Keystone Elementary

You might be wondering who I am, and that’s okay. My name is Chloe Smith and I have been teaching elementary music for over 7 years now. This is my first year at Benton Community a...

Each day, I get to meet with students during lunch in small groups. It has been a great way to build relationships with all students, and have some extra time to focus on different...

First graders recently completed a Valentine’s-themed heart giraffe project! We did a step-by-step guided drawing together, and then students chose their own colors for their giraf...

Each month at Keystone Elementary, our two kindergarten classes come together for Kinderbration, a one-hour celebration filled with planned activities. These activities have been c...

Every year after the holiday break, our staff and students take time to review common area expectations in shared spaces such as the hallways, bathrooms, lunchroom, and at recess. ...

As an educator, one of my favorite ways to get students excited about what they’re learning is to find ways to involve community partners. Real-life experiences with familiar faces...

For PBIS in the month of December, students in all elementary grade levels have been learning about empathy. In first grade specifically, we have been learning what it means and ho...

Schools play an important role in supporting students’ academic success as well as their social and emotional well-being. Through school-based therapy, students have access to ment...

One of my favorite parts of preschool is watching those little “I can do it!” moments. When children open their own snack using “pinch, pinch, pull”, put on their jacket, zipping, ...

Five students came together for lunch and laughter on a recent day at Keystone Elementary. The kindergarten and first-grade students used a variety of communication styles (includi...

What are Secret Stories? Secret Stories® is a supplemental phonics program designed to fast-track phonics mastery by aligning instruction with how the brain naturally learns. Unli...

Although it may seem deceiving, what looks like kids “just playing” in this photo is actually a prime example of our philosophy in early childhood education: self-selected explorat...

Since 2015, the state of Iowa has required children entering kindergarten and third grade to have a vision screening completed. Benton Community School District is fortunate to hav...

A long standing tradition for Keystone 3rd graders is our monthly trips to the Keystone Nursing and Care Center, where students show off their reading skills to the residents. This...

Fun and simple phonics activities at home can turn learning into an engaging experience for children. One popular activity is using everyday objects to create “sound hunts,” where ...

After the first day of school, I asked multiple students what their favorite part of the day was and many answered; “RECESS!”. At first I was worried that our families would think...

This year, our Tier 1 team at Keystone Elementary —which includes teachers from a variety of departments—is participating in a professional development program called Teach to He...

Since 2008, the State of Iowa has required students entering kindergarten to show proof that they have had a dental screening by submitting a Certificate of Dental Screening to the...

Breakfast plays a crucial role in setting students up for success throughout the school day. Eating a healthy breakfast provides the energy and nutrients the body and brain need to...

On April 22, Benton Community held annual Preschool Family Fun Night. The event gave students a special opportunity to share their excitement for learning with their families. Thro...