Weekly News January 22nd

Benson/Cave News

News from the 4th Grade

January 22, 2016

Math News

We took a cumulative test on Tuesday that covered concepts taught so far this year.  We will be using this to do some small group work during our RTI time over the next few weeks.  This was not a graded test, just a check-to-see-where-we-are test.

We began topic 8 on Wednesday.  We are moving pretty fast with this topic, covering 2 lessons a day.  This is double digit multiplication.  A sheet was given out to each student showing 4 different ways to multiply multi-digit numbers.  Students can use this as a guide to find the method they are most comfortable with knowing.  It is encouraged, however, that they really try to understand the area model and expanded algorithm because these two methods show the “why” of multiplication.  We will be taking a test on Topic 8 on Wednesday of next week.

ALEKS is a grade given every week. Each week, each student needs to master at least 5 topics. When there are short weeks, I combine 2 weeks together and they should have 10 topics. I have been looking at what was done the last 2 weeks and there are still a few who have not gotten their 10 topics mastered. Students can and are encouraged to work on ALEKS at home if they feel they are not getting enough time in class. However, every other week, the RTI block of 30 minutes is dedicated for most students to ALEKS. That means that every other week, they have 150 minutes in class to work on their topics. There is no excuse in someone not to master their topics during these weeks. During the other weeks when we use RTI for Language Arts, they still have 15 minutes or so every day in math to work on ALEKS. This should be plenty of time to get 5 topics a week. Please double check with your child and see how they are doing. I record ALEKS grades every Monday for the previous week.

Don’t forget that you can access your child’s text book at www.pearsonsuccessnet.com  Their username is their school number id and the password is richland2.   

Zearn username:  student number   Zearn password:  benson

Aleks username:  (ask your child)  Aleks password:  aleksmat

Science News

This week we spent a lot of time researching the 5 different groups of vertebrates.  We discussed what an organism is and what groups organisms are divided into.  We even divided our class up into groups.

We have started our science notebook for organisms and it is already full of information.  We will have a notebook check next week to make sure we are keeping up with our work.

Language Arts News In ELA we will read “Battling for Independence.”  Student will have copy of this booklet in their reading notebook.  This reading selection also supports the topics being covered in social studies. Please check your student’s agenda book for the day of the test which will probably be close to the end of the week.  We continue to write daily in class by keeping an online writing journal.  Whether it is a journal writing or essay, students are expected to have a topic and conclusion as a part of the writing.  Please encourage your student to write good descriptive complete sentences!

Social Studies News

In social studies students are learning about the major battles of the American Revolution. We will use interactive maps to examine the battles and identify the turning point of the American Revolution and see how the war ended.  

Fourth Grade News

Class Picture Day is Thursday, January 28th.

Spirit Day is Friday, January 29th.  Remember to wear your BHE colors!

PLEASE, PLEASE!  We need your child to have headphones or earbuds in class everyday. We use them every day.  They also need them every time we go to the computer lab.  Please make sure your child brings them to school everyday.

Ending Thoughts

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