Weekly News--January 13th

Benson/Cave News

News from the 4th Grade

January 13, 2017

Math News

We finished our first unit on Geometry this week.  Next week we will begin Geometry Part 2.  This will cover area, perimeter, identifying two-dimensional shapes, and symmetry.  This should take us about 2 weeks to complete and then we will move on to fractions.

Students are still required to complete 5 topics in ALEKS each week.  They may work during RTI time each day once they have met their Lexia minutes, during homeroom or at the end of the day while waiting on buses, and they can also work at home.  They typically have from Monday morning until Sunday night to get their topics completed.  If they are spending more than 10 to 15 minutes and have not mastered a topic, they have been encouraged to ask for help.  Many students are starting a topic and when it gets too difficult, they stop and start another topic.  They are continuing to do this and spending a lot of time on ALEKS, but not accomplishing anything.  Thanks for any help you can offer in this process.    

Science News

This week we finished our discussions on the relationship between the earth and the sun.  We did a lesson check in Google classroom to see how much we learned.  We also started discussing the moon.  We will continue our discussions on the moon next week as we learn about the phases of the moon.  I hope everyone has been keeping up with their moon calendars.  The moon has looked gorgeous this week as it has peaked into a full moon.  If there ever is a cloudy night or you forget to view the moon, you can go to http://www.moonconnection.com/moon_phases_calendar.phtml

to see what the moon should look like.

Language Arts News.  

This week students continued to read the story “Leah’s Pony” in their Treasures book.  They completed many activities related to the story and ended the week with a test to see how much they learned.  Please always encourage your child to read at least 20 minutes every day.

Social Studies News

Students continued learning about the revolutionary war this week and discussed patriots and loyalists.  

Fourth Grade News

There will be no school on Monday, January 16th.

Report Cards will go home on Thursday, January 19th.

Class Pictures will be taken on Wednesday, January 25th.  There will be order forms sent home soon because these pictures must be paid for in advance.

PTO will be hosting a Family Bingo Night on Friday, January 27th at 6pm.  This event is free!  Come join the fun and have the opportunity to win some wonderful prizes.  Concessions will be sold for a minimal price.

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--January 6th

Benson/Cave News

News from the 4th Grade

January 6, 2017

Math News

We began our new unit in math this week.  We are learning about angles, lines, line segments, rays, points, and how to draw and measure each.  Students are working hard on their checklists and we are anticipating a unit test on Thursday.  Please encourage your child to keep up in class and if they fall behind, they can always work at home.  All work done in class receives a grade.

Students are still required to complete 5 topics in ALEKS each week.  They may work during RTI time each day once they have met their Lexia minutes, during homeroom or at the end of the day while waiting on buses, and they can also work at home.  They typically have from Monday morning until Sunday night to get their topics completed.  If they are spending more than 10 to 15 minutes and have not mastered a topic, they have been encouraged to ask for help.  Many students are starting a topic and when it gets too difficult, they stop and start another topic.  They are continuing to do this and spending a lot of time on ALEKS, but not accomplishing anything.  Thanks for any help you can offer in this process.    

Science News

This week we have been talking about the movement on Earth in space.  We have discusses rotations vs. revolution and how the seasons are affected because of these motions.

Next week we will start discussing the moon.  Students will be given a “Moon Log” on Monday.  They will be required to observe the moon each night for the next 4 weeks and draw what they see on their log.  If the moon comes up after bedtime or someone gets behind, I will put a website on the log that will allow students to see what the moon should have looked like.  They can use this website to fill in any blanks, but I encourage them to not do that every night.  I really want them to see the moon as it goes through its phases.  

Language Arts News.  

This week students read the story “Leah’s Pony” in their Treasures book.  They completed a story map in their journal and on a Google Doc with pictures.  Students also worked on comprehension with some worksheets and a crossword puzzle.  Please always encourage your child to read at least 20 minutes every day.

Social Studies News

Students were introduced to Unit 5--The American Revolution this week.  They completed Lesson 1 and a map skills activity.  

Fourth Grade News

Early Dismissal next Friday, January 13th.  Please make sure we know if there are any transportation changes.

The end of the nine weeks is next Friday, January 13th.  All missing/late work must be turned in by Friday.

There will be no school on Monday, January 16th.

Report Cards will go home on Thursday, January 19th.

Class Pictures will be taken on Wednesday, January 25th.  There will be order forms sent home soon because these pictures must be paid for in advance.

PTO will be hosting a Family Bingo Night on Friday, January 27th at 6pm.  More details to come as they are given to us.

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

Would you like to help add to the technology in our classroom?

Would you like to help add to the technology in our classroom?

Go to the following website and see what project we are trying to get funding.

Mrs. Benson's Creation Station iPad Request

If donors  add the promo code LIFTOFF at checkout,  their donations will be doubled up to $50 for the next 7 days.

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