Newsletter 2015-2016

News & Notes:

Scholastic Summer Reading - the best thing you can do to help improve your child's reading is to encourage them to read ... read ... read! To help with this, Bennie is once again participating in the Scholastic summer reading challenge. Because this is a national challenge, students can start logging summer reading minutes NOW ... as we learned on our Skype Day, not everyone gets out as late as we do!
Save the Date - information went home regarding our Geocache Scavenger Hunt. I am looking for family volunteer to assist with our year end/annual Room 107 Geocache the last week of school. I will need 9 volunteers to help lead the kids on a Geocache Scavenger Hunt ... Wednesday, June 15 (with a rain date of Thursday, June 16). We will end with a class picnic at Champaign Park.
Field Trip - We are really excited to finally meet our Poetry Pen Pals from Arno. Please return the permission slips as soon as possible. The cost of the field trip is covered by our "Room 107 Field Trip Fund"
Final "Monday Morning Movie Clip" - a permission slip for our final MMM is going home today. I hope to show the movie "Second Hand Lions".

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, June 8 - Barnes and Noble Field Trip with Poetry Pals
Wednesday, June 8 - Last Garden Club 3:30-4:30
Monday, June 13 - This I Believe Ice Cream Social at 12:40
Monday, June 13 - Field Day at 1:15
Wednesday/Thursday - Geocache Scavenger Hunt and class picnic at Champaign Park

What we are Learning:

Math -We have been reviewing our 4th grade math concepts with a variety of math games.
Daily 5 - Many students are on their last set of spelling words. One final spelling assessment will be given next week.
Science - Our focus has been on science experiments and observations.
Social Studies - We continue to study economics.
Cooking - Next week we'll be making Andrew's Monster Cookies, Alicia's Popsicles and Natalie's Plahdoh. It will be a big week for cooking!

Wishlist:

1 dozen eggs + 4 eggs
1 lb m&ms
3 lbs peanut butter
18 cups quick oats + 4 cups
7 cups butter
1 cup margarine
4 -14 oz can Eagle Brand Milk
4 - 14 oz light corn syrup
2 - 12 oz Nestles’ Milk Chocolate Chips
Bandaids

Ask Me:

What is your favorite math with a partner game and why?

2 Comments

News & Notes:

Testing - As of May 19th, we are finished Mtep testing. Next week we'll wrap up our standardized tests with the Math NWEA MAP test and a final Harcourt assessment. Whew! The kids have been working really hard to show all they know on these tests!
Last day for Run Club is Monday, May 23rd!
Progress Reports - All progress reports have gone home. Please sign and return them.
Scholastic Summer Reading - the best thing you can do to help improve your child's reading is to encourage them to read ... read ... read! To help with this, Bennie is once again participating in the Scholastic summer reading challenge. Because this is a national challenge, students can start logging summer reading minutes NOW ... as we learned on our Skype Day, not everyone gets out as late as we do!
Skype Day - Thank you to everyone who helped us connect with family, friends and classrooms across the US ... literally sea to shining sea and beyond! It was a great learning opportunity!
Save the Date - information will be coming home next week but I wanted to give you a heads up that I will be looking for family volunteer to assist with our year end/annual Room 107 Geocache the last week of school. I will need 9 volunteers to help lead the kids on a Geocache Scavenger Hunt ... Wednesday, June 15 (with a rain date of Thursday, June 16). I'll send home volunteer request forms next week!

What We're Learning:

Math -We are focusing on measurement.
Daily 5 - I have begun final individual conferences to review the reading and writing strategies we have practiced. It is great to hear how they put these strategies into action!
Science - We will continue to observe all the aspects of Life Science in our courtyard. For the last few weeks, we will also be conducting a variety of experiments with the focus being on the experimental process itself.
Social Studies - We continue to study economics.
Cooking - Next week we'll be making Lana's Blue Berry Bread and Alexia's Taco Salad. Only three more student recipes left!

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, May 23 - Last day for Run Club 3:30-4:00
Tuesday, May 23 - Astronomy Club 5:30-6:30
Tuesday, May 23 - HS Jazz assembly
Wednesday, May 23 - Garden Club 3:30-4:30

Wishlist

4 eggs
3 cups of OJ
4 cups of blueberries
2 family size bags of Doritos
1 head of lettuce
2 tomatoes
2 pounds of hamburger meat
1 pack of shredded cheddar cheese
2 packs of ortega seasoning

Ask Me:

What changes have you observed in the Bennie Garden? What is the most interesting thing you have noticed?

3 Comments

News & Notes:

Thank you for the many ways large and small that you and the Kids in Room 107 showered me with appreciation this past week. I am so grateful to work in such a generous, thoughtful community! I really appreciate every note, flower, book, and treat!
It's not to late to decide to join me at Eastern Market tomorrow for our optional family field trip. If you haven't already had contact with me about tomorrow, please email me if you plan to attend so I will be sure to have a scavenger hunt for your family.
Skype Day - our Skype Day is set for next Friday. I am busy setting our interview schedule for the day. We can't wait to learn about life in other states directly from people who live there.
Mstep & NWEA - Our first two MStep tests are this week on Tuesday and Thursday. If you are interested in learning more about what types of questions the kids will be asked on the mstep, click here to access sample tests.

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, May 9 - Run Club 3:30-4:00
Tuesday, May 10 - 4th Grade English Language Arts Mstep
Tuesday, May 10 - No Astronomy Club this week!
Wednesday, May 11 - Sports and Fitness Club
Wednesday, May 11 - Garden Club 3:30-4:30
Thursday, May 12 - 4th Grade Science Mstep
Thursday, May 12 - Cooking Brady's "Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding"
Friday, May 13 - Room 107 Skype Day

Wishlist:

4 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
12 to 16 bananas
4 cups milk
2 (5oz) box instant French vanilla pudding
2 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 (12oz) container frozen whipped topping

Weekly Highlight:

We have begun to feed our worms, weighing our snack scraps and charting how much and where we are feeding them.

Ask Me:

What is the value of the missing angle in this picture: (Hint - what is the measure of a right angle - 90 degrees? Based on that information, now what is the value of the missing angle?)

2 Comments

News and Notes:

Bennie Clubs - If you child signed up for Run Club, Astronomy Club, or Garden Club, please be sure to sign up for the specific club's Remind. This easy communication tool helps us keep you informed of any changes or updates from the club.
Scholastic Book Order - Our last book order is due on Friday, May 6. Forms went home today. You can order online or complete the paper forms.
Eastern Market - Saturday, May 7 will be an optional family field trip to Eastern Market. If you are able to join me at the market, we'll meet at 10:00 and I'll have a scavenger hunt for the kids to follow as you explore the market as a family. A flyer should have come home with your child.
Mstep & NWEA - Our MStep and NWEA dates are set for May. If you are interested in learning more about what types of questions the kids will be asked on the mstep, click here to access sample tests. The first test next week will be the NWEA computer adaptive reading test.

What are we Learning:

Math - This last quarter we will be dealing primarily with geometry and measurement and data. We will be working hard all the way until June 16, but our math mstep is scheduled for May 17. The kids will be using IXL math and Khan academy to gain some exposure to concepts that we won't cover completely until after our test.
Daily 5 - We have begun listening to daily essays from NPR's "This I Believe" series in preparation for writing person belief essays.
Science - It's life science galore! Ecosystems ... metamorphosis ... animal adaptation ... predator/prey relationships. Oh my!!!
Social Studies - We are starting to turn our attention to our last Social Studies concept. Economics. Our geography Skype Day will be on May 13. Look for the flyer in your child's backpack.
Cooking - Next week we'll have a pasta bake off ... Claire's Spaghetti Carbonara vs. Owen's Mac and Cheese! Yum!!

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, May 2 - Run Club 3:30-4:00
Tuesday, May 3 - Astronomy Club 5:30-6:30
Wednesday, May 4 - Sports and Fitness Club
Wednesday, May 4 - Garden Club 3:30-4:30
Thursday, May 5 - Empty Bowls Event Bennie Art Room 6:00-8:00
Thursday, May 5 - PTA meeting 6:30pm in the Cafeteria
Friday, May 6 - Bennie Spring Garden event 6:00

Wishlist:

1 pound spaghetti
2 sticks butter
8 oz diced ham
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup shredded parmesan
1 small bunch parsley
1 pound macaroni
1 medium onion
1 quart half and half
1 1/2 cup sharp white cheddar cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 cup yellow cheddar cheese
1 cup mozarella cheese
1/2 block of Velveeta cheese
forks
paper plates

Ask Me:

What is the energy source of all food webs? Are worms composers or decomposers? (decomposers). What are some things worms can and cannot eat?

Weekly Highlight:

It has been such a fun couple of weeks in Room 107! I am so grateful to work with such a hard working, inquisitive, engaged group of kids. My highlight this week is the energy that is bursting out the door of Room 107!

3 Comments

Week 28

4/8/2016

4 Comments

News & Notes:

Run Club is starting up again this spring on Monday, April 18. Please use this link to sign up your student: http://goo.gl/forms/FcBKQWsI2z
Scholastic Book Order - our April book order is due on Friday, April 22. You can order online or complete the paper forms.
Field Trip - Our class will be going to UofM, Dearborn's Environmental Interpretive Center as a part of our life science studies. The cost of the bus will be covered by our classroom Field Trip Fund! I have room for 5 chaperones. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us.
Mstep - 4th grade will be taking our Mstep test in May. If you are interested in learning more about what types of questions the kids will be asked, click here to access sample tests.
Volunteer Request - thank you to everyone who donated 2 liter bottles for our science project. I am looking for a volunteer(s) who are willing to help cut the bottles. The bottles are clean and labels have been removed - they need to be cut with a box cutter and/or scissors to a specific measurement. Please let me know if you are willing to help complete this project by Thursday, April 14.

What are we learning:

Math - We have been studying decimals and will begin to focus on geometry for the third quarter.
Daily 5 - Each student has an individual reading strategy to be focusing on in Daily 5. These learning targets allow the kids to build comprehension skills while reading books at their "just right" level.
Science - Seeds have been planted! Our focus for the third quarter will be on Life Science.
Social Studies - We are wrapping up regions and geography. Look for information coming home soon on our Skype Day!
Cooking - Next week we'll be making Ethan's "Big Daddy's Good Good Chili".

Upcoming Dates:

Wed, April 13 - Sports and Fitness Club
Fri, April 15 - Report cards distributed

Wishlist: (we're cooking on Wednesday this week)

1 1/2 pound extra lean ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 green pepper
1 onion
1 large can red kidney beans
1 can tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
Dollar store type items for our "treasure box"

Weekly Highlight:

Our research is done and our seeds have been planted for the courtyard! Now the waiting and watering begins.

Ask Me:

What did Bud learn this week about Herman E Calloway? Why was it such a surprise?

4 Comments

Week 25

3/11/2016

0 Comments

Week 24

3/4/2016

0 Comments

News & Notes:

Whooo's Reading - Thank you to the families who have helped log your child into the "whooo's reading" program. Class incentives will be based on the number of reading minutes. This fund raiser will support funding for the remaining PTA sponsored programs for this school year and for two large projects: *An Outdoor Learning Center for the courtyard *More Chromebooks and/or iPads for classroom use. If we hit our reading minutes goal, participating students will get to duct tape Mrs. Metzger to the gym wall!
Third Quarter progress reports went home today, March 4th. As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Mstep Practice - We will be taking the Mstep state standardized test online this spring. To ensure the kids are ready for the online test, we have begun exploring the Mstep practice site. If you are interested in seeing what the test looks like and/or learning more about it, click here.
Box Tops - The PTA collects box tops as a way to raise funds for the school. Keep sending in those box tops!

What are we Learning:

Math - We continue to work on fractions ... heading toward multiplication of fractions. Our fraction math test will be on March 16th. Did you know we are now working on 3 minute "mad math" division and 2 minute "mad math" multiplication?
Daily 5 - For our March is reading month we are taking a closer look at genres. The kids will be graphing the types of books they read during the month.
Science - We will start planting seeds for our courtyard garden next week as we switch to Life Science.
Social Studies - We continue to study regions and geography.
Cooking - Next week we'll be making Sophia's "Grandma Caldarona's No Bake Cookies".

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, March 7 - Mrs. Metzger guest reader
Wednesday, March 9 - Sports and Fitness Club
Saturday, March 12 - PTA/PTSA Spring Fever Event at APHS

Wishlist:

paper plates
2 cups milk
1 cup cocoa powder
12 cups oatmeal
2 cups peanut butter

Ask Me:

What is your current score on your mad math division and multiplication? What do your bar graphs look like (are you steadily improving or is your progress more up and down)? And what are you doing to help improve your score?

0 Comments

Week 23

2/26/2016

0 Comments

Week 23

2/18/2016

2 Comments

News & Notes:

When we head into our study of life science, we will need 27 empty, clear 2 liter bottles for an on going science experiment. If you are able to donate a bottle that would be very helpful!
Congratulations to the kids who did not use their homework pass and had no missing assignments in the second quarter. We will have a celebration pizza lunch on Friday, Feb 26!

What we are learning:

Math - We are working on adding and subtracting fractions. Did you know we practice long division and double digit multiplication every day!
Daily 5 - Each week the Kids in Room 107 have in class Book Club reading goals and assignments. These activities are designed to build fiction and non-fiction reading comprehension.
Science - We are studying states of matter.
Social Studies - We are studying regions and geography. Our Mystery Class project has kicked off with our first sunrise/sunset times graphed. Click here to learn more about Journey North's Mystery Class project.
Cooking - Next week we'll be making John's Strawberry & Banana Jello Mold.

Upcoming Dates:

Tuesday, Feb 23 - Tech Club 3:30-4:30
Wednesday, Feb 24 - PTA/PTSA Founder's Day
Thursday, Feb 25 - Mardi Gras of Math
Friday, Feb 26 - Homework Pass Reward Lunch

Wishlist

2 large strawberry & banana jello packages
2 smallest cool whip (low or no fat)
4 ripe bananas
4 packages frozen strawberries

Ask Me:

What have you noticed about your mystery class? Is your photoperiod getting shorter or longer? Is it changing by a little bit or a lot each week as compared to the other mystery class sites?

2 Comments

Week 21

2/12/2016

1 Comment

News Brief:

Thank you to all the families who came to the winter Parent Teacher Conferences. I really appreciate the chance to speak with you about your child's progress in 4th grade.
I hope you enjoy the winter break ... and the shortened homework packet!!

1 Comment

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