Newsletter 2018-2019

Week 36

5/20/2019

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News & Notes:

Help Needed! - As a wrap up to our regions study, we would like to talk with people who live in other states about their state. A flyer went home on Friday with details about the event. If you have a friend or family member who lives in another state who might be willing to talk with a group of 4th graders, please let me know!! Click here for the flyer.
Field Trip #1 - We will be meeting our Poetry Pen Pals at long last on Thursday, May 30th. Permission Slips will go home on May 21.
Field Trip #2 - Weather permitting we will be walking to Dairy Queen as an Economics social studies activity on June 4th. This is a walking field trip so no new permission slips are necessary and the ice cream will be paid for from our class field trip account. (Thank you to everyone who donated at Christmas!)
Geocaching Event - As a wrap up to our year of learning, I would like to host a geocache scavenger hunt event. In order to do so, we need a minimum of nine volunteers. Click here for more details.
Progress Reports - Progress Reports will go home on Friday.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, May 20 - last Run Club
Tues, May 21 - NWEA Math test
Wed, May 22 - Sports and Fitness Club
Thurs, May 23 - Garden Club
Fri, May 24 - Placement request forms due to the office
Fri, May 24 - Regions Skype Day
Mon, May 27 - No school
Tues, May 28 - Safety/Mentor/WBEST forms for 2019/2020 school year due

What We're Learning:

Reading - I am working my way through our final reading conferences this week. Each student is asked to reflect on their success with our reading strategies. These self-assessments will be going home with progress reports.
Word Study - Word Study is not happening every day due to our testing schedule. Check your child's planner to see if we had word study that day. (It will say "word study day ___".
Writing - We are working on our "This I Believe" essays.
Math - We are studying area and perimeter
Social Studies - We have begun to study Economics.
Science - We continue to explore how animals use their internal and external structures.
Cooking - This week we'll enjoy Preston's apple pie.

Wish List:

Sharpened pencils

Weekly Highlight:

The class loved working with our young fives to investigate owl pellets!

Ask Me:

What is the area and perimeter of a rectangle that has a length of 5 inches and a width of 2 inches?
(Answer: area = 10 square inches. perimeter = 14 inches. Hint - if they are not sure have them draw a model first)

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Week 34

5/3/2019

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News & Notes:

Testing - We will be in testing season for a few weeks. Next week MSTEP continues. Ask your child to describe how we begin the testing day ("Eye of the Tiger" has been playing to get us motivated!) and how they feel about the new procedures of only testing for a half hour before pausing for the day.
Projects - Our afternoons on testing days include many project based learning opportunities. We'll be cooking a couple of times each week, dissecting owl pellets, conducting regions investigations and more.

Upcoming Date:

MSTEP tests continue this week
Mon, May 6 - Run Club
Wed, May 8 - Sports & Fitness Club

What are we Learning:

Reading - Our whole class book is "Bud, Not Buddy". Ask your child to choose three adjectives to describe the book.
Word Study - Word study is on pause for this week. We are only doing three rounds of Daily 5 right now.
Writing - We are focusing on more figurative language
Math - We are studying geometry.
Social Studies - Students have been assigned a region to investigate. We'll compare our Midwest Region to all other regions in the US once they have completed their in-class project.
Science - We will begin to explore how animals use their internal and external structures.
Cooking - This week we'll enjoy Alex & Nick's recipes - icing and sugar cookies! A lot of great fraction work in our recipes this week!!

Wish List:

3 cups butter
5 cups flour
4 teaspoons vanilla
pencils sharpened

Weekly Highlight:

The weekly highlight is my highlight this week ... I am so impressed with how much effort the class if putting into our MSTEP test. They are focused, engaged and clearly working hard. They are truly doing their best!

Ask Me:

We've begun our "This I Believe" essay project and are listening to an essay a day. Ask your child which essay has been their favorite so far and why.

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Week 31

4/11/2019

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News & Notes:

Spring Testing Season - We will be taking the MSTEP in Reading and Math starting next week. Following that we will taking the NWEA MAP in reading and math. During our testing window, we'll be cooking each morning after our testing time is done.
Progress Reports - Progress reports will be going home on Friday. Please sign and return them to school next Monday.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, April 22 - Run Club
Tues, April 23 - Cooking Banana Breads
Wed, April 24 - Sports & Fitness Club
Fri, April 26 - Ace award and Coins for a Cause Assembly
Fri, April 26 - Bennie Family Dance at 6:30pm

What we are Learning:

Reading - This week we continue to focus on identifying main ideas and providing supporting details from the text.
Vocabulary - Our vocabulary quiz will be on Friday this week.
Word Study - All word study groups have been adjusted for the last time this school year. I am pleased to see their growth in understanding patterns in spelling!
Writing - We are focusing on using similies and metaphors.
Math - We are wrapping up decimals and turning our attention to geometry.
Social Studies - Our symbolic butterflies have returned from Mexico. We will be adding these butterflies to our hallway map this week. Click here to learn more about this project.
Science - We continue to explore how plants use their internal and external structures. We have been using celery in colored water to investigate how water moves through a plant.
Cooking - This week we'll enjoy Hailey and Ethan Rozman's banana bread recipes.

Wish List:

Pencils - sharpened preferably

Weekly Highlight:

Our celery investigations and models have been a highlight!

Ask Me:

Our "Monday Morning Movie Clip" theme has been cooperating with others. Students were asked to write about the importance of cooperating with examples from the movie clips we watched. Ask them to tell you about the way the characters in the movie clips cooperated with each other.

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Week 28

3/21/2019

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News & Notes:

Run Club - Spring Run Club sign up is going on now! Don't miss the chance to join this fantastic club. Sign up here.
Spirit Week - As we end March is Reading, we'll celebrate with Spirit Week. Check out the dates below for our spirit day themes.
Whooo's Reading - Mrs. Metzger has challenged the school to read over 150,000 minutes. We are currently at 177,745 minutes! Can we break 200,00? As an extra goal, if every kid in room 107 logs minutes, we will have a PJ Day in Room 107.
Math Volunteers - If you like to play games with kids and have an hour to spare, I am looking for volunteers to come play math games to help our class practice their basic multiplication and division problems on Wednesday afternoons from 1-2. Please let me know if you can help out.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, March 25 - Wear a shirt with words
Tues, March 26 - Wear a hat with words
Wed, March 27 - Wear a bracelet with words
Wed, March 27 - Sports & Fitness Club
Thurs, March 28 - Wear Bennie shirts or colors
Fri, March 29 - Dress as your favorite character
Fri, March 29 - 1/2 Day for Students, dismissal at 11:30

What we're Learning:

Reading - This week we focused on using text and graphic features in our non-fiction reading to improve comprehension.
Vocabulary - As a reminder, students can retake any test/quiz or enhance any assignment. My goal is student learning - if they want to keep trying to gain understanding and improve their learning, I am happy to help them try again! (No vocab quiz next week!)
Word Study - Students will be assessed on their word pattern level this week. Word study groups may change after our spring break.
Writing - This week we talked about adding dialogue to our writing - and wrote an alternative beginning to our "one book, one school" book "Poppy". Ask you child how they changed the story.
Math - We worked on multiplying fractions. Here's a game you can play with your child (they should have brought the game home on Thursday).
Social Studies - We are studying geography and US regions. In addition we are participating in the Journey North mystery class project that combines social studies, math, and reading skills. Click here for more information.
Science - We will begin to explore how plants use their internal and external structures. (A good time for this as our garden is beginning to come to life!)
Cooking - This week we'll enjoy Stacie's Caramel Popcorn

Wish List:

Pencils (preferably sharpened)

Weekly Highlight:

We have had great guest readers this month!!
Taybor Pepper was a hit.

Ask Me:

Show me how you can use a model to help you multiply fractions like 2/3 x 30?
(Answer = 20)

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Week 27

3/15/2019

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News & Notes:

One Book, One School - We've really enjoyed participating in the one book, one school program! We have had great class discussions about "Poppy". Here's a link to questions you can ask your child at home.
Whooo's Reading - Mrs. Metzger has challenged the school to read over 150,000 minutes. We are currently at 132,169 minutes! As an extra goal, if every kid in room 107 logs minutes, we will have a PJ Day in Room 107.
Scholastic Book Order - I will be placing a Scholastic Book Order next Friday, March 22. You can order great books for your 4th grader online as well. Click here for directions.
Report Cards - Second Trimester Report Cards go home on Friday, March 15
Math Volunteers - If you like to play games with kids and have an hour to spare, I am looking for volunteers to come play math games to help our class practice their basic multiplication and division problems on Wednesday afternoons from 1-2. Please let me know if you can help out.
Vocabulary Quiz - Each weekly we'll have a vocabulary quiz on Wednesday. You can find this week's list on our vocabulary word page.

Upcoming Dates:

Fri-Sun, March 15-17 - High School Musical at the Center for the Arts
Wed, March 20 - Sports and Fitness Club
Thurs, March 21 - Cooking Allyanne's Adobo Chicken
Fri-Sat, March 22-23 - High School Musical at the Center for the Arts

What we're Learning:

Reading - In addition to our one book, one school, we are reading "Esperanza Rising" as a class. We have been focusing on the reading strategies of making predictions and visualizing.
Word Study - All students received word study spelling tests this week. As a reminder, they can practice their words even after they take a test and have the option to retest if they would like.
Writing - We have been increasing our writing stamina and focusing on vocabulary usage in our writing (using vivid words).
Math - We continue to work on equivalent fractions and are moving into decimals. Here's a great equivalent fraction math game you can play with your child.
Social Studies - We are studying geography and US regions. In addition we are participating in the Journey North mystery class project that combines social studies, math, and reading skills. Click here for more information.
Science - We are moving into life science and have wrapped up our study of fossils and rock formations through our examination of the phenomena of Michigan's Pictured Rocks.
Cooking - This week we'll enjoy Allyanne's Adobo Chicken

Wish List:

pencils (sharpened preferred)
1 whole chicken
1 cup soy sauce

Weekly Highlight:

We've had great things going on in Room 107 ... from cooking two mac & cheese recipes to observing the frozen "pond", to the Pistons Assembly, ACE Awards and Math Fact Masters and more ...

Ask Me:

Is your Mystery Class in the northern or southern hemisphere? And, how do you know?

(Answer - if their photo period is getting longer they are in the northern hemisphere. If it is getting shorter, they are in the southern hemisphere.)

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Week 24

2/15/2019

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News & Notes:

Parent Survey - We are looking for your feedback! Please take a moment to complete the annual Bennie Parent Survey. Click here to respond.
Poetry Pal Journals - Your 4th grader is bringing home their "poetry pal journal". This pen pal program takes place all year. As homework over the long weekend, your 4th grader is asked to share their journal with you and a worksheet to respond to. This journal will give you an insight into your child's writing skills at this point in 4th grade.
Math Fact Master - Bennie will begin celebrating student math fact masters in March. To be a 4th grade "Math Fact Master", your child needs to be able to complete 25 multiplication problems in 1 minute. Students may need additional practice on basic multiplication facts at home to reach this goal. Practice resources can be found on the math page on our class website and with Xtramath.com (student log ins for this program were handed out at conferences or went home on a flyer).
Mid Winter Break - I hope you all enjoy the long (planned this time!) weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing all our bobcats back on Wednesday, February 20.

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Week 23

2/7/2019

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News & Notes:

Crazy Weather - This crazy weather sure has done a number on our plans here at Bennie. There are a lot of things that have been rescheduled or moved around due to our unexpected days off. Thank you and the Kids in Room 107 for your flexibility!
NAEP Testing - The students who were randomly selected to take the national education test took the test on Friday. I was impressed with their positive attitude and perseverance on this test!
Valentine's Day/Chinese New Year - Flyers are going home today regarding our celebration next week. We will be celebrating two holidays on Thursday, Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year. We will be studying the Chinese holiday and comparing it to other celebrations. Students are welcome to bring in Valentine’s for their classmates … a list of names is enclosed.
Parent Teacher Conferences - There are still spots available for Conferences on Wednesday. Please use this link if you'd like to schedule a meeting. Click here.

Upcoming Dates:

Fri, Feb 8 - NAEP testing for students who were randomly selected to participate in this national test.
Mon, Feb 11 - Book Fair buying day rescheduled
Tues, Feb 12 - Bennie Science Night at 6:30pm
Wed, Feb 13 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:30
Fri, Feb 15 - 1/2 Day for students. Dismissal at 11:30am

Wish List (for Valentine's Day Party):

2 gallons vanilla ice cream
29 red solo cups
3 2-liters of red pop
napkins

Weekly Highlight:

Our Biography Projects were a big hit this week! It was great to see the pride students showed in their presentations and projects.

Ask Me:

With our "Monday Morning Movie Clips" we talk about story elements. Ask your child what the clip was this week ("The Lorax") and how was it connected to our theme of "being a leader"? (Hint - the little boy showed leadership as he tried to convince the community to plant the seed.)

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Week 21

1/22/2019

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News & Notes:

Biography Project - Projects are due this week. There has been class time to work on the project. Click here for more information on the project.
Cold Weather Gear - Weather permitting, we will be going out every day. Be sure to send hats and gloves with your child ... nothing beats running around outside for a healthy brain break from all our hard work and studies show recess has a positive impact on student learning!
Bowling - Thunderbowl is offering an afterschool bowling club starting next week. They have been a great partner for our physical education department!
Progress Reports - Progress Reports went home today. Please sign and return the bottom portion. For those students who need extra practice with factors, I sent home a game we have played in class as a resource to practice at home. In addition, for all students, Exact Path is a great website to work on both math and reading skills at your student's level. The link is on the homepage of our website.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, Jan 28 - APPS School Board Meeting 7:00pm at the High School
Tues, Jan 29 - Bennie Family Fun Night at 6:30pm
Wed, Jan 30 - Sports and Fitness Club
Thurs, Jan 31 - Bennie PTA Meeting at 6:30, childcare provided

What we're Learning:

Reading - Book clubs meet each week to talk about the books they are reading. As a whole class, we have been working on being able to identify genres.
Word Study - All students received word study spelling tests this week. As a reminder, they can practice their words even after they take a test and have the option to retest if they would like.
Writing - Our focus is on adding details and revising our writing.
Math - We will be continuing to practice division daily. Our focus now is on fractions. Specifically right now on identifying equivalent fractions.
Social Studies - We are studying geography and US regions
Science - We are studying how the earth has changed over time. In addition, we have been observing an amaryllis' growth in our classroom and the bird feeder outside our window.
Cooking - This week we'll enjoy Alliyah's Chocolate Banana Power Smoothie.

Wish List:

24 ounces of vanilla Greek yogurt
1 cup chocolate milk

Weekly Highlight:

The bird feeder continues to be a highlight. This week we saw an uncommon bird of prey - a Cooper's Hawk. Thank you to Dr. Joanne Szalai for the assistance in identification! Check out a clip of the bird we saw!!

Ask Me:

Can you name three equivalent fractions to 1/2? (Potential Answers - 2/4, 4/8, 5/10)

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Week 18

1/14/2019

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News & Notes:

Biography Project - Students should finish reading their biography books and complete the graphic organize by Friday. There is class time to complete both assignments! Click here for more information on the project.
Cold Weather Gear - Weather permitting, we will be going out every day. Be sure to send hats and gloves with your child ... nothing beats running around outside for a healthy brain break from all our hard work and studies show recess has a positive impact on student learning!
Box Tops - Wahoo! Room 107 won the box top collection contest. Thank you to the PTA for the donut and juice treat.
Winter Testing - Midway through our year means winter testing season is upon us. We have completed the NWEA math and reading assessments and Mrs. Ferrante and I will be reading with the kids in room 107 to reassess their reading levels.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, Jan 14 - NWEA Math test

Wed, Jan 16 - Sports & Fitness Club
Fri, Jan 18 - High School Drama Performance at the AP Center for the Performing Arts
Mon, Jan 21 - No school for students

What we're Learning:

Reading - Using our new "Journeys" curriculum, we've been focusing on monitoring and clarifying our reading. Good readers are able to self-correct as they read.
Word Study - We have had a slow start to our word study program in 2019 as we have made class time for our NWEA testing. Each group has words, but none have yet had a spelling test.
Writing - Our focus is on adding details and revising our writing.
Math - We will be continuing to practice double digit multiplication and division daily. A key component to mathematics success is being able to perform basic multiplication and division easily.
Social Studies - We are studying geography and US regions
Science - We are studying how the earth has changed over time. In addition, we have been observing an amaryllis' growth in our classroom and the bird feeder outside our window.
Cooking - Claire's tacos got postponed in the fall. We'll try again this Thursday!

Weekly Highlight:

We had two highlights last week ... the picture captures both. First, we are excited to add a new friend to Room 107. Klejvis joins us from Greece - it has been fun to learn a few words in Greek as he learns English! Second, we filled the bird-feeder outside our window and have begun to measure how much the birds eat on a daily basis. We've had some interesting questions already about our feathered friends in the courtyard!

Ask Me:

Tell me about the amaryllis in your class. What have you noticed in the last week?

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Week 15

12/7/2018

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News & Notes:

Holiday Toy Box Party - We will be heading over to the High School to participate in the Holiday Toy Box Party on Wednesday, Dec 12. The Kids in Room 107 will be making cookies to share at the party. Students are encouraged to bring in a toy, book or $1 to donate to those in need. This fun event is a great way to celebrate the joy of the season while helping others.
Room 107 Field Trip Fund - In lieu of gifts to me this holiday season, I would like you to consider donating to our class Field Trip Account. Mrs. Magee 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. (This fund offset the cost of our Lansing Trip and covered the bus fees for our Thanksgiving Field Trip.)

Upcoming Dates:

Tues, Dec 11 - Cooking Meriah's Cookie Monster Oreos
Wed, Dec 12 - Holiday Toy Box Party at the Allen Park High School
Wed, Dec 12 - Sports & Fitness Club
Fri, Dec 14 - 1/2 Day for Students

What we are Learning:

Reading - Using our new "Journeys" curriculum, we've been focusing on historical fiction and visualizing.
Word Study - Based on a new assessment, word study groups have been changed. All groups have new words. As a reminder, students are able to retake tests if they did not master the words the first time.
Writing - Our focus is on persuasive writing.
Math - We will be focusing on double and triple digit multiplication for the next several weeks.
Social Studies - We are turning our attention to the study of US Regions.
Science - We will begin to study how the earth has changed over time.
Cooking - Meriah's cookie monster cookie recipe.

Wishlist:

Toys, books, $1 to donate to the HS Toy Box party
8 cups white chocolate
48 oreo cookies
blue sanding sugar
1 bag mini chocolate chips
96 candy eyes

Weekly Highlight:

Our "Simulated Congressional Hearing" last Friday was a big highlight! They worked so hard and had fun sharing what they had learned with our guests.

Ask Me:

Students have individual reading strategy goals they focus on in our "Daily 5". Ask your child what their goal is.

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