Benson/Cave News
News from the 4th Grade
November 4, 2016
Math News
We have ended our Measurement unit and we are now learning how to multiply multi-digit numbers. We will be learning a variety of methods to multiply--not just the standard algorithm that we all learned growing up. Please be open to the variety of methods and try some of them with your students. New checklists were shared in class on Thursday and students have started work completing the items. We are planning on finishing this unit up by the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break and testing before our long holiday break. Students will need to make sure they are using their time wisely and completing all required elements of the checklist.
IMPORTANT MATH NEWS***Starting next week, students will be given a grade in ALEKS each week. 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 will begin our new unit on Space next week. This is Chapter 3 in the science textbook. We look forward to exploring the planets, the moon, the sun, the stars, and why we have day and night and seasons. One big part of this unit is a moon observation calendar. Students will need to observe the moon each night for four weeks. We will start this in a couple of weeks.
Language Arts News.
Next Week in ELA students will read “Because of Winn Dixie” in Treasures to analyze the impact of characterization and conflict on the story’s plot. There will be quiz on this story on Thursday.
Students are also working on writing skills with a focus on editing their piece of writing. Students have many opportunities to practice writing skills whether they are completing an response to a question in reading or social studies. Students are also writing in their online writing journal. Some students are still have difficulty writing responses with a topic sentence and supporting details. This writing expectation(topic sentence and supportive details) will continue for to be an expectation for the remainder of 4th grade.
Social Studies News
This week in social studies we studied Early English settlements such as Roanoke, Jamestown and Plymouth. Students also learned about the Puritans and the New England Colonies. Next week we study the Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies, and take a virtual trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Students are expected to take follow directions and take notes in their workbooks in class. There will be a lesson review at the end of each lesson that will count as a classwork grade.
Fourth Grade News
Make-up Pictures will be on Monday, November 7th. If you want your child to take pictures that day, please send in a note. 
Tuesday, November 8th is Election day. Election day = No School
BHE is having our annual Veterans Day program on Friday, November 11th. We look forward to seeing many of you at this program.
The BHE Educational Foundation is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, November 17th. Tickets can be purchased in advance. A flyer was sent home last week with the information you need. Please help support our 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 this week 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.
Penny Wars is going on until November 18th. Please see the post on the blog about this fundraising event.
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!
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