Innovative Teaching Grant Recipients • Fall 2006

Ar-kid-tecture - $622.55
Paula McClendon • Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School
Gifted and Talented students in grades one through six designed and built structures, tested construction techniques for durability, classified elements of design into historical time periods and engaged in collaborative presentations. Students had the opportunity to become apprentice architects as they explored the concepts of planning, building, and problem solving while developing a new appreciation for the world around them.

Discovering Quadratics Using a Marble Ramp - $435.00
Cathy Harris • J. W. Williams Middle School
This project was for all Algebra students to see a real world, hands-on situation of a quadratic equation in action. The students collected data and determined the quadratic equation for the path of a marble in space. After calculating the equation, the students attempted to catch a marble in a container with an opening twice the size of the marble to see how accurate their equation was calculated.

From Prose to Pottery - $708.76
Jennifer Doss • Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School
Fifth grade students were challenged and motivated as they communicated their understanding of the various elements of plot within the novel Sign of the Beaver by retelling the novel through pottery. Each student created, designed, and decorated an individual pottery piece based on a particular element – conflict, climax, and resolution. Groups then sequenced their pottery to illustrate the novel’s progression.

Have the Time of Your Life Digging into the Past - $1,509.26
Kory Curcio, Stephanie Fisher, Paula McClendon, Jacqueline Oxford, and Lacey Rotan • Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School
Second graders had tons of dirt digging, story-telling, mystery-solving fun as they discovered their own history and the history of the world around them. Students wrote their own autobiography and created an artifact to illustrate their life. These artifacts were buried in the “sands of time” only to be rediscovered in the future. The classroom buzzed with activity as students created a simulated archeological dig using the same methods as modern archaeologists.

Japanese Cultural Festival - $2,920.00
Peggy Mumford, Lana Bambico, Colleen Kosterman, Mike McMahon, and Abbie Hansen • Amy Parks – Heath Elementary School
Sixth grade students participated in an integrated unit highlighting the cultural features of Japan. Students studied the history, geography, economics, and culture of Japan and participated in interactive lessons including Haiku poetry, traditional Japanese folktales, origami, Oriental brush painting, art projects, kanji writing, sudoku math, simple Japanese language lessons, and samurai traditions. Sixth grade students then chose one area to become an “expert teacher” and presented lessons to the Second grade classes. A culminating “Cherry Blossom Festival” was held with both grade levels exhibiting art work, playing traditional Japanese games, and sampling Japanese cuisine.

Living Art - $800.00
Lisa Leggett • Amy Parks – Heath Elementary School
“Living Art” provided a catalyst for students in grades 1st-6th to tie art into classroom curriculum. Students focused on the science of change and life cycles by sculpting, painting, and forming the stages of metamorphosis. Finished masterpieces were placed in an exhibit which actively involved students and parents as a hands-on learning lab. Art became incorporated into the everyday aspects of learning!

Mission to Mars - $717.68
Julie Ann Anderson • Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary School
Using activities developed by NASA for teachers and students, “Mission to Mars” allowed students to characterize and understand Mars as a dynamic system, including its present and past environment, geology, and biological potential. This simulated mission was divided into three components: traveling to Mars, developing a habitat on Mars, and scientific exploration of Mars.

Museum of Great American Living Statues - $2,842.50
Kimberly McGovern, Jill Pitts, Michelle Thompson, Joyce Horton, Gloria Hill, and JoAnn Dickerson • Doris Cullins – Lake Pointe Elementary School
Third graders investigated famous Americans using age-appropriate biographies and multi-media resources and then applied their knowledge by designing a museum of living statues in which they assumed the personas of the historic figures by dressing in period costumes. Visitors interviewed the living statues and learned about fascinating lifetime achievements. Students advertised the museum by displaying Hall of Fame posters in the school corridors and by creating Photo Story commercials.

Sharpen Your Senses Spelling Station - $4,168.75
Kim McLellan, Kathy Hutt, Mary Akin, Connie Stewart, and Rhonda Guajardo • Howard Dobbs Elementary School
First grade students experienced a hands-on approach to learning through their developing senses. Through the use of sand, magnetic letters, shaving cream, and stamps, students developed a strong spelling foundation.

Snapshot Writing - $2,000.00
Sherry Harton and Carolyn Hoyle • Rockwall High School
The “Snapshot Writing” grant has been a wonderful journey for the ESL students. Taking pictures of their family and sharing their culture through writing about their personal experiences has given the students confidence and pride in their writing. The writing produced from this project was richer because the quality of writing correlates with the emotional involvement of the students. Surprisingly, the students made fewer punctuation and spelling errors. Using the snapshots and their writing, they produced a book of their own work. The project will actually last three years. Starting this year in the 10th grade, the project will continue through their senior year. At the end of their senior year, they have a book of memories to take home and share with future generations. Paul Hur from Korea said. “Snapshot writing has helped me to be more organized and willing to write more. I have had to learn to be creative in decorating my book because that is part of the grade.”

Take the Solar Challenge - $335.76
Paula McClendon • Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School
Gifted and talented students in grades three through six explored the global problems related to the use of non-renewable resources. They investigated the abundant power of solar energy in order to better understand the benefits of alternate sources of fuel. These energetic young people designed and built a competitive solar race car and examined all the factors which contribute to a successful competition. Students also researched relevant facts which will help them become a pro-active contributor to a brighter, healthier future.

Tea for TWO! - $200.00
Susan Giraldo, Jennifer Leal, and Beverly Gentry • Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School
Two academically diverse populations of students were given the opportunity to write and edit their own books. The Young Authors’ celebration (a tea) gave them the opportunity to celebrate their successful writings as well as share these prized possessions with school and community members. Each child kept his/her own hard-back copy of the original work. “Tea for TWO” was a success!

The Sound of Light - $1,750.16
Jason Mitchell, Elena Straight, Susan Wadley, and Denise Hoover • Ouida Springer Elementary School
With the materials from “The Sound of Light,” the students learned how light traveled. The students were able to see and draw the light as it reflected off of mirrors and refracted as it passed through lenses. The students were able to make the connections between the concave and convex mirrors and lenses with real world applications. They gave examples of the rounded mirrors in hospitals that allow the doctors to see around corners when they were running down the hall. They enjoyed these experiments and their understanding increased after completing these experiments.

To Alpha Centauri or Bust…. - $1,770.13
Katie Braden and Mike Eidson • Doris Cullins – Lake Pointe Elementary School
Sixth grade students explored the world of rocketry from the beginning of development through present day space exploration. Through this study, students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to construct and launch their personal rocket. Our Launch Day was a treat for the entire campus and planted the seeds for each of the upcoming grades.

Trunks of the Past - $4,048.95
Kathy Krikorian and Sarah Cook • Rockwall High School
Students in 10th and 11th grade history classes used costumes, props, and primary sources such as speeches, letters, and other printed and recorded materials to role play historical figures and recapture significant moments in our past. Lessons provided in the trunks engaged students in fun activities while developing critical thinking and analysis skills.

Vendor’s Village - $2,342.02
Robyn Gunderson, Leigh Ann Windeberger, Deborah Lee, and Alissa Pettit • Howard Dobbs Elementary School
The students learned about goods and services, producers and consumers through a hands-on project called Vendor’s Village. Each student chose a product to make, or a service to provide and sell to their peers on a specified day. In addition, the students starred in a commercial for their products as well as created a storefront to showcase their products.

Wasting Away in Erosionville - $1,011.31
Elena Straight and Jason Mitchell • Ouida Springer Elementary School
“Wasting Away in Erosionville” has supplied students with all the necessary materials to explore erosion, weathering, volcanic activity, and the effects of the ocean on Earth. Students have had the opportunity to observe shoreline development and erosion, as well as how fluid and air dynamics affect shorelines. Some of the other activities included creating and observing mudslides, deltas, and Earth flow. “Wasting Away in Erosionville” provided students with hands-on approaches to difficult concepts leaving them with a deeper understanding.