filled with new reading logs or they can submit through our GC. If a student reads for 5 days or more, they will receive a ticket for the "Prize Box" drawing. We draw prizes weekly, on Fridays at the end of the day.

ClassLink/GOOGLE CLASSROOM
ClassLink is the portal in which students can access their Google Classroom. Once they log into their Chromebook, kids can access the bookmarks folder on their Chrome browser and click on ClassLink. That will bring them to the apps page where they will find Google Classroom. You can find the landing page for ClassLink right here: ClassLink

DATES TO REMEMBER

Thursday, April 1, 2021

-Picture Day make ups (for kids that were absent the first go-round).

Thursday, May 20, 2021

-Last day of school. Can you believe it? We are 9 weeks from the end of the school year!

It's a good life!

Mr. Sassman