Weekly News--December 16th

Benson/Cave News

News from the 4th Grade

December 16, 2016

Math News

We finished division this week!  (Big sigh of relief!)  When we come back over the break, we will begin our next unit--Geometry.  I am looking forward to having fun measuring angles with a protractor, learning about lines and shapes.    

I am sending home a packet with students to be completed over the break.  It will have some extra division and multi-digit multiplication practice.  If they complete it, they will receive an extra 100 in the gradebook.  If they choose not to do it and turn it in, there will be no harm to their grade.  I will only accept these the day we return from break--no late packets will be accepted!  I will also give students an opportunity to earn extra points added to their division test by working on ALEKS.  Anyone who completes 10 topics (starting tomorrow--Saturday) in ALEKS will receive 5 extra points.

Science News

This week we worked in small groups reading about eclipses, seasons, the moon, and how the earth rotates and revolves.  Students then created a PowToon video sharing the information they learned from their reader.  Ask your child to show you their fun video.  They did a great job!  If for some reason they did not complete their video, they can work on it over the break.  

Language Arts News.  

We reviewed types of sentences this week.  Students are encouraged to work on Lexia during the break and READ, READ, READ!  

Social Studies News

Students have been reviewing the French and Indian War and Colonial Times this week.

Fourth Grade News

Are you looking for a stocking stuffer for your child?  How about a new set of earbuds!  Students must have a set of earbuds everyday in class in order to complete their work.  They tend to break fairly often, so maybe every grab a few while you’re at it.  They sell them at the Dollar Store and the Good Dollar here in Blythewood.  Having a spare pair at home will help when they break in class so that students don’t have to go days without being able to complete their work.

Ending Thoughts

We are very excited for this school year and to be able to teach your child.  You may email us anytime there is a concern.  Click on our name below for a direct link to our email.  

Thanks for sharing your children with us each day!

Mrs. Shannon Benson and Mrs. Janice Cave

Yearbooks for Sale

BHE Yearbooks are on sale!  Order your today.  Order forms were sent home today with your child.  The cost is $30 if ordered by December 16th.  After Winter Break, the cost will go up to $35.

You can pay cash, check (made payable to BHE) or credit card (online in Parent Portal).  

Don't miss out on the opportunity to have a keepsake from this school year!

Mnemonic Devices for Planets

Below are some of the mnemonic devices that students came up with to remember the oder of planets.  (Mrs. Benson came up with a few too.) ☺

Weekly News--December 9th

Benson/Cave News

News from the 4th Grade

December 9, 2016

Math News

We will be taking the Division unit test on Wednesday.  We will be doing a couple of fun holiday multiplication and division activities throughout the week as well to continue brushing up on our facts.

Don’t forget to master those 5 ALEKS topics by Sunday night.  Most students should have them mastered by the time they get home on Friday, but they know how to check and see what still needs to be completed.

When we get back from Winter Break, we will start a new unit on Geometry.  Students will learn about shapes, lines, and angles.  It will be lots of fun!

Science News

We had a lot of fun making our Solar System books this week and learning about the 8 planets.  These were due today and I will be working on grading them over the next little while.  It was also fun seeing the mnemonic devices that students created to remember the planets.  Next week we will be working on a fun project with a book about the space and creating videos to share our information with the class.

Language Arts News.  

Next week students  will finish reading “Dear Mrs. LaRue,”and take a quiz.   Did you know that your students can use their reading text when taking the quiz?  Then we will focus on the skills for this story - prefixes, words with silent letters,and using text clues to draw conclusion. Did you know that students can also earn 1 point extra credit for putting the correct page number beside their answer for each question on the text except the vocabulary questions?  

Social Studies News

The students will have a test on Colonial America next week.  Then we will begin to examine events that led up to the American Revolution.

Fourth Grade News

Are you looking for a stocking stuffer for your child?  How about a new set of earbuds!  Students must have a set of earbuds everyday in class in order to complete their work.  They tend to break fairly often, so maybe every grab a few while you’re at it.  They sell them at the Dollar Store and the Good Dollar here in Blythewood.  Having a spare pair at home will help when they break in class so that students don’t have to go days without being able to complete their work.

The next Spirit Day will be on Friday, December 16th.

Our Holiday Class Parties will be held on Friday, December 16th.  More information will come home in the near future with sign up sheets.

Ending Thoughts

We are very excited for this school year and to be able to teach your child.  You may email us anytime there is a concern.  Click on our name below for a direct link to our email.  

Thanks for sharing your children with us each day!

Mrs. Shannon Benson and Mrs. Janice Cave

Weekly News--December 2nd

Benson/Cave News

News from the 4th Grade

December 2, 2016

Math News

We are diving deep into division!  Everyone is off to a great start with their checklists.  We may be ready next Friday to take our unit test, but if not, it will be Monday or Tuesday of the next week.  I will send an email out by the middle of next week with a test date.  I continue to encourage students to keep up on their checklists.  If this means working at home, that is okay.  I just ask that the quick checks only be completed at school.

I will be giving a grade for ALEKS again this week.  All students should have completed 5 topics between November 28th and December 4th.  

I hope you all logged into Parent Portal yesterday to check grades.  I did send a detailed report with each student and highlighted missing assignments.  The math assignments cannot be made up--it was just to show the students what they did not complete and to encourage them to complete this next checklist.  The science grades that were highlighted need to be completed, however the highest they will get will be a 70 because of how late they turned them in.  If you have any questions, please email me and I will get back to you.

Science News

This week we started discussing our solar system.  We will continue to explore the planets next week and compare and contrast the inner and outer planets.

Language Arts News.  

Next week students  will finish reading “Dear Mrs. LaRue,”and take a quiz.   Did you know that your students can use their reading text when taking the quiz?  Then we will focus on the skills for this story - prefixes, words with silent letters,and using text clues to draw conclusion. Did you know that students can also earn 1 point extra credit for putting the correct page number beside their answer for each question on the text except the vocabulary questions?  

Social Studies News

The trip to Historic Brattonsville was a great experience for students.  Not only did the trip review things that we have been studying for Colonial America, but it prepared them for the next unit of the study - The American Revolution.  Next week students will review Colonial America with  study guide and a test on Wednesday.  Then we will begin to examine events that led up to the American Revolution.

Fourth Grade News

Our Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, December 8th at 6pm.  Our chorus will be performing as well as the students in grades K-2.  We hope to see many of you come out and support our student performers.

The 3rd-5th graders will be able to shop at the Spirit Store next Friday, December 9th.

The next Spirit Day will be on Friday, December 16th.

Our Holiday Class Parties will be held on Friday, December 16th.  More information will come home in the near future with sign up sheets.

Winter Break will be from December 19th until January 2nd.  Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Ending Thoughts

We are very excited for this school year and to be able to teach your child.  You may email us anytime there is a concern.  Click on our name below for a direct link to our email.  

Thanks for sharing your children with us each day!

Mrs. Shannon Benson and Mrs. Janice Cave

Weekly News--November 22nd

Benson/Cave News

News from the 4th Grade

November 22, 2016

Math News

We took our unit 5 multiplication test today.  We will begin long division when we return from Thanksgiving Break.  

This week I will not be giving an ALEKS grade due to our shortened week.  We will pick up with ALEKS again next week.  Students will need to do at least 5 topics for the week of November 28th.

Interims go home on December 1st.  I will be sending a detailed grading sheet home with each student with any missing assignments highlighted.  Please make sure to sign and return these so that I know that you are aware of any of this work.

Science News

We worked on our constellation projects these last two days.  Students drew their own constellation, named it, and wrote a story about the origin of their constellation.  If they did not finish this by the end of class, they will need to finish over the break.  Points will be taken off for every day that the assignment is late after Monday.  This counts as 2 project grades.

Language Arts News.  

This week many students finished and published their Colonial Trade stories after researching different trades on the Colonial Williamsburg website. Next week we will read “Dear Mrs. LaRue,”a fantasy story in Treasures.  There will be a quiz on this story later in the week.  Did you know that your students can use their reading text when taking the quiz?  Did you know that students can also earn 1 point extra credit for putting the correct page number beside their answer for each question on the text except the vocabulary questions?  

Social Studies News

Next week students will learn about the triangular trade route and the impact of slavery in the colonies.  We will finish out unit of study on Colonial America.  Look for a study guide to come home soon for the test on Colonial America.  

Fourth Grade News

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not have school next Wednesday-Friday.  Enjoy the long holiday with your family!  

We will be going on our field trip next Wednesday!  We are going to Historic Brattonsville on November 30th.  We are excited to be able to have this wonderful opportunity for our students to learn more about life on a plantation and our country’s history that took place right here in SC.  Please note:  Your child will need to have transportation to school that morning because we will leave before all buses have arrived.  We will be back in time for regular dismissal.  Also, many of you signed up to bring lunches from home.  Please remember those lunches because there are no places close by to pick up extra food.

Interim Reports will be available on Thursday, December 1st.  Please make sure to log into Parent Portal that day so that you may see your child’s progress in their classes.

Our Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, December 8th at 6pm.  Our chorus will be performing as well as the students in grades K-2.  We hope to see many of you come out and support our student performers.

Ending Thoughts

We are very excited for this school year and to be able to teach your child.  You may email us anytime there is a concern.  Click on our name below for a direct link to our email.  

Thanks for sharing your children with us each day!

Mrs. Shannon Benson and Mrs. Janice Cave

Weekly News--November 18th

Benson/Cave News

News from the 4th Grade

November 18, 2016

Math News

We are finishing up our multi-digit multiplication unit.  We will take the unit test on Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break.  Our next unit will be long division.  We will begin this unit after Thanksgiving and learn many methods to do long division.

IMPORTANT MATH NEWS***Every week, students will be given a grade in ALEKS.  They should be logging into ALEKS a minimum of 2-30 minute periods of time during the week at school.  This is plenty of time for them to master topics.  They can and should access ALEKS at home.  All students should master at least 5 topics per week starting next week.  I will be printing a report each Monday morning so that any work they do over the weekend will be counted for the previous week.  Therefore, if they have not mastered their topics by the time they leave school on Friday, they should log in at home over the weekend to make sure their 5 topics are mastered.  The number of topics will increase as the year progresses.

Science News

We have had fun talking about the stars and constellations this week.  Monday and Tuesday we will be designing our own constellation and writing the story of how our constellation began.  This will be a major project grade.  It will be divided into two parts.  Part one will be designing and drawing the constellation.  Part two will be writing about the constellation.  If students do not finish this by Tuesday, they may finish over the break, but it will have to be turned in the Monday we return.

Language Arts News.  

Next Week in ELA students will complete their research on a trade that was useful in the 13 colonies.  Students are expected to read two stories in Big Universe, our online reading program each week that falls within their reading range and take a quiz on the story. .  Next week the chapter book/story that each student reads will be counted as their reading selection or this short week.   

Social Studies News

Next week we will compare and contrast life in the Colonies by examining their government, economy and social aspects. We will also use historical maps and other graphic organizers..  

Fourth Grade News

Donuts for Dads will be held this coming Tuesday, November 22nd at 8:00am.  

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not have school next Wednesday-Friday.  Enjoy the long holiday with your family!  

We will be going on our field trip soon!  We are going to Historic Brattonsville on November 30th.  We are excited to be able to have this wonderful opportunity for our students to learn more about life on a plantation and our country’s history that took place right here in SC.  Please note:  Your child will need to have transportation to school that morning because we will leave before all buses have arrived.  We will be back in time for regular dismissal.

Ending Thoughts

We are very excited for this school year and to be able to teach your child.  You may email us anytime there is a concern.  Click on our name below for a direct link to our email.  

Thanks for sharing your children with us each day!

Mrs. Shannon Benson and Mrs. Janice Cave

Weekly News--November 11th

Benson/Cave News

News from the 4th Grade

November 11, 2016

Math News

We have been learning many methods to multiply multi-digit numbers.  Next week we will focus on multiplying by 2-digit numbers.  Students are working very hard at completing their checklists!  We plan on testing this unit before the Thanksgiving break.

IMPORTANT MATH NEWS***Every week, students will be given a grade in ALEKS.  They should be logging into ALEKS a minimum of 2-30 minute periods of time during the week at school.  This is plenty of time for them to master topics.  They can and should access ALEKS at home.  All students should master at least 5 topics per week starting next week.  I will be printing a report each Monday morning so that any work they do over the weekend will be counted for the previous week.  Therefore, if they have not mastered their topics by the time they leave school on Friday, they should log in at home over the weekend to make sure their 5 topics are mastered.  The number of topics will increase as the year progresses.

Science News

We had fun diving into Space this week!  We talked about the reasons for seasons.  Next week we will talk about stars and constellations.  We might even create our own constellations and name them as a mini-project.  

Check out the moon this Monday night--November 14th.  We will be having a SuperMoon--the moon will be closer to the earth on Monday than it has been in 60 years!  Click on the link below for an article and video about the supermoon that you might want to share with your friends and family.

Supermoon article

Language Arts News.  

Next Week in ELA students will review skills from “Because of Winn Dixie” including sequencing, run-on sentences and words with long o sounds. Then we will read “Two Kettles,” a book about the circumstances that brought a Native American and English girl together during the early colonial period.   Students will also research trades in the colonies and choose a trade that they are interested in.  

Social Studies News

This week in social studies we studied Early English settlements such as Roanoke, Jamestown and Plymouth. Students also learned about the Middle Colonies and students completed a review in class.  Next week we study  Southern Colonies and students will compare the New England, Middle and Southern Colonies.  They will also take a virtual trip to Colonial Williamsburg to help them explore Southern Colonies.  This website will also be helpful with their research on the different trades that were available during colonial times.

Fourth Grade News

The BHE Educational Foundation is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, November 17th from 4:30 - 7:00 pm.  Spaghetti is being made by Seawell’s.  We hope many of you can come out and enjoy a nice dinner and support the Ed Foundation.  All money that the Ed Foundation--all money goes right back into the classrooms.

We are going on a field trip!  Fourth graders are going to Historic Brattonsville on November 30th.  Permission forms were sent home several weeks ago with your child.  The cost is $35.  Money and permission forms (both sides completed) are due no later than November 16th.  If you would like to chaperone, it is $35 per chaperone if you ride the bus or $12 per chaperone if you want to drive and follow the bus.  We are only able to take 2 chaperones per class on the bus but can gladly have more that follow us there.  

We are excited to be able to have this wonderful opportunity for our students to learn more about life on a plantation and our country’s history that took place right here in SC.  Please note:  Your child will need to have transportation to school that morning because we will leave before all buses have arrived.  We will be back in time for regular dismissal.

Please send in any spare change that you may have!  Penny Wars is going on until November 18th.  Please see the post on the blog about this fundraising event.

Next week is our annual Carolina/Clemson Canned Food Drive.  Any donations of non-perishable food are appreciated!

Donuts for Dads will be held on Tuesday, November 22nd at 8:00am.  

No school on November 23-25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Ending Thoughts

We are very excited for this school year and to be able to teach your child.  You may email us anytime there is a concern.  Click on our name below for a direct link to our email.  

Thanks for sharing your children with us each day!

Mrs. Shannon Benson and Mrs. Janice Cave