Innovative Teaching Grant Recipients • Spring 2008

Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet? - $2,298.69
Lana Bambico, Abbie Hansen, Colleen Kosterman, Jennifer Leal,  Janice Longino, Mike McMahon, Peggy Mumford, Diana Saenz • Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School
Leah Voth • Rockwall-Heath High School
Yes, we have arrived. Educaching challenged and engaged students in high tech scavenger hunts. Elementary and high school students were given the opportunity to meet and work with each other to design, implement, and execute caches. Parents and other community members shared knowledge and experience, thus becoming valuable resources. The students created and experienced meaningful learning activities by integrating the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and mapping technology into math, science, social studies, language arts, and physical education lessons through the use of GPS receivers, maps, compasses, websites, and pedometers. This entire project involved the process of collaborative learning and above all, the excitement of success for all
students.

Camp Cursive • $662.50
Susan McCartney • Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School
Camp Cursive was an after school club for students in grades three and four who struggled with cursive handwriting. Through addressing handwriting by using sensory integration the students enhanced concentration, organization, self-esteem, self-control, self-confidence, academic learning, abstract thought and reasoning, and specialization of each side of the body and brain. The sessions were co-planned with an occupational therapist and included: large motor activities such as jumping jacks, push-ups, etc.; fine motor activities such as building with Legos and rolling clay between fingers, letter introduction by writing in the air using large muscle movements; guided practice using finger paint, pudding, shaving cream; handwriting practice; and writing for a purpose. As a result of Camp Cursive, the students learned a great deal about themselves and how they learn best. Not only did handwriting improve but the students began to feel more confident in the club setting and in the classroom.

Camp Write-A-Lot - $1,023.03
Linda Blocker, Cathy Bolin, Lupe Garcia, Laura Jones, Cheryl Kelly, Patti Martinez • Amanda Rochell Elementary School
The grant provided all the equipment and supplies the campers needed for a truly unique, creative writing experience. Students worked together in cooperative groups to become problem solvers while building relationships and developing authentic writing skills. This project-based unit provided campers opportunities to research, study, and record camping adventures. Students read and listened to varied camp stories, wrote reflections in a camp journal, wrote a tall tale, planned and wrote a three day camp menu, made a list of supplies and equipment needed, learned how to pack a backpack and set up a tent, created a recipe for trail mix and then wrote a story explaining making the trail mix, created a brochure to share, participated in pair/shared writing with mentors/community members, recorded stories on iPods, took photographs of each day’s events, and used photos to create a PhotoStory. Each experience included hands-on activities while integrating science, social studies, math, technology, language arts, and literary tie-ins.

Down to Earth! - $1,470.90
Schauna Callaway • Celia Hays Elementary School
Paula McClendon • Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School
All types of learners in grades two through five got excited about observing, discovering, and understanding key concepts related to Earth Science by engaging in a high-tech treasure hunt. The Handheld Global Positioning Satellite receiver (GPS) was the perfect tool to add interest and enthusiasm to lessons in earth science and other academic areas of study. Materials for lessons, experiments, and field investigations were placed in a "treasure box" called a Cach. The academic experience of using a GPS to locate a Cach in order to discover new concepts is called EduCaching. Some "treasures of knowledge" were waiting in a five-gallon pail or a small clear plastic container. Others were hidden under a rock, covered by bramble, at the top of a hill, near a tree, or buried beneath the soil. Fortunately for high-tech treasure hunters, the exact longitude and latitude coordinates were posted, by the teacher, on a website or on a given handout. Once the Cach was located, students would observe elements of earth science such as weathering, erosion, or soil properties in the area where the Cach was located.

Growing In the Garden - $3,050.22
Julia Byrnes & Clint Wilcox • Ouida Springer Elementary School
The grant gave students an “outdoor classroom” with endless opportunities for investigation and study for all types of learners. While the garden was under construction, students became active learners in planning the layout, measuring, arranging plants, predicting growth, and more. Students also used the garden as a hands-on lab to understand the impact of seasons and the life cycles of plants and insects. With the awarded grant, every student in the school had the opportunity to engage in a variety of garden activities that enhanced learning across every subject area.

Let’s Get Physical! - $1,349.05
Shauna Callaway • Celia Hays Elementary School
Paula McClendon • Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School
Physics is an essential science for children of all ages. Through the process of designing models and conducting experiments, students mastered the fundamental laws of mechanical physics. Students in grades three through six started by creating small models to learn about basic forces and simple machines. Then students worked up to more complex machines in order to learn more advanced concepts like work, motion, and centrifugal force. This hands-on approach was both fun and effective because the principles of physics were discovered as students manipulated materials and contemplated challenging questions. Teacher interactivity, self directed pacing, and open-ended solutions offered the same level of success and confidence to all students. Toward the end of the unit, students participated in classroom Olympiads, learning to use true scientific methods, cooperative learning, and important scientific principles. Exploring the challenges of physics offered phenomenal opportunites for students to collaborate between schools through technology enhanced classrooms. Math, Language Arts, Technology, and Social Studies were integrated into this unit of study as students were inspired to become
true inventors.

Primary Detectives… Using Primary Sources in the Classroom - $1,299.90
Lana Bambico, Abbie Hansen, Peggy Mumford, Mary Sugg • Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School
Students were provided opportunities to inspect, scrutinize, and manipulate evidence from the past through the use of primary sources. Actual newspaper articles, postcards, diaries, photographs, clothing, music, art, and authentic artifacts provided students with the “spark” to investigate historical events and strengthen research skills. Using primary resources in the classroom gave students the opportunity to probe into events and become firsthand inquirers.

Programmed to Succeed - $1,330.20
Diane Maldonado, Dr. Kay L. Orr, Katy Ruff • Celia Hays Elementary School
Envision a classroom where students are highly engaged in programming simulations to solve science and math problems. Celia Hays Elementary sixth grade and fourth through sixth grade SAGE classrooms were programmed to succeed this year! Students created modules in the LabVIEW simulation environment to convert metric and customary units of measure. Using the information gathered, students went on to construct and program Lego Mindstorms NXT robots to travel prescribed distances. The programming environment enabled students to apply what was learned by computing, simulating, and devising solutions to numerous kinds of problems.

Robots in Overdrive - $2,683.74
Dana D. Akard & Bruce Charboneau • Rockwall High School
The grant made it possible for Rockwall Robotics to purchase building materials and tools used to complete a remote-controlled robot, designed to compete in the US FIRST International Robotics competition. Rockwall Robotics is comprised of over forty students, three teacher sponsors, and ten engineering mentors, all with a common goal of promoting engineering and education. During the process of designing, building, and programming the robot, the students had the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills obtained in the classroom to the world of engineering.

The Road to the White House - $530.51
Paula McClendon • Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School
Gifted and Talented students, in grades one through six, planned, designed, and implemented an election simulation project which involved the entire student body. Student leaders practiced debating skills while auditioning for the role of mock candidates. Classrooms throughout the building, buzzed with excitement as students moved full speed ahead with activities, research, and the acquisition of concepts and skills which integrated many subjects and required objectives. Considering the importance of choosing the "right" leader, children developed skills of observation, reasoning, and critical thinking. Confidence and self esteem improved as students explored new ideas and created new perspectives. The study of active citizenship engaged children’s bodies, minds, and imaginations as they gained a new appreciation for the democratic process.

Why Don’t We Make It a Habit to Show Our Kindness and Compassion Every Day? - $600.00
Christi Crump • Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School
Each student wrote and published an original story about ways to promote compassion through kind gestures. The books inspired students to think of creative ways to begin a kindness revolution at school and the community in which each lives. Each book was read to students and incorporated in the classroom guidance lessons. This original children’s book helped promote kindness and compassion in the elementary school, and enhanced the Rachel’s Challenge Program.

“Write Now” Publishing Company - $615.99
Dorene Bryant, Jill Jobe, Julie West • Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School
Mystery grew when strange occurrences surrounded the maiden voyage of a Rockwall elementary school as students courageously embarked into the wonderful world of writing. “Write Now,” an innovative publishing company, allowed students to experience authentic writing skills that will continue for a lifetime. Students became equipped with creative brainstorming techniques that inspired the most reluctant write and utilized the skills for written works to be published in a student- lead publishing company. This project provided opportunities for students to experience a virtual publishing company that allowed creative writing to be produced in a professionally bound published format.