Newsletter 2017-2018

Last Day of School

6/14/2018

News & Notes:

Thank You - being a teacher in Allen Park is truly a lifelong dream. I am grateful for the chance to work, learn and play with such an amazing group of students this year! Thank you families for everything you did to support the learning in Room 107!
Pictures - check your email for a link to my google folder of pictures from this year. There are far more than I could include in the class video. Click here to see the class video.
Seesaw - we piloted an electronic student portfolio last month. Check out some of the things your child has studied this year. See directions below:

Dear Families,
This year we are using Seesaw to share and communicate with families! Your child will post to Seesaw to share their learning. I'll also use Seesaw to send you messages and reminders. Seesaw is private; you'll only see posts created by your child.
Please Sign Up Now
Click on this link: https://app.seesaw.me/s/176-067-091
Choose your child from the list
Create your account
Once I approve you, you can see content from your child
After you sign up, download the free Seesaw Family app and sign in. You can also access Seesaw from a computer at https://app.seesaw.me.
Thank you for supporting your child's learning!
Maureen Klein
P.s. If you used Seesaw last year or have more than one child using Seesaw, follow the link above, then click the 'Sign in' tab at the top of the screen. You do not need to create a new account.

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Week 39

6/8/2018

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News Brief:

Year End Events - It's hard to believe but we are down to our last few weeks together. Here's some info on upcoming events:

Mon, June 11 - Field Day
Tues, June 12 - Final MMM
Wed, June 13 - Geocache Scavenger Hunt and Class Picnic at Champaign Park - Sign Up here to donate to our Class Picnic Lunch
Thurs, June 14 - Design Squad Engineering Challenge Day (or Rain Date for Geocache)

Summer Book Club - Each summer I offer an optional Summer Book Club. The kids chose the Newbery book "The Girl Who Drank the Moon". This year the Summer Book Club will be on Wednesday, August 22 at Bennie from 12-1. Flyers will go home on Monday.

Summer Math Events - I will be hosting two summer math events at Allen Park Presbyterian Church. Click here to for more information and to sign up.

Summer Tutoring - If you are interested in summer tutoring for your child, here is the district list of tutors.

summer_tutor_list__2018.doc
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Week 37

5/23/2018

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News & Notes:

Art in the Sky - Please help make sure your child is wearing an army green/forest green tshirt with no sayings on the back Thursday, June 1 for our Art in the Sky Event. We are excited to see how our art turns out!
Geocaching - The last week of school we will be going on a Geocache Scavenger Hunt around Bennie and Champaign Park (more details will be coming). The Scavenger Hunt ends with a picnic at Champaign Park. We need 9 volunteers to lead students on the scavenger hunt. New this year, all volunteers must have a background check. The plan is to have the scavenger hunt on Wednesday, June 13 with a rain date of June 14. Please let me know if you are able to join us by May 25 so we can ensure all background checks can be completed before our event. I only have 2 volunteers at this time. Older siblings who are out of school make great geocache chaperones! Forms for background checks are below - or I can send them home with your child.
Poetry Pal Field Trip - We will be heading to Barnes and Noble with our Poetry Pen Pals from Mrs. Smalley's class. This trip is an opportunity for the Kids in Room 107 to meet their pen pals. There is no cost for this field trip.
Year End Events - It's hard to believe but we are down to our last few weeks together. Here's some info on upcoming events:
- Mon, June 4 - Poetry Pal Field Trip
- Tues, June 5 - Last day cooking - Hot Fudge
- Wed, June 6 - Room 107 "This I Believe" Ice Cream party
- Wed, June 6 - Library Assembly
- Mon, June 11 - Field Day
- Tues, June 12 - Final MMM
- Wed, June 13 - Geocache Scavenger Hunt and Class Picnic at Champaign Park - Sign Up here to donate to our Class Picnic Lunch
- Thurs, June 14 - Design Squad Engineering Challenge Day (or Rain Date for Geocache)

ichat_-_volunteer_letter__1_.pdf
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volunteer_background_check_authorization_form__1_.pdf
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Upcoming Dates:

Mon, May 28 - No school
Tues, May 29 - Art in the Sky Assembly
Thurs, May 31- Art in the Sky event at Lindemann
Fri, June 1 - Art in the Sky Closing Assembly
Fri, June 1 - Bennie Color Run, 6:30pm

What We are Learning:

Reading - We have started to study mythology and are working on our Reader's Theater.
Word Study - Next week will be our last week of word study.
Writing -We are reflecting back on our year of learning with writing activities on our favorite books, recipes, science investigation and more.
Math - We are studying data and graphs.
Social Studies - We are finishing our study of economics.
Science - We will be studying how energy can be transferred with the Matchbox Speedometry lessons next week.

Weekly Highlight:

Our trip to Dairy Queen to study economics was a HUGE hit last week!

Ask Me:

Describe the economics of Dairy Queen. Who are the producers/consumers? Are they selling a good or service? What businesses are DQ's competition? What incentives do they offer?

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Week 34

5/8/2018

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News & Notes:

Thank You - I am so grateful for all the ways big & small that you helped me celebrate "Teacher Appreciation Week". It is truly my joy to get to spend my days with your children. Thank you! Thank you!
Concert - Bennie's 4th & 5th grade Vocal Music Concert is May 17 at 6:30 at the Allen Park Center for the Arts. Students must be on stage at 6:00pm
Art in the Sky - We are having a Hat Day Fundraiser on Friday, May 18 to support our Art in the Sky Project. For $1 students may wear a hat to school.
NWEA MAP Testing - Our final MAP testing will take place next week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Economics Field Trip - We will be walking to Dairy Queen on 5/23 to discuss Economics and enjoy ice cream. Thanks to the generosity of Room 107 families, the ice cream will be paid for from our Room 107 Field Trip Fund.
Geocaching - The last week of school we will be going on a Geocache Scavenger Hunt around Bennie and Champaign Park (more details will be coming). The Scavenger Hunt ends with a picnic at Champaign Park. We need 9 volunteers to lead students on the scavenger hunt. New this year, all volunteers must have a background check. The plan is to have the scavenger hunt on Wednesday, June 13 with a rain date of June 14. Please let me know if you are able to join us by May 25 so we can ensure all background checks can be completed before our event.

Upcoming Dates:

Thurs 5/17 - Bennie Vocal Music Concert AP Center for the Arts 6:30pm
Mon 5/21 - Last Run Club 3:30-4:00
Wed 5/23 - Walking Economics Field Trip to Dairy Queen
Wed 5/23 - Last Sports & Fitness Club
Thurs 5/24 - Economics Field Trip Rain Date

What We're Learning:

Reading - We will be wrapping up book clubs in the next two weeks and then moving on to Reader's Theater.
Word Study - Students should be bringing home a spelling test about every five days. As a reminder, students are able to retest on Fridays.
Writing - We continue working on writing focus and adding details to our writing and are starting our "This I Believe" essays.
Math - We are studying area and perimeter.
Studies - Thanks to everyone who helped us interview people from other states! Our last big topic in social studies will be economics.
Science - We have been exploring how the earth changes over time through the phenomena of petoskey stones.

Wish List:

2 cups evaporated milk
10 eggs

Weekly Highlight:

MSTEP tests are done! Wahoo! I was so impressed with their stamina and focus on our state assessment! Way to persevere Kids in Room 107!
Cupcake models for rock formation were a huge highlight! A tasty model for sure!

Ask Me:

Describe how your cupcakes in science were a model to explain rock formations? In which layer would the oldest fossils be found?

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Week 33

5/4/2018

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News & Notes:

MSTEP - we have our second and last MSTEP test on Tuesday. I was so impressed with their stamina and perseverance on the reading test. They really worked hard to show what they know!
Vocal Music Concert - Our concert is coming up! Thursday, May 17 at 6:30pm. Mr. Skebo says this will be the best concert ever!
Progress Reports - Progress Reports went home today. Please sign and return them on Monday. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon 5/7 - Run Club 3:30-4:00
Tues 5/8 - MSTEP Math Test
Wed 5/9 - Sports and Fitness Club after school
Thurs 4/26 - Cooking AnnaLeise's Pierogi's

What We're Learning:

Reading - We will be wrapping up book clubs in the next two weeks and then moving on to Reader's Theater.
Word Study - Students should be bringing home a spelling test about every five days.
Writing - We continue working on writing focus and adding details to our writing and are starting our "This I Believe" essays.
Math - We are studying area and perimeter.
Studies - Thanks to everyone who helped us interview people from other states! Our last big topic in social studies will be economics.
Science - We investigated owl pellets this week as a concluding activity to our whole class read of "Poppy". This was a huge hit with the kids!

Wishlist:

Bandaids

Weekly Highlight:

It was an exciting week in Room 107 ... videoconferencing, cooking, dissecting owl pellets, emerging butterflies! It's a great time to be a Kid in Room 107!!

Ask Me:

What types of prey did your owl eat? What is your evidence? (Hint - they should be able to tell you what kinds of bones and quantities they found)

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Week 32

4/24/2018

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News & Notes

MSTEP - The first of our spring tests is this Tuesday. We have been talking about perseverance and stamina all year ... now the kids get to show what they know!
PTA Fundraiser - The PTA is hosting a fundraiser at Five Below. Click here for details.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, April 30 - Run Club 3:30-4:00
Tues, May 1 - MSTEP Reading Test
Wed, May 2 - Sports & Fitness
Wed, May 2 - Regions Videoconferencing Day
Thurs, May 3 - PTA meeting at 6:30

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Week 31

4/16/2018

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News & Notes:

The Bennie PTA will be hosting a fundraiser at Kalahari. Details can be found here.
Spring Sports - I am often out and about in Allen Park on the weekends. I'd love to stop by and see the Kids in Room 107 in action. Let me know when/where your child is playing and I'll try to make a game.
Scholastic Book Order - I will be placing an order from Scholastic on Friday. Flyers went home last week. You can also order online, directions are here on our website.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon 4/23 - Run Club 3:30-4:00
Tues 4/24 - In class Regions report due
Wed 4/25 - Sports and Fitness Club after school
Thurs 4/26 - Cooking Julia's Chicken and Dumplings and Luke's Dumplings

What we're Learning:

Reading - All book clubs have both a fiction and non-fiction text. This week most book clubs were asked to read an article of their interest on TweenTribune and complete a current events summary sheet.
Word Study - Don't forget, students are able to retest their weekly word study spelling tests.
Writing - We are working on writing focus and adding details to our writing. We have begun to prepare for our "This I Believe" essay.
Math - We have finished with decimals and will be working on geometry for the next two weeks.
Studies - The students are working on researching different regions of the US. They will complete their mini project in class. We will be ending our study of the United States region with a "Skype Day" - we will be attempting to interview family and friends across the United States. A flyer will go home on Monday. Please let me know if you know someone who might be willing to speak with us!
Science - We are exploring how information is transferred over long distances.

Wish List:

bandaids
1 boneless chicken breast
2 ribs celery
4 large potatoes
32 oz chicken broth
1 1/3 cup whole milk
1 cup bisquick
3 eggs

Weekly Highlight:

After a couple of weeks off, the kids were happy to be cooking again!

Ask Me:

As a whole class we have been reading the book "Poppy". Ask your child to describe the characters of Poppy and Erath. Which is their favorite character and why?

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Week 29

3/29/2018

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News & Notes:

Field Trip - We will be heading to UM-D's Environmental Interpretive Center on Tuesday, April 10. We'll be leaving Bennie at 9:00 and returning at 11:30. I could use five family volunteers to join us. We'll be going rain or shine and walking in the woods. Permission slips need to be returned by Tuesday, April 10. (There is an incorrect date on the permission slip. The top date is the accurate one.) Click here for a copy of the permission slip.
Pump it Up - The PTA has a Pump it Up Fundraiser over Spring Break on April 4th. Click here for more details.
Newbery Projects - There were some great Newbery presentations. The assignment will be returned after spring break.

Upcoming Dates:

Tues 4/10 - Field Trip to University of Michigan, Dearborn's Environmental Interpretive Center
Wed 4/11 - Spring Picture Day
Wed 4/11 - Sports and Fitness Club after school
Thurs 4/12 - Bennie PTA meeting 6:30pm, childcare provided

What We're Learning:

Reading - All book clubs will start new books after spring break.
Word Study - No word study groups have lists that carry over after break. Each day after break two groups will be assigned new words until every group is up and running again.
Writing - Our focus after break will be on writing conclusions.
Math - We will be working on
Studies - We are studying Geography and the United States Regions. We are participating in Journey North's "Mystery Class" project as part of our social studies lesson. Click here to learn more about Mystery Class.
Science - We are starting to study waves.

Wishlist:

32 oz ground beef
2 cups breadcrumbs
2 eggs

Weekly Highlight:

The kids were so excited to win the PBIS March Madness Basketball Shoot Out! The Big Shoe gets to stay in Room 107 for the rest of the year.

Ask Me:

Convert 2/10 to a decimal.
Convert 5 31/100 to a decimal

(Answers - 0.2 and 5.31)

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Week 27

3/22/2018

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News & Notes:

WhoosReading - Thank you to everyone who supported our PTA fundraiser "whoosreading"! It's not too late to make a donation to this fantastic organization.
Bingo for Books - rescheduled to Friday, March 23. Click here for more information.
Newbery Reports - Newbery Projects are due on Monday, March 26.
Martian Marathon - This great running event takes place on April 14 this year. Click here to sign up to be a part of Bennie's team.
Run Club - It's almost time for our Spring Run Club to get running. Click here to sign up to be a part of this after school club. Registration closes March 29.

Upcoming Dates:

Fri - 3/23 - Book Bingo at 6:00pm
Wed 3/28 - Sports and Fitness Club after school
Thurs 3/29 - 1/2 day for students. Dismissal at 11:40am
Fri 3/30 - Sun 4/8 - Spring Break No School

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Week 26

3/12/2018

1 Comment

News & Notes:

WhoosReading - Our PTA fundraiser is in the last seven days. This is the PTA's one fundraiser of the year. If you have not done so already, please consider logging in to your child's account and supporting this critical organization while encouraging your child to read! Clear here for the website. Congratulations to Ashley for being the top reader in the school and to Dylan for being in the top five!
Newbery Project - Chapter notes are due on March 19th for our Newbery Book Report. Click here for more information on the project.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon 3/12 - School Board Meeting at 7:00pm in the LGI room at the high school
Tues 3/13 - Dr. Hall Guest Reader
Wed 3/14 - Kindness celebration at Bennie - wear your PJs
Wed 3/14 - Cooking Zoey's Turos Csusza
Wed 3/14 - Sports and Fitness Club after school
Fri 3/16 - Cooking Katie's Leprechaun Punch & Peyton's Gishy Goo
Fri 3/16 - Report Cards distributed

What we're Learning:

Reading - Based on the recent professional development training provided by our district, our 4th grade team has started to implement guided reading groups into our reading blocks. We are excited about this teaching strategy and believe it will benefit our developing readers!
Word Study - Your child should be bringing home a new set of words each week. Ask them to show you how we sort and work with our words!
Writing - We are focusing on editing our writing for conventions such as capitalization, punctuation, indenting paragraphs, adding headings, and following friendly letter format.
Math - We are starting to multiply fractions and will be also working on decimals for the next two weeks.
Studies - We are studying Geography and the United States Regions. We are participating in Journey North's "Mystery Class" project as part of our social studies lesson. Click here to learn more about Mystery Class.
Science - We are starting to study waves.

Wishlist:

2 8 oz tubs cool whip
1 cup sour cream
1 large can fruit cocktail
1 11oz can mandarin oranges, drained
1 20 oz can crushed pineapples, drained
10 oz jar maraschino cherries, drained, halved and patted dry
1 bag miniature marshmallows
5 3/4 cups refrigerated citrus punch
2 cans (12 oz each) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
1 quart lime sherbet, softened
1/4 cup lime juice
2 liters lemon-lime soda, chilled
2 limes

Ask Me:

Is your mystery class in the northern or southern hemisphere? What have you noticed about your mystery class and others?

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