Bodine Elementary
Grant Project: Student Response System

Applicant Grant Summary: Teaching at an inner-city elementary school with students that become bored quickly can be quite a challenge. Envision a first-rate technology that will engage and motivate these same students. A technology that will make students want to listen, participate, and be prepared for class. As a result, these same students will begin to not only learn more but also gain a higher self-esteem. I believe using a student response system will help me to make this a reality. The purpose of this grant is to obtain funds in order to purchase a Student Response System. This is a technology that allows each student to have his/her own ?clicker?. When the teacher asks a question, each student can put his/her answer in the clicker by a simple push of the button. Each student?s answer will then be transmitted through a base unit. This technology then allows the teacher to see each child?s answer immediately. The data can then enable the teacher to make better informed decisions on whether to teach the topic again or move on to the next concept. Using this technology will give all students the opportunity to actively participate without the fear of being wrong and made fun of by other students. ALL students will benefit academically.

Britton Elementary
Grant Project: Teaching English Language Learners Vocabulary, Language, Grammar, Reading & Writing

Applicant Grant Summary: The grant that I am applying for, TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS VOCABULARY, LANGUAGE, GRAMMAR, READING, & WRITING, is to purchase materials to use with my ELL (English Language Learners) students. Our population of ELL students has been increasing every year for the past several years. We have a few ELL students who do not speak English and a large percentage who are limited English speakers. The ones who speak and understand English still struggle with vocabulary, reading, writing and correct grammar usage which affects their classroom work in every area. The materials that I would like to purchase, if I do receive the grant, will help in all of these areas which will improve their grades in every subject. My teaching experience has been in Kindergarten, so the majority of my materials are Kindergarten Levels. I now work with Kindergarten through 5th, so most of the materials that I will purchase are for upper grades. All children learn in different ways. Children, who speak English and are learning a concept for the first time, will learn faster if taught using manipulatives and hands on materials. The same is true for non-English speakers. Using games and manipulatives to teach vocabulary, reading, writing, language and grammar will help enhance my teaching and my students? learning. I strongly believe if a classroom is fun and the children are engaged in the activities, they will come wanting to learn and will learn.

Britton Elementary
Grant Project: Math Manipulative Materials

Applicant Grant Summary: I am applying for a grant for math manipulative materials that will reinforce the skill of adding and subtracting. I teach a first grade class and first graders learn best by using hands on materials. This is my first year to teach first grade and I am in need of materials that will allow the students to learn and memorize their basic math and addition facts. It is my goal to give students a good foundation in learning these basic math facts. The manipulatives purchased would be used to reinforce district curriculum. The students will use the manipulatives in centers and tutoring. We have several college students who work throughout the year with our students and these manipulatives would be a vital tool that would make learning fun on a one on one basis. We also tutor daily during the day. These manipulatives would be used during this time also. The students will work in small groups and help each other learn a required skill by playing games and doing activities with each other. Hands on learning will allow me to work one on one with students or small group of students. These manipulatives would be an imperative tool in making learning math facts fun and exciting. Also if a student is struggling these activities will be an alternative to learning. These games and activities will be a fantastic way to reach even the most challenging learner and all learning styles.

Capitol Hill Elementary
Grant Project: Ask The Author

Applicant Grant Summary: Do you ever wonder how an author thought up the story of his/her first book; how he came to be a writer of children's stories; and what is the secret behind connecting children to literature? "Ask The Author" allows the student to check out a canvas bag from the school library complete with a Biography/Autobiography of the author along with four of the author's most intriguing works. The student will have the opportunity (through reading) to develop PASS Skills such as Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Critical Literacy, Fluency, Researching and Organizing Information as well as a comprehensive understanding of different genre of Literature. Through our classroom guided reading, my students have demonstrated the most interest in author studies. For example, after learning that Suess's mother lulled him to sleep by singing and chanting rhymes, the students were eager to read ten of his works. Following the readings, students wrote compare/contrast papers on individual tolerance, and we discussed understanding others, diversity, and compassion. "Ask The Author," intended for grades 5 and 6, will be comprised of thirteen authors from A-Z. Capitol Hill Elementary has recently begun housing sixth grade students, with a library equipped for pre-k through fifth. "Ask The Author" not only will stock our library with upper level books but will allow the student to read consecutively an authors works.

Capitol Hill Elementary
Grant Project: Project Art, Two and Three Dimensional Mediums

Applicant Grant Summary: This grant is to benefit over 800 Title One students at the Capitol Hill Elementary. These students need as many hands on experiences and background knowledge as possible. This grant is aimed at giving our students experience in two and three dimensional mediums such as papier mache, pottery and sculpture in clay, printmaking and painting, thus fulfilling Pass Skills standard number 3.1 which includes making original works of art using a variety of materials (media), and techniques (skills), and sources for ideas; and 3:5, demonstrate a basic knowledge of media, techniques and processes, which includes everything from painting, printmaking and sculpture and architecture. Incorporating these mediums into the curriculum also facilitates Pass Standard 2:2 which is to identify themes and purposes of works of art and artifacts in history and culture. In other words, these medium are a perfect springboard into discussions and study of various cultures. Currently I have no sink in our classroom. This makes it difficult to incorporate the different mediums that require the use of water in the classroom into the curriculum. This grant request is for a portable sink to facilitate the use of the above mentioned mediums into the classroom instruction.

Classen School of Advanced Studies
Grant Project: Materials to Create Clay Relief Friezes

Applicant Grant Summary: I teach Middle school visual art at Classen School of Advanced Studies. My project consists of creating several clay relief friezes (murals) for the walls in our building as permanent installations. This would be over several school years. The students have already been working on designs, should we get our grant. The first theme is about the environment, and will have a variety of animals and habitats. The second theme is of the 20th century, with each class taking a decade to illustrate through clay. A third theme is to express our multicultural composition at ClassenSAS and Oklahoma, a fourth theme is to create a piece about the history of Oklahoma. Students will be working on slabs that will fit together in a mosaic fashion, and be glazed. This is why we need a slab roller. Presently we have a wheel, and will use it to create pieces that will be attached to the slabs. Rolling out large pieces of clay is very difficult for middle school students, it's challenging on a physical level as well as getting the thickness consistent, so this would be very beneficial, and would be a part of our permanent art department that I am building up for our Art school. This roller would be used year after year to create more murals, as well as individual projects. Sculpture is one of our PASS objectives, it's important as an art form, as well as teaches students earth science, chemistry, and collaboration by working together to create a large permanent installation.

Columbus Elementary Enterprise School
Grant Project: Connecting Social Studies with Reading

Applicant Grant Summary: This proposed project involves connecting Social Studies with Reading. This will occur by purchasing biographical and historical fiction books that will extend the Social Studies curriculum for my Fifth grade students. The selection of books will be used to supplement whole-class learning, reading groups, and by individual students who are curious about people and events in history. Two of the State Criterion Referenced Tests that 5th grade students are required to take are in Social Studies and Reading. I believe these books will help my students have a greater understanding of the Social Studies curriculum, while at the same time, help to improve their reading levels. The goals of this project are to achieve maximum reading growth in students; to increase student understanding of people and events in history; and to improve test scores in the areas of Social Studies and Reading.

Coolidge Elementary
Grant Project: Readers are Leaders Program

Applicant Grant Summary: Readers are Leaders Program for 4th and 5th grade Students. This organization of students targets leadership as a reader at Coolidge Elementary. The program promotes literacy improvement through a mentorship program involving 4th and 5th grade students as mentors who work with the younger students to inspire them to read and enjoy reading. Students will access backpacks that make the 4th and 5th grade students able to travel to classrooms of lower grade students as mentors for a student who needs leadership and access to older student mentors in their life. The backpack has a book with activities and comprehension related skill choices for the leader to pick from to help their young student enjoy and love the reading mentorship process. This will happen on Thursdays and Fridays of every week for the students. Mentors are also guest readers in the classroom for the entire class from time to time to reinforce the joy of Readers as Leaders program. The active role of mentoring a younger student creates a positive relationship for literacy and the cause of promoting literacy throughout the community. This population is largely Hispanic and the majority of students are bilingual. Backpacks will be formulated by a Reading Specialist/ELL Specialist and monitored and supervised by Myself and the School Principal. The program will promote literacy and mentorship among the student population. The Readers as Leaders program will benefit all students and be a positive program for the school and community.

Harding Charter Prep High School
Grant Project: Novels at Noon

Applicant Grant Summary: ?Novels at Noon? is a proposed plan to promote student enthusiasm and excitement for free reading. Two Oklahoma PASS skills will be addressed with this activity: 5.1 ? The student will select and appreciate literature in a variety of genres to satisfy personal interests. 7.1 ? The student will recognize and respect differing opinions in discussions as well as print and visual resources. In addition to meeting these PASS skills, one of our North Central Accreditation goals is to increase student reading levels. Research shows that free voluntary reading for 15 minutes per day is a highly effective method for increasing student reading levels. Novels at Noon will provide an opportunity for our students to read for fun and have lively book discussions with their classmates. The problem with implementing this plan is that many of our students will not be able to afford to purchase the books and so will be reluctant to join the book club. This grant will provide a solution to this problem by providing funds to purchase the books for the club allowing all students to join the club without financial discrimination. The club members will choose one book per month requiring the purchase of six sets of twenty books. Additional materials required include promotional posters and flyers to recruit members, announce meetings and promote reading. Progress for the book club will be measured by monitoring the number of library circulations for these students as well as measuring reading level increases using Star Reading Tests.

Harding Charter Preparatory High School
Grant Project: Classroom set of "The Young Traveler's Gift"

Applicant Grant Summary: I would like to develop a project for students in my reading classes that will enhance their reading skills (the overwhelming majority read more than 3 years below grade level), help them define their personal moral compasses and see important adults in their lives in a new ways. The Young Traveler?s Gift, by Andy Andrews, would serve as the centerpiece of this unit. This story follows a young man?s journey as he meets heroic and historical figures while he hovers between life and death following a suicide attempt. Each of these figures, such as Anne Frank and Abraham Lincoln, made life-altering decisions and provide valuable insight and guidance to the confused young adult, who, much like my students, struggles with peer pressure, his father?s life threatening illness and disappointment in himself because of poor decisions. These eight leaders share important life lessons and show that even the most horrible struggles and heartbreaks can lead to growth and hope. My goal is that the students will both identify and learn from the book and then interview 2 adults (preferably family members but certainly adults that are involved in the students? lives) to discover what those adults consider to be important life lessons. The lessons learned from the book and interviews would serve as writing catalysts for my students.