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.

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.

Hawthorne Elementary
Grant Project: “Fluency, Fluency, Fluency!!”

Applicant Grant Summary: Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills and OKC Public Schools District Benchmarks stress the importance of fluency in all grades. The student has to read words quickly and without hesitation so sight word fluency is important. But it is not enough for a student to be able to read a list of basic sight words. Many students can read a list with no mistakes. But can they read these same words in a sentence quickly and without hesitation and get meaning from the sentence? It is important that students read rapidly enough so that attention is directed at the meaning of the text and not at the individual parts of a word or just single words within the sentence. The emphasis of my grant is fluency building. I want to build a sequence of fluency from letter-sound, to single word, to sentence, to reading passages fluently. My students in Special Education have particular problems with fluency. I want to make the progression of phonics fluency to reading selections fluently, fun whenever possible. A child will play a Game Boy game over and over again because it is fun. I have Leapfrog Leapsters (that resemble GameBoys) first grade level that I use in my Lab for basic phonics fluency fun. I want to expand to the upper grade levels, the games and activities that are available. They can continue to build fluency step by step listening to modeled readings…then reading aloud with partners as they time themselves.

John Adams Elementary
Grant Project: Delta Science Kit

Applicant Grant Summary: I am a 1st grade teacher at John Adams Elementary. At John Adams, we don’t have a science program for 1st grade. I rarely teach science because it requires me to purchase materials and it can become very expensive. I am asking ... to purchase a Delta Science Kit. The cost of refills for the consumables in the kit..., so I would be able to use this kit year after year without having to spend a fortune. The Delta Science Kit I am requesting is the DSM III Properties for Grades K-1. The kit contains the materials necessary for 13 hands-on activities. This would be almost one month of science. I chose this kit because I feel like it correlates with the Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills the most. This kit would fulfill the following the following Priority Academic Student Skills: Grade 1 Process Standard 1: Observe and Measure, Process Standard 2: Classify, Process Standard 3: Experiment and Inquiry, Grade 1 Physical Science Standard 1: Properties of Objects and Materials. The kit also contains Delta Science Readers which would fulfill the following Priority Academic Student Skills for Reading: Standard 5: Fluency – The student will identify words rapidly so that attention is directed at the meaning of the text. The kits also help develop their vocabulary skills by asking the children to describe and explain. Most importantly, it will help my students see that science is something enjoyable that everyone can do.

Lee Elementary School
Grant Project: Complete Sing & Read Collection

Applicant Grant Summary: I teach pre-kindergarten (4 years olds) in a predominately Hispanic area. As a result, many of my students come to school at a disadvantage. My students very often do not know their colors or shapes in English when they enter my classroom- a very basic skill that will affect their ability to succeed in kindergarten. Until this basic knowledge is obtained in the predominant language (English) – I cannot go on to teach the other skills necessary for their successful entry into kindergarten – number recognition and beginning knowledge of the alphabet. This grant will give me materials that will address all of these areas. In addition, I will be meeting Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) as set down by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. I will meet numerous PASS skills in the areas of Language Arts and Mathematics. I teach 40 students daily. Additionally, the items included in this grant would be shared with the five kindergarten classes, adding an approximately 125 students that have the potential to be touched by this grant, for a grand total of reaching 165 children yearly.