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Innovative Grants 2006-2007
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Grants
awarded for the 2006-2007 school year:
Carol Aiken,
Kennett High School: "Magnetic Instructional Tools for the
High School Classroom"
The tactile, visual learner is often at a disadvantage in a traditional
high school English class that emphasizes auditory comprehension.
This project will engage more fully these students through the
creation of flexible, magnetized instructional materials that will
adhere to the new whiteboards. Although regularly used in
elementary classrooms, these materials are not available for the
secondary level; this past year, they were used in entry-level
classes at Century College in Minnesota with great success and to
student acclaim. Century College has offered to share at no cost
their writing process and grammar programs, which includes a
software component. This teaching strategy will address skills
needed for research papers of juniors and seniors as well as PSSA
writing standards and the new SAT writing section.
David Bickel,
Greenwood Elementary School: "Audio Books for Children"
To develop their oral reading fluency, elementary-level autistic
students will record children’s books onto compact discs, creating
audio books. The students will be involved in book purchasing
during a class field trip (community-based instruction) and will
practice proper volume and expression as part of their regular
reading instruction. Using tabletop microphones to record, each
student will keep a copy of their book and recording. This project
will also promote the value of sharing skills and helping others in
the community by donating a copy of each book and the accompanying
audio recording to the Greenwood Elementary School Library and the
Chester County Early Intervention Program for children with autism.
Lauren Farrell,
Greenwood Elementary School: "Real World Math Through
Discovery"
Through
the use of literature, manipulatives, and hands-on experiences, this
project incorporates math skills into real world situations for
heterogeneously-grouped third grade math students. Students will
connect math skills to real life applications, all working together
to create solutions. This approach will be particularly helpful to
low-performing students. In addition, third graders will, through
mutual discovery, assist kindergarten partners in learning math
concepts.
Dianne Horowitz and Lori Lattanzio, Mary D. Lang Elementary School: "Reading to Learn
with Nonfiction"
The
purpose of this project is to transition students from “learning to
read” to “reading to learn.” Through the use of nonfiction texts,
primary English language students (grades 1-2) and English as a
Second Language (ESL) students (grades 1-5) will gain essential
understanding of the structure and organization of nonfiction texts
and acquire background knowledge and vocabulary. Books will support
the first and second grade science and social studies curricula as
well as the ESL curriculum. Traditionally, nonfiction instruction
begins in third grade, but current research shows that students
greatly benefit by being exposed to nonfiction earlier. With
diverse backgrounds, all students will build a knowledge base of the
world around them, providing a bridge from the unknown to the known.
Andrea
Smith, Greenwood Elementary School: "Teachers, Students, &
Parents -- All Exploring Nonfiction"
The
impact of nonfiction use on student motivation to read, reading
comprehension, and expository and research writing is the focus of
this first grade language arts project. Students will contrast
genre structure and style, pairing fiction and nonfiction, and will
learn reading strategies for nonfiction. In writing, essays and
how-to essays will be compared and contrasted. Several books used
will coordinate with science and social studies curricula. A
parent-child nonfiction book club will meet monthly before or after
school. Professional texts and videos purchased with the grant will
be utilized by the first grade teaching team.
Melissa Keer and Carole
Koroluck, Kennett Middle School: "One Book, One School"
Every student and staff member at Kennett Middle School will receive
and read the same novel. In addition to supporting PA state
standards for reading independently, analyzing and interpreting
literature, and speaking and listening, this project provides
multiple opportunities for cross-curricular ties in mathematics,
health, science, and history. School-wide literacy activities
across content areas is an outgrowth of this common reading
experience. “One Book, One School” promotes a community of
learners, encouraging reluctant readers and providing meaningful
extensions for fluent readers.
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