Benson/Cave(Browne) News
News from the 4th Grade
February 24, 2017
Math News
We have been working hard this week adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with like denominators. Common mistakes are: (1) adding the denominators and (2) not simplifying the answer. When adding fractions, as long as the denominators are the same (like denominators), you only add the numerators and keep the same denominator. For example: ⅗ + ⅕ = ⅘ not 4/10. Instructions also often tell students to simplify the fraction. For example: A final answer will never be 3/6 or 2/4 or 5/10. It will always be written as ½. The final answer for 3/9 will be ⅓ because the Greatest Common Factor of 3 and 9 is 3. Divide them both by 3 and you get ⅓. Please help your child remember to check for these common mistakes before turning in their work.
We will be having a math test on adding and subtracting fractions on Thursday of next week. Please encourage your child to study for the test and to complete all of their objective work by that date.
I am not grading ALEKS right now. I am strongly encouraging students to go to Study Island and do the NWEA practice to prepare for the MAP tests. They can work on the math lesson and the ELA lessons. More information on MAP testing below.
Science News
This week we had fun learning about how animals are classified. We discussed vertebrates vs. invertebrates. We had a fun scavenger hunt around the room learning about the 5 groups of vertebrates. We ended our week with a fun experiment to see how important our backbone is to us. Pictures will be on the blog to view our fun experiment. Next week we will finish our discussions of animal classifications and take a quiz to demonstrate our knowledge. We will then move on to the life cycle of animals.
Language Arts News.
Monday, February 27th, we will take a Spelling test on the following words:
Persuade
Government
Entertain
Judicial
Electoral
Congress
President
Please have your child study for this test. There will be homework throughout the week that will be written in your child’s agenda. Students should be reading for at least 20 minutes every night. Please check and sign daily.
Next week’s ELA lessons will be focused on author’s purpose, syllables, phonetics with the letter “u”, comprehension, writing to solve problems, and synonyms & antonyms. The spelling words that we will be focusing on next week are: legislature, senate, veto, argue, electricity, executive, federalism, amendment, impeach, appeal. The test on these words will be Friday, March 3rd.
Social Studies News
We are working on Unit 6, Lessons 2 and 3 (pages 206-220). The Constitution of the United States. A packet of completed work will come home on Tuesday for the previous weeks. Please sign and return.
Fourth Grade News
Next week is Dr. Seuss Week! Monday is Horton Hears a Who Day. Students should perform random acts of kindness. Tuesday is Fox in Socks Day--wear your favorite wacky socks. Wednesday is The Lorax Day. Thursday is Read Across America Day--students should dress as their favorite Dr. Seuss character. 
Next Friday is Arts Day. We will spend the entire day celebrating all of the arts as we venture around the school watching different types of performances and displays of art.
Thursday, March 9th is Spring Picture day! Wear your pretty spring colors.
BHE’s night at Chick-fil-A is coming soon! Mark your calendars for Monday, March 13th and come out and support BHE at the Chick-fil-A on Killian Road.
We will be administering the MAP tests on March 14th and 15th. They will be completed during the morning so please make sure your child is on time to school and has had a good breakfast.
We have been having some issues with water bottles lately. They have leaked in backpacks and ruined brand new library books, spilled on floors and caused people to fall, and turned over on desks spilling near chromebooks. Please try and send in water bottles that have no spill spouts. Do not send in cups or anything that does not close. Students should only be bringing in water to drink--no gatorade, soft drinks, or juices. We have sticky messes on our floors from non water drinks. Thanks for helping in these issues.
You only have one more week to earn your free Fireflies ticket! You can get it for the Sunday, April 28th game (which is the designated BHE day at the Fireflies), or you can use it for another game. Have your child write their books on their baseball reading log and you initial after each book. Bring the reading log to the media center and Mrs. Jeffers will give you the information on how you can get that free ticket. (Adults will have to buy their own ticket.)
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!
