Benson/Cave(Browne) News
News from the 4th Grade
March 31, 2017
Math News
This past week, students have continued learning about the relationship between fractions and decimals. They should be through objective 2 on their checklist by Monday so that Tuesday or Wednesday they will take their Objective 1 and 2 Test on decimals and fractions. Everyone will not necessarily take their test the same day, but all tests will be taken by the end of class on Wednesday. We will continue on with learning more about decimals after Spring Break. Please continue to encourage students to complete homework so that they have a spiral review of all of the 4th grade materials.
ALEKS topics are being graded again. Some students did not complete any ALEKS topics last week while many students completed their required 10 topics plus some extra topics. Students have homeroom each day, if they are a bus rider they have time while waiting for their bus, and students are given time during the RTI block to work on ALEKS. They should be completing their topics at school, however, if they do not complete 10, please have them get it done at home by Sunday night. I will print a report Monday morning. Students should be completing a minimum of 10 topics a week. I am trying to get them ready for 5th grade this last nine weeks. In 5th grade, they will be required to master 10 topics a week as part of their grade.
Science News
We had a lot of fun this week finishing up Animal Adaptations. The SeeSaw posts are on the blog under student work so that you can hear the plays that were recorded and see the great illustrations that went along with the plays. I have labeled each one with the children who worked on them and the title of the play that was read. I hope you enjoy them!
We hope to have a few baby chicks next week. Please keep your fingers crossed!
I am mailing the conservation posters Monday afternoon. If your child did not turn it in today, they have until Monday before it is considered late. If they want them mailed, make sure you have completed and signed the parent permission form and have it returned Monday also.
Language Arts News.
This week students read “My Brothers’ Flying Machine” about the Wright brothers. Students are learning about Author’s Perspective, Fact or Opinion, Similies and Metaphors. Next week we will continue with these lessons and also add lessons on homophones, and possessive nouns. We will have a test on this story on Wednesday of next week. Students are encouraged to read everyday/night for at least 30 minutes. Our goal is to increase stamina and fluency. Also, spelling has improved tremendously since we have focused on words we are using in our conversations in Language Arts and Social Studies. Please remind your child that they are to study their words each week. Students are assigned words on Monday. On or BEFORE Thursday sentences and definitions of each word are due in the “basket”. They can put these on the same sheet of paper front and back.
During Read Aloud time, I am reading Where the Red Fern Grows to the classes. This is a level 4.9 book. Students are finding it interesting, yet a whole different world to them. If you have read this book, I encourage you to talk to your child about it.
Students are also continuing with journal writing. They have now completed 11 Journal writes since late February. These writings should be in their writing journals.
Please remember that your student can do Lexia at home to reach their minutes each week. Some students have reached level 18 (5th grade) and are finished for the year. I encourage all students to use their time at school and at home wisely.
Social Studies News
This week we have been learning about six of our country’s Founding Fathers. We have started with George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. We will be learning about James Madison, John Monroe, and Alexander Hamilton next week. They are making booklets with information about these men and their contributions to the beginning of our country. Students have also done research on three so far. This is SC Standard 4:4.
Fourth Grade News
Spring Pictures are here! Picture packages were sent home today with students. If you would like to purchase the entire package, please keep package and return payment no later than Friday, April 21st. If you only want a portion of the package, keep what you want and return unpurchased pictures and payment no later than Friday, April 21st. If you do not want to purchase any pictures, please return the entire package no later than Friday, April 21st. When a student returns the package and/or payment, I will give them 5 BHE bucks!
Thursday, April 6th is Field Day. If you can help volunteer, please let Coach Johnson know by Tuesday.
Spring Break is the week of April 10th through April 14th. Classes will resume on Monday, April 17th.
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!
