BFA Elementary Newsletter

Reading to your students for 20 minutes each day can have a profound impact on their learning and development. This consistent practice not only enhances their vocabulary and language skills but also fosters a love for reading. It helps students improve their listening abilities, focus, and comprehension, setting a foundation for better academic performance. The shared experience of reading aloud also strengthens the teacher-student relationship, encouraging curiosity and dialogue.

Here are some key statistics:

1. Exposure to words: Children who read 20 minutes a night are exposed to about 1.8 million words per year, compared to only 8,000 words for those who read just 1 minute per day.
   
   

2. Academic achievement: Students who read 20 minutes daily score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests, while those who read less tend to score lower (e.g., 1 minute a day correlates with scoring in the 10th percentile).
   
   

3. Reading volume: In a single school year, reading 20 minutes each night equates to approximately 3,600 minutes of reading, or 1,800,000 words read. This creates a strong foundation for fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary growth.
   
   

4. Lifelong benefits: Research shows that students who read daily are more likely to develop stronger writing, communication, and problem-solving skills, and they are more likely to continue these habits into adulthood.
   
   

Whether exploring new topics or revisiting familiar stories, those 20 minutes create a space for imagination, critical thinking, and lifelong learning habits. Thank you for partnering with your teachers and reading every day.

Mr. Michael Peterson
Assistant Principal
K - 4

In addition to reading 20 minutes a night, we have invested in our students by giving access to K - 5 students with Lexia online.

Built on the science of reading, Lexia® Core5® Reading is a research-proven program that accelerates the development of literacy skills for students of all abilities, helping them make the critical shift from learning to read to reading to learn.

Once our student completes a level, they receive a certificate hand delivered by one of our Reading Specialists or teacher. The students are so proud of themselves which encourages them to progressing.

To access Lexia, use your student's bfacademy.org email address and username. If it asks for your teacher's email address, you can find it here.

BFA continues to offer half-day kindergarten, with Mrs. Murray leading those classes. She plays a vital role in the early development of children and setting the foundation for our Kindies' educational journey. Mrs. Murray not only teaches basic academic skills like counting, the alphabet, and early reading, but also help children develop social skills, emotional regulation, and a love for learning. She create a nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore their curiosity. Her impact is profound, as she help shape the minds and hearts of children during their most formative years.

Mrs. Murray will be beginning her 16th year of teaching kindergarten this year. A Colorado native, she attended schools in the Douglas County School District. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Elementary Education where she played for the women’s soccer team for four years on an athletic scholarship. She received her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.

She lives in Lakewood with her husband Jay, her son Joel, daughter Blair, and two dogs. Two kids keep her very busy at home, but she loves every minute of it. Mrs. Murray enjoys spending time with family, watching her son and daughter grow each day, running, traveling, playing soccer, and watching movies. She has been teaching at Ben Franklin Academy since it opened and she feels so fortunate to be a part of the BFA family.

Click here to see her favorites.

Click here to see her favorites.

Our Kindergarteners will go on their first field trip of the year.

See teachers' emails for details and visit MySchoolBucks to register.

The trip will open in MySchoolBucks on 9/24/24 and will close 10/24/24. There will be no cost for each student, but parents must register as this is the parent permission for the field trip.

Please remember students must wear their Formal Uniforms for Field Trips.

Our Kindergarten hallways are filled with our students' work. Every trimester, Kindergarten does a "Pick a Project" for math and this trimester was My Coral Reef Graph. Students designed a scene on not knowing what it was for. Once the scene was ready, our Kindergarteners had to graph their scene.

The teachers introduced math language, such as "compare," "count," "more," and "less," to help students develop foundational math skills. By using these terms, the children were guided to understand basic concepts of data comparison. This approach not only helped them grasp counting and quantity but also gave them a language to express relationships between numbers, such as determining which group had more or fewer items. Through these activities, the students began to build an understanding of mathematical concepts in a fun and interactive way.

Field Trip November 7

Our 1st will go on a field trip. See teachers’ emails for details and visit MySchoolBucks to register.

The trip will open in MSB on 10/7/24 and will close 11/7/24. There will be no cost for each student, but parents must register as this is the parent permission for the field trip.

Please remember students must wear their Formal Uniforms for Field Trips.

Science Domain

First Grade is learning all about Plant and Animal survival. The students are exploring the concept of characteristics that help living things thrive in their environments. These attributes, such as physical features, behaviors, or adaptations, play a crucial role in survival. For example, animals might have sharp claws for catching prey, while plants could have deep roots to access water. By understanding these traits, the students learn how different organisms are uniquely suited to their surroundings, helping them to grow, protect themselves, and find resources necessary for life. This study encourages critical thinking about the relationships between creatures and their habitats.

As a hands on approach, Mrs. Crowe is using Hermit Crabs to show that the shells help keep them survive.

Field Trip October 22 and 23

Our 2nd Graders will go on their first field trip of the year.

See teachers' emails for details and visit MySchoolBucks to register.

The trip will open in MySchoolBucks on 9/22/24 and will close 10/22/24. There will be no cost for each student. We did use funds toward this trip.. There will be no cost for each student, but parents must register as this is the parent permission for the field trip.

Please remember students must wear their Formal Uniforms for Field Trips.

Asia Day

Last week, our 2nd-grade students embarked on an exciting journey through Asia—right in their classrooms! They had the opportunity to explore the rich cultural diversity of the continent, immersing themselves in various traditions and customs. From discovering the significance of the dragon in Asian folklore to dancing with enthusiasm to traditional music, our students were fully engaged in hands-on learning experiences. It was a day filled with exploration, creativity, and joy as the children gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the vibrant cultures that make up Asia.

Learning sign language in 2nd grade for math can be an exciting and enriching experience. It introduces students to a visual and tactile way of understanding numbers and mathematical concepts. By using signs to represent numbers, children enhance their cognitive development and strengthen their ability to process information in multiple formats. This method can also improve focus, memory, and fine motor skills. Additionally, learning sign language fosters inclusivity and empathy, as it exposes students to diverse communication methods and helps them connect with deaf or hard-of-hearing peers. In the context of math, it becomes a fun, interactive way to engage with the subject in a new dimension.

Mrs. Whelan's math class is now learning number sentences. Check out the videos.

Mrs. Hildebrand's class is learning about the math concept of arrays. She is introducing students to the foundational idea of multiplication in an accessible and visual way. An array is a set of objects or numbers arranged in rows and columns, helping children understand repeated addition. For example, an array of 3 rows with 4 objects in each row demonstrates that 3 groups of 4 is the same as adding 4 three times. This hands-on approach allows students to grasp the concept of grouping and patterns in numbers, building a strong basis for future multiplication and division skills. Working with arrays also enhances their ability to recognize structure in numbers and apply logical thinking when solving math problems.

And designing their own Arrray City is a great way to display those concepts.

Our 3rd graders are expected to write a paper every other week. The topic is up to the student but needs to have writing strategies in their work: Planning, Rough Draft, Rainbow Editing and Publish Copy.

These are strategies where writers generate ideas and explore topics before starting; planning and organizing, deciding on the topic and the order of ideas; and drafting, where the initial version of the text is created, focusing on getting ideas down rather than perfection. The next strategy is rainbow editing, where writers refine their work, improving clarity, coherence, and detail while focusing on correcting grammar, punctuation, and style. Lastly, publishing involves sharing the final product, whether it’s submitting a paper and sometimes presenting it to others. Together, these strategies guide writers from idea to polished piece, ensuring thoughtful and effective communication.

Each classroom has its own flair for what this is called.

• Mrs. Loehr's class writes the Sparkle-Arkle.
• Mrs. McMahon's class writes the Flamazing Tale.
• Mrs. White's class writes the On Point Writing.
• Mrs. Wilson's class writes the Rumble in the Jungle.

Field Trip November 4

Our 4th will go on their first field trip of the year. See teachers’ emails for details and visit MySchoolBucks to register.

The trip will open in MySchoolBucks on 10/04/24 and will close 11/04/24. There will be no cost for each student, but parents must register as this is the parent permission for the field trip.

Please remember students must wear their Formal Uniforms for Field Trips.

Compass Rose

Learning the compass rose in elementary school introduces students to the basic concepts of geography and navigation. The compass rose, with its cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—helps young learners understand how to read maps and find their way in the world. By exploring this simple yet essential tool, students begin to grasp spatial awareness and directionality, skills they’ll use both in school and everyday life. Through interactive lessons, games, and activities, they not only memorize the directions but also learn how to apply them, fostering a sense of curiosity about the world and how we navigate it.

Mrs. Bond has been teaching our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders how to play the card game SET. This game offers a variety of educational benefits, particularly in developing Pattern Recognition, Logical Thinking, Spatial Reasoning, Attention to Detail, and Mental Agility. Congratulations to these 4th graders who represented their classrooms in a 4th grade SET Tournament. If your family would like to play this game at home, please check out the online version (a new puzzle is posted daily) or grab a box of cards from Amazon.

Library is one of the best places to volunteer your time. Please read all instructions before signing up and limit to signing up for a couple of spots at first so everyone has a chance. If there are still open spots in a couple of weeks, please go back and fill up those spots.

Check your student(s)' teacher's pages to find out what day their class comes.

Sign up on Sign Up Genius and check back often. Thanks for all your help.

We have several musicals coming to our school.

2nd Grade is December 4

5th Grade is December 5

After School Musical is December 11

Our Art room is always in need of volunteers. If you are interested, just come on by the school and check in with the Front Office. No need to sign up or even let us know as Mrs. Hinkle can use your help everyday!

Our Elementary Website can be found here.

It has wonderful information for parents and students. Each grade level has their own webpages also. You can find lots of information on homework, what your student is doing in class, what the upcoming week looks like and so much more.

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

October's Virtue is...

Humility – Be mindful of others before yourself. Treat them as you want to be treated. Think about how you can help others before being asked. Let others speak when it is their turn.

Mission:

Our mission is to create young adults with character like America's founding Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin: well-read, scientifically curious, and civically engaged.

Vision:

Our students will excel academically through a challenging, sequenced curriculum that emphasizes math, science, the arts, and literacy. We will be a data-driven institution, focusing on individual students. Our students, teachers, parents, staff, and leaders will be held accountable for the success of our school. Finally, we recognize that an education is incomplete without fostering social emotional development, character, sports, and nature.

13 Virtues:

Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Purity and Humility.