We are pleased to announce our 2017 mini-grants. We have two types of grants, grade-level grants up to $1000 and individual class or teacher requests for up to $300. In 2017 our PTA was able to award $5200 to the following projects:
Grade-level grants
Kindergarten, Kim Moss, Phun Phonics
This year, kindergarten teachers began using the Wilson approach for phonics instruction. The “Fundations” program provides a great foundation for both decoding (reading) and encoding (writing) skills. After purchasing and using a few of the materials this current year with positive results, the teachers want to expand the use of Fundations. The program will be implemented in small and large group settings.
1st grade,Lisa Rizziello, Kleenslates
Kleenslates are hand-held boards with a wipe on/off board on one side and a clear covering on the reverse size. Teachers can place templates into the slot for math and literacy activities. Kleenslates can be used in small or large group instruction and allow for practice and reinforcement. The grant provides one set of 12 slates per class.
2nd grade,Lauren Petro, Original & Twist fairy tales
This collection of almost 60 new book titles will be shared through the 2nd grade to support the reading units on Original and Twist fairy tales. The students study characters in fairy tales and also write their own fairy tales. The books selected from Booksource.com are all within the 2nd grade reading benchmark range, for example this “graphic spin” version of Beauty and the Beast.
Individual teacher grants
Mindy Piergrossi, 2nd grade, Marcy Cook math resources
Mrs. Piergrossi has requested materials for math enrichment to support the new Math Workshop model for teaching math. This includes a supporting text for the new standards and a variety of materials from Marcy Cook Math. These help provide high-interest activities for the student-selected portion of Math Workshop.
Caitlin Haberin, Kindergarten, Osmo Genius Kits (3)
Three of these award-winning kits for iPads will be purchased for small group instruction. The Genius kit includes Numbers, Words, Masterpiece, and Newton, which will support students with math, reading, fine motor development through drawing, and creative problem solving. Ms. Haberin has received training through the Apple Professional Development program through the district.
Michele Bostwick/Kim Moss, Kindergarten, Full STEAM Ahead!! mobile cart
This mobile cart with integral storage will allow the teachers to organize and share the materials for their STEAM initiatives, which involve collecting and gathering recyclable materials. The students are loving the STEM initiative, and some students that are shy or not risk takers in reading and/or writing are showing string leadership and negotiating skills during STEM activities. The cart will support the addition of more Art to STEM, i.e. STEAM.
Janice Chapin, Tubanos Drums for 2nd music room
Adding drums to the second music room will enable all kindergarten and first grade students to have the opportunity to discover drumming techniques. Students improvise, create, and compose and discover how to incorporate these instruments to movement and story telling!
Anne Marie Hughes, G&T Resources, materials for “Metacognition Skill Building through Great Thinkers in History”.
The G&T department is expanding their metacognition lessons for 2nd and 3rd grade and piloting them in 1st grade. For these whole-class lessons, students need access to many consumable and non-consumable materials. While these experiences have ties to the curriculum they are truly “beyond the curriculum” experiences where students can use their creativity and imagination to create solutions and products.
Michael Rosa, Physical Education, new sound system
This new sound system will be to play music inside and outside. It will be used for field day and regular PE classes, and it also shared with the PTA for events such as the Cakewalk at the Carnival.