Sitting in a desk for many hours of a day is a difficult task for anyone.  If that person is a middle school student with educational deficits or behavioral challenges, this difficult task could seem nearly impossible.  Active learning strategies and kinesthetic activities have been applied in classrooms for years.  Recently, many classrooms across the nation have been replacing traditional desks with exercise balls and tables.  Allowing students an opportunity to move and bounce while seated at a table provides them with a learning environment that is more suited to their needs.  We would like to provide students with this innovative learning environment.  Exchanging half of the traditional desks in the class with exercise balls and tables will establish the foundation for this environment.

093009-004 - $4998.35 "Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto"

As students understanding of the physical science principles and simple machines increases, instruction will move to a Problem Based Learning model where they will be given several challenges of real world engineering problems to solve.  For, example, students could choose to build a draw bridge out of Lego's that raises, lowers, and is capable of supporting at least 1 kg.  Others may choose to construct a working crane capable of lifting at least 2 kg, while others might build a robotic car capable of navigating a simple obstacle course.  An additional authentic problem could be to create a robotic crawler capable of climbing over a book.  Through the scientific process, collaboration, problem solving, and analysis, students will increase higher level thinking with engaging, authentic experiences.

093009-009 - $1927.64 "Adventures in History"

This grant seeks to utilize the advanced interactive technology of the SMARTBoard to offer students the opportunity to experience history from diverse perspectives and to draw connections between their lives and the individuals who have shaped history.  I want my students to be able to compare and contrast their own lives and experiences with others and to come to a greater realization of their own place within society and history.  This will allow them to best be a valuable 21^st century citizen of this global world.

093009-013 - $4000.00 "Touch A Life Through Film Festival"

The Touch A Life Through Film Festival project allows learners to create a documentary that demonstrates the impact that Pam Cope's organization Touch A Life has on the school community throughout the school year.  Learners will showcase their documentaries in May in Coppell and will submit their documentaries into the Sundance Film Festival in September 2010.  Throughout the project many community experts will be brought in to act as guest speakers and advisors for the documentaries.

093009-014 - $2304.00 "Clamoring"

The third fourth and fifth grade students will be given the opportunity to learn aspects of music and physical education through the art of drumming!   According to program creator, Kevin Strang, this extra-curricular program will teach percussion, musicianship, teamwork, responsibility, athleticism, stamina, cooperation and confidence in an organized ensemble setting.

093009-020 - $310.23 "From Sesame Street to Wall Street"

21^st Century learners have a demand for updated technology in Early Childhood classrooms for students to achieve today's goals…that demand is even more powerful for our English Language Learners.  Our grade level serves approximately 40 families through our ESL program.  Research shows ELL students require even more hands on, visual, and auditory instruction that a student whose first language is English.

093009-022 - $900.00 "A Graphic Quest: Using Graphic Novels to Travel the Hero's Journey and Beyond"

Students will analyze graphic novels to enhance their understanding of visual literacy, literary elements, and the hero's journey.  Graphic novels tell stories using a comic format, and are often undervalued because pictures accompany the narratives. Both teachers and students tend to disregard the incredibly captivating and complex stories because of their prejudice against this newly popular category of literature. My hope is to use these engaging graphic novels that will allow for rigorous analysis and discussion, and that provide models for student-generated creative short stories.

093009-024- $3199.18 "Literature Circles: Reading is not a Spectator's Sport"

In today's world, literacy is the pathway to quality of life, on both a daily basis and for future aspirations.  In literature circles, small groups of students gather together to discuss a piece of literature in depth.   The discussion is guided by students' response to what they have read.  You may hear talk about events and characters in the book, the author's craft, or personal experiences related to the story.  Literature circles provide a way for students to engage in critical thinking and reflection as they read, discuss, and respond to books.  Collaboration is at the heart of this approach.  Students reshape and add onto their understanding as they construct meaning with other readers.  Finally literature circles guides students to a deeper understanding of what they read through structured discussion and extended and written and artistic response.  Literature circles fit into a comprehensive literacy program as one way for students to apply what they are learning about reading and writing.

Total grants received                         24

Total grants to approve                        8

Total $ to award                     $18415.40

Grants from Elementary Campuses 11

Grants from Middle School Campuses 10

Grants from the High School (Including New Tech) 3