JUMPABOUT

To stimulate awareness about the importance of exercise, teacher Diane Gilchrist introduced JUMPABOUT, a program designed to provide students and their parents with the opportunity to benefit from physical activity and gross-motor development through the use of jumping equipment. Students and their parents engage in simple exercise routines using the kit’s jump ropes, hopscotch mats, hop sacks, and twist jumpers. Students sign out the kits, log their jumping activities, and are awarded certificates based on participation.

Mystery at the museum

In a facilitated lab experience, students act as forensic scientists, using microscopes, fingerprint analysis, X-ray and MRI imaging, and face-aging computer technology. Students gather clues, form hypotheses, and work in teams to solve the mystery. The grant was used to take students to this hands-on learning lab offered by the Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago. For many of the students, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, this was their first trip to the museum.

Kathryn Balkan

Senior sweeties

As a community service project, fourth graders adopted local senior citizens for Valentine’s Day. Each student was assigned one elderly person for whom he or she created cards or poems. Students also decorated and filled baskets with goodies and other essential items to donate to their senior sweeties. This project helped the fourth-grade class understand the importance of community service.

Joyce Quinn

Listening center for guided reading

To implement guided reading in her second-grade classroom, teacher Joyce Quinn used grant monies to help purchase needed audio equipment, books on CDs, and dry erase boards for her class listening center. The guided reading conducted in the listening center will help students improve their reading skills. This is especially important in this school where the majority of students come from homes where parents do not speak English.

Stephanie Moore

Great games

The fourth-grade version of the Olympics, called Great Games in this school, focuses on teamwork, communications skills, and academics through friendly competition. Students participate in both sports and academic-related events, individually and in teams. In a school that has more than 75 percent of students receiving free or reduced lunches, grant monies helped with the purchase of T-shirts for each child, prizes for all participants, and a few pieces of sports equipment.

Lauren Strickland

Differentiated instruction

In a first-grade class of 17 students, there is a wide range of abilities. During center time, Lauren Strickland can differentiate learning by using LeapPad Learning systems and activity books, which she purchased with grant money. The materials are varied according to the students’ reading levels and abilities.

Kara Cypher

Math library

To support the current math program, Kara Cypher used grant money to help purchase the Marilyn Burns Math Library from Scholastic Books. As a special education teacher, she uses literature titles in math classes to integrate teaching math and literature, and to show students real-world applications so that they remain interested in math. These particular titles provide visual, as well as kinesthetic stimulation to support the math curriculum.

Norma Whitley

Stock market game

As part of technology curriculum, seventh-grade students play the Stock Market Game—a simulation of trading stocks, which introduces them to the exciting world of Wall Street and its role in the U.S. economy. With the help of grant monies, students were able to visit the New York Stock Exchange and to see firsthand how stock trades are executed, observe the trading floor, and learn about various careers in the stock market.

Kaleidoscopes project

Students in an honors geometry course design and create kaleidoscopes using geometric principles. Each student creates 2–3 mirror kaleidoscopes, using geometry to plan the angles of the mirrors. Students use Internet resources to research designs for their tubes and to discover appropriate and interesting objects to be placed within the kaleidoscopes.

Natalie Foxworthy

Reading workshop

A book library and listening station were part of the reading workshop created for English Language Learners (ELLs) at the seventh- and eighth-grade levels to help them with reading and basic literacy. Materials across several genres and subject matters were included in the workshop. Students selected books for independent reading, book club reading and discussion, and research.

Meryl Lewin

Learning experiences

In this busy, hands-on preschool environment, many learning experiences are shared with the students. However, other than the staff, no one had an opportunity to see how the classroom combines creativity, innovation, fun, and learning. So this year, a new digital camera and printer were purchased. To document activities into child and teacher-made books, grant monies were used to purchase a laminating machine, pouches, and binding spines.

Jennifer Jacknewitz

European folklore

After reading popular children’s stories in the genre of European folklore, students must pass a “Customs Quiz” about countries such as such as Germany, Denmark, and France before traveling to the next destination. Students compose fractured fairy tales, create props for retelling the stories, participate in Internet scavenger hunts, write musical adaptations of stories, taste authentic foods, and draw pictures of sites in these countries to make the unit more interactive, interesting, and fun.

Photography project

Though the students are in high school, many had never taken a picture. In fact, perhaps because they have multiple disabilities, most had never been allowed to touch a camera. Through the Photography Project, students learn the mechanics of taking a photograph, choose their favorite shots, write captions, and type and print them on the computer. Photos are enlarged, matted, and displayed at school. At a reception, students proudly greet visitors and discuss their work.

Eat a letter

To help kindergarteners learn and recognize letter sounds, students eat a food item that begins with a particular letter and then describe their experience. International foods are included so that the students can experience tastes from other cultures. Students are photographed with a digital camera as they eat and describe the foods. The photos, along with captions written by the students, are included in books that students use throughout the year to reinforce what they learned.

Latch-hook kits

The art of latch hook teaches students mathematical concepts, expands their understanding of art, and develops patience and understanding. Students learn to approach the project from a mathematical standpoint, using planning, reasoning, and sequencing. They also learn how to measure to determine how much material is needed before cutting the fabric. At the end of the project, students have an attractive pillow they can use themselves or give as a gift.

Help our world

Project HOW (Help Our World) instills in students a sense of community and purpose. Every month, students research and vote on a local charity or organization to help outside the classroom. Projects include donating items to animal shelters, making cards for the children’s hospital, and creating handmade gifts for citizens in nursing homes. Illustrating the projects on the classroom bulletin board reinforces that, together, students can make the world a better place.

Personal dictionaries

After discovering that many promising middle school students who had the potential to be enrolled in honors and AP high school courses did not have dictionaries, Joanna Funk sought funds to purchase this essential tool. The majority of these students are economically disadvantaged and unable to purchase the dictionaries themselves. Using their new dictionaries, students participated in a workshop where they learned how to use the resource to find meanings of words and expand their vocabularies.

Mandarin Chinese and Japanese videos

As part of this new school’s international studies focus, students learn Chinese and Japanese languages. Aside from using traditional language-learning materials (textbooks, CD-ROMs, and Internet-based resources), classroom teacher Christopher Livaccari wanted to incorporate Chinese and Japanese television shows and movies in his teaching. The grant helped build video library to expose students to authentic language and motivate them to pick out basic words and phr

Love-to-read bags

Reading bags are used to encourage students to get comfy and read. Canvas bags are decorated uniquely—with literature characters, scientific instruments, dinosaurs, or uncharted territories for student investigations—to indicate various types of reading. In addition to books, these designer bags contain journals, bookmarks, and pens. Both fiction and nonfiction books assist children in comprehension strategies and help students meet elementary reading requirements.

Oral history project

In this school-community project, fourth- and fifth-grade students create original works of oral history by interviewing people from the Dundalk and Turner Station communities. Students use note taking, tape recorders, and video equipment to record the oral histories. They then transcribe their interviews and create slides or displays. After their presentations at the Historical Society of Baltimore County, the work becomes part of the Historical Society’s collection that is available to the two communities and the county.

Family reading nights

Though many parents want to be involved in their child’s education, sometimes they aren’t sure how to help. Through community events held during the evenings at school, teachers model good practices to demonstrate how parents can help their children. Each evening session has a theme, with books and activities for families. At the end of the evening, each family receives a book to take home.

Opening doors for special needs students

As learning-impaired students are assigned to regular education classrooms, teachers must devise methods to reach this special group. Because these students often find written textbooks difficult to use, Essie Loveday creates audiotapes so the students can listen and read simultaneously. She also involves students in her class to help produce the audiotapes, making these presentations a class project that encourages cooperative learning.

Literature circles

Fourth-grade literature circles are an important part of differentiated instruction offered in this school. To encourage every student to achieve his or her potential, students must be successful in reading pieces of literature at their own reading level and pace. With an increasing population, books were at a premium and students were forced to read over someone else’s shoulder. Thanks to the grant, now every student has his or her own book.

Guided reading

At this Title I school, achieving a balanced literacy program is an important goal. Joan Riegel used the grant to purchase supplemental guided reading sets for her classroom, including materials for 15 English language learners who needed extra vocabulary help and could benefit from a more visual learning approach. With these materials, she is able to emphasize and build background knowledge so that all her students have access to constructing meaning.

Arts education project

An educational production of Wild Things, for audiences of K–12 students, is being created by the school’s dance theatre department in collaboration with the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Montgomery Zoo. This traveling, interdisciplinary production is part of a celebration of a new African-Art collection. The grant is funding the photographic supplies needed to create archival documentation of the event.

Area history and culture

Talented and gifted students have enrichment opportunities through their in-depth study of the history and culture of the area. Students are studying the Underground Railroad as well as biographies of local figures such as Harriet Tubman. With the grant helping to cover needed supplies, such as books and maps, students are learning to look at their local area as historians and take pride in their local community and its history.

Integer flash cards

The concept of negative numbers is relatively easy to teach and learn until it is time to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Though flash cards are a staple in every math teacher’s toolbox, these tools are available only in positive numbers. With grant money, a new set of ordinary flash cards was transformed using permanent markers and stencils. These tools are used in a variety of fun games and for review and testing.

Reading with pictures

Nonverbal, nonreading students can demonstrate independence by “reading” low-level picture books that have one sentence on each page. With grant monies, a supply of 25 high-interest, low-level pictures books at the preschool level was purchased. Now students are able to “read” books for personal pleasure and to “read” to their families.

Outward bound

To increase trust among ESOL students from Africa, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, students took part in a daylong Outward Bound program in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. Students spent the day engaged in problem-solving exercises and challenging activities such as climbing high ropes and a 40-foot wall. As they tackle their fears, students build self-confidence and develop a sense of trust and teamwork.

Wordless books

The unique genre of literature in which the meaning and content are conveyed entirely in pictures is used as a springboard for developing oral language skills and writing original stories. Students work individually or in pairs to “read” a wordless picture book and add text to the story. Grant money was used to purchase books for the Literacy Resource Center.

Watching the garden grow

With seeds, plants, and stones, seven- and eight-year-old students created a garden of herbs, flowers for butterflies, and vegetables. As part of the unit, students worked on curriculum skills by writing about the garden, solving math problems related to the garden, and studying plants from a scientific view. The project helped students relate to their geographic area, which is a migrant agricultural town, and to learn many life lessons—including seeing their work flourish.

Writing portfolios

Students in eighth-grade English learn structure and uniform record keeping, as well as take pride in their personal accomplishments, through the use of their cumulative writing folders. A strong writing management system and three teaching strategies are the core elements that focus on oral reading, correcting, and using past papers to teach new skills. By sharing their creative ideas with peers, students learn acceptance and teamwork that are important attributes in today’s world.

Remote controlled presentations

With new technology purchased by grant money, Anthony Palma was able to gain valuable flexibility for his teaching. Using a remote control and a laser pointer with his slide presentation software allows him to move about the classroom during lectures, incorporate demonstrations and examples, and engage students more dramatically.

Mixing math into baking

Students with special needs learn math skills through a multidisciplinary baking project. Third through sixth graders brainstorm a list of ingredients and quantities needed, visit a local grocery store, and prepare and distribute the baked items. Mathematics applications include recording mileage to the grocery store, determining the cost of items, calculating weights and measures, performing standard-metric conversions, and figuring fractions and percentages.

Multicultural club

To make students more culturally aware of others and to foster a highly diverse and accepting learning community, the school began a multicultural club last year. Each month, students are introduced to a new culture. Students celebrate by making crafts, reading books, tasting new foods, and sharing their personal experiences with that culture. Grant monies received for this program are helping to effectively immerse students in new cultures.

MegaSkills

The MegaSkills Academic Development and Character Education program is incorporated into one fifth-grade classroom of this Title I school. Students must learn essential skills that will lead them to success in school and beyond: confidence, effort, perseverance, motivation, responsibility, initiative, caring, teamwork, common sense, problem solving, and focus. Grant monies helped to purchase 11 MegaSkills books on these topics

Barbie Bungee Jumping

Studying linear regression, students use Barbie™ dolls, rubber bands, yardsticks, and graphing calculators to determine how many rubber bands need to be attached to Barbie’s feet so that she can successfully bungee jump from the school’s second floor to the first floor of the atrium. The winning group is the one thatgives Barbie the best ride—that is, she comes closest to the ground without crashing.

Intergenerational afternoons

Students in the Community Service Club want to make a difference in their community. With the help of grant monies, every Wednesday, approximately 60 fourth and fifth graders journey to the Senior Care at the Islandia East Adult Home to read, write, and converse with the residents. Students benefit from these intergenerational interactions by receiving living history lessons in ways they can’t get from any book.

Classroom library

For two, major independent reading assignments that Rachel Gillerlain conducts with her students, she relies heavily on her classroom library. Grant monies helped her stock her library with interesting young adult literature from a variety of genres, authors, and periods. Teaching students to explore and love reading is one of the most important goals of this English instructor.

Handwriting without tears

To help students that are having difficulty writing letters and numbers, Belinda Riddle introduced the Handwriting Without Tears method, which she purchased with grant monies. Developed by an occupational therapist, this program incorporates wooden and roll-a-dough letters, a magnetic screen, and a sing-along CD into the class writing center.

Crime scene investigation

Using the “Terror from Paradise Kit,” one chemistry class was able to solve the “crime” in quick order! The kit contained a DVD of a news report and an interview with a suspected terrorist accused of smuggling explosives into the U.S. from a fictitious country. Students conducted swab tests of the suspect’s luggage and successfully identified the terrorist to close the case. Students used testing techniques and applied them to a hypothetical situation.

Nonnative speakers of English

Finding materials appropriate for upper elementary students with lower language proficiency skills is challenging and costly. Grant monies helped fund the English Language Learner (ELL) program at this school where 10 percent of students are nonnative speakers of English. The program helps these students successfully participate in mainstream American society by providing them opportunities to be immersed in English in a natural setting.

Parent/teacher resource library

In this large school with varied demographics, many students struggle with emotional and learning disabilities. With the help of grant monies, parents and teachers have access to a resource library in the school, where they can learn more about specific disabilities such as autism, learning disabilities, mental illnesses, and ADHD. The library provides free, up-to-date, and jargon-free books and videotapes that address issues specific to the scho

Responsive classroom approach

In a school where 37 percent of the students have low socioeconomic status, 21 percent are minorities, and 8 percent are English language learners, calm, caring, and creative classrooms are essential. In coordination with the school’s Character Education program, the Responsive Classroom approach is used to help integrate sound character development in the classrooms. Grant monies were used to purchase various books to support this approach and motivate meaningful achievement.

Classroom library

Using the Fountas and Pinnell leveled book framework, teachers require students take a book home each night to read. One classroom library, however, was not nearly the size it needed to be to achieve this goal. Grant monies helped to build up this library so that students have access to books at appropriate reading levels.

Language lab

A language lab allows students to improve their listening and verbal skills when learning a foreign language. Spanish teacher Elizabeth Rodriguez used grant monies to help purchase the equipment needed to start a language lab. Students now can test their listening skills and verbal responses to questions provided by language-learning scripts. This type of assessment helps students improve their language skills and motivates them to enjoy the language studied.

Primary writing curriculum

The 125 children in five first-grade classes participate in a rigorous yearlong writing curriculum that is designed to challenge students to become readers, thinkers, and composers. This writing program is new to this school and requires “Units of Study for Primary Writing” materials. Grant monies were used to purchase supplemental books that enrich the goals, mini-lessons, and independent writing time for each unit.

Homework help sessions

Daily homework is a proven means of reinforcing skills and concepts learned in school. Unfortunately, the students who need this practice often do not have a structured, supportive environment to make homework an effective tool. With the help of grant monies to purchase essential supplies, the fourth-grade team now offers quarterly homework help sessions that provide parents of at-risk students the materials and knowledge needed to make homework a positive review time.

Book buddies

To help build her students’ reading confidence, willingness to read, and reading level, fifth-grade teacher Jennifer Keck started a program in her school called Book Buddies. Fifth graders select and practice reading a picture book, and then read the book to a first-grade class. The program has helped get her students excited about reading and become more confident readers.

Reading buddies

A unique partnership between student volunteers at Ashwaubenon High School and at-risk students at Valley View Elementary School aims to improve reading and share positive literary experiences. Teens earn community service hours, necessary for high school graduation, as elementary students improve their comprehension, fluency, motivation and interest in reading. Grants monies helped purchase multiple copies of books at a variety of interests and reading levels for these shared experiences.

Dance exploration

In this culturally diverse school, students learn dance in a variety of ethnic and traditional forms. With grant monies, dance teacher Beth Rodriguez was able to bridge the gap between the body of knowledge the parents possess about cultural dance and the curriculum of the student body. She purchased reading materials as historical reference, video support for lessons related to specific dances, and supplies with which to record this approach.

Electronic dictionaries

Words are mental expanders that increase one’s ability to comprehend the world, express statements or questions, and have common ground with which to communicate with others. This school speech/language specialist works with small groups of language-delayed or impaired students, for whom basic concepts are difficult to learn. Grant monies were used to purchase electronic dictionaries, which provide a fun way of encouraging students to explore the world of words.

Chapter books

Teacher Selene Canales works with fourth graders who are struggling in reading. She does literacy units around chapter books that are appropriate for their reading level. With grant money, she purchased two sets of 12-chapter books for her classroom, along with unit guides for different activities. The students relate to these books and enjoy reading them.

College bound

Though this high school is probably better known for its rough clientele than its college graduates, that is changing. Every time this teacher broaches the topic of college, a few more ears perk up, a few more students pay attention, and a few more questions get asked. With grant money, Charlene Cunningham started an after-school program called College Bound, which assists students in every aspect of gaining entrance into a college or university.

Family literacy night

With a school-wide focus on reading comprehension, grant monies helped establish a new quarterly Family Literacy Night—building on reading comprehension with other areas of the curriculum such as math, science, and social studies. Experts in these areas, such as professors from local universities and museum employees, read aloud pieces of literature, make presentations on a topic, and guide families in a hands-on activity.

Picture It software

To serve special needs students with limited language ability, teacher Phyllis Wolfe used grant money to purchase Picture It by Slater Software, Inc. With this program, teachers can create illustrated documents that incorporate pictures, signs, and color squares. By illustrating single words, word families, short stories, and beginning reading books, teachers are fostering independent skills that allow these students to interact without relying on their aides.

The messages of music

At this state-funded school, music is an integral part of the program for developing emerging literacy skills. Grant monies were used to purchase three Kindermusik book/CD teaching kits: “This Is My Dance”, “Music & More”, and “Welcome to Our House.” These items help children develop musical appreciation and understanding, while enhancing development in other areas. A set of Kindermusik instruments also was purchased to replace broken and outdated instruments.

Mathematics-science olympics

In conjunction with the Olympic Games in Torino, Italy, the entire school adopted the Olympic theme in many of its programs and activities. While the fifth- and sixth-grade students worked with the music and art department to prepare a musical production entitled “Trouble in Torino,” mathematics and science teacher Brianne Mandryck used grant monies to purchase activity materials, awards, and team T-shirts for the Mathematics-Science 2006 Olympics.

Eating up the TAKS

To help eighth-grade students review for the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) history test, Jennifer Maldonado Castillo takes 15 minutes at the start of each class to play quiz games during the month prior to the exam. The process eases the worries of students and makes reviewing a year of history material less daunting. Students are rewarded with an “Eat Up the TAKS” breakfast of pancakes and juice on the morning of the exam.

Cozy classroom library

In this third-grade classroom, many students are from low-income families. Several students enjoy reading at home, while others do not like to read at all (yet). For these students, who have few real-life opportunities, reading is an especially important part of their learning experience. Grant monies turned a corner of this classroom into a cozy, carpeted reading library, where students are lured into discovering the pleasures of reading a good book.

Circus skills center

In this special class of first and second graders, who have a variety of language and learning disabilities, teaching focuses on acceptance, inclusion, and self-esteem building. To encourage these students, grant monies were used to create a classroom circus skills and juggling center, complete with diablos, juggling balls and scarves, devil and push sticks, and spinning plates. In this multi-sensory center, students participate in kinesthetic activities while learning to take more risks and gain confidence.

Immersion in other cultures

The newly opened Maridon Museum, located just blocks from this school, gives students opportunities to become global learners. Grant monies funded admissions for 100 students to participate in museum activities and tours through field trips, and to explore a unique collection of Chinese and Japanese artifacts. The school’s relationship with the museum also allows for site lectures and class projects that immerse students in various cultures in ways that go beyond books and technology.

Building background for reading

With parents as partners, first- and second-grade classes at this school aim to impact the children’s reading ability. Parents are involved in discussions and workshops to help their children build knowledge and background for reading comprehension. With the help of magnetic letters, a variety of children’s picture books, and language skill cards, parents are instructed on how to read storybooks, including specific read-aloud techniques and phonics and phonemic awareness activities.

Musical connections to literature

Exploring the common techniques employed by Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes and jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker is the focus of an interdisciplinary mini-unit (English and Music). Students explore the socio/cultural significance of both artists and their work as an expression of intellectual freedom and rebellion in an ethos of discrimination. Grant monies allowed for the purchase of audio recordings and videos of the work of these artists.

Life cycle of butterflies

To give students a hands-on learning experience, grant monies were used to purchase a butterfly habitat kit, caterpillars, and food, as well as to rent video conferencing equipment. Students observe the life cycle of a butterfly in the classroom and then release the butterflies into the wild. Then, using video equipment, students observe the butterflies—through high-quality visuals—in their natural environment.

Live theatre experience

Students in this sophomore Literature and Composition class read nonfiction literature about the Holocaust as part of one unit of study. To supplement their reading, 60 students attended a local production of I Never Saw Another Butterfly. This play, based on true stories, is about children of Terezin, a World War II concentration camp. Though each student paid for admission, grant monies funded bus transportation for this field trip.

Rock On!

Geology is more fun when set to music. Students at this school sing songs related to science to reinforce terminology and topics they are studying. With grant monies, teacher Shenandoah Herda purchased a song book, CD player, and blank CDs, and compiled (with parent helpers) a directory of science-related songs. Now students can be heard around the school singing lyrics such as “I feel the earth move under my feet,” and are enthusiastically involved in class.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

To provide opportunities for students to simulate social studies events, issues, and scenarios, teacher Erin Tomfelt used grant monies to purchase a computer program called Decisions, Decisions. This interactive program allows students to make decisions regarding current and historical events and issues. Also purchased was a data projector for the classroom, which facilitates the class working through scenarios together.

Class scrapbook

First graders are developing better writing skills through the entries they add to their class scrapbook. Each week, a group of students is responsible for that week’s pictures and entries. With a new digital camera and photo paper, students can easily illustrate their entries. The scrapbook is a great motivator for reading and writing, and teaches students to work together to accomplish a task.

Reading is thinking

To enhance literacy instruction and improve her students’ reading comprehension, teacher Carrie McDonald used grant monies to purchase Debbie Miller’s Reading with Meaning, as well as recommended books for modeling schema and creating mental images. These books are used to help students: think aloud; activate, build, and revise schema; make text-self, text-text, and text-world connections; create mental images and engage in meaningful conversations.

Internet radio station

A student-run Internet radio station called Dalton Radio is popular at this school, and grant monies are helping to expand its content. Funds are being used to purchase music (and licenses) that can be aired every evening. The music rounds out the offerings, which include student-produced radio play, guest interviews, political debates, and karaoke. Students are learning how to research topics, assemble stories, interview guests, and create news broadcasts, as well as be DJs.

Growing the class library

This first-year teacher used grant monies to increase the offerings in her classroom library. Jill Hedges purchased big books to read aloud to her class and then placed them in the class library where students could get more familiar with the text. She also purchased books on tape so students could hear the words as well as see them in print. These materials helped this new teacher get her career off to a successful start.

Literature circles

Third-grade students are enjoying current nonfiction and fiction books in their own classroom library thanks to grant monies from KDP. These new, quality reading materials appeal to these students, while exposing them to many genres of fiction and forms of nonfiction. Funds also were applied toward creating a listening library that allows struggling readers to participate in literature circles with peers.