Week of October 20-24, 2014

Well, here we are already at the end of the first nine weeks!  I can't believe how fast the year is already going by.  The students have been working hard on their target standards for this nine weeks which are the Number Base Ten System and Operations in Algebraic Thinking in Math and The Practice of Science and Matter in Science.  Students will have their first CGA assessments (Curriculum guide tests) this week in Reading, Math and Science.  These tests are very important as they will be compared to their baseline assessments from August and used for ongoing data to help target students who still need support as we move on to new standards for the second nine weeks. 

Math
This week in math students will continue working on factors and multiples and begin to explore different ways to multiply numbers.  As mentioned before they will also take their Curriculum guide assessments.  We completed, checked and discussed a study guide for the CGA 1.  You should see this study guide at home for them to study vocabulary and types of problems they may encounter on their test.  A way to study would be to make up new problems using different numbers and practice solving them.  Another way to help at home is to call out multiplication facts so students can become automatic at knowing the facts.  If they still have to skip count or count on their fingers for multiplication then they don't know them well enough to be able to do the types of problems they will need to do efficiently on a timed test. 

Science
We will finish our chapter on Matter this week.  You should see vocabulary words at home that the students are studying.  You should also see a study guide coming home be the end of the week for students to study for their test on Chapter 4 on Matter. 

Students should also be working on their science fair project.  At this point they should be beginning their experiment or investigation so there is time to observe and research.

Date to Remember
1st Nine Ends.........................Oct. 20
CGA testing begins................Oct. 21
Planning Day-No School.......Oct. 24
Red Ribbon Week..................Oct. 27
Zoo Field Trip........................Oct. 28

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of September 29-October 3, 2014

This week students will  bring a close to their studies on the Base Ten Number System focus in math as well as The Practice of Science Focus in science.  Students will complete a study guide in science as well as their vocabulary cards to help them prepare for their test, while students will bring home homework with practice in the skills for math. The math test will cover place value, rounding, adding and subtracting larger numbers.  Students will take their Math test Friday, October 3 and their Science test Monday, October 6.

Math
This week student will move to a math focus in Operations and Algebraic thinking.  This will be a focus on multiplication and division.  Students will work with arrays and understand the connection between multiplication and division.  Students will also learn the factors for a given number.  Students will need to know their multiplication facts in order to perform these types of problem effectively and efficiently.  Please review multiplication facts on a nightly basis.

Science
Students will close their focus on the Practice of Science.  Students will use the scientific methods this week to further practice what a scientist does.  Students should have turned in their topic for their science fair project on Monday, September 29.

Dates to Remember
September 29.........................Science Fair Topic due
October  3..............................Math test
October 5...............................Science test

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of September 22-26, 2014

We are well into the first nine weeks now and students have brought home their first progress report.  Many students are doing well and just need to keep up the good work!  We will begin taking timed addition and subtraction facts tests next week.  Making flash cards and having students write their facts is a great way to review and study for these tests.  Students should be fluent with their facts zero through ten.  For example, students may see facts like the following: 2+3= , 9+7= , 5+6=, 18-9= , 12-7=  .  Students need to know these type of facts without relying on counting on fingers or having to calculate them in their head.

Math
This week students will continue using the base ten number system but now moving into larger numbers.  We constructed a 10,000 chart last week.  Ask your child how many 1,000's are in 10,000, how many 100's are in 10,000 and how many 10's are in 10,000.  Students will move to adding and subtracting numbers into the 10,000's. 

Science
We will continue working on the practice of science learning what scientists do.  Students will discuss the scientific method and should begin thinking about the topic for their science fair project.
You should see students bring home a study guide later in the week to begin studying for their science test next week. 

Dates to Remember
September 24...........................Early dismissal
September 29...........................Science Fair topic due to teacher

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week September 15-19, 2014

Well it is time to put our best foot forward and get down to business.  You should be seeing homework coming home Monday thru Thursday.  We have now worked on some Math and Science standards to the point of students becoming proficient enough to take some of their first tests this year.  In Math students will practice daily in class and home to practice for their their exams while for Science I will expect students to study their vocabulary cards and study guide at home in preparation for their test.  Look for reminders in their planners of upcoming tests and other important information.  The planner will have the most current and detailed reminders and information.

Math
Students will begin to apply their knowledge of place value and the base ten number system to help them add large numbers.  Students will explore ways to solve addition problems while ultimately understanding the U.S. standard algorithm as being the most efficient way to solve a problem. 

Science
Students will continue to learn about the practices of science while beginning their science fair project planning.  You should see a folder coming home this week with important information regarding the science project.  I will be going over the science fair expectations in class with the students before I send the folder home.  If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask.

Dates to Remember
September 19..........................Science Fair Student/Parent Consent Form Due
September 19..........................Progress Reports go Home
September 24..........................Early Dismissal

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Open House

Wow! What a great turn out tonight for Open House.  Thank you to all the parents who were able to come into the classroom and see what we do everyday.  If you were not able to come I will send home the communications paper that was passed out during the presentation.  I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone tonight.  I again thank you for supporting your child in their education. 

Remember to join PTA and if you are planning to volunteer at school you will need to go online at www.duvalschools.org and complete the volunteer application. 

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Week of September 8, 2014

Well we are getting into the swing of things.  The students are working very hard to follow the rituals and routines of the classroom.  I find myself repeating the same phrase.....let's do this with focus, determination and purpose.  And that is exactly what they are doing!!

Math
  We are continuing to work in the base ten number system.  Students will begin to add and subtract larger numbers as well as review comparing numbers with greater than, less than and equal to.  Students will have a new focus this week which is rounding numbers.  Students will learn to round a number to any place value using the rule: if the number to the right of the rounded place value is 5 or greater , add 1 to the rounded place value.  If the number to the right is 4 or less, leave the rounded place value number the same.
   We have discuss how games have rules and math is the same way.  Sometimes you just have to memorize the rules to know how to complete the problem.

Science
   We are still working on the practice of science and learning what scientists do.  The students will continue working with the scientific method in class through in class labs and experiments. 
   Students will also participate in the Science Fair this year.  Students will complete an individual project at home.  I will guide them through the steps in class so they should be able to repeat that step with their project at home.  A letter, timeline guide and journal will be coming home shortly.

Please remember....if you have any questions or concerns please let me know!

Dates to Remember
September 11..........................Open House- 6:40
September 19..........................Progress Reports go home
September 24..........................Early dismissal

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Week of September 1-5, 2014

We are off and marching! This week hopefully all students will have their most needed supplies (a binder, 2 pocket folders with prongs, 2 spiral or composition notebooks) We will begin using all of them this week.  Other supplies that students will need through the year are pencils/pens, notebook paper, and post-it notes.  I will send home notes if there are any other needed items through the year.
Thank you to everyone who sent in classroom supplies such as tissues, copy paper, hand sanitizer, soap, wipes, index cards, cap erasers.  Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

Math
This week students will continue working with place value and use it to explain values of numbers and comparing numbers.  Students will also continue to work on using different strategies for adding numbers and explaining how place value helped them to solve the problem.  You should see math homework coming home now everynight.

Science
We will begin to discuss the upcoming Science Fair.  You should see a letter coming home this week which needs to be signed and returned.  Since students will be working in groups of 3, most of the work will be completed in the classroom.  There may be times students have to complete a part of the project at home to bring to school and/or bring in supplies to complete their display.

This week we will also begin to work in the Science textbook therefore students will be bringing home vocabulary words to study.  Ask your child what they are interested in doing for the science fair and what we are studying in class.

Dates to Remember 
Early Dismissal..........................September 10
Open House................................September 11 6:40-7:20p.m.
Science Fair letter due................September 12
Early Dismissal..........................September 24
Progress Reports........................September 25

Until next time,
R. O'Steen













  

Week of August 25-29, 2014

The first week was quite a success! The students are mastering the rituals and routines of the classroom so we are now ready to jump into our Math and Science studies.  You should have seen a yellow folder come home on Friday.  This is how I will let you know the student's conduct grade and send home any important papers and classwork/tests each week.  Please review and remove any papers leaving tests or graded papers and sign the conduct sheet.  Students should return the folder the following Monday.

As we are beginning our Math and Science work students will begin using their interactive journals and folders.  Students will need to have these supplies as soon as possible.  Students are also beginning to take their baseline assessments in Math, Science and Reading so they will need their binders and dividers by the end of this week.

Math
We are beginning with a focus on Place Value. Students will study and manipulate numbers using the context of ones, tens, hundreds, thousands to begin with and eventually go up to one million.  Students will need to understand the base ten number system in order to become fluent in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  You should begin seeing homework this week.

Science
We will begin Science this week also.  Students will begin Chapter one on The Practice of Science.  You should see vocabulary word flashcards coming home to study.

Dates to Remember
September 1...........Labor Day-No School

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

First Day!

Wow what an awesome group of students we have this year! I am so proud of all the students today.  They behaved like pros and we had a great discussion about behavior, rules and expectations in the school and classroom. 

I have planned activities this week without the use of students supplies such as:binder, folders and journals.  I will begin lessons, however next week using these supplies.

Students should have brought home their homework planner and a first day packet with information about the class and school.  Students should be getting their planners signed nightly and have them at school everyday.

Math
In math we are going to begin with exploring and understanding the base ten number system.  Students will work with hundreds charts and make a thousand book.  Something students can work on at home is reviewing their multiplication facts.  Students will need to be fluent with these for future lessons.

Science
We will begin the year with the practices of science.  We will do some whole class and group experiments in preparation for our upcoming science fair.  All students will participate and complete a science fair project.  More information will be coming about what to do and due dates.

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Brain Exercise #2

Go to http://www.coolmath.com/math-mind-readers to play a fun mind reading game! Trust me it is really cool!!

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

All About Us!

Crystal Springs Elementary is an exciting place to learn! Last year students did very well on the state test, the FCAT.  We maintained our grade of C but are moving in the right direction going up 39 points and only 18 points from a B.  This is due to all the focus and hard work the students and teachers put in every day at school.  I am so proud of all my students and fellow teachers and can't wait to keep working and learning this coming school year.  And speaking of this coming school year, we have a new magnet focus.  We are a business magnet where students will learn how all the subjects in school work together with their strengths and their interests to help give them guidance in their future career interests.  Look for lessons and activities at school connected to career education and ask your child what they are learning and what they are interested in at school. Our slogan is--Crystal Springs Elementary-We Mean Business!  So hope you are resting, reading and getting ready to get to business :)

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Summer Brain Exercise #1

  So, here will begin our fun! 

Alphabet Soup - Why are some letters above the red line and some letters below?

Here's a hint:
There is no math involved!

Look at the comment below to find the answer.

Summer Updates

Well, the year ended and summer vacation has begun.  If you are reading this then you must be a CSE Dolphin!! (Which are the best!)  Also, it could just mean you are going to be in my fourth grade math and science class this year.   This post welcomes you and family to my classroom blog.  This is where I post information about classroom events and happenings. I hope you are reading and practicing over the summer.  Don't forget you can log onto the i-ready website for reading and math. Go to learn.i-ready.com and the username and password are the same: capital S then your student number. Check back I just may post more fun summer updates!!

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of April 21, 2014

I have to begin this week with saying how proud I am of the effort the students have put forth through their testing!  No matter what their scores are, parents, students and the school couldn't have asked for  more focus and effort on their part!  You should be very proud of your child!!

We have now completed all the FCAT tests.  However, we will begin taking other final end of the year assessments through the month of May.  There are LOTS of things going on the month of May.  I will post all important reminders on the classroom home learning board to be copied into planners, on this site, as well as the grade portal calendar. Please check the planner daily and ask your child what is coming up at school.

Reading
This year we have focused on the standards for reading in connection with multiple choice style test questions.  This last quarter we will focus on using these standards and answering question in a short and long written answer response.  We will do this using the Social Studies books as well as the Reading textbook.

Writing
Students finished publishing their books this week.  I mailed them off  to the publisher and we should get them back within the next few weeks.  Hopefully you saw the letter your child brought home about the project.

Dates to remember:
May 2..............................FCAT Picnic
May 9..............................Camp Echokotee Field trip permission slip and money due by noon
May 14............................Field Day
May 16............................Camp Echokotee Field Trip

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of April 14-18, 2014

Here we go!! This week students will focus on the FCAT tests in Reading and Science.  I know they will do great!! Each session lasts 70 minutes so we will continue to work the rest of the day.  However, I will not introduce anything new or assign homework.  Just remember a good nights rest and a good breakfast are very important for students to be able to focus and do their best.

Reading
Students will not have any focus or assignments this week due to FCAT testing.

Writing
Students will continue to work on their book that they are publishing.  This project is due April 21.  Ask your child what their book is about.

Dates to remember:
April 14..................................FCAT Reading session 1
April 15..................................FCAT Reading session 2 & Report Cards go home
April 16..................................FCAT Science  session 1
April 17..................................FCAT Science session 2
April 18..................................Holiday-No School
April 21..................................FCAT Math session 1-computer
April 23..................................FCAT Math session 2-computer
May 2.....................................FCAT Picnic
May 14...................................Field Day
May 16...................................Learning For Life Field Trip

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of March 31- April 4, 2014

Well here we are at the end of the third nine weeks.  The year is flying by!!  We are now in full ramp up mode for the FCAT.  Students have been focusing on specific benchmarks and reading skills and strategies that are going to help them do their best on this test.  You should have seen reading passages coming home last week instead of the reading logs.  This is going to help students practice test taking strategies as well as build stamina for reading passages and concentrating on what they are reading.  We will continue completing reading passages and questions instead of reading logs this week also.


Reading
As stated above we have moved into a full focus for the FCAT.  Here are some ways to help your child:
*read with them while they are doing their homework reading passage. Discuss the question, what it is asking and what the best answer is.  Have them support their answers with examples from the text.

*if you have internet access at home, students can go to the i-ready website for reading.  The address is www.learn.i-ready.com  Their sign in and password is their students number with a capital S in front.

*start a good routine for sleep now.  With the time change some students are still very sleepy in my morning class.  Getting to bed at the same time and early enough every night will help them be rested and ready in 2 weeks when the FCAT comes. 


Writing
You should have seen your child writing a biography on someone they wanted to learn more about the past few weeks.  This was completed mostly at home.  Students were given a grading rubric to guide them through the report expectations.  Their report is due Tuesday, April 1, 2014.
We are beginning a book publishing project in class.  This is going to give your child the opportunity  to get a hardcover print of a book they have written. This is mostly an in-class project.
Ask your child what their book is about.

Dates to remember:
Tuesday, April 1.........................................Biography due
Friday, April 4............................................Planning Day
Monday, April 14.......................................FCAT testing begins

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week March 10-14, 2014

It is that time again!! CGA's!  Or in other words, Curriculum Guide Assessments.  Students have worked hard all nine weeks on many reading benchmarks.  This is their time to shine and show what they know! We usually get our scores pretty quickly so ask your child how they did on their test.

Reading
Last we began our focus on the big benchmarks that will be on the FCAT coming up in April.  Students are doing a great job reading passages and understanding them now it is time to practice understanding types of questions and practice some test taking strategies and tips.  Ask your child what benchmark we worked on and what their reading passages were about.

Writing
Students are going to write a biography.  I have assigned them to choose a person they would like to know more about.  They need to research and have at least 2 sources for their report. More information will be coming.  Ask your child who they want to learn about and what they have learned about him or her so far.

Dates to Remember
CGA Tests...............................................March 10-12
Spring Break...........................................March 17-21

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of March 3-7, 2014

Well time keeps "Marching" on! No pun intended :)  You should have seen a progress report come home last week.  Most students are doing very well.  However, if you want to help your child in Reading, make sure they are completing their home reading logs each night.  You should see the Reading textbook coming home Monday through Wednesday in order to complete the assigned reading response in their home reading logs.

Reading
It's hard to believe but the FCAT will be here in 5 weeks.  Therefore, over the next five weeks we will be focusing on the objectives covered on the test as well as strategies to be better readers.  Students will focus on a standards and test type questions while building stamina to be successful on the Reading FCAT.  Ask your child what the focused standard was for the day.

We now have a computer program called I-Ready. Students access it at school as much as possible, but students only get a chance on the computers at best 1 day a week. I highly encourage students to use this program at home.  The website is: learn.i-ready.com.  They should know their username and password.  However, if they don't tell them to let me know and I will write it down for them.

Writing
Students have finished the functional or how-to writing standard.  We will now move to the informational standard. Students will be assigned to write a biography.  They need to think about someone they want to learn more about.  We will discuss the requirements in class however, most of the work will need to be completed at home.

Dates to remember:
March 10......................................CGA 3
March 17-21.................................Spring Break
April 14........................................FCAT Begins

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week February 10-14, 2014

Here we are in February! We are now in full swing in our Literacy Block.  Students have completed the CGA2 for the second quarter and I am so pleased with their progress! Now they just need to keep up the great work! I have changed a couple of things for the third quarter. You will notice a difference in the reading log itself but students are still expected to be reading and logging in every night.

Reading
We have begun a new novel.  It is titled Mr. Tucket.  It is set in the 1840's during the westward expansion of the United States.  It follows up on our American Revolution study from last nine weeks very well.  You should see the reading textbook coming home Monday thru Wednesday beginning with this week.  Students will be using the novel study in class and the textbook for homework and some classwork which builds on their nightly reading.  Ask your child what is happening in their novel study and how it connects with what they are reading in the textbook stories.

Writing
Students have finished their functional writing pieces and should have turned them in this week.  Ask your child what their topic was.  We will be moving into report writing.  Specifically writing a biography.  Ask your child who they would like to learn more about.

Dates to remember:
February 13............................Marine Science Field Trip
February 20............................Progress Reports go home

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of January 27-31, 2014

We have now begun the third nine weeks.  Students did not have a reading log last week due to computer updates at our school.  However, this week students will have their reading logs and should be back to reading and logging in every night for homework.  Students should be sharing these logs and having them signed nightly.  If you are not seeing them please ask them what they are reading and what is happening in their chosen book.

Reading

We will wrap up our read aloud Gifted Hands.  Ask your child what they learned from reading this book.  We will begin an adventure studying the Oregon Trail.  Students spent last nine weeks learning about the beginning of our country and the American Revolution so now we will continue and watch and learn about our country expanding across the continent.  Ask your child each day what they are leaning about our great country.


Writing

Students are going to wrap up functional writing this week and then begin informational writing.  They will choose a person they would like to learn more about and complete a research paper on that person. I will send home details next week.

Dates to remember:
February 13....................Marine Science Field Trip
February 14....................Students may bring in Valentines to exchange with their classmates
February 17....................Presidents' Day Holiday-No School

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Happy New Year!!!!

Boy did the first half of the year fly by!! December went by so fast I didn't post anything all month!!  Well...the children did well in the few weeks we had in December and had a great time at our Winter party and pajama day! But...as with all good things...you know what they say...they must come to an end!  I certainly hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!  I also hope everyone is ready to get back to work :)

Reading

We began a focus on figurative language back in December.  Figurative or descriptive language is a way the author choose to describe something in their writing.  For example some authors will use similes or metaphors to describe how big something is or what is looks or feels like.  Some authors will use onomatopoeia to describe exactly what something sounds like.  Students have to be able to recognize figurative language so they don't take what the authors writes as literal.  Ask your child what figurative language they read in their books.

Writing

Students will continue working on their functional or how to writing assignment. This is where they get to be the expert and explain how to do or make something to someone else.

Students will continue to have reading logs assigned daily.  This is a quarter of their grade and the biggest part of their reading practice.  The way to become a better reader is to read!!

Date to remember
January 17.....................No school-Planning Day
January 20.....................No school- Martin Luther King Day

Until next time,
R. O'Steen