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News and Notes:

Here's a note from Mrs. Metzger - I am asking for your help in completing this short survey to help us with our continuous improvement process at Bennie. In order to utilize the survey results in our School Improvement Plan, at least 20% of our families must be represented in our total responses. Last year, we received 191 responses, and are shooting for an increase this year! We are currently at 177 responses — please help us reach our goal of 200 responses! The survey is open through this Friday, February 12! Click here for the link to the survey.

Here's a note from Room 107 parent (and PTA President) Mrs. Houchins:
Classroom 107 parents. Mrs. Klein currently has 3 members towards the membership drive. The lead teacher has 5. So just send in that membership so she can shop at the book fair and add some new books to her classroom library! I signed up my husband, father and father-in-law :).

Parent/Teacher Conferences - Wednesday and Thursday are the Winter Parent Teacher Conferences. Conference request letters went home in the Report Card envelopes on Friday. While not every student received a conference request, I welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Please fill free to use this link to schedule a conference.

Book Fair - The Bennie PTA is sponsoring a book fair all next week. Be sure to stop by the fair and support our PTA.

Spirit Week February 8-12, 2016. Please see below for each day’s theme:Monday 2/8 — Monochromatic Monday: Wear an outfit in different shades of the same color from head to toe!
Tuesday 2/9 — Tie Dye Tuesday: Wear some fun tie dye gear!
Wednesday 2/10 — Wacky Hair Wednesday: Style your hair in a wacky style! Hair color is ok, but should be washable. Regular hair for the rest of the week!
Thursday 2/11 — Team Thursday: Wear gear from your favorite professional, college, or local team! Team Bennie gear is a fun idea today, too!
Friday 2/12 — Fringe Friday: Find something with fringe to wear to school today!
Valentine's Day/Chinese New Year - Information on the Room 107 Valentine's Day/Chinese New Year celebration went home earlier in the week. Please let me know if you plan on joining our party from 1:30-2:30.

Recess - As a reminder, we go out every day the weather is over 20 degrees with wind chill. Students who do not have jackets will stay warm inside the office until recess is over.

What are we Learning:

Math - Our focus for the next month will be on fractions.
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 have finished our unit on electrical circuits. We will be focusing on states of matter and will start life science soon. It's time to start planting seeds for the Bennie garden.
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 Alexis' Guacamole.

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, Feb 8 - Book Fair Preview Day
Tuesday, Feb 9 - Tech Club 3:30-4:30
Wednesday, Feb 10 - Book Fair Buying Day
Wednesday, Feb 10 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:30
Thursday, Feb 11 - Family Training on 4th Grade Reading and Math 6:30-7:30
Thursday, Feb 11 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:30
Friday, Feb 12 - Room 107 Valentine's Day/Chinese New Year Celebration 1:30-2:30
Mon-Tues, Feb 15-16 - No school!

Wishlist:

4 avocados
1 lime
1 tomato
1 bag of tortilla chips

Ask Me:

Did you wire your house using batteries in parallel or series? And why did you chose that method?
Did you wire your house using light-bulbs in series or parallel? And why did you chose that method?

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News Brief:

Wow! What a week we have had! Newbery projects ... apple pie ... wiring houses ... fractions and more! Boy did we work hard!!

Just a couple of notes:

Handwriting - I am starting to kick back assignments that are extremely messy. If I can't read it, I can't assess it. Please encourage your child to take their time writing.
Newbery Projects - The kids did a great job with their Newbery Presentations!! It was fun to see all the different projects. We will leave them on display until after the upcoming conferences (February 10-11).
PTA Membership Drive - In an effort to increase PTA membership, the PTA is offering an incentive. The classroom teacher that has the most members signed up between Monday, January 25th and Wednesday, February 10, will win $75 in scholastic dollars to spend at the February book fair for their classroom libraries.

Membership forms can be found on our website or by clicking the link below. The cost is $7 and each membership is an individual membership ... I think it's time I signed up Mr. Klein to be a Bennie PTA member! He certainly helps me with plenty of Bennie activities!! How fun would it be to go on a book shopping spree at our Scholastic Bookfair!!
https://sites.google.com/site/benniepta/membership

What do you get when 4th grade humor, astronomy, and Mother Goose come together? This comic strip from this week's Detroit Free Press:

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News and Notes:

Family Fun Night - It was great to see a few of the kids at the PTA's Family Fun Night! Thank you to the families who volunteered their time for this wonderful event.

What we are learning:

Math - We will continue to practice both multiplication and division in the months ahead. Our focus for the next month will be on fractions.
Daily 5 - If students score less than 75% on a spelling tests, they will practice their word study words instead of reading with a partner during Daily 5. All students are able to retake spelling tests on Friday.
Newbery Projects - Newbery book report projects are due on January 28.
Science - The kids will end their study of electrical circuits by "wiring a house" ... using cardboard boxes and our electrical circuit supplies.
Social Studies - Thank you for helping the kids with their maps. We will taking all their information and combining it on three large maps to hang in our hallway.
Cooking - Next week we'll be making Ava's Grandma's Ellie's Szarlotka (Polish Apple Pie)

Upcoming Dates:

Tuesday, Jan 26 - Tech Club 3:30-4:30
Wednesday, Jan 27 - Sports and Fitness Club
Thursday, Jan 28 - Newbery project due
Friday, Jan 29 - End of first semester

Wishlist:

4.5 pounds of apples

Weekly Highlight:

It was fun to see the individual flashlight designs that the kids constructed in their science groups ... now onto houses!

Ask Me:

Tell me about the key components needed to create your flashlight. After seeing the other groups designs, what would you change in your design to enhance your flashlight.

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News and Notes:

I hope everyone had a wonderful break! The kids' Dear Mrs. Klein letters and Daily Writing Journals were filled with stories of family fun and exciting presents! It was fun to hear about their time off.
We are using both the class ipads and the school chromebooks more and more. Several of our class earbuds/headphones have broken. If your child has a set of earbuds/headphones they are able to bring in for their personal use we could really use them!!
Scholastic Book Orders - I figured out what I did wrong last time and am going to try it again! If you are interested in ordering books, the due date is January 22.

What are we learning:

Math - We are moving from double digit multiplication to long division. We will have a quiz on double digit multiplication on
Daily 5 - Based on the assessment test, I have shuffled a few of the word study word groups. Your child's words may seem a little different from the patterns they were working on before break (and some will not!). All kids have their new words. Are they bringing them home?
Newbery Projects - Newbery book report chapter notes are due on January 18.
Science - We are studying electricity and electrical circuits.
Social Studies - Along with our study of the US regions, we have begun to prepare for the Mystery Class project. Check out Journey North's website for more information on this program.
Cooking - Next week we'll be making Ava's Grandma's homemade spaghetti

Upcoming Dates:

Tuesday, Jan 12 - Tech Club 3:30-4:30
Wednesday, Jan 13 - Sports and Fitness Club
Wednesday, Jan 13 - Bennie Science Fair (project is optional for our class)
Friday, Jan 15 - No school for students! Staff professional development day.

Wishlist:

2 pounds hamburger
2 jars of any brand spaghetti sauce
2 boxes of elbow noodles

Weekly Highlight:

Working with our electrical circuits has been a highlight with the kids this week! Next week, we'll construct flashlights!

Ask Me:

What did you notice about the amount of daylight (or photoperiod) in Allen Park between August and December? (decreasing by about an hour a month)
What is the setting for the new class book "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World"? (a ship called "The Endurance" and Antartica)

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News & Notes:

Holiday Happenings - there will be a lot of fun holiday activities in our class over the next two weeks. Click here for the details.
Field Trip Account – In lieu of gifts to me this holiday season, I would like you to consider donating to our class Field Trip Account. Mrs. Jones in the office is keeping track of the money. She will inform me of who donates to the fund, but not the amounts—so I may recognize the students with thank you notes. We will use the money from our Field Trip fund to offset the costs of future field trips.
Progress Reports go home next week.

What are we learning:

Math - Still working on 2x2 digit multiplication. Check out the Math's Mansion video we watched today for another strategy to solve these types of problems. (from the UK)
Daily 5 - Students who score less than 75% on a word study spelling test, instead of EEKK reading (reading with a partner), they will work on their word study words for an extra round. This will give the kids who need it extra time to practice.
Newbery Projects - Our next book report project will go home on Monday. I am so excited that John's Aunt Barbara (former librarian) will be joining our class to talk about some wonderful Newbery books. Projects are not due until the end of January.
Science - We could use a few more .... We are in need of old electronic toys for a class project. Toys do not need to actually work and will not be returned (think Sid's backyard in Toy Story!).
Social Studies - We are studying the Regions of the United States and geography.
Cooking - This week we'll be making Vincent's Ham and Cheese Roll Ups and Tyler's Nana's Famous Dip to add to our Room 107 Holiday Potluck on Friday!

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, Dec 14 - Mrs. Schumer's Newberry Book Presentation
Tuesday, Dec 15 - Field Trip to Heartland Nursing Home
Tuesday, Dec 15 - Tech Club 3:30-4:30
Wednesday, Dec 16 - Toy Take Apart Lab
Wednesday, Dec 16 - Sports and Fitness Club
Thursday, Dec 17 - Cooking Tyler's Nana's Famous Dip and Vincent's Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
Friday, Dec 18 - Class Potluck Holiday Luncheon 12:20-1:15

Wishlist:

2 8oz cream cheese
2 8oz sour cream
1 package Taco Bell taco seasoning mix
2 bags tortilla chips
4 tubes of PIllsbury croissants
16 slices of ham
4 packages shredded cheddar cheese

Weekly Highlight:

We now have a chromebook cart of a class set of laptops for the 4th grade team! The kids learned how to create and share a google doc!

Ask Me:

Esperanza means "hope". Why is "Esperanza Rising" a good title for the book we just finished? In what ways did Esperanza feel hopeful or demonstrate hope in her actions?

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This week's videos:

Thanks to two of our book clubs for this week's videos! Click here to see what the kids were reading.

News & Notes:

What an exciting week I had! I am thrilled that my trial is over and I was able to return to the classroom.
Holiday Happenings - there will be a lot of fun holiday activities in our class over the next two weeks. Click here for the details.
Field Trip Account – In lieu of gifts to me this holiday season, I would like you to consider donating to our class Field Trip Account. Mrs. Jones in the office is keeping track of the money. She will inform me of who donates to the fund, but not the amounts—so I may recognize the students with thank you notes. We will use the money from our Field Trip fund to offset the costs of future field trips.

What are we learning:

Math - We have begun to work on the partial product method of multiplication. Click this link to watch a video on two of the methods we will be using.
Daily 5 - Students who score less than 75% on a word study spelling test, instead of EEKK reading (reading with a partner), they will work on their word study words for an extra round. This will give the kids who need it extra time to practice.
Mini-Biography Projects - The kids conducted research on a famous American in class and completed their projects this week.
Science - We are turning our focus to the study of electricity & electrical circuits. We are in need of old electronic toys for a class project. Toys do not need to actually work and will not be returned (think Sid's backyard in Toy Story!).
Social Studies - We are studying the Regions of the United States and geography.
Cooking - This week we'll be making Tyson's sugar cookies and Shane's frosting

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, Dec 7 - Cooking Shane's Grandma's buttercream frosting and Tyson's easy sugar cookies
Tuesday, Dec 8 - Toys for Tots party at the High School
Tuesday, Dec 8 - Tech Club 3:30-4:30
Wednesday, Dec 9 - Fire Safety Presentation by Mr. Scott
Friday, Dec 11 - Bennie Gives Back PTA event at 6:00pm ... for more information click here.

Wishlist:

4 cups powdered sugar
8 eggs
6 cups butter
2 cups crisco
2 cups pep milk
11 cups flour

Weekly Highlight:

I was thrilled that Mrs. Farnham was able to be with the kids all week while I was gone ... that was a big highlight for both the kids and I! Also, I was so excited to see their mini-biography projects when I returned today.

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Week 11

11/20/2015

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News & Notes:

Thank you to everyone who came to Day 1 of our conferences. It was great to hear your child tell the story of their learning in 4th grade. I look forward to seeing everyone else on Monday! The kids have worked really hard to prepare for their meetings.
Science Fair - Information on Bennie's annual Science Fair came home this week. This is a great opportunity to investigate and explore science at home. I encourage everyone to participate. This optional project will not be graded in our classroom.
Field Trip - In this season of Thanksgiving, and as we have been discussing how to serve the common good in our community, the Kids in Room 107 will be going on a field trip to deliver baskets of muffins to the Allen Park Fire Station, Police Station and Nursing Home. There is no cost for this field trip - but if you are willing to send in a box of muffin mix or a few eggs check out our wishlist! We'll be a muffin baking factory on Monday!

What are we learning

Math - Our focus until Christmas will be on double digit multiplication and division.
Daily 5 - Students who score less than 75% on a word study spelling test, instead of EEKK reading (reading with a partner), they will work on their word study words for an extra round. This will give the kids who need it extra time to practice.
Biography Projects - The kids really worked hard on their projects. Presentation Day was a fun day in Room 107!
Science - We are turning our focus to the study of electricity & electrical circuits. We are in need of old electronic toys for a class project. Toys do not need to actually work and will not be returned (think Sid's backyard in Toy Story!).
Social Studies - We will be starting our unit on the Regions of the United States and geography in general after Thanksgiving.
Cooking - This week we'll be making muffins, muffins, muffins!

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, Nov 23 - 1/2 day and Parent/Student Conferences
Monday, Nov 23 - Cooking muffins
Tuesday, Nov 24 - Common good field trip
Wed-Sun, Nov 25-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Wishlist:

2 dozen eggs
144 muffin cups
Boxes of assorted muffin mixes (we will make 4 dozen for each stop ... plus some for us!)

Ask Me:

If you could pick one thing that you are most proud of in 4th grade so far, what would it be?
What is the theme of this month's Monday Morning Movie Clips? What did this week's clip make you think of? (we watched a scene from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory")

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Week 10

11/13/2015

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Mini-Newletter

Thank you to all the families who came out to support us this week - our Congressional Hearing was a great success and our field trip was a lot of fun!
Student-Led Fall Conferences - If you have not already signed up for an appointment time, please click here to access our online parent/teacher/student conference sign up website.
Biography Projects - I will not be in class on Monday. As a result, I have postponed the Biography Project due date to Tuesday. We talked about this as a class this afternoon.

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Week 8

11/6/2015

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News & Notes:

Thank you to the families who volunteered to chaperone our field trip. All spots have been filled. There is no cost for this field trip.
Congressional Hearing - our simulated "Congressional Hearing" will take place on Thursday, November 12 at 11:00. The kids will be acting as "expert witnesses" on the Constitution and the responsibilities of citizenship. We've been working hard to prepare for this event. Each student will answer two specific questions. Families are welcome to join us for this event - a brief reception will follow the presentation.

What are we learning:

Math - Our math test is on Tuesday, Nov 10. The review sheet is in their weekly homework packet.
Daily 5 - Starting this week, if a student scores less than 75% on a word study spelling test, instead of EEKK reading (reading with a partner), they will work on their word study words for an extra round. This will give the kids who need it extra time to practice.
Biography Projects - Finished projects are due on Monday, November 16. Kids can present early if they finish the project early.
Science - Our last astronomy event will be our field trip to Wayne State University's planetarium.
Social Studies - Join us for our Congressional Hearing!
Cooking - This week we'll be making Steven's pudding pie and Emmery's cheesecake to enjoy at our reception on Thursday!

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Sports and Fitness Club
Wednesday, Nov. 12 - Cooking Steven's Pudding Pie and Emmery's Cheesecake
Thursday, Nov. 12 - Congressional Hearing 11:00, families welcome
Friday, Nov. 13 - Wayne State Planetarium field trip.
Friday, Nov. 13 - End of first quarter
Monday, Nov. 16 - Biography projects due

Wishlist:

2 boxes graham crackers
4 packages of instant lemon pudding (large)
4 - 8 ounce packages of cream cheese
2 large containers of cool whip
4 cups of milk
2 quarts of half and half
2 large packages of instant chocolate pudding
2 graham cracker pie crusts
paper plates
plastic forks

Weekly Highlight:

We have enjoyed the decorations we made for Dia de los Muertos and our alter to remember those we loved who have passed away. (All pictures and items went home today)

Ask Me:

According to the Founders, what are the basic purposes of government? (Answers should include protecting our rights to life, liberty and property)

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Week 8

10/30/2015

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News & Notes:

Thank you to everyone who was able to come watch our Halloween Parade and help with our class party! The kids were really looking foreword to all the holiday activities!
I still have four spots available for chaperones to the Wayne State Planetarium on Friday, November 13. Let me know if you are interested in joining us.
The monthly PTA meeting is next Thursday at 6:30. All are welcome and childcare is available. If you have not joined the Bennie PTA, please consider doing so (click here for details). It is thanks to the PTA that we are able to provide things like today's Magic Show!

What are we learning:

Math - We are focusing on factors, multiples, prime and composite numbers ... all in preparation to begin tackling 2x2 and 2x3 digit multiplication.
Daily 5 - When we cook, the kids not actively cooking are working on their Daily Five.
Biography Projects - Graphic Organizers are due on Monday, Nov 2.
Science - We will begin to study electrical circuits after our DTE assembly on Wednesday. Please return the bottom portion of the DTE flyer on Monday if you do NOT want your child to receive the free energy efficiency kit.
Social Studies - We are continuing to study the Constitution and Civics. The kids will be hosting a "Simulated Congressional Hearing" on Thursday, November 12 at 11:00. Families are welcome to join us. Details will go home on Monday.
Cooking - This week we'll be making Ellora's Tostadas

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, Nov 2 - Biography Project graphic organizers due
Tuesday, Nov 3 - no school for students
Wednesday, Nov 4 - cooking Ellora's tostadas, DTE assembly, Sports and Fitness Club after school
Thursday, Nov 5 - PTA meeting at 6:30pm
Thursday, Nov 12 - Simulated Congressional Hearing (details coming home on Monday)

Wishlist

2 packages Tostada shells
1 pound ground round
1 can La Costena refried beans
1 small onion
1 head of lettuce
3 tomatoes
1 wheel of queso fresco

Weekly Highlight;

We made our first "student" recipe this week - Aubrey's Pasta Salad! It's always fun to hear, "I don't normally like salad, but I'm going to try this!" It's amazing how willing a picky eater can be to try something they helped make in the class! Overall, a big thumbs up on the pasta salad. If you'd like a copy of any of our recipes, click here to check out our recipe page.

Ask Me:

What are three similarities between the holidays of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos? What are three differences?
How many card flips did you have this month? If you had any, what was your card flipped for and what can you do to make sure that it doesn't happen again?

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