Innovative Teaching Grant Recipients • Fall 2004

Around the World in 80 Days - $4,960.67
Susan Boyd and Lynne Milner • Grace Hartman Elementary School
Fourth and fifth grade students embarked on an exciting tour around the world as they explored art and music from countries such as Ghana, Egypt, Australia and Japan. As a culmination of the students' studies, a musical production and
art exhibit were held to demonstrate what they had learned.

Bridges of Distinction - $330.00
Cheryl Kelly • Grace Hartman Elementary School and Ouida Springer Elementary School
Fifth and sixth grade students were responsible for the planning and construction of their very own bridge made of balsa wood. The completed bridges were judged on the basis of building plans and structure strength. This project exposed students to challenges that encouraged higher level thinking skills, teamwork and construction skills.

Civil War Reenactment - $2,703.65
Katherine Krikorian, Debbie Downum, Valerie Livingston, Nancy Taylor,
David Warnick and Leigh Wesley • Maurine Cain Middle School
Eighth grade history, art, music and drama students researched and
dramatized an authentic reenactment of several Civil War Era events, Reenactments included battle scenes with field hospitals, military parades, depictions of civilian and military life, recitation of the Gettysburg Address, speeches by the leading Abolitionists, and the final surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.

Come Grow With Us! - $2,507.46
David Sullivan, Julie Anderson, Becki Hensel, Susan McIntyre, Carol Tommey and Ben Warfield• Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary School
An Environmental Partnership Program for Kids, "Come Grow With Us"
allowed all grade levels to actively participate in organic gardening techniques. Students learned the importance and benefits of recycling paper, food waste,
and plastic from the classroom and lunchroom.

Growing With Kids - $4,720.00
Sharon Parker, Sandy Grubb and Steve Stone • Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School
Students kindergarten through sixth grade developed an understanding of the links between people, plants, and the earth while growing plants and exploring nature. Students conducted plant experiments throughout the year, investigated insects, developed their own "green house" business, and developed a deeper understanding of biology, horticulture, ecology, landscape design and landscape maintenance.

Learning Language Through Culture - $959.00
Anna Campbell • J.W. Williams Middle School
Through a performance-based approach to language learning, students were given an opportunity to learn the target language using concrete experiences emphasizing the Hispanic culture in the United States. Meaningful and purposeful activities in the cultural areas of art, music and food provided opportunities for students to create their own understanding of what they had studied in the classroom.

Magic Math Toolkits
Jaci Almon, Janie Blackwell, Amie Niedermeier and Megan Smith • Ouida Springer Elementary School
Each student was given an opportunity to gain valuable math skills using tactile objects supplied in a Magic Math Toolkits. The magic Math Toolkits contained non-typical, hands-on manipulatives which allowed students to engage in problem solving activities and logical reasoning needed to pass the third grade math TAKS.

Modern Journalist
Sheri Nichols • Dorris A. Jones Elementary School - $608.20
Sixth grade students were immersed in the world of journalism and were able to explore the influence of newspapers and other print media. Students produced a newspaper for the school's student body and staff. This activity allowed them to gain experience in writing, researching, editing, interviewing, photography, typing, folding distributing and marketing.

Physics is Phun; That's How It's Done - $995.63
Ann Knostman • Grace Hartman Elementary School
This project was designed for sixth grade students to become immersed in physics and engineering. The students discovered how physics was used in the design of the trebuchet and rockets.

Pioneer Pictures and Prose
Jennifer Doss • Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School - $782.13
Pioneer Pictures and Prose focused on improving fifth grade students' reading and thinking skills through literature analysis. Students read one of two different novels dealing with frontier life and then imitated and enacted scenes from their individual novels.

Second Language Acquisition and Literacy Development - $997.35
Medley Hart • Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary School
Students studying English as a second language were able to become more relaxed and confident in learning to speak English through the use of puppets, dramatic play and story telling. Students were to learn English first by observing and then imitating conversations through creative play.

Shoe Box Science - $782.13
Jennifer Stout • Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School
Shoebox science kits were created and sent home with all fourth grade science students. Each shoebox kit contained specific instructions, all the materials needed for the experiments, and a family evaluation to be completed after the assignment was completed. This project not only encouraged a deeper level of understanding of the principles of science but encouraged parents and guardians to take an active role in their student's learning process.

The Author Experience - $991.00
Sharon Aultman • Dorris A. Jones Elementary School
Second graders were able to study the process and cycle of publishing a book by completing their very own "Author Experience." Students were able to author and publish their own hard-bound class book which helped to reinforce their language and math skills while allowing them to use their own illustrations.

Visions of the Past
Cheryl Comer • Amanda Rochell Elementary School
Students were able to learn and experience the past through the use of documents that help to shape history. Students were able to read actual letters, diaries, telegrams, newspaper articles, study mass engravings and many other authentically reproduced documents.

Wild About Reading - $998.37
Paige White • Amanda Rochell Elementary School
Wild About Reading addressed first grade students with limited English proficiency. The goal of this project was to increase students' literacy skills, vocabulary, and understanding of scientific concepts by integrating language arts instruction with life science activities with animals as the object of study.