21 days till the FSA's!!! The Math FSA's that is. The FSA is this year's equivalent to last year's FCAT. It is the way the state is going to measure student proficiency this year. There are many differences in the 2 tests.
First, this year's test is more performance based with the expectation for some written answers in math. This is something students have not been asked to do before in school. For example, they may have to write an equation in a box to represent how they would solve a word problem.
Another difference is that students will have to select multiple correct answers for one question. Not just one of the multiple choice ansewers will be correct, there may be 2 or 3 or more answers correct for the one problem.
Lastly, one way to explain the difference between the tests are that last year's FCAT was a more answer driven test. Students were posed a problem, they had to solve it and then choose the answer from a multiple choice selection of answers. This year is looks like a more "why" or "how" did you get your answer. Which equation would you use to solve the problem. It questions their thinking as well as answers.
We will be practicing problems in class using a countdown packet. I have broken it into a homework packet as well. You should see your child working on the packets beginning this week. Packet one will be due March 9th and packet 2 will be due when they return from Spring Break on March 23. Students will most likely need to work on it during Spring Break.
Please review the packet with your child as well as multiplication facts. Many students are still adding on, skip counting or counting on their fingers to get answers. This not only slows them down on a timed test but it also hinders them when working with division, factors and multiples. Which this in turn hurts them when working on fractions. So many of the standards they are working on require a firm knowledge of multiplication facts.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!!
Until next time,
R. O'Steen
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Updates week of February 23-27, 2015
We have hit the middle of the third nine weeks. Students took home their mid-term progress report on Friday. Many students are doing a great job with their job as a fourth grade Math and Language student, however there are a few that need to put more effort into their school work as well as their homework. I asked a student Friday, "When your grade is low, what do you think I look at first? Your homework grades or your test grades?" In both classes students answered the questions beautifully with, "I think you look at the homework grades first because if you aren't doing your homework then you aren't practicing for the test and you won't know if you don't understand or not to be able to ask questions." Students have homework every night. It is very important for them to practice and reinforce what they are learning at school in the evenings. Please ask your child what they have for homework. Review it with them and make sure they understand. If they aren't understanding they can bring it in class and ask the teacher through the week.
Math
This week we will review what we have been studying which is polygons and using their attributes to categorize them. We will work on line of symmetry, area and perimeter this week also. Students have a weekly test on what we study during the week. Ask your child what they are learning in class.
Science
We are still in our chapter on rocks, minerals and natural resources. Students will be completing their study guide this week and bringing it home to review and study. Also please note that all science tests are open book. We will have read and discussed all the lessons and completed all the practice questions in the lessons prior to the test.
Dates to remember:
Progress report due back signed.....................February 23
Early dismissal................................................February 25
Spring Break...................................................March 16-20
Reading FSA...................................................March 26-27
Math FSA........................................................March 31, April 1
Until next time,
R. O'Steen
Math
This week we will review what we have been studying which is polygons and using their attributes to categorize them. We will work on line of symmetry, area and perimeter this week also. Students have a weekly test on what we study during the week. Ask your child what they are learning in class.
Science
We are still in our chapter on rocks, minerals and natural resources. Students will be completing their study guide this week and bringing it home to review and study. Also please note that all science tests are open book. We will have read and discussed all the lessons and completed all the practice questions in the lessons prior to the test.
Dates to remember:
Progress report due back signed.....................February 23
Early dismissal................................................February 25
Spring Break...................................................March 16-20
Reading FSA...................................................March 26-27
Math FSA........................................................March 31, April 1
Until next time,
R. O'Steen
Monday, February 2, 2015
Updates Week of February 2-6, 2015
I have begun a new routine for homework beginning last week. Students will bring home a math paper to complete throughout the week along with a science book and reading log. Please review both the math paper and science book with your child througout the week to reinforce what we are learning in class.
Math
This week we will continue working on patterns. Students will use geometric and numeric patterns to determine a rule and then use that rule to extend a pattern. They may also have to write an equation to show how to extend the pattern. Later in the week students will also make tables and graph patterns they are working with. Ask your child to find patterns at home and when you are out and about in the neighborhood.
We are back to taking our timed multiplication facts test in preparation for the timed state test. I was finding some were getting slow again after working with fractions and winter break. Drill facts nightly, tests will be every Friday.
Science
We have finished our chapter on energy. Students took their test last Friday. You should have seen them studying a study guide at home. We will move on to our chapter on rocks and minerals. Ask your child what they learned each day in science about rocks and minerals.
Conduct
Students need to follow class and school routines. They are fully aware of our class and school routines however, there are times lately where class and school routines are not being followed. Ask your child about our class and school expectations in the hallways, during class, packing up and dismissal. They should be able to tell you. If you see a note stapled in the planner it will most likely be because they are not meeting the expectations for class and school routines. Please review them with them.
As always, thank you for your support for your child's success!
Until next time,
R. O'Steen
Math
This week we will continue working on patterns. Students will use geometric and numeric patterns to determine a rule and then use that rule to extend a pattern. They may also have to write an equation to show how to extend the pattern. Later in the week students will also make tables and graph patterns they are working with. Ask your child to find patterns at home and when you are out and about in the neighborhood.
We are back to taking our timed multiplication facts test in preparation for the timed state test. I was finding some were getting slow again after working with fractions and winter break. Drill facts nightly, tests will be every Friday.
Science
We have finished our chapter on energy. Students took their test last Friday. You should have seen them studying a study guide at home. We will move on to our chapter on rocks and minerals. Ask your child what they learned each day in science about rocks and minerals.
Conduct
Students need to follow class and school routines. They are fully aware of our class and school routines however, there are times lately where class and school routines are not being followed. Ask your child about our class and school expectations in the hallways, during class, packing up and dismissal. They should be able to tell you. If you see a note stapled in the planner it will most likely be because they are not meeting the expectations for class and school routines. Please review them with them.
As always, thank you for your support for your child's success!
Until next time,
R. O'Steen
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