Updates Week of April 29-May 3, 2013

We are finally finished with FCAT testing!!! Hooray!!! I am very proud of the students and all the effort they put forth on their tests.  We will only have one more assessment which is the F.A.I.R. test coming in May. 
Now since testing is over you should see reading logs and vocabulary assignments resume.  Please remember to check planners nightly for homework assignments and comments on conduct in the classroom.  I have reminded students we still have lots of work to do before the end of the year.

Reading
This week we will begin a read aloud of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.  We will track events and characters on a timeline in class then watch the movie to compare events from the book to the movie. 
Students will be assigned a new chapter book to begin.  They will practice using a timeline to track events and characters while reading.  This will also be the book they will use when participating in battle of the books in the classroom at the end of the year.

Language
Students should have one essay turned in on their imaginary person,place, or thing.  We will continue using writing throughout the subjects especially Social Studies.

Spelling
You will see spelling resume next week.

Upcoming events....
FCAT Picnic Lunch..................May 15
Sports Fest................................May 22-24
Talent Show..............................TBA
5th Grade Celebration...............TBA
Faculty/5th grade Kickball game....TBA
End of the Year Party......................TBA

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of April 22-26, 2013

We have one more week of testing.  This week students will finish up the FCAT with CBT (computer based testing) in Math.  Our class has been scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday.  Please make sure students are here on time as we will try to be in the computer lab and begin promptly at 8:45.  During last week and this week students are not being assigned any reading logs or other tests due to FCAT testing.  We will resume next week with reading logs and tests.

This week students will work out of the Social Studies text continuing reading to learn.  We have picked up where we left off earlier in the year with the Revolutionary War.  Students will be learning about the beginning of our great nation.  They will have textbook assignments along with writing assignments to show what they learned from their reading. These assignments will count toward their reading grade.

Report cards went home Friday, April 19th. We still have lots of time to practice reading and writing so please continue to check planners nightly for notes or comments about conduct and assignments and tests coming up.  We will be working right up to the end of the year in June.

Lastly, one test you should see your child studying for is their United States map of states test.  I have not announced the day but study guides go home this week.

Dates to remember:
April 24.................return signed report card
April 30.................Symphony field trip
Week of May 6......Progress reports go home

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of April 15-19, 2013

Well, students have been working hard since we have returned from Spring Break getting ramped up for the FCAT.  This week students have put their best foot forward on the Reading and Science sessions of the test.  Next week students will be taking the Math portion of the FCAT on the computer.  Their testing days will be Tuesday, April 23 and Thursday, April 25.  We need to begin promptly at 8:45 so please make sure students are here on time :)

Friday, April 19th students will bring home their report card for the third nine weeks.  Most students are doing very well and I hope they continue to focus this last nine weeks.  We will continue working in Reading and Writing everyday.  Please continue to make sure your child is reading nightly to move their reading level higher.  You should see them looking for  words they don't know while reading in their book and writing the definition for the words they don't know on notebook paper.  This is a vocabulary grade toward their reading grade.

This year has flown by and I know the end will be here before I know it.  Please check your child's planner for important notes home as well as important papers to be sent home on Friday's. 

Important dates
April 19.....................report cards go home
April 30.....................field trip
Week of May 6th......progress reports go home

Until next time,
R. O'Steen