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