Crocker Elementary School News for the Week of Sept. 28

Kindergarten Starts New Science Curriculum

Kindergarten is enjoying a unit in our new science curriculum about the five senses.  We just began unit 2 for LEAD 21 which is also about the 5 senses.  The kids are engaging in hands on activities and cooperative learning activities to help them become more aware of the world around them and how their senses work

How is Science Fun?

Crocker third graders are diving into Inquiry learning more about topics around our theme of "How does science help up have fun?"  Third graders are researching many topics such as how science is involved with technology and how science is involved in sports.  Third graders are also focusing on cause and effect and summarizing while reading.

Homecoming Wackiness

Crocker third graders dressed up for "Wacky Wednesday" which was part of our week long dressing up for Ankeny's homecoming. 

What Fourth Graders are Up To

In literacy, fourth grade students will be completing Unit 1 and presenting inquiry questions based around the topic of Heritage.  We will also be starting a new Unit, A Green Future.

In math, fourth graders have been collecting data and identifying landmarks like minimum, maximum, range, mode and median.  Next week, they will be reviewing algorithms to solve multi-digit addition and subtraction problems.

Students completed the study of the Northeast with a test and quiz over the states and capitals in the region.  We also started the Earth science unit with the study of how earthquakes and volcanoes change the Earth.

Second Grade Science Projects

Second graders at Crocker Elementary are engaging in a mini-inquiry project around our science topic of forces and motion.  Students are discovering ways that forces and motion affect our daily lives especially in the areas of extreme sports, amusement park rides, and nature.  The second graders are reading books and sharing their findings with others to answer questions they have about forces and motion in our world

Second grade students at Crocker are making predictions and gathering facts and details in reading using a variety of graphic organizers with a wide range of non-fiction texts.  In writing, students are writing scary stories while they gather ideas for their writing this year.  In science, second grade students are conducting investigations with magnets and are learning about patterns, routines, and subtraction in math. 

Fourth Graders Learn to Go Green

In literacy, fourth graders started Unit 2, Living Green.  Students are learning about renewable and nonrenewable resources.  They are very interested in learning about alternatives to using fossil fuels and conserving energy. In math, Students are practicing algorithms to solve multi-digit subtraction problems.  They will begin a unit on multiplication and division next week.  In science, fourth graders have been studying the effects of earthquakes and volcanoes on the Earth.  Next week, students will begin the study of slow changes to Earth’s surface, including weathering and erosion.   

Vision Screening to be Held Next Month

Vision screening will be performed on all students October 16th and 18th with the help of volunteers.  Any students that do not pass the initial screening will be retested by Glenda Hunter, school nurse. 

A letter will be mailed home recommending additional vision testing by your eye doctor, for any students with difficulties identified.  Kindergarten boys will also be screened for color blindness.  If you prefer your child not have their vision tested, please contact the school nurse.   Hearing Screening will be completed by Heartland at a later date