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