Benson/Bodrick News
News from the 4th Grade
May 4, 2018
Math News
This week we focused on place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. We reviewed strategies and completed some games and worksheets that helped us review. We completed Study Island lessons, 2 worksheets, and a quiz (that will be graded over the weekend). Packets were due at the beginning of class today. Everyone that had their packets completed was able to participate in an Escape Classroom activity. This activity had them moving around the room finding clues to help capture all of the animals from the zoo. They solved many problems that made them use the skills they practiced this week.
Next week we will do a big review of fractions. We will use the same format so that students will be required to complete all classwork before participating in an Escape Classroom next Friday.
Homework packets will come home on Monday. These packets will be filled with review material to help get us ready for standardized tests.
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 focused on sound. We discussed volume and pitch and amplitude. There is a Quizlet activity in Google Classroom that students can use to study vocabulary words from the light and sound unit. Students are strongly encouraged to review these between now and Tuesday. There will be a vocabulary test on Tuesday with these words.
Next week we will work some more with sound and light review items. We might even make a musical instrument.
ELA News
WRITING BOOTCAMP
This week, students revisited their scored Middle of Year District Benchmarks! The MOY text-dependent analysis was completed in January and was scored by someone other than myself so students actually got to see what someone else thinks about their writing - just as unknown persons will score their SC Ready writing assessments. Students can access the finished essay that I will complete (as they watched me think aloud) in Google Classroom.
WORD STUDY - GREEK AND LATIN ROOTS
WHY? Well here’s what author Kelly Roell said:
“Greek and Latin roots aren't always the most fun to memorize, but doing so pays off in a very big way. When you know the roots behind the vocabulary that we use in everyday language right now, you have a step up on vocabulary comprehension that other people may not have. Not only will this help you in school across the board, but knowing Greek and Latin roots will help you on those major standardized tests.” We’re going to review previously learned prefixes/suffixes and roots and add as many new ones to our vocabularies before testing so that it helps with the reading and understanding of words in those more complex texts!
READING - NOVEL STUDIES
Next week, students will begin engaging in (continuing for some) novel studies. For majority of students, from now until testing, we will be reading “A Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden and completing weekly activities targeted at strengthening reading skills (vocabulary, making inferences, connections, determining main idea and theme, etc.). Spring Literature Club Challenge will be reading their selected novels (Elijah of Buxton, Walk Two Moons, and Fever 1793) and meeting with their groups. All students in a reading club received a folder this week that they should keep with them at all times with independent and group work. They WILL NOT be responsible for reading “A Cricket in Times Square” and completing those activities - but the weekly chapter requirements for their respective books.
Special shout out the following Lexia Core 5 Completers! 
Daija Caldwell
Otis Barlow
The following students are almost there! Keep pushing:
Liana Adams, Caroline Goff, Jake Gonzales, Emerson Ramsdale, Darius Gatewood-White and Libby Lee
*Remember LEXIA can be completed at home! Some students are not meeting time each week for a number of reasons, but can if they get some practice in at home too!
Social Studies News
This week, students wrapped up review of Branches of Government and took a test today. Shout out to the top test-taking all-stars: Aaron Fonce, Da’Nyhia Williams, Jordan Jacobs, Austin Jeffcoat and Harris McLean! All of these students made in into my A Club, scoring an A on the assessment, while there were many with B’s that made it into Bodrick’s B Club! Way to go lovebugs! Papers were sent home - please ask your child about (some require parent signatures).
Next week, we will learn about the Bill of Rights and the Constitution's amendments. Students may use the links in Google Classroom, along with following resources to learn/explore more about this topic/complete project. Directions for how to complete the hanging mobile are also in Google Classroom.
Excellent Resource to Review with your Child:
Fourth Grade News
Related Arts Schedule for next week
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!
This week we focused on fractions. We had a great week of review and so many students accomplished their work by Thursday! Way to go! Everyone that finished all of their classwork (Study Island lessons and worksheet packet) was able to play Escape Classroom--Escape the Monsters. It was fun and they enjoyed solving problems, working as teams, and finding the hidden clues. On Monday, we will have another Escape Classroom that will review all of fourth grade material in preparation for the state standardized tests coming up next week. 
We had some great musical instruments brought into class today! I can tell students really enjoyed being creative and having fun with sound! Click here for some pictures and a video link to our students playing their instruments.
Testing starts next week! Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep next week and is on time each morning. Testing will start first thing each morning and we will not be able to wait for a student who is tardy--they will have to make up the test another day. Also make sure they have eaten a good breakfast each morning. They will do so much better when they are not having hunger pains and thinking of food. 
