Benson/Bodrick News
News from the 4th Grade
August 25, 2017
Math News
We had a fun time this week graphing our names and some of our favorite things. We also spent a good bit of time learning procedures and getting to know one another.
This year we will become masters of multiplication! We will not only become masters of the basic facts, but we will learn how to multiply larger numbers. We will learn long division and geometry. We will begin with place value.
Next week we will dive into our place value and rounding unit. Students will not be bringing home math books and workbooks. We use these as resources in class and occasionally complete workbook pages. Our math work in class comes from a lot of different sources--videos, online activities, and paper and pencil activities. We work in groups, play games, and teach one another as we go.
Each Monday a homework packet will be sent home. This packet will be a spiral review of concepts taught and concepts that we are working on right now. The first nine weeks will be a 3rd grade review. This packet will be due on Friday of each week. I will not accept it after Friday. If students don’t have their packets on Friday, I will deduct 5 pts. from their homework grade (which is a 100 right now). Please encourage your child to work on these packets throughout the week so that they don’t have to complete it all on Thursday night. They can turn it in at any point during the week when it is complete.
Science News
Science is broken up into 4 main units of study--1 per nine weeks. Weather and Climate--Space--Organisms--Light and Sound. We will begin next week with our weather and climate unit. Science books are consumable and we will be writing in them. If they come home, please make sure that they bring them back the very next day.
This week we discussed some ways that scientists use observations. They make qualitative and quantitative observations. Ask your child if they can tell you the difference. (Qualitative are words and quantitative are numbers with a label.)
ELA News
This year, students will read a range of challenging books, articles, and texts, and will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of the material by answering questions and contributing to class discussions. In writing, students will continue to work on their use of language, sentence structure, and organization of ideas. They will also be expected to integrate information from different sources and respond to challenging content through written interpretation and analysis. What you can do at home to help your child be successful:- Encourage Nightly Reading (Students will have weekly Reading Logs)
- Discuss What Your Child is Reading
- Find Reasons to Write outside of the Classroom
- Play Educational Games/Watch Educational Videos
***Please make sure your child has a binder this year! If he/she does not have one by Monday, August 28th, I have a few I can spare. I will also provide students with tab dividers and sheet protectors.
Social Studies News
United States Studies to 1865 - The social studies standards in grade four are a comprehensive history of the United States. The first part of this story, which dates from the exploration of the New World to the end of the Civil War, is the focus for grade four. A parent study guide that incompasses an overview of all units included in the curriculum will be provided next week.
Please refer to the class website (link will be provided soon) which will have electronic copies of study guides/note pages and links to class presentations. Students will also have access to their interactive journals at all times. If you want them to come home, please let me know.
Student textbooks are consumables - meaning students can write in them and pages can be torn out. We will not always use the book, but when it does come home, please make sure students are being careful with it and not damaging pages before we actually get to them!
Fourth Grade News
The Related Arts Schedule is as Follows:
Day A - Art (Benson) / P.E. (Bodrick)
Day B - Computer (Benson) / Art (Bodrick)
Day C - Drama (Benson) / Computer (Bodrick)
Day D - Music(Benson) / Drama (Bodrick)
Day E - P.E. (Benson) / Music (Bodrick)
Forms for BHE Yearbooks have been sent home with students. Reserve your copy for $30 now. If interested, submit completed form with payment (you can pay online).
The fall fundraiser kick off will be on Wednesday, August 30th. Information will come home with each student that day so that they can start selling.
No School on Monday, September 4th--Labor Day.
The Grandparent’s breakfast will be held on Friday, September 8th. Information was sent home today with an RSVP form.
Open House will be on Tuesday, September 12th. There will be 2 sessions (5:30-6:10 and 6:15-6:55). The same information will be shared during each session so that you will only need to attend one session. Ms. Bodrick and Mrs. Benson will be doing these sessions together.
Picture day will also be held on September 12th.
Ending Thoughts
This first week of school has been a very exciting one! We are very excited about having your child in our classes and look forward to an amazing school year! If you have any questions or concerns, you may email us anytime. For those who signed up for Remind 101 with Ms. Bodrick, feel free to shoot a text if necessary. Click on our name below for a direct link to our email.
Thanks for sharing your children with us each day!
