Mrs. Loppnow's News & Notes
Week of January 15, 2018 SKOL VIKINGS!
A Note from Mrs. Loppnow:
Hello Parents!
Happy Friday! So, I usually change my background each week, but I thought it was appropriate to keep this one! We had a VERY PURPLE Friday today! **I had some really great photos to share with you, HOWEVER, I lost ALL of the photos on my phone this afternoon! Thank goodness for icloud, and my 16 year old who assured me he can help me get my photos back!**
It was a short, but busy week this week! We began with an orchestra concert on Tuesday, an author visit on Wednesday, and a special guest on Friday. I heard nothing but compliments about our class after these events. Thank you for instilling such respect, compassion, and patience in your children!
As we move through our animal research project in the coming weeks, we will have a few "extra" homework assignments. By TUESDAY, please have your child find an online article about their chosen animal. Students should PRINT this article and bring it to school. If your printer is not working, feel free to send me the link and I will print it here. One suggestion when searching online is to add the words "for kids". For example, I am researching Ostriches. My search was ostrich facts for kids. This should bring up some appropriate, easy-to-read articles for your child.
One great site is: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
Happy Researching!
Enjoy your weekend!
Mrs. Loppnow
651-425-5667
A Peek into this week and next!
Writer's Workshop: This week we focused on a new mentor sentence using the mentor text Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. Our focus was on using apostrophes to show possession, or to use with contractions. Sometimes this can be confusing!
Possessive: Mrs. Loppnow's football is from the MN Vikings!
Contraction: Mrs. Loppnow's rooting for the MN Vikings!
Content: This week we began to explore Ecosystems. The students learned what makes up an ecosystem and began to make relationships to their research animals. Discussions included the idea that a CONTINENT is NOT an ecosystem! One continent, in fact, one CITY could include different ecosystems. Next week we will take a deeper look into each ecosystem.
Reader's Workshop: The students started some in-depth research with their animal books this week. They quickly discovered how easy facts are to find when using the appropriate text features. Putting their learning "into action" this week is helping to fully understand the importance of identifying, and appropriately using, these features.
MATH SPOTLIGHT STRATEGY
This week's SPOTLIGHT STRATEGY is...Comparing Fractions
REMINDERS & REQUESTS:
PROJECT SUPPLIES: I will be collecting empty JELLO and PUDDING boxes over the next few weeks for a project next month. Please send in, if you have any! THANKS!
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS: It is exciting to see so many students participating in the Battle of the Books reading challenge! Some groups started meeting already this week! Please remember to meet our class back in the LUNCHROOM for dismissal to the classroom. Students should not be waiting in the classroom or pod areas. Thanks!
- BOOK LOGS: Rocky's Reading and Writing Club sheets are due on MONDAY! Please make sure you have recorded your minutes AND received a parent signature. Thank you! Writing notebooks should be returned each Monday for an opportunity to SHARE.
Upcoming Events:
- 1-19: Red Rock BINGO night 6-8
- 2-2: BATTLE OF THE BOOKS 12:45
- 2-19: NO SCHOOL: President's Day
- 3-1 & 3-6: Conferences
- 3-12: NO SCHOOL: Teacher Workshop Day
- 3-13 & 3-14: Star Lab
- 3-26 to 4-1: SPRING BREAK