Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog
Weller Elementary School
Okay...I know I said last week was the last post of the year, but...
It's a good life!
Mr. Sassman
Friday, December 20, 2019
Friday, December 20, 2019
Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog
Weller Elementary School
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog
Weller Elementary School
Advice from the moon...
Live life to the fullest
Be someone to look up to
Don't be phased by difficulties
Take time to reflect
Enjoy a little space
Honor the cycles of nature
Light up the night
(We will be finishing up our Space Unit this week!)
Last week...
The Alaska Room was great! The students wore Traditional Regalia while immersing themselves in Alaskan Native Culture and Art. There were three stations: Quiver making and beading, Paper Hunting Visors, and Raven Medalians. The items should have come home with them on Friday.
Art Specialists were here and the kids made beautiful pieces of art inspired by fourth-grade featured artist, Hokusai. Lastly, the kids made origami wreaths and included a nice holiday haiku on tiny scrolls. Look for those to come home this week, in time to use for decor.
Kudos to Mrs. Young for taking such good care of the kiddos last week. She was required to take over for most of it as part of her university studies and in preparation for her full-time student-teaching experience this spring. WOW, did I just say spring? While she took the helm, I was productive at Woodriver Elementary School from Monday through Thursday, substituting as Principal for Mr. Grant. It was an amazing opportunity and experience, but I was so happy to be back with the kids on Friday.
This week...
As you know, this is the last week of the 2019 school year! We will be working towards finishing a lot of things up. Bio Book Reports, My Side of the Mountain (I am not sure we will finish), Where the Red Fern Grows (we have two chapters left and they are rough!), Cursive Handbooks, Figurative Language (which we are just getting started really), Space School...and much more, just check out our TDL below.
On Friday, December 13th, we have yes, another field trip! Marble Jar Field Trip to the Big Dipper. We will leave Weller at 9:15 and return around 11:30. It will be a total of $10 per student and that includes transportation and ice time (1 hr.). Thank you, if you have already sent in money. Skate rental is an additional $3 per kiddo and I will cover the cost of that, however, if your student has skates, please have them bring them to school that day. All are welcome to join, including siblings...we have the entire rink booked for the hour!
Early out (dismissal) at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week. I will be - trying my best to - finish grading and report cards by Friday, even though they don't come out until January.
It is also "Dress up week" - Please keep in mind, these are not requirements!
- Monday - White-out (kiddos can wear white)
- Tuesday - Dress Nice Day (since there's a concert)
- Wednesday - Head-To-Toe Day (wear hats/headbands/antlers etc./socks)
- Thursday - Seasonal Colors (red/green(Christmas); blue/white (Hanukkah); red/green/black (Kwanzaa colors); etc.)
- Friday - PJ Day
On your radar...
I am considering Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 as our Twin Bears/Angel Rocks Educational Excursion and Camping Trip, "Parent/Guardian Information Night." It will be from 5-6 PM, 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 will be for volunteers that have signed up and been cleared through the district. Our class' PTA Rep, Keri Herning may also be asking you for some help with a few things! Your help and these meetings are critical to our success, so if you know already that you cannot make it, please let me know. Thanks so much!
8:30 - 9:00
Arrive
Writing Prompt
Morning Announcements
New Jobs
9:00 - 9:30
Gym
9:30 - 10:00
Music
10:00 - 11:30
Snack/Read Aloud - Where the Red Fern Grows
TDL
11:30 - 12:00
Lunch
12:00 - 12:30
Recess
12:30 - 1:45
Math Block
1:45 - 2:00
Break/Movement Activity
2:00 - 2:45
Biography Book Report Presentations
Class Novel - My Side of the Mountain
Our Place in the Universe - Jupiter!
2:45 - 3:00
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
See Q2 TDL Above
HOMEWORK
ONGOING
--Reading Logs (ongoing)
MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK
DUE ON
--None this week.
***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
--None this week.
***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
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday - December 18-20, 2019
--Early Dismissal at 1:30 PM and the end of the second quarter.
Friday, December 20, 2019
--Marble Jar Field Trip to the Big Dipper. We will leave Weller at 9:15 and return around 11:30. It will be a total of $10 per student and that includes transportation and ice time (1 hr.). Skate rental is an additional $3 per kiddo and I will cover the cost of that, however, if your student has skates, please have them bring them to school that day. Thanks.
Friday, January 31, 2020
--Field Trip to UAF's Davis Concert Hall to see "Bach to the Future." More details to follow.
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!
It's a good life!
Mr. Sassman
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog
Weller Elementary School
 |
| Two weeks left in the semester! |
 |
| Warmer temps this week! |
Last week...
The students completed their Winter MAP tests and we are well underway with Biography Book Report Presentations. We went to Herring Auditorium at Lathrop High School to see the North Star Ballet's annual performance of The Nutcracker and it was amazing as always. We have about two weeks until the end of the second quarter (first semester) and the students have been plugging away at their TDLs. We have progressed with our class novel My Side of the Mountain and our read-aloud book, Where the Red Fern Grows.
 |
| Great winter concert last week! |
This week...
As part of her University studies, Mrs. Young is tasked with taking over our ELA (English/Language Arts) instruction for the week. We have carefully prepared for this and she is excited to take the helm.
 |
| More presentations this week! |
This Friday, December 13th, we have yes, another field trip! We will be visiting the Alaska Room at Anne Wein Elementary School. There, the kids will immerse themselves in Alaskan Native Culture and Art. We plan to leave Weller at 11:15 and should be back around 2:30ish. This field trip is paid for already, so no need to send in money. However, next Friday is Ice Skating!
 |
This Tuesday, December 10th, Art Specialists will be in the house! Their lesson will feature grade-level artist: Hokusai, and is called, "Head in the Clouds."
Here is the description: Have you ever found yourself daydreaming? Students learn about a grade-level artist Hokusai’s “Ukiyo-e” themed art that translates to “pictures of the floating world.” With cut paper, markers and colored pencils, students learn to illustrate their daydreams with a variety of stick figures contained within their “head in the clouds.”
FYI...
 |
| Please make sure your kiddo has the proper gear. |
 |
| How about that pickup line! |
8:30 - 9:00
Arrive
Writing Prompt
Morning Announcements
New Jobs
9:00 - 9:30
Gym
9:30 - 10:00
Music
10:00 - 11:30
Snack/Read Aloud - Where the Red Fern Grows
ELA with Mrs. Young
11:30 - 12:00
Lunch
12:00 - 12:30
Recess
12:30 - 1:45
Math Block
1:45 - 2:00
Break/Movement Activity
2:00 - 2:45
Class Novel - My Side of the Mountain
Our Place in the Universe - Jupiter!
2:45 - 3:00
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
See Q2 TDL Above
HOMEWORK
ONGOING
--Reading Logs (ongoing)
MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK
DUE ON
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
--Reteach/Practice 8-4
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
--Reteach/Practice 8-5
Thursday, December 12, 2019
--Topic 8 Take-Home Test
Friday, December 13, 2019
--Reteach/Practice 9-1 (Here comes division!!!)
***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, December 10, 2019
--Reteach/Practice 8-4
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
--Reteach/Practice 8-5
Thursday, December 12, 2019
--Topic 8 Take-Home Test
Friday, December 13, 2019
--Reteach/Practice 9-1 (Here comes division!!!)
***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
Friday, December 13, 2019
--Field Trip to the Alaska Room at Anne Wien Elementary School. We will depart at 11:15 AM and return at 2:30 PM.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday - December 18-20, 2019
--Early Dismissal at 1:30 PM and the end of the second quarter.
Friday, December 20, 2019
--Marble Jar Field Trip to the Big Dipper. We will leave Weller at 9:15 and return around 11:30. It will be a total of $10 per student and that includes transportation and ice time (1 hr.). Skate rental is an additional $3 per kiddo and I will cover the cost of that, however, if your student has skates, please have them bring them to school that day. Thanks.
Friday, January 31, 2020
--Field Trip to UAF's Davis Concert Hall to see "Bach to the Future." More details to follow.
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!
It's a good life!
Mr. Sassman
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Mr. Sassman's 4th Grade Class Blog
Weller Elementary School
 |
| I hope you and yours had a nice long weekend! |
 |
| How about that snow over the break... |
Last week...
As you know, Thanksgiving was Thursday, and that means three weeks left in the second quarter. WOW, that went fast. Next up, Biography Book Report Presentations. The calendar is below and kids are set to start presentations this week. We started our "Place in the Universe" unit and learned about our solar system, the Milky Way, and our Universe. We honed in on the Sun and Mercury. This week we will explore Venus, our Moon, Earth, Mars and some of the gassy giants! Our unit will conclude with some pretty righteous SPACE ART!!! It is out of the world...sorry I had to! Did someone say 6-point snowflakes? I hope your child showed you the way! They made some beautiful creations that are beautifully displayed on our classroom walls and windows.
A few students started creating Current Events Presentations, but that is an enrichment project for this quarter. Next quarter, all the students will be required to do a project!
Lastly for now...I have graded Poster Boards and Fictional Narratives. I am still working through the research reports as they are a bit more cumbersome. Mrs. Young and I should be done with them this week. Feel free to check Power School for grade updates.
This week and next...
It's not my favorite time of the quarter but MAP testing is Monday and Tuesday this week. Math will be on Monday, and ELA will be on Tuesday. Please make sure your kiddos get plenty of rest and a hearty breakfast. Send them in with an extra snack if you are able. I will have some goodies, but brain food always helps on testing days.
Biography Book Reports, Space Unit, Athabascan Spirit Masks, Where the Red Fern Grows, My Side of the Mountain, Cursive Handbooks (some students have finished the book already!), GeoNotes, and a little poetry sprinkled in!
This Friday, December 6th, we have another field trip! I simply love seeing the Nutcracker and taking my class every year is a tradition. It also supports local actors, kids, and businesses, so why not if we can? The cost is $5 for the show and transportation (heck of a deal) so if you wouldn't mind? I also reserved some extra seats this time. We have a total of 32, so that means we can take an addition 6 chaperones (since the last two filled up quickly). Please send in $5 for yourself as well, if you plan on going. We plan to leave Weller no later than 9:30, so please make sure your kiddo is on time to school. We should be back around 11:30ish. I will send home a paper notification tomorrow. It is at Herring Auditorium (Lathrop HS) by the way.
On your radar...Tuesday, December 10th, Art Specialists will be in the house! Their lesson will feature grade-level artist: Hokusai, and is called, "Head in the Clouds."
Here is the description: Have
you ever found yourself daydreaming? Students learn about a grade-level artist
Hokusai’s “Ukiyo-e” themed art that translates to “pictures of the floating
world.” With cut paper, markers and colored pencils, students learn to
illustrate their daydreams with a variety of stick figures contained within
their “head in the clouds.”
Friday, December 13th, we have a field trip to Anne Wien to visit the Alaska Room! I am happy to report that this trip is FREE. It is grant-funded and is a wonderful experience if you have ever...
Speaking of Book Reports and TDLs...below is the calendar!
FYI...
|
| Please make sure your kiddo has the proper gear. |
|
| How about that pickup line! |
8:30 - 9:00
Arrive
Writing Prompt
Morning Announcements
Student of the Week Presentation - Jade
9:00 - 9:30
Gym
9:30 - 10:00
Music
10:00 - 11:30
Snack/Read Aloud - Where the Red Fern Grows
MAP Testing Day 1 - Math
11:30 - 12:00
Lunch
12:00 - 12:30
Recess
12:30 - 1:45
MAP Testing Day 1 Finish - Math
Biography Book Report Presentations - Knox and Izzie!
1:45 - 2:00
Break/Movement Activity
2:00 - 2:45
Class Novel - My Side of the Mountain
Our Place in the Universe - Venus!
2:45 - 3:00
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
See Q2 TDL Above
HOMEWORK
ONGOING
--Reading Logs (ongoing)
MATH HOMEWORK DUE THIS WEEK
DUE ON
None as of now due to MAP testing: Math is canceled Monday and Tuesday so we are able to complete the Math and ELA sections of our progress monitoring. I will determine if it is appropriate to send home any work on Wednesday during math class. If so, it will be 6-5 and/or a take-home Topic 6 Test for Thursday and Friday.
***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
None as of now due to MAP testing: Math is canceled Monday and Tuesday so we are able to complete the Math and ELA sections of our progress monitoring. I will determine if it is appropriate to send home any work on Wednesday during math class. If so, it will be 6-5 and/or a take-home Topic 6 Test for Thursday and Friday.
***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
Friday, December 6, 2019
--Field Trip to Herring Auditorium at Lathrop HS to see "The Nutcracker."
Friday, December 13, 2019
--Field Trip to the Alaska Room at Anne Wien Elementary School. We will depart at 11:30 AM and return at 2:30 PM.
Tuesday, December 20, 2019
--Marble Jar Field Trip to the Big Dipper. We will leave Weller at 9:15 and return around 11:30. It will be a total of $10 per student and that includes transportation and ice time (1 hr.). Skate rental is an additional $3 per kiddo and I will cover the cost of that, however, if your student has skates, please have them bring them to school that day. Thanks.
Friday, January 31, 2020
--Field Trip to UAF's Davis Concert Hall to see "Bach to the Future." More details to follow.
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!
It's a good life!
Mr. Sassman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)