Benson/Bodrick News
News from the 4th Grade
February 9, 2018
Math News
This week we worked hard with area and perimeter. We also reviewed our polygons and symmetry. We will take our math test on Tuesday morning before we go on our field trip. We will review on Monday with many sample problems. I went over a study guide with students this morning on types of information that will be included on the test. I have posted it to Google Classroom so that students will check it out. They can work out the problems I included on it. I also mentioned to them that their classwork packets will be great study tools to help them as well. They are supposed to check their packet with an answer key in the classroom so that when they are turned into me I can see what mistakes were made and know how to help them. After review, I return to the students so that they can use them to study.
Our next unit is fractions--adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators. We will also be converting improper fractions into mixed numbers and mixed numbers into improper fractions. We will spend a good portion of this nine weeks on fractions. Zearn is a math program that students have access to. There are some great videos on fractions in Zearn and some great learning activities. Students are always welcome to work on lessons in Zearn to help their understanding.
Students did somewhat better on their homework packet this week. Next week’s homework packet will be more questions similar to the ones they have done the last 2 weeks. Hopefully by now, they have asked the questions at home or at school so that when I look over them next Friday, there will be few--if any--mistakes.
Students also need to make sure they are completing at least 5 topics each week in ALEKS. They should be able to master a topic in 10-15 minutes. If they are working longer on a topic, they need to ask for help so they can master that topic. The more topics they complete, the better at their math skills they will become. This is a great program that will help bump up their math scores and skills. Please encourage your child to complete these topics--they can be done at school or at home.
Please have your child practice their multiplication facts. There are many games on www.multiplication.com that they would love to play that will help them.
Science News
This week we discussed life cycles of various plants and animals. Students created their own life cycle drawings and will be posting them in Seesaw by Monday afternoon. We will continue to discuss life cycles and compare the various stages of life with many more plants and animals next week.
ELA News
Last week, students thoroughly enjoyed our SUPER BOWL themed “learning experiences” with informational text and types of sentences - and I must say...so did I. I am still in the process of getting grades in for the sentence assessment students took Monday of this week.
Beginning on Tuesday, we started our first WRITING BOOT CAMP - as the time for middle of year writing benchmark assessments has approached. Students engaged in an intensive week long teacher-led Text Dependent Analysis (TDA) writing lesson with lots of modeling and practice. Monday, they will complete their actual benchmark (PAPER AND PENCIL) - assessment will only be ONE day just like testing at end of the year. Students will receive a new writing prompt (not a TDA) - “Someone I Admire” - in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
Reading logs ON PAPER - NO submissions online as I am trying to get students back into the habit of writing (structurally and grammatically correct) well thought out responses. This shift comes with the news that students will test at the end of the using paper and pencil for the Reading/Writing portion. Parents, please take the time to read through your child’s responses from time to time! It will help both me and them out!
Special shout out the following Lexia Core 5 Completers!
- LaLonnie Mitchum
- Lily Calhoun
The following students are almost there! Keep pushing: Thomas Bozard, Daija Caldwell, Liana Adams, Caroline Goff, Jake Gonzales, Jeremy Harris, Emily Lancaster, Emerson Ramsdale, Darius Gatewood-White and Libby Lee
Social Studies News
Next Week: Causes of the American Revolution - Political and economic factors that ultimately led to the American Revolution started with the French and Indian War (discussed this week and assessed Thursday - cloze activity) and culminated with shots fired at Lexington and Concord. It is important that students understand the chronology of these events and how one event led to another. Students will learn about:- The need for taxes as a result of the French and Indian War and the power of the colonists to boycott British goods.
- Stamp Act
- Tea Act
- Intolerable Acts
Fourth Grade News
Related Arts Schedule for next week
Our field trip to the Koger Center to see a performance of “Freedom Train” is this coming Tuesday, February 13th. We will be leaving school about 10:30am and returning around 1:30pm. We will eat lunch when we return. We look forward to this wonderful learning experience. 
PTO is sponsoring a Mother/Son Bowling Night on Friday, February 23rd. It will be at Royal Z Lanes on Two Notch Road. The cost is $12 per person which covers bowling, shoes, a slice of pizza, and a drink. Fliers were sent home so that you can fill out and return with your payment. There are 2 sessions you can sign up for--4-6 or 6-8. Time slots will fill up quickly so please return these soon.
Columbia Fireflies Reading Logs
If students complete 4 books (appropriate reading level) by Feb 28th they will earn a ticket to the Columbia Fireflies game, free hot dog dinner, and a surprise gift at the game. Completed reading logs should be sent to the Media Center. Also, our own BHE Chorus will perform the National Anthem at the game. Game day is Tuesday, April 10th at 7:05pm
Ending Thoughts
Thank you for sharing your children with us! Please feel free to email us with any questions. 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!
Mrs. Shannon Benson and Ms. Aubriaunna Bodrick
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