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