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