Newsletter 2019-2020

News & Notes:

Student Yearbooks - Please let me know if you did not receive all of the student yearbooks you ordered. It has come to my attention that some students who ordered two may have only received one.

Upcoming Dates:

What we're Learning:

Multiplication Table with answers - go home on Friday

Weekly Highlight:

Ask Me:

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News & Notes

Progress Reports & Literacy Proficiency Reports - Monthly academic progress reports and our winter Literacy Proficiency Reports went home today. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding either report.
Lansing Field Trip - Our Lansing Field Trip is on March 11th. Permission slips and field trip information forms went home today. This field trip is always a highlight of 4th grade.
Science Night and Bingo for Books - Next week will be a fun filled week in Bennie Elementary. I hope you are able to attend one or both of these great events. See the flyer below for details about the science night.

Upcoming Dates:

Tues, Feb 25 - Bennie Science Night 6:30pm
Wed, Feb 26 - Sports & Fitness Club
Fri, Feb 28 - Bingo for Books at 6:30pm

What We're Learning:

Reading - Our focus next week will be on "tuning into interesting words" and academic vocabulary. We will have a vocabulary quiz next Friday.
Word Study - As a reminder, students are welcome to take a retest if they are willing to practice the words and would like to try again.
Writing - We finished reading "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" and are wrapping up the unit with a newspaper writing assignment. Using vivid language in our own writing is a goal.
Math - We are practicing division daily and are wrapping up our fraction unit by working on multiplying fractions. Division can be tricky for 4th graders. We have used a variety of strategies to solve long division problems. In their mailbox was a new game that I am encouraging students to try at home as well.
Science - We have been investigating how the earth changes rapidly and the impact of natural disasters. Our "stop natural disasters" game has been a big hit. Give it a try here.
Social Studies - We have started our unit on the United States government and the U.S. Constitution.
Cooking - We'll be making Rylie's Fideo soup this week.
Classroom Community - This week we read the book "I am Love" by Susan Verde. This book had so many connections to things we have talked about in class this year - from "brave breaths" to Dr. King to other books about compassion. Ask your child what connections they made.

Wish List:

Pencils

Weekly Highlight

We received our "One book, One School" book for 2020 - "The Tale of Despereaux". Everyone in the school received a copy of the book.

Ask Me:

How would you describe Ernest Shackleton? What surprised you most about what happened to Shackleton and his crew?

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News & Notes

Change in Plans - Due to the high number of ill students, I have pushed this week's book clubs to Tuesday, Feb 11. Regions posters will also be pushed back to Friday, February 14. The last day we'll be working on them in class is tomorrow, so several students may need to catch up at home. Lastly, I decided to avoid cooking this week ... thought it was for the best!
Valentine's Day/Chinese New Year - We'll be celebrating both holidays on Friday, February 14 from 10:30-11:15. Families are welcome to join us. Flyers went home today with a list of student's names if your child would like to hand out Valentine's cards.
Lansing Save the Date - We will be going to Lansing on Wednesday, March 11. Details will be coming shortly. Please let me know if you are interested in chaperoning this field trip. We will depart Bennie at 7:15am and will return before the bell rings at 3:30pm.
Weekly Progress Reports - Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey, I appreciate you feedback! Weekly progress reports will continue and went home today.

Upcoming Dates

Wed, Feb 12 - Sports & Fitness Club
Thurs, Feb 13 - Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Bake Off - featuring recipes from Addison, Wyatt & Ethan
Thurs, Feb 13 - PTA Meeting at 6:30pm in the cafeteria, childcare provided
Fri, Feb 14 - Valentine's Day/Chinese New Year party 10:30-11:15am
Fri, Feb 14 - 1/2 day, dismissal is at 11:30am

Wish List (for party)

2 gallons vanilla ice cream
3 2liters of red pop
29 mandarin oranges or "little cuties"

3 Comments

News & Notes:

Clever touch - I am excited to share that we have been selected as one of the elementary pilot classes for the district's implementation of new technology. Our Clever touch board was installed this week. I will be participating in an upcoming training to explore how we can best use this equipment to benefit student learning. For now, we're all a little wow'd with some of it's fun new features - like we can turn it into a white board and write on it!
Planners - Due to our changing tech this week, we have not been completing planners. We'll resume our daily planner completion next week.
Weekly Progress Reports - It's been a little over a month that weekly progress reports have been going home in addition to the monthly longer report. I am interested in your feedback on the reports. Please take a moment to answer this brief survey.
Spirit Week - Next week is Spirit Week and our Bennie Book Fair. Here's the info on our spirit days:
- Super Bowl - Monday
  Jungle - Tuesday
  Wacky Hat - Wednesday
  Crazy Sock - Thursday
  Bobcat Blue - Friday

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, Feb 3 - Book Fair Preview
Wed, Feb 5 - Book Fair Buying
Wed, Feb 5 - Sports & Fitness Club
Thurs, Feb 6 - Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Bake Off - featuring recipes from Addison, Wyatt & Ethan

What we're Learning:

Reading - Our focus is on identifying main ideas and providing supporting details.
Word Study - As a reminder, students are welcome to take a retest if they are willing to practice the words and would like to try again.
Writing - We are working on identifying the differences between persuasive, informative and entertaining writing through practicing all three types of writing with one common topic.
Math - We are practicing division daily. We are also working on adding, subtracting and comparing fractions.
Science - We have wrapped up our investigation of pictured rocks and will be exploring a new phenomena next week.
Social Studies - The kids are working on a regions project in class. Final posters are due next Monday.
Cooking - We'll be making three chocolate chip cookie recipes this week!
Classroom Community - Our Kindness jar was full! Our class celebration was a hit!

Wish List:

3 3/4 cups butter
2 3/4 cups dark brown sugar
1 package milk chocolate chips
3 packages semi sweet chocolate chips

Weekly Highlight:

Our clever touch and extra space in the classroom has been a big hit!

Ask Me:

What region of the United States are you researching? Can you tell me three fact about your region?

3 Comments

News & Notes:

Mid-Winter Testing - We have been working on our NWEA and reading assessments. I expect all testing will be completed by the end of next week.
Website Changes - My goal for the new year is to update our Kids in Room 107 website. I have begun the work on our math page. Note that there are currently two math tabs. Once I have migrated all the information to the new and improved "math 2020", I will delete the old page. For now, do check out the link to multiplication support. There are lots of great resources for students and families.
Progress Reports - Progress reports are going home weekly. Once a month they will include more detailed academic information (look for that this week). Please sign and return the reports to school and do let me know if you have any questions.

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, Jan 13 - NWEA testing
Wed, Jan 13 - NWEA testing
Wed, Jan 13 - Sports & Fitness Club
Thurs, Jan 14 - Cooking Lucy & Phoebe's shortbread cookies
Fri, Jan 15 - APHS Drama performance at 1:30

What we're Learning:

Reading - Our focus is on analyzing texts and making connections.
Word Study - New groups have been formed. As a reminder, students are given a set of their spelling words to practice at home each time they receive a new list.
Writing - We are working on revising text, especially looking for run on sentences and the use of the word "and"
Math - We are practicing division daily. In addition, we have begun our unit on fractions.
Science - We are investigating the phenomena of our Pictured Rocks National Park in the upper peninsula. And seeing to answer the question, "How was Pictured Rocks formed?"
Social Studies - We are studying the regions of the United States. We will be Videoconferencing with family and friends from other states next Wednesday. It's not too late to invite someone you need to talk with our class!
Cooking - We'll be making Lucy & Phoebe's shortbread recipes this week.
Classroom Community - We selected new affirmations for January - ask your child which one they chose and why!

Wish List:

We are cooking on Thursday - Sorry, this is a late wish list!!
4 cups butter
2 cups sugar
9 1/2 cups flour

Weekly Highligt:

The kids have been working on their models of how Pictured Rocks was formed. There is always a great deal of excitement in the classroom when doing science!

Ask Me:

What is half of a half? (Hint remind your child of their fraction strips and "The Lion's Share" - what happened when we folded our 1/2 strip in half?

3 Comments

News & Notes:

Report Cards - Paper report cards will NOT be sent home this year. Families will be able to login to Parent Connect to view or print report cards on Friday after 4:00pm. Please contact Mrs. Magee in our office if you have any questions regarding your Parent Connect account.
Holiday Concert - Mr. Skebo has sent home information about this year's Bennie Winter Vocal Concert. Here are some key details for next week: "The concert will be held at 6:30pm on Thursday, December 12th, 2019 at the Allen Park Center for theArts. Admission is free; doors will open at 6:00pm. All students need to be onstage in their concert attire by 6:05pm. All students are expected to perform in the concert. If for some reason your student
cannot make the performance, I will need an email/note from you by Monday, Dec. 2nd."
Holiday Events in Room 107 - We will be having a class potluck on Friday, December 20 from 12:00-1:30. Details will go home next week. Families are welcome to attend!
PTA Dine to Donate - Bennie's next "Dine to Donate" fundraiser is Wednesday, December 18.
Art Project Supplies - The kids will be designing gingerbread houses to create in Art Class with Mrs. Cunningham. These creations will be gifts for the residents at Heartland Nursing Home. We are in need of 30 milk/juice cartons (see below) by next Wednesday, December 11 at 10:00am.

Upcoming Dates:

Wed, Dec 11 - Sports and Fitness Club
Thurs, Dec 12 - Bennie 4th & 5th Grade Winter Vocal Concert at the Center for the Performing Arts at 6:30pm
Fri, Dec 13 - 1/2 day for students, dismissal at 11:30am

What We're Learning:

Reading - We have been practicing the concept of summarizing with a particular focus on sequencing main events.
Writing - We have been working on using transitions in our writing and continue to practice writing every day.
Math - In order to be a Bennie Math Fact Master 4th graders must be able to complete 25 multiplication problems in three minutes. There are several games on our class website to practice multiplication. Here's one to help with a "mad math" type practice.
Science - We are investigating how animals use their internal and external structures to promote growth and survival.
Social Studies - We are studying the regions of the United States, including the habitats found in our country.
Cooking - We'll be making Moon Ball cookies this week!
Classroom Community - We have started working toward a classroom Kindness Goal. When we fill up our jar, our class will earn a game day (electronic or board games!)

Wishlist:

30 empty cartons (Orange juice, coffee creamer, milk carton)
4 cups peanut butter
4 cups chocolate chips
2 2/3 cup honey
4 cups dry mild
8 cups rice krispies

Weekly Highlight:

Our trip to the High School to donate toys and money to the annual toy drive was a huge hit! As was our brownie making that morning!

Ask Me:

Our main character in "Esperanza Rising", Esperanza, has changed dramatically from the beginning of the book to where we are at now (almost finished!!) Ask your child to describe what has changed for Esperanza and how she is feeling now.

5 Comments

Week 13

11/22/2019

5 Comments

News & Notes:

Thank you - Thank you to everyone who was able to join us in Room 107 for our Student-led Conferences. I am really impressed with all the hard work your children are doing and the thought they put into preparing to meet with you!
Field Trip - Tuesday we will be going to the Police Station, Fire Station and Nursing Home to bring baskets of muffins as a thank you for their service to our community. This annual trip is a great way to celebrate those who serve the common good. Permission slips are going home today and the cost of the bus will be covered by our Room 107 Field Trip Fund.
Room 107 Field Trip Fund - As we head into the holiday season people often think of gift giving. I am grateful for the chance to work with your children and gifts are not necessary. Should you like to celebrate the holidays with gifts, I ask you to consider donating to our Room 107 Field Trip Fund. 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 covered our trip to Dairy Queen and will pay the bus fees for our Thanksgiving Field Trip.)

Wish List:

We're cooking muffins on Monday.

Assorted muffin mixes (we need 9 dozen total)
cooking oil
2 dozen eggs
muffin paper cup holders

Upcoming Dates:

Tues, Nov 26 - Common Good Thanksgiving Field Trip
Tues, Nov 26 - 1/2 day for students, dismissal at 11:30
Wed, Nov 27 - Sun, Dec 1 - Thanksgiving Break

Weekly Highlight:

Meeting with you in Room 107 and talking to you about what we've been learning was a highlight this week!

Ask Me:

Describe your model of how the grizzly bear catches the fish. What structures does the bear use or need to be able to catch the fish?

5 Comments

Week 11

11/8/2019

3 Comments

News & Notes:

Weather - We go out for recess every day weather permitting. Please be sure to send your child with warm weather gear so they will be more comfortable on our colder days.

Upcoming Dates:

Wed, Nov 12 - Family Map Homework
Wed, Nov 12 - Sports and Fitness
Wed, Nov 12 - Cooking Puerto Rican Sandwich de Mezcla

Wish List:

3 loaves of white bread

What We're Learning:

Reading - We are reading "Esperanza Rising" as a whole class. Student book clubs meet on Tuesday of each week. All book club assignments are able to be completed in class.
Writing - Students used a story map to help with their writing project this week. We focused on both details and dialogue in our writing.
Math - We have begun double digit multiplication. Students will learn a variety of strategies to solve double digit multiplication. The more fluent the kids are with basic multiplication, the easier these more challenging problems will be.
Science - We are investigating how plants use their internal and external structures to promote growth and survival.
Social Studies - We are starting our unit on the United States regions. Family homework assignments went home on Friday. Please send the maps back by Wednesday.
Cooking - We'll be making Puerto Rican Sandwich de Mezcla this week!
Classroom Community - We all write in our gratitude journals each day. Ask your child what are some of the things they were grateful for this week.

Weekly Highlight:

Cooking ... our science investigation ... our new "mindful moment" sphere ... were all highlights this week.

Ask Me:

What did you observe in your celery investigation? Can you draw a model of how water moves through a plant?

3 Comments

Week 9

10/25/2019

6 Comments

News & Notes:

Halloween/Dia de los Muertos - We will be celebrating both Halloween & Dia de los Muertos on Oct. 31. Information regarding our celebration will come home on Friday, Oct 25. Families are welcome to join us. The schedule for the day is as follows:
- 9:00-9:45 - Class party
- 9:45-10:30 - Specials class - library
- 10:45 - Bennie Halloween Parade
- 11:30 - 1/2 day dismissal for students
Progress Reports - Progress reports for October will go home on November 1st.
Snacks - As a reminder, students are able to eat snack in class at any time (as long as they are not using computers). Please feel free to send in healthy snacks (cookies or candy are reserved for lunch dessert).

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, Oct 28 - Run Club (last day)
Tues, Oct 29 - Field Trip to the DIA
Thurs, Oct 31 - Halloween
- 9:00-9:45 Class Party
- 10:45 Halloween Parade
- 11:30 Dismissal

Wish List:

40 cups to hold hot chocolate
2 gallons milk
4 cups peanut butter
4 cups sugar
4 eggs
4 12 packages milk chocolate stars or hershey kisses

Weekly Highlight:

The Great Pumpkin Caper with our Kindergarten friends was a huge hit this week!

Ask Me:

Daily 5 Self-Checklists are used every day as a way to track work during our literacy block. This week's checklist went home. Ask you child to see their checklist and talk about what books they have been reading, what we've been writing about or the learning targets we've been focusing on.

6 Comments

Week 8

10/22/2019

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News & Notes:

Jonathan Rand - We're excited that the PTA is bringing Jonathan Rand (the author of the Michigan Chillers series) to Bennie! We've been reading parts of his books in anticipation of his presentation and talking about his use of vivid language.
DIA Field Trip - The 4th grade classes will be going to the DIA next Tuesday. This field trip is free, thanks in part to a grant from the DIA. We are looking for chaperones to join us. Please let me know by Thursday if you are able to come.
Halloween/Dia de los Muertos - We will be celebrating both Halloween & Dia de los Muertos on Oct. 31. Information regarding our celebration will come home on Friday, Oct 25. Families are welcome to join us. The schedule for the day is as follows:
- 9:00-9:45 - Class party
- 9:45-10:30 - Specials class - library
- 10:45 - Bennie Halloween Parade
- 11:30 - 1/2 day dismissal for students

Upcoming Dates:

Mon, Oct 21 - Run Club
Tues, Oct 22 - Jonathan Rand Assembly
Wed, Oct 23 - "Great Pumpkin Caper" science activity with Kindergarten buddies
Fri, Oct 25 - PBIS Clubs

What We're Learning:

Reading - We continue to work on identifying main ideas. We also have been talking about biographies. The kids are working on an in class mini-biography project.
Writing - The goal for fourth graders is to be able to write two paragraphs - we have been working on using vivid language in our writing.
Math - Our focus is on factors and multiples. Each day we do a "number talk" in which the kids are asked to solve mental math problems and discuss the different strategies we can use to solve the problem.
Science - This week the kids have been sharing their group models that show the ways change is occurring in our courtyard and the evidence they observed.
Social Studies - We have been tying our biography projects with our social studies as we talk about famous American's who have worked for the common good in our country.
Cooking - We'll be baking pumpkin seeds after our pumpkin caper this week.
Classroom Community - We have been talking and writing about how how our brain works ... see the ask me below!

Wish List:

Field Trip Chaperones

Weekly Highlight:

Cooking continues to be a weekly highlight for the class! Thank you to everyone who donates supplies to make these recipes possible.

Ask Me:

Show me with your hand how the brain works? What does your "lizard brain" do? What does it feel like when your "lizard brain" is in control? What does your "owl brain" do? What does it feel like when your "owl brain" is in control?

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