
Bennett Bulletin
October 16 - October 22
From Ms. Bennett:
This past week may have been one of the best weeks that I have taught in my career. This week we implemented Restorative Practice Circles. The result was far beyond my comprehension. It was as if I watched my 4th graders transform overnight. They pushed themselves, held one another accountable, and we all built stronger relationships. I am blown away at the impact this idea had on us in just one short week.
Please take a closer look at ALL Students on the Flipgrid I mention in the section below...and some examples of mini-circles from last week.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY (Oct 27) - 1/2 Day for Students
2:30pm Halloween Parade
3:00pm 4th Grade Halloween Party
Wow! Check out their engagement discussing the stories they are reading! These are examples of mini circles!
4th graders pushed themselves to work with new partners, and question one another. You will notice the talking piece students use to train themselves to speak and listen accountably.
Restorative Practices
Now that we have tried it-check out what your kids think!
Check out this Flipgrid to see what your 4th grader thinks! This is a secure community for only viewing from people with a link and it is password protected. If you would like to view our FLIPGRID please follow this link:
Restorative practice is a strategy that seeks to repair relationships that have been damaged. This can be as simple as not sharing a toy, breaking trust with others, disagreeing on something, and bullying.
It does this by bringing about a sense of remorse and restorative action on the part of the offender and forgiveness by the victim.
Although we learned about how to use restorative practiced in schools, I know it will work anywhere. PLEASE try these simple questions out. They are powerful and allow us to think about our decisions toward restoration.
Ada Directory - Message from PTO
• Anyone who preordered a printed directory will receive that next week once they are back from the printer
• We only ordered a few extras, due to cost, so there will not be the opportunity to purchase any additional printed copies
• There will be printed copies in the office, for staff use, as needed
• The directory is on the PTO's website, but you cannot access it without the specific link that you are sending to parents. We make every effort to
protect the privacy of our families, but we can't guarantee how the information is used after families access it. We have again this year chosen not
to require a password to access the directory because that just causes headaches for everyone. You cannot find the directory on the website with a
Google search though, you need to have the exact link.
• We make every effort to make sure information included in the directory is correct. Any changes should be directed to Lori Ashcroft at
• The link to the directory will not be posted on the PTO Facebook page or any other public outlet
Literacy Updates
Read Alouds
There's a Boy in the Girls Bathroom
Bad Case of the Stripes
What to Do with a Problem?
Math Updates
Unit 2: Multiplication and Geometry
This week, we started a new mathematical practice called "Math Talks" they work very well with this group and push students to find as many strategies as they can rather than just one answer. This is a great way to scaffold and differentiate their learning.
Science - Social Studies - Technology Updates
Wednesday and Thursday 2:40-3:30 - Science with Mrs. Wheeler
Technology - 4th graders have completed four major digital citizenship lessons so far! This week we will finish our Digital Citizenship lessons
Homework Reminders
Students are expected to read EVERY NIGHT. (R.A.L in the agenda means "Read at least...")
**The school district policy is that students be given 10 minutes of homework per grade level each night; 40 minutes for 4th graders.
Students are expected to complete the following every night:
Read
Math Facts (+,-, x, /)
Any work from class that was not finished during school