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