S.T.E.M. Newsletter
Greetings to our Zanewood Families,
As we near the end of Trimester One, I want to thank you for your continued partnership to ensure successful learning experiences for our scholars. Students do not have school on Wednesday, November 27th; teachers will be marking report cards. Parents may view report cards in ParentVUE on December 11th.
We continue to remind students to follow the Panther Path to show respectful interactions with others and make choices that ensure a safe and inclusive school community. We continue to celebrate being together in community through our House Meetings and House Celebrations. I hope your scholar shares the excitement of these with you as well as how many points they have earned both individually and as a member of their House.
As the weather gets colder and so that we do not have scholars waiting outside for longer than needed, please remember that the doors to school do not open until 9:10 AM and the school day ends at 4:00 PM. If you need to make a change to end of the day dismissal routines for your scholar, please remember to notify the office before 3:15 PM so that we have the time needed to get this information to the teacher.
Please reach out to your child’s teacher at any time should you have questions or concerns. Additionally, I would love to visit with you about the things that are going well for your scholar and ideas you may have regarding how we can continue to improve. Stay warm!
With appreciation and in partnership,
Jenny Tollefson, Principal
Zanewood Community Elementary School
Phone: 763-549-2435 x81450
Three Rivers Park District
Zanewood scholars enjoyed working with many of our Community Partners this trimester! This trimester, Zanewood's community partner, Three Rivers, engaged each grade level in exciting, hands-on learning experiences aligned with science standards. Pre-K and first-grade students delighted in a puppet show that introduced them to woodland animals and their habitats, sparking curiosity about the natural world. Second-grade scholars explored seeds and seed dispersal, gaining insights into how plants reproduce and spread across ecosystems. Third graders visited the river, where they observed and studied crayfish up close, connecting their learning to real-world aquatic life. Fourth grade focused on geology, examining river rocks to understand natural processes shaping the landscape, while fifth graders dove into river biotics, studying the diverse organisms that contribute to the river's ecosystem. Three Rivers' interactive lessons brought science to life for every classroom!
Gale Woods Farm
Gale Woods Farm, which is an extension of Three Rivers Park District has been instrumental in helping us maintain the Zanewood Garden. Ms. Hana, the naturalist educator from Gale Woods Farm and Three Rivers Park District, engages with classrooms out in the garden. Classes were introduced to the garden, where Pre-K explored by using their five senses, learning to observe the natural world with care. Kindergarten and first-grade students also used their senses to investigate garden life; kindergartners focused on plant needs, studying monarch butterflies and milkweed, while first graders explored concepts like the seasons and food chains, using observational sketches to record their findings. Fourth graders made connections to literacy, gathering inspiration from the garden for a writing assignment focused on sensory words, followed by observational drawings to document their experiences. The garden has truly become a place for discovery and creativity!
createMPLS
createMPLS worked with scholars in the Engineering Lab to deliver engineering lessons. This school year, we are trying a rotation schedule for all grades, so that all scholars can have the opportunity to get into the engineering lab as soon as possible. This trimester, createMPLS brought engaging engineering lessons to Zanewood scholars, offering each grade hands-on STEM challenges. Pre-K students enjoyed an introduction to engineering with building challenges and explored emotions with LEGO Emotion Me sets. Kindergarteners tested their memory using the "6 bricks" challenge and advanced to creating various types of machines with Tech Machine kits. First graders took on the role of mechanical engineers, learning about simple machines, while second graders built obstacle courses with BricQ Essential kits. Third graders explored computer engineering, using Makey Makey kits to create their own pianos and light switches, learning about input and output. Fourth graders learned the mechanics behind weight and motion, building weightlifter and free-throw models with BricQ Essential kits. Fifth graders applied engineering principles as they constructed “pass the ball” and “gymnast” models using BricQ Prime kits, observing how weight affects movement. Through these activities, students gained a deeper understanding of engineering and its applications!
Welcome to a New School Year! This school year has been off to a wonderful start. Scholars have been singing, playing and creating music. Thanks to a donation from Subaru, the music room now has “Mr. Stretchy” a large stretchy band that helps students keep a steady beat and work together as a group.
Several of our 4th and 5th grade scholars were chosen to participate in the District 279 Children’s Chorus. They will rehearse after school once a week and will perform in a variety of concerts this year.
This year Mr. Lane's students are focusing on physical endurance by practicing for the Pacer Test. Our scholars are starting to notice that improving their endurance can lead to more success in other games like tag, basketball, and a school favorite, BigBase. As the weather gives us more snow, Mr. Lane plans to go outside to snowshoe and sled down our hill. Playing outdoor in the snow is a special treat for Minnesotans, and we hope there is enough snow to enjoy next year!
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Arrival
Our arrival and dismissal times remain the same: School doors will open at 9:10, the school day starts at 9:30, and school is over promptly at 4:00.