Updates Week of December 19-23, 2016

We have finally completed all of the mid-year diagnostic testing!!! :) Yay!!!! The students have really shown how much they have learned from the beginning of the year.  Now we will be able to remediate any areas of weakness before the big test...the FSA.  Continue to monitor homework nightly.  You probably didn't see as much throughout the testing weeks however, we will be back in our homework routine beginning this week.  Students also will be receiving a packet for math to continue reviewing and reinforcing skills over the break.  It will be collected and graded when they return January 5, 2017.

Math
We have begun a new module this past week. Students are now turning their focus to fractions.  You should have received a parent letter giving some sample problems to help model what they students will be expected to understand in this module. So far students have worked on decomposing fractions and are now moving to equivalent fractions.  Look for homework Monday thru Thursday.

Science
We are still learning and studying our topic of Space.  We are beginning to learn about the moon and its phases.

I really enjoyed seeing all the fun and interesting Science Fair projects that the students brought into school.  Congratulations to the projects that went to the school based fair.  They were: How Roller Coasters Work, Crystals, The Solar System, The Planets, What Do Plants Need, The Amazing Life of Sea Monkeys, and How Does Smell Effect Taste. Also, a big congratulations to one of our very own students who did The Amazing Life of Sea Monkeys for winning first place in the fourth grade group school based Science Fair.  This project along with others will be moving on to the district Science Fair in February.

Dates to Remember
December 23-January 4, 2017........................Winter Break
January 5, 2017...............................................First day back to school
January 6.........................................................Last day of the second nine weeks

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of December 5-9, 2016

We continue on this week with mid-year diagnostic testing in both math and reading.  Students will also be completing module 3 in math.  We still have a lot to do before the holiday!  Please review homework nightly as this reinforces what we are doing in class.

Math
     We will finish Math mid-year testing, complete Module 3 on multiplication and division, and begin Module 5 on fractions this week.  It will be a busy and very full and focused week in Math!

Science
      We will continue learning about space in Science this week by reading the lessons in the textbook.  Ask your child what they have learned about space so far.

Dates to Remember
December 5-7.........................Math Mid-year Scrimmage
December 8............................Reading I-Ready Mid-year diagnostic test
December 9............................Math I-Ready Mid-year diagnostic test
December 14..........................Early dismissal
December 22..........................Polar Express day
December 23-January 4.........Winter Holiday
January 5, 2017......................Back to School!

Until next time,
R. O'Steen
  

Updates Week of November 28, 2016

   I hope everyone had a wonderful and yummy Thanksgiving!  It was a nice break but now we are off and on to our mid-year diagnostic testing.  At the beginning of the year students took some baseline tests to show us where they were academically when they came into fourth grade.  Now it time for them to repeat some of the tests to show their growth from August through December.  One test we will be taking is the mid year scrimmage.  This is not a test they took in August.  This test covers all the Florida Standards and will help us to know what to focus on to better help our students be successful on the FSA in the spring.  Ask you child what they are doing in class daily. This will help them reflect on their learning for the day.

Math
We are wrapping up our Module 3 on multiplication and division.  Students are working on a study guide to help us focus on anything that needs to be reviewed before the end of module test.  After we conclude this module we will be moving on to fractions.  Look for a parent letter to come home giving examples of the standards that will be covered.

Please continue to monitor and discuss homework.  Students are assigned homework Monday through Thursday.  I do not assign homework on Friday unless it is needed to catch from absence or missing work.

Science
We enjoyed a wonderful field trip to MOSH right before Thanksgiving.  The students enjoyed a show in the planetarium on the sun, moon and earth and how they interact with each other.  This is also the current chapter we are studying in class.  Ask your child what they have learned about space so far.

Dates to Remember
December 2-7...................................Mid- year Math Scrimmage testing
December 9......................................I-Ready mid- year diagnostic testing
December 14....................................Early Dismissal and Career day
December 22....................................Polar Express PJ day
December 23-January 4...................Winter Holiday
January 5, 2017................................First day back from Winter Holiday
January 6..........................................End of the Second quarter

Until next time,
R. O'Steen
 

Updates Week of November 14-18, 2016

I hope everyone had a nice three day Veteran's Holiday weekend.  Maybe you had a chance to see a parade or go to the air show.  We had a very nice assembly last week in honor of all the veterans in the country.  We will be working hard this week to cover everything we need to in order to prepare for our next upcoming days off for Thanksgiving.  You should still see homework coming home every night Monday thru Thursday and student's Friday folders with important grades and comments on what students have been doing through the week. And don't forget to be working on those Science Fair projects :)

Math
We will continue to work in Module 3 this week continuing and concluding our study of division.  Students have learned several strategies for solving division problems.  We will be working and focusing on the place value chart, area model and standard algorithm so students have the fluency they need in order to be successful to meet the standard.  Continue to study multiplication facts for math fluency also.


Science
We are moving on to a new focus in Science which is Earth and Space.  Students will learn about the moon, eclipses and what causes the seasons in this chapter.  We will be taking a field trip to MOSH on Monday, November 21st to learn more about space.

Students should be coming to the final stages of their science fair project.  They still have one more week to work on it.  The project is due Nov. 21-22 before Thanksgiving.

Dates to Remember
Wednesday, Nov. 16...............................Early Dismissal
Wednesday, Nov. 16...............................Math Fest.
Monday-Tues. Nov. 21-22.....................Science Fair Project due
Monday, Nov. 21....................................Field Trip MOSH
Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 23-25..............Thanksgiving Holiday

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of November 7-11, 2016

Students have been working in class on some new topics in both Math and Science.  Hope everyone is having fun experimenting with their science fair project.  If you have any questions please write them in their agendas and I will answer all questions.  I also have a few science backboards if you can't locate one at a reasonable affordable price.

Math
   We have covered multiplication with one digit up to four digits with multiple representational strategies.  Students have to be able to explain and represent the concept of multiplication not just solve for an answer.  We are teaching the standard algorithm but this is not in their standards, however it will help them be able to solve application (word problems) much faster.  Students did well on the mid-module test covering multiplication but please continue to review and practice multiplication facts for fluency in math.  Students will also have to know these for division.
Which brings us to were we are now...division.  We are currently working on explaining and representing one digit division problems through place value or area models.  You should be seeing homework coming home Monday thru Thursday.

Science 
    I hear students excitedly talking about their science fair project.  I can't wait to see all the fun and exciting things they learned through this project.  Just a reminder it is due Monday/Tuesday, November 21-22.
   We are beginning a new chapter on earth and space.  Students will learn about constellations, eclipses, and what causes the seasons.  We will build on this chapter with a field trip Monday, November 21 to MOSH.  Information will be coming home shortly.

Dates to Remember
Friday, November 11..........................No School Veteran's Day
Wednesday, November 16..................Math Fest
Wednesday, November 16..................Early Dismissal
Monday, November 21.......................MOSH Field Trip (9:00a.m.-12:30p.m.)
Monday/Tuesday November 21-22....Science Fair Project Due
Wed.-Friday November 23-25............No School Thanksgiving Holiday
Wednesday, November 30..................Early Dismissal

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of October 24, 2016

Well, the first nine weeks is over.  My how time flies!!  Even with all the bumps (storm days) along the way, the students are getting into their routine.  The second nine weeks will be full of fun events as well as challenging standards in Math and Science.  Please look for homework Monday thru Thursday, continue to check planners and work on the Science Fair project.

Math
     We have moved into a new module which is covering multiplication and division.  Students need to master/memorize their multiplication facts in order to be most successful in this module.  We will be getting to the mid-module test this week.  Look for a mid-module study guide to come home.  Students will be expected to multiply one digit by up to four digits and two digit by two digits.  They will have to represent the problems with a visual representation such as a place value chart or area model.  We will work on the standard algorithm for efficiency however, they will not be tested on the algorithm in fourth grade.

Science
     We have completed our first chapter on the process of science. We will move on to chapter 4 on Matter.  Students should have brought home their science fair packet last week.  The parent acknowledgement form was due Friday.  Their topic choice is due this week.  If you have any questions please write them in their planner and I will answer it that day.

Dates to Remember
October 24-28.................................................. Red Ribbon Week
                      Monday......................Wear Red
                      Tuesday......................Favorite Team Apparel
                      Wednesday.................Crazy Socks
                      Thursday....................Twin Day
                      Friday.........................Dress as your favorite book character
October 26.......................................................Early Dismissal
October 28.......................................................Character Parade
                                                                         Report Cards go home

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of Sept. 26-30, 2016

Last week students received their progress report along with some graded work to review.  I hope you all had a chance to review the detailed report and work to see where your child is doing well and where your child still needs more practice.  We will be moving to new standards, however, I will be giving remediation practice in weak areas based on their end of module test during their center time.

Math
Last week students worked in Module 2 metric measurement and conversions.  It is a very short module and we will be reviewing and testing this week.  We will be moving onto a new module working on multiplication.  One of their third grade standards was to memorize their multiplication facts fluently.  I will begin giving timed multiplication and division facts so students will be able to fluently move through this module and be able to focus on the skills and not have the facts slow them down.  Look for dates for the timed tests to be noted in their planners.

Science
We will be finishing Chapter one on the practice of science and having a test by the end of the week.  Look for dates in the planner.

Dates to Remember
Thursday, September 29.............................Library field trip

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates weeks of Sept. 12-15

A big thank you to all the parents who where able to come out to open house last week!!  It was nice to get to meet each of you and share information that will help make this a successful year.  Students received their planners last week so you should now see them coming home everyday with notes about what they need to be completing or studying.  There is a place for parents and students to sign acknowledging the student code of conduct.  Please take time to review the code of conduct with your child and sign the bottom of the page.  Next Monday, September 19th the first progress report of the year will go home.

Math
We have taken our first test on place value, standard form, word form, expanded form, rounding, and comparing numbers.  Student did well on most of the standards, however, many still struggled with writing a number in word form from the standard form.  For example:  106, 542 should be written, one hundred six thousand, five hundred forty two.  Many students wanted to write, one hundred thousand six thousand, five hundred forty two.  They are not looking at the number by it's periods or "chunking" it as I try to explain it.  We will continue to work on this skill during center time.

Students are now moving into a new topic in math which is addition and subtraction of multi-digit numbers with and without regrouping.  We will begin with visual representations of how to add and subtract so they will understand what they are doing when we move to the standard algorithm.

Science
We are still in chapter one, The Practice of Science which is about how scientist's see the world and learn using the scientific method.  You should see vocabulary cards come home this week to be completed.

Dates to Remember
Wed. Sept. 14.........................................................Early dismissal
Fri. Sept. 16 (during school day)............................Baseline Test Dance
Fri. Sept. 16 (after school)......................................Under the Sea Dance
Mon. Sept. 19..........................................................Progress Reports go home

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of September 5-9, 2016

Well I'm so glad everyone made it through the storm safely! The students have jumped right back in like they never missed a day :)  Be looking for when the make-up day will be though.

Math
This week in math we will continue and finish working on rounding numbers.  Students are shown the vertical number line as a tool to show how they rounded a number.  They will then move on to using the skill of looking at the number next to the rounding place value to determine weather the number stays at the current place value or raises up a place value.  We will take a mid-module test at the end of the week to check understanding of what has been covered so far: place value, comparing numbers and rounding.  We will be moving on to adding and subtracting using the standard algorithm.

Science
We will be beginning chapter one which is on the process of science.  Be on the look out for science fair materials to be coming home within the next week or so.  Students can go ahead and be thinking about an experiment they might like to do for their project.  This will be a project they will complete at home.

Dates to remember
Thursday, September 8...................Open House 6:30p.m.

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of August 29-Sept. 2

Well, we are off and rolling now!   I told the students the beginning of the year is like riding a bike with square wheels....but... soon we would wear off those bumpy corners and be rolling smoothly along! And, here we are in our third week of school already and rolling right along!  We began implementing centers last week in our Math block.  This is where students get to work on the computer, work in a small group with the teacher or work in centers that have practice that is current or past material we are working on.  It is a very important time for students to be focused as this gives supportive practice or remedial practice on things they need to be working on in math.  Please ask you child what they are doing in centers.  If they can't share with you specifically what they did, remind them to pay close attention to the activities they are working on.

Math
This week in math we will continue to work with number in our base ten number system.  We will work on recognizing and writing words in unit form (1 ten), standard form (10), word form (ten), and expanded form (123) 100 + 20+ 3= 123.  Students will also work on rounding numbers and comparing numbers with > (greater than), < (less than) or = (equal to).  Student will also put numbers in order from least to greatest or greatest to least.  Look for math homework to come home every night this week.  Have student do the best they can to complete each problem.  We will discuss it in class so, if they have questions have them circle the problem numbers of those problems they have questions or problems with.  Many students did that last week and I was proud of them for coming in and asking question about their homework!


Science 
We will begin to work in the science book this week on Chapter 1 The Process of Science. We will also begin to talk about the school and district Science Fair.  Look for materials to come home next week.

Dates to Remember
Early dismissal 1:30.......................Wednesday, August 31
Labor Day No school.....................Monday, Sept. 5
Open House....................................Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6:30-7:30p.m.

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of August 22-26, 2016

We have completed the first week and the students have done a tremendous job learning the classroom expectations and remembering some of the common school-wide expectations for behavior.  You should have seen a folder come home this past Friday with some papers and your child's conduct grade for the week.  Continue to look for this folder each Friday with their conduct grade, important papers and any comments for the school week.  Planners are still not in,  they will be coming soon.  We have also been spending a lot of time on baseline assessments last week, so you did not see any homework coming home.  You should begin to see homework this week.

Math
We have begun working in our first Module of Duval Math.  Students are working with learning how to understand our base ten number system.  This will transfer over to working with the standard addition and subtraction algorithm later in the module.  The parent letter that went home the first day of school along with examples on the actual homework paper should give some insight into how the problems should be completed.  Students are to come out with the basic understanding that each place value is 10 times as much as the place value to the right.  For example, 1 hundred is 10 times as much as 1 ten.  Or 10 x 1 ten = 10 tens = 100.

Science
We will begin chapter one in the science book which starts students off studying the process of science.  This is another way of saying the scientific method.  Students will learn how scientists learn about the natural world.  We will begin discussing the science fair projects they will complete as big part of their first and into their second nine weeks grade.  Look for vocabulary cards to come home to be studied and completed.

Dates to Remember
Early dismissal.....................August 31
Labor Day No School...........Sept. 5
Open House...........................Sept. 8 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Orientation

I was very pleased that so many students and families were able to make it to orientation last Friday!  There were lots of eager faces and excited students who said, "Yes! I'm ready to come back!"  I look forward to see each of you Monday!! Have a great final summer weekend :)

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!!

If you are reading this, welcome to our class!  Our theme this year is treasure hunting....finding the treasure in learning.   We will be treasure hunting through our math and science standards beginning day one.  I am looking forward to a fun, exciting and successful year in our treasure hunt.  Hope you are all ready to go on an adventure!

The purpose of this blog is to keep you informed about what is going on in the classroom as well as posting upcoming tests and classroom/school-wide events.  I will post a weekly reflection on how students have progressed the current week as well as what to expect the upcoming week in math and science.

Next in importance....supplies, the tools of learning.   Students will need supplies for their treasure hunting adventure.  A general list was included with their report cards at the end of last year however, I will be sending home a specific list for what they will need in their math and science classes on the first day of school.  I have also listed supplies on the right of this page.  Some supplies will need to refreshed throughout the school year as they are used up or wear out.

Students will receive a first day packet with other important information on the first day of school.  I look forward to working with you to ensure success for each student this year.

Dates to Remember:
Friday, August 12.........................Meet the Teacher Orientation
Monday, August 15......................First Day of School


Until next time,
R. O'Steen

Updates Week of April 18-22

 Students have been back now from Spring Break for about 2 weeks.  We are all getting back into the swing of our regular routine now that FSA testing for us is through.  Students however, do still have 2 more important assessments to take before the end of the year.  One assessment is their final I-Ready diagnostic test and the other is their Science End of Course Exam.  I have reminded students that school is not through yet.  We still have lots to learn :)

Math
  We are beginning a new module on customary measure.  Students will be working with converting different units of measurement.  We will also resume the weekly homework this week.  You should see week 27 coming home.  It is due every Friday like before.

Science
Students wrapped up their chapters on Energy and Motion last week with a rotation of 8 different lab stations. They had fun discovering what influences speed and distance and determining the speed of different items.   They are taking their chapter test on motion, Monday, April 18th and we will begin our new chapter Tuesday.  Students will begin studying rocks and minerals.  It is very important students learn this material not only for their end of course exam this year but also in order to be successful on their FCAT next year in fifth grade.

Dates to Remember
Report cards go home....................................April 18
No School......................................................April 29

Until next time,
R. O'Steen
 

Week of February 29- March 4

Students took the FSA Writing test Monday and I will say they were model students when it came to effort and conduct! I was very proud of their focus throughout the 2 hour test.  We will continue to prepare for their next big test, FSA Math, coming up on April 1st and 4th.  One way to help your student is to review multiplication and division facts so they are fluent.  Knowing their facts quickly and accurately will help because each test session is limited to 80 minutes.  Time spent figuring out multiplication facts or making errors on facts can slow them down or cause them to miss a problem even if they had the steps correct to solve it. 

Math
We are wrapping up decimals this week with learning how to add mixed numbers.  Students may need to convert decimals to fractions or fractions to decimals.  Ask your students what they have learned each day in math.  There will be an end of module test this Thursday, March 3.  You should see a study guide coming home this week.

We will be moving on to Module 4  which covers Geometry.  There is a lot of vocabulary that students need to know in order to be successful in this module.  Look for a list of vocabulary words that your student should be studying and memorizing.

Science
We are continuing to learn about motion and will move to rocks and minerals soon.

Dates to Remember
February 29..............................Progress Reports go home
February 29..............................FSA Writing test
March 3....................................End of Module 3 test Fractions and Decimals
March 8....................................Family Fitness Night
March 7....................................Field trip MOSH
March 9....................................Early Dismissal
March 18-March 28.................Spring Break
April 1, April 4........................FSA Math Session 1 and 2

Until next time,
R. O'Steen

We are Back!!!

Well, after a forgotten password and  much determination, I finally have figured out how to get a new password so I can continue my classroom blog.  I'm sorry if you have been checking and haven't seen any new news.  I'm back!!!

We have been working very hard to cover all the standards that are coming up in the end of March for the FSA!  I will be sending more work home to help students review and practice for the types of questions they will have to complete on the test.  Their FSA Math test is March 31 and April 1.

Math
We are currently working on decimals.  Students have to go the the hundredths place and be able to convert, compare, plot on number line, add and subtract numbers with decimals.  Look for homework coming home through the week.  Ask students to explain to you what they have learned everyday in Math.

Science
In Science students are currently working on Chapter 6 on Motion.  There are two lessons.  We have read both lessons and will be working on the review packet and study guide next week.  Look for vocabulary, study guide and review pages to come home to study for their test.

Dates to Remember
February 24....................Early Dismissal
February 29....................FSA Writing test
March 7..........................MOSH Field trip
 March 18-28.................Spring Break

Until next time,
R. O'Steen
March 31-April 1...........FSA Math Session 1 and Session 2