Update!

Well the students worked very hard on the FCAT test! Now all we can do is wait for the scores. Unfortunately it takes a while. We probably won't hear anything until May sometime. If I hear anything sooner I will let you know.

We also finished our book publishing project. I'm sure you heard about it at home. Thanks to all the parents who responded by sending in the slips about the books! Our publishing date was March 19 so I am looking for the books to come in shortly after Spring Break!

You should still see your child bringing home their reading textbook throughout the week to define vocabulary words, read the weekly selection story, and answer questions in the text. Many students aren't doing well on the vocabulary tests so be sure to ask your child about their words for the week. Also, discuss the text story with them. They always have a test on that story at the end of the week.

Hope everyone has a great Spring Break!
Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Reading Update

We are now at the end of Theme 4 in our reading textbook. That puts us in a review mode. Last week and this week students have not been assigned Spelling words. You should be seeing vocabulary words however for the two stories we are reading in the textbook; Alejandro's Gift and The Living Desert. I analyzed the grades in this theme based on spelling and reading skills. Based on that data we are reviewing fact and opinion, compare and contrast and test taking skills.

Students will have their vocabulary test on Thursday February 26 along with their selection test. On Friday students will take the Theme 4 test.

As far as their reading habits grade you should have noticed a weekly reading log and a book project so far. This week starting today you should see your child bringing home one passage a night from the FCAT released test. They will write their answers on the answer sheet that was given. By the end of the weekend they should have competed all 5 stories on the released test. This also will be counted toward their reading habits grade.

The FCAT is in two weeks. Be sure your child is practicing by doing their homework everynight.
Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Reading Update

Well we are a little past the half way mark. I can't believe how the year is flying by! You should have noticed some changes in what your child has been bringing home for reading logs. They no longer have a nightly log in sheet. You should see your child logging in the weekly story from the textbook on a reading log in their reading folder each week. You should also be seeing your child working on a book project as part of their reading habits grade. It will be in either a turquoise or purple construction paper folder depending on which homeroom your child is in. They are to have the project completed by the end of the nine weeks. There is a paper in the front explaining the requirements as well as a signature.

Another project we have started is a book publishing project. This is part of their writing grade this nine weeks. Ask your child what their book is going to be about. When your child is finished with their kit they will bring home a slip with an offer to buy a copy of their book. You do not have to purchase a book, they will receive a free copy of their book even if you do not purchase. All you have to do is check the box "no I'm not interested" and sign the slip and the company will publish your child's book. I have done this project for the last 2 years and it has been a great experience.

Lastly, the FCAT is coming soon. Read with your child everyday. Rereading the stories in the textbook is good or books from the library are great too!

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Over the Break!

Hope everyone is having a relaxing vacation! Remember...read at least a chapter a day (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!) Otherwise enjoy your time off! See ya on January 5, 2009!
Until next time, R. O'Steen

Next Grades

This week again we do not have a focused vocabulary list. Students will be focused on a genre called Trickster Tales. Have fun discussing these stories with your child this week. On Friday they will have their spelling test (on words with the sound and pattern of oi and oy as in boy) and reading test on the trickster tales in the book.

Next week students will not have spelling but will take the Theme 2 test on Monday. Even though it will be a short week, students still need to read and log in over the break. When they return from the holiday, we will start a new theme and we will be back to weekly spelling and vocabulary tests. Students should be studying these words for a Friday test. If I were to say 2 areas most students can improve it would be in vocabulary and their reading logs.

Reading logs are part of their grade and a very important part of their reading practice. Students will not become better readers without practicing reading themselves. We do a lot of shared readings and read alouds in class so it is very important for students to read daily to practice that same reading on their own.

Until next time...Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday!
R. O'Steen

End of Unit

We are wrapping up the unit starting this week. Students have been focused on Author's Viewpoint, Categorizing and Classifying, Noting Details, and Main Idea with Supporting Details. You can look in their readers notebooks to see classwork on these topics.You should have seen tests coming home on all of these focuses.

This week students will not have vocabulary words assigned, they will keep a list of words they don't know as they read the two stories for this week. I will collect the words on Friday. Their spelling list will be a review of all long vowels.

You should be seeing your child reading and logging in daily. Ask your child what they read and logged in to reinforce comprehension.

Starting this past Friday you should have seen their weekly reading assessment test stapled in their Friday folder. This is the test I shared at Open House. We can now tear them out of the book, so I will be stapling them in the Friday folder for you to see and review with your child. Students are allowed to bring home their reading textbooks any time they need to so feel free to read the story with your child then review the mistakes on the tests. Please leave them however in the folder as I need to file them in their portfolio throughout the year.

Lastly, report cards will be coming home on Friday, November 14 and we are already half way through the 2nd nine weeks, so the new progress report will be coming home shortly.
Thanks for all you do!
Until next time...R. O'Steen

New Reading Theme

We have finished Theme 1 in our reading textbook. I have not finished grading the tests yet. I will write your child's score in their planner by the end of the week. We began Theme 2 on Monday. Students should be defining vocabulary words weekly. There were many in both classes that did not complete that assignment last night. There are vocabulary tests every Friday along with Spelling tests.
This week in Reading students are focusing on Author's Viewpoint. Students will determine how an author feels, thinks or believes (their attitude) about the subject or topic they are writing about. Students can also determine why an author wrote about the topic by the author's viewpoint.

The Spelling focus this week is patterns of long a and long e. We are also working on compound words. Students are also learning the directions for a language practice sheet called Drops in the Bucket. Once we finish 2 in class you will start seeing them coming home for homework.

We are coming up on the end of the first nine weeks. Next week will mark the end of the first grading period with school being closed Friday October 24 for planning day.

Please remember to check your child's planner every night and check their reading logs for their reading practice daily.
Until next time...R. O'Steen :)