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2017-18 Elementary School Grants

Elementary School Grants 2017-2018

Deborah Rosenman         Barnard Elementary        Classroom Mini-economy
The​ ​classroom​ ​mini-economy​ ​in​ ​the​ ​fourth​ ​grade​ ​at​ ​Barnard​ ​Elementary will encourage students​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​important​ ​economic​ ​concepts​ ​while​ ​living​ ​the​ ​real-life​ ​experiences​ ​of​ ​a mini-economy.  Students​ will ​fill​ ​out​ ​job​ ​applications​ ​to​ ​get​ ​hired​ ​for​ ​classroom​ ​jobs.​ ​They​ will ​earn​ ​daily​ ​pay​ ​which​ ​is​ ​paid​ ​out every​ ​two​ ​weeks​ ​by​ ​a​ ​paycheck​ ​that​ ​is​ ​endorsed​ ​and​ ​taken​ ​to​ ​the​ ​classroom​ ​bank.​ ​At​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time, there​ ​will be opportunities​ ​for​ ​earning​ ​bonus​ ​bucks​ ​for​ ​responsible​ ​behavior​ ​and​ ​positive​ ​actions.​ ​The​ ​I.O.U Collector​ ​also​ ​will collect​ ​fines​ ​which​ ​are​ ​given​ ​out​ ​as​ ​natural​ ​consequences​ ​for​ ​such​ ​things​ ​as​ ​not​ ​following classroom​ ​rules​ ​or​ ​incomplete​ ​assignments.​ ​Student​ ​motivation​ ​will increase​ ​as​ ​they​ ​see​ ​that​ ​earning money​ ​provides​ ​more​ ​buying​ ​power​ ​at​ ​the​ ​store. When​ ​the​ ​class​ ​store​ ​opens​ ​every​ ​two​ ​weeks​ ​on​ ​bank​ ​day ​students​ ​will ​choose​ ​among​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​variety​ ​of items​ ​which​ ​include:​ ​school​ ​supplies,​ ​toys,​ ​stuffed​ ​animals,​ ​books,​ ​holiday​ ​and​ ​gift​ ​items,​ ​etc.​ ​That​ ​is when​ ​the​ ​economic​ ​concepts​ ​of​ ​scarcity,​ ​surplus,​ ​opportunity​ ​cost​ ​will be ​learned​ ​while​ ​economic​ ​decisions are​ ​made.​  
 
Sarah Redden        Bemis Elementary           Gym Timer
By​ ​getting​ ​a​ ​timer students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​see​ ​how​ ​much​ ​longer​ ​they​ ​have​ ​to​ ​jog or​ ​play​ ​in​ ​a​ ​game, help​ ​them​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​better​ ​pace​ ​themselves and ​help them​ ​keep​ ​going​ ​because they​ ​can​ ​think​ ​to them​ ​self​ ​that​ ​they​ ​can​ ​finish in the time remaining.  All​ ​the​ ​Bemis​ ​students​ ​jog​ ​in​ ​the​ ​gym​ ​on​ ​a​ ​regular​ ​basis.​ ​​ ​Sometimes​ ​it​ ​is​ ​only​ ​a​ ​few minutes​ ​but​ ​it​ ​goes​ ​up​ ​to​ ​20​ ​minutes.​ ​​ ​In​ ​March,​ ​the​ ​students​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​something​ ​called​ ​the Shamrock​ ​Shuffle​ ​which​ ​is​ ​a​ ​fun​ ​way​ ​to​ ​do​ ​the​ ​20​ ​minute​ ​jog.​ ​​   A timer​ ​will be used for​ ​other​ ​things​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​year​ ​like​ ​timing​ ​how long​ ​we​ ​play​ ​a​ ​game​ ​or​ ​when​ ​students​ ​should​ ​switch​ ​what​ ​they​ ​are​ doing.
 
Heidi Apol              Bemis Elementary           Be Flexible with Offi Tiki Stools
​A ​bright​ ​and​ ​colorful​ ​addition of Offi Tiki stools​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​students​ ​to​ ​interact​ ​in many​ ​different​ ​ways in the media center.  The​ ​library​ ​media center ​should​​ ​be​ ​as​ ​flexible​ ​as​ ​possible​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​student​ ​needs.​ ​In​ ​addition,​ ​the library​ ​media​ ​center​ ​should​ ​be​ ​a​ ​comfortable​ ​place​ ​for​ ​students​ ​and​ ​staff.    ​The​ ​Offi​ ​Tiki​ ​Stools​ ​are​ ​colorful,​ ​lightweight​ ​and​ ​multipurpose.​ ​​ ​They​ ​will​ ​be​ ​used​ ​by students​ ​when​ ​they​ ​are​ ​browsing​ ​the​ ​shelves​ ​for​ ​books.​ ​Small​ ​groups​ ​of​ ​students​ ​will ​use​ ​a​ ​stool​ ​as​ ​a worktable​ ​in​ ​a​ ​corner​ ​of​ ​the​ ​media​ ​center.​ ​Stools​ ​will ​be​ ​gathered​ ​together​ ​in​ ​the​ ​story pit​ ​and​ ​used​ ​by​ ​a group​ ​of​ ​students​ ​for​ ​a​ ​book​ ​discussion. 
 
Angelika Gladage  Bemis Elementary           Learn About the World Books
​By​ ​providing​ ​our​ kindergarten ​readers​ ​with​ ​higher​ ​leveled​ ​non-fiction​ ​books within a guided reading group,​ ​we​ ​will​​ ​provide ​our​ ​students​ ​with​ ​new and​ ​better​ ​tools​ ​to​ ​explore​ ​the​ ​non-fiction​ ​world-or​ ​as​ ​Lucy​ ​Calkins​ ​refers​ ​to​ ​them​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Learning​ ​About The​ ​World​ ​books. The​ ​district​ ​has​ ​done​ ​an​ ​outstanding job​ ​of​ ​choosing​ ​the​ ​Lucy​ ​Calkins​ ​reading​ ​curriculum.​ ​​ ​As​ ​a​ ​result​, our​ ​students​ ​are​ ​reading higher​ ​than​ ​ever.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​are​ ​more​ ​engaged​ ​and​ ​connected​ ​to​ ​the​ ​lessons.​ ​​ ​​​ ​The higher​ ​our​ ​students​ ​are​ ​reading,​ ​the​ ​less​ ​quality​ ​high-leveled​ ​books​ ​we​ ​have.​  Also,​ ​Bemis has a​ ​large​ ​ELL​ ​population​. ​​ ​These​ ​students​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​read​ ​at higher​ ​levels,​ ​however,​ ​their​ ​vocabulary​ ​and​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​nonfiction​ ​text​ ​are​ ​areas​ ​that​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be addressed.​ ​​ ​These​ ​are​ ​areas​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​targeted​ ​before​ ​the​ ​3rd​ ​grade​ ​MSTEP​ ​and​ ​inadvertently increase​ ​science​ ​scores.​ ​​ ​This​ ​can​ ​be​ ​done​ ​through​ ​quality​ ​leveled​ ​nonfiction​ ​readers,​ ​particularly​ ​levels E,​ ​F​ ​&​ ​G. 
 
Amy Bauman         Bemis Elementary           Dynamic Lighting
​Dynamic​ ​lighting​ ​will​ ​improved​ ​students’ mood,​ ​focus,​ ​motivation,​ ​concentration,​ ​and​ ​reading​ ​performance.​ ​​  Research​ ​found​ ​light​ ​quality​ ​varies​ ​substantially​ ​in​ ​a​ ​classroom​ ​leading​ ​to questions​ ​of​ ​which​ ​artificial​ ​light​ ​characteristics​ ​facilitate​ ​maximum​ ​learning.​  Some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​lighting​ ​will​ ​mimic​ ​natural lighting​ ​or​ ​a​ ​different​ ​color​ ​but​ ​all​ ​are​ ​specific​ ​for​ ​specific​ ​task.​ ​Different​ ​learning​ ​situations​ ​will​ ​need different​ ​lighting.​  ​Many​ ​adults​ ​and​ ​children​ ​suffer​ ​from​ ​headaches​ ​and​ ​migraines​ ​because​ ​of​ ​fluorescent lighting. The​ ​lighting​ ​covers,​ ​light strings,​ ​and​ ​lamps​ ​will​ ​offer​ ​different​ ​light​ ​choices​ ​for​ ​the​ ​different​ ​learning​ ​opportunities.​ ​Finally,​ ​the lighting​ ​choices​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​students​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​their​ ​learning​ ​while​ ​feeling​ ​comfortable​ ​in​ ​the​ ​classroom. 
 
Jennifer LaTarte    Bemis Elementary           Super Readers
Bemis kindergarten students will have ​an​ ​ample​ ​supply​ ​of​ ​leveled​ ​books​ ​for​ ​students that​ ​are​ ​reading​ ​at​ ​levels​ ​E,F,​ ​and​ ​G of the Lucy Calkins Writing Curriculum.​  Troy​ ​School​ ​District​ ​Elementary​ ​teachers​ ​have​ ​been​ ​immersed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Lucy​ ​Calkins Reading Curriculum​ ​for​ ​a​ ​few​ ​years​ ​now​ ​and​ ​are​ ​beginning​ ​to​ ​explore​ ​the​ ​Reading​ ​Workshop​ ​component now.​ ​​ ​After 3 years of using the Lucy​ Calkins ​Reading​ ​Units​ ​of​ ​Study​, more​ ​students ​are​ ​reading​ ​at​ ​higher​ ​level​ ​earlier.​ ​​ ​There are not enough books​ ​to​ ​support​ ​the​ ​faster​ ​pace​ ​of​ ​literacy​ ​acquisition.​ ​​   ​​ ​Lucy​ ​Calkins​ ​suggests​ ​that​ ​each​ ​child has​ ​8-10​ ​books​ ​at​ ​their​ ​level​ ​in​ ​their​ ​book​ ​box​ ​for​ ​independent​ ​reading​ ​time​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​small​ ​group instruction.​ ​​ ​These​ ​books​ ​should​ ​be​ ​swapped​ ​out​ ​regularly.​ ​​ ​ The​ ​literacy​ ​library​ ​is​​ ​incomplete so funds will be used to acquire additional reading materials.
 
Katie Hosbach       Bemis Elementary           Inspiration Nook
​The ”Inspiration Nook” will provide​ ​students​ ​with​ ​access​ ​to​ ​visual​ ​examples​ ​and​ ​information​ ​to​ ​use​ ​as​ ​inspiration for their art projects.   Inspiration​ ​can​ ​come​ ​from​ ​many​ ​different​ ​experiences​ ​when​ ​students​ ​are actualizing​ ​ideas​ ​for​ ​their​ ​artwork.​ ​​ ​Quite​ ​often,​ ​students​ ​are​ ​inspired​ ​by​ ​subjects​ ​they​ ​are​ ​learning​ ​about in​ ​their​ ​classrooms.​ ​​​ ​“Inspiration Nook” will be a ​non-fiction​ ​library​ ​in​ ​a​ ​designated​ ​space​ ​of​ ​the​ ​art​ ​room with​ ​books​ ​that​ ​have​ ​pictures​ ​and​ ​information​ ​of​ ​ curricular ​units​ ​ so​ ​students can​ ​have​ ​a​ ​source​ ​of​ ​inspiration​ ​or​ ​use​ ​them​ ​as​ ​reference​ ​for​ ​more​ ​accurate​ ​details​ ​as​ ​they​ ​are working.​ ​​ ​These​ ​materials​ ​will​ ​create​ ​stronger cross​ ​curricular​ ​connections​ ​by​ ​extending​ ​and​ ​deepen​ ​their learning​ ​and​ ​thinking​ ​to​ ​the​ ​units​ ​that​ ​are​ ​exploring​ ​in​ ​their​ ​classrooms.
 
Eric Dennis            Bemis Elementary           Launching Robotic and STEM Program
Student​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​robotics​ ​will​ ​be​ ​raised​ ​at​ ​Bemis​ ​Elementary.  All​ ​students​ ​will​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​objectives​ ​of​ ​STEM​, ​make​ ​connections​ ​to​ ​their​ ​lives, ​ ​improve​ ​ ​speaking​ ​and​ ​presenting​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ a ​group,​ ​improve​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​ability,​ ​improve​ ​coding​ ​abilities, and ​improve​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​work​ ​in​ ​teams​ ​to​ ​accomplish​ ​a​ ​common​ ​goal. The​ ​program​ ​is​ ​run collaboratively​ ​with​ ​parent,​ ​teacher​ ​and​ ​administration​ ​leadership.  One​ ​meeting​ ​a​ ​week,​ ​a​ ​rotation​ ​of​ ​parents​ ​work​ ​with​ ​the​ ​students​ ​to​ ​guide​ ​them​ ​in​ ​building​ ​the​ ​robots, programming,​ ​and​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​through​ ​clear​ ​objectives​ ​provided​ ​by​ ​the​ ​VEX​ ​robotics​ ​program.​ ​ The​ ​second​ ​meeting​ ​a​ ​week​ ​after​ ​school,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​teacher​ ​leader , who will provide an​ ​inquiry​ ​based STEM​ ​program.​ ​   In​ ​a​ ​rotation,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​be​ ​team​ ​leader.​ ​As​ ​team​ ​leader,​ ​the​ ​student​ ​assumes​ ​a leadership​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​guide​ ​students​ ​in​ ​the​ ​learning​ ​objectives.​ ​At​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​each​ ​session,​ ​the​ ​team leader​ ​presents​ ​the​ ​progress​ ​and​ ​reflection​ ​to​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​group​ ​including​ ​parents.  The​ ​intention​ ​is​ ​to​ ​grow​ ​the program​ ​providing​ ​opportunities​ ​to​ ​all​ ​students​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​the​ ​upcoming​ ​years.​ ​The​ ​materials​ ​requested will​ ​be​ ​stored​ ​at​ ​the​ ​school​ ​for​ ​future​ ​use​ ​by​ ​teams. 
 
Jennifer Erff          Costello Elementary                  Links
Cardinal​ ​Links​ ​will create ​a​ ​successful​ ​learning​ ​environment​ ​for​ ​their peers ​who​ ​all​ ​have different​ ​backgrounds​ ​and​ ​circumstances​ ​(for​ ​example,​ ​autism,​ ​ADHD,​ ​ADD,​ ​FASD,​ ​learning​ ​disabled, and​ ​general​ ​education​ ​students).​ ​Cardinal​ ​Links​ ​are​ ​hardworking​ ​volunteers​ ​who​ ​are​ ​dedicated​ ​to creating​ ​a​ ​difference​ ​at​ ​Costello​ ​Elementary​ ​by​ ​using​ ​high-level​ ​critical​ ​thinking​ ​and​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​skills that​ ​they​ ​have​ ​developed​ ​through​ ​working​ ​within​ ​a​ ​peer​ ​support​ ​program.​  ​Students​ ​with​ ​disabilities​ ​learn​ ​age​ ​appropriate behaviors​ ​through​ ​observing​ ​peer​ ​models,​ ​they​ ​practice​ ​skills​ ​in​ ​natural​ ​contexts,​ ​and​ ​have​ ​more consistent​ ​access​ ​to​ ​the​ ​general​ ​education​ ​curriculum.​ This​ ​year​ ​alone​ ​we​ ​will​ ​reach​ ​over 50​ ​students​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Links​ ​program.
 
Wendy Gustin                  Costello Elementary        Learning to Code with Dash and Dot Robots
 
We will​ ​purchase​ ​a​ ​Dash​ ​and​ ​Dot​ ​Robotics​ ​Classroom​ ​Kit​ ​for​ ​use​ ​by​ ​all students​ ​at​ ​Costello​ ​Elementary.​ ​​ ​Dash​ ​and​ ​Dot​ ​are​ ​small​ ​robots​ ​that​ ​help​ ​kids​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​simple​ ​code language​ ​and​ ​deductive​ ​reasoning.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​may​ ​also​ ​use​ ​customized​ ​block-based​ ​programming through​ ​coding​ ​apps​ ​using​ ​Blockly,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​Google’s​ ​Blockly​ ​visual​ ​programming​ ​editor.​ ​​ ​Dash and​ ​Dot​ ​also​ ​have​ ​free​ ​apps​ ​that​ ​may​ ​be​ ​downloaded​ ​to​ ​student​ ​iPads​ ​for​ ​additional​ ​programming challenges.​ ​Dash​ ​and​ ​Dot​ ​robots​ ​teach​ ​code​ ​writing​ ​in​ ​a​ ​different​ ​way.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​many​ ​apps​ ​out​ ​there that​ ​teach​ ​code​ ​writing,​ ​but​ ​Dash​ ​and​ ​Dot​ ​robots​ ​are​ ​tactile​ ​and​ ​some​ ​children​ ​need​ ​this three-dimensional​ ​approach.​ ​When​ ​students​ ​can​ ​see​ ​the​ ​application​ ​of​ ​the​ ​code,​ ​apply​ ​the​ ​code​ ​to​ ​these robots​ ​and​ ​see​ ​how​ ​it​ ​works,​ ​coding​ ​can​ ​make​ ​much​ ​more​ ​sense.​ ​​ ​This​ ​kit​ ​would​ ​be​ ​used​ ​in​ ​the​ ​library media​ ​center,​ ​but​ ​would​ ​also​ ​be​ ​available​ ​for​ ​checkout​ ​by​ ​teachers​ ​to​ ​use​ ​in​ ​their​ ​own​ ​classroom.​ ​​ ​
 
Tonia Romanchek      Hamilton Elementary   Celebrating Diversity Welcome Center
By​ ​having​ ​a​ ​multicultural​ ​“Welcome​ ​Center”,​ ​all​ ​of​ ​our​ ​534​ ​students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​the opportunity​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​various​ ​cultures​ ​and​ ​about​ ​respecting​ ​and​ ​appreciating​ ​those​ ​who​ ​are​ ​different from​ ​themselves.​ ​  ​We​ ​have​ ​many​ ​students​ ​who​ ​come​ ​to​ ​us​ ​from​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world. Although​ ​Hamilton​ ​is​ ​already​ ​a​ ​very​ ​accepting​ ​and​ ​welcoming​ ​place,​ ​will​ ​build​ ​on​ ​that​ ​feeling by​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​“Welcome​ ​Center”​ ​in​ ​our​ ​front​ ​lobby​ ​that​ ​will​ ​have​ ​the​ ​words​ ​hello​ ​and​ ​goodbye​ ​in​ ​various languages​ ​that​ ​represent​ ​our​ ​families'​ ​heritage.​ ​We​ ​will ​also​ ​include​ ​other​ ​quotes​ ​on​ ​our​ ​walls that​ ​would​ ​encourage​ ​the​ ​growth​ ​mindset​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​you​ ​walk​ ​into​ ​our​ ​building.​ ​Another​ ​aspect​ ​of​ ​our Celebrating​ ​Diversity​ ​proposal​ ​will​ ​be​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​rock​ ​garden​ ​where​ ​every​ ​family​ ​at​ ​Hamilton​ ​would​ ​be asked​ ​to​ ​paint​ ​a​ ​rock​ ​and​ ​add​ ​it​ ​to​ ​our​ ​garden​ ​in​ ​the​ ​designated​ ​area​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​our​ ​school.​ ​ 

Kyle Rogers               Hamilton Elementary   Coding with Pop Culture
A​ ​series​ ​of​ ​coding manipulatives​ ​and​ ​lessons​ ​to​ will ​bring​ ​coding​ ​into​ ​our​ ​classrooms.  ​Several​ ​fabulous​ ​new​ ​products​ ​have​ ​recently​ ​hit​ ​the​ ​market​ ​that​ ​aim​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​coding skills​ ​to​​ ​younger​ ​children.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​these​ ​new​ ​products​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Lego​ ​Boost.​ ​This​ ​new​ ​set​ ​allows​ ​students to​ ​develop​ ​multiple​ ​Lego​ ​sets​ ​that​ ​they​ ​can​ ​then​ ​code​ ​using​ ​digital​ ​software.​ ​Lego​ ​also​ ​has​ ​built​ ​in challenges​ ​that​ ​they​ ​are​ ​constantly​ ​updating.​ ​Another​ ​manufacturer​ ​that​ ​produces​ ​coding​ ​systems​ ​is Sphero.​ ​One​ ​great​ ​thing​ ​about​ ​Sphero​ ​is​ ​that​ ​their​ ​Droids​ ​are​ ​pop​ ​culture​ ​driven.​ ​ Students can​ ​code​ ​and​ ​solve​ ​many​ ​challenges​ ​using​ ​characters​ ​from​ ​their​ ​favorite​ ​Star​ ​Wars​ ​and​ ​Pixar​ ​films. Sphero​ ​also​ ​has​ ​an​ ​application​ ​that​ ​is​ ​constantly​ ​adding​ ​new​ ​grade​ ​level​ ​appropriate​ ​challenges​ ​with varying​ ​skill​ ​levels.​ ​Sphero​ ​also​ ​has​ ​a​ ​Coding​ ​Thursday​ ​Challenge​ ​that​ ​updates​ ​weekly​ ​where​ ​students can​ ​compete​ ​against​ ​one​ ​another.​ ​
 
Suzanne Miller          Hamilton Elementary   Coding with Pop Culture
A​ ​series​ ​of​ ​coding manipulatives​ ​and​ ​lessons​ ​to​ will ​bring​ ​coding​ ​into​ ​our​ ​classrooms.  ​Several​ ​fabulous​ ​new​ ​products​ ​have​ ​recently​ ​hit​ ​the​ ​market​ ​that​ ​aim​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​coding skills​ ​to​​ ​younger​ ​children.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​these​ ​new​ ​products​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Lego​ ​Boost.​ ​This​ ​new​ ​set​ ​allows​ ​students to​ ​develop​ ​multiple​ ​Lego​ ​sets​ ​that​ ​they​ ​can​ ​then​ ​code​ ​using​ ​digital​ ​software.​ ​Lego​ ​also​ ​has​ ​built​ ​in challenges​ ​that​ ​they​ ​are​ ​constantly​ ​updating.​ ​Another​ ​manufacturer​ ​that​ ​produces​ ​coding​ ​systems​ ​is Sphero.​ ​One​ ​great​ ​thing​ ​about​ ​Sphero​ ​is​ ​that​ ​their​ ​Droids​ ​are​ ​pop​ ​culture​ ​driven.​ ​ Students can​ ​code​ ​and​ ​solve​ ​many​ ​challenges​ ​using​ ​characters​ ​from​ ​their​ ​favorite​ ​Star​ ​Wars​ ​and​ ​Pixar​ ​films. Sphero​ ​also​ ​has​ ​an​ ​application​ ​that​ ​is​ ​constantly​ ​adding​ ​new​ ​grade​ ​level​ ​appropriate​ ​challenges​ ​with varying​ ​skill​ ​levels.​ ​Sphero​ ​also​ ​has​ ​a​ ​Coding​ ​Thursday​ ​Challenge​ ​that​ ​updates​ ​weekly​ ​where​ ​students can​ ​compete​ ​against​ ​one​ ​another.​ ​
 
Suzanne Siegel          Hamilton Elementary   Science Guided Reading Books for Elem Readers
Funds for this​ ​project​ ​will​ ​ purchase​ ​cutting​ ​edge​ ​science​ ​reading​ ​materials​ ​that​ ​present​ ​difficult​ ​science concepts​ ​in​ ​a​ ​fun​ ​and​ ​engaging​ ​way​ ​that​ ​will​ ​appeal​ ​to​ ​ALL​ ​learners.  These award winning books​ are ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​delivery​ ​of​ ​the​ ​scientific​ ​information.​ ​​ ​In one​ ​series​ ​of​ ​books,​ ​for​ ​example,​ ​each​ ​vignette​ ​uses​ ​a​ ​monster​ ​and​ ​cool​ ​comic​ ​book​ ​style​ ​illustrations​ ​to show​ ​the​ ​how's​ ​and​ ​why's​ ​of​ ​science.​ ​​ ​The​ ​books​ ​have​ ​​ ​accessible​ ​text,​ ​photo​ ​diagrams,​ ​and​ ​high-impact images,​ ​all​ ​readers,​ ​including​ ​reluctant,​ ​will​ ​blaze​ ​through​ ​these​ ​books​ ​from​ ​cover​ ​to​ ​cover​ ​in​ ​no​ ​time​ ​flat.
 ​ 
Sarah Kijek            Hill Elementary                “Pop up Pods”
The​ project ​goal​ ​is​ ​to​ ​empower​ ​students​ ​to​ ​create​ ​meaningful​ ​reflections of​ their​ learning. ​Differentiating​​ instruction​ is​ ​ extremely​ valuable​ ​for​ ​each ​​and ​every​​ ​child​ ​in ​​the ​ classroom​ and the​ ​“Pop​ ​Up​ ​Pods”​ give​​ ​us ​ ​that​ opportunity.​  The​ “Pop​​ Up ​ Pods”​​ can act ​​as a ​ “recording​ ​studio” for​​ ​our  ​students to​ ​reduce background​​ noise​ and​ ​eliminate​ ​distractions​ ​of​ ​others​ ​performing​ ​their​ ​tasks.​ ​The​ ​lime​ ​green​ ​pod​ ​could also​ ​ act​ ​as​ a​ ​ green​ screen.​ ​The​ ​pods​ collapse​ into small​ packages​ ​​that ​ can ​ ​be easily ​stored ​ ​in ​ ​classrooms or ​kept  ​in​  ​the storage​ ​room​ ​for​ whole​​ building​ access.​ ​  The​​ majority​ ​of​ ​our​ classrooms use​ ​ SeeSaw​ or​​ Schoology. These​ ​are​ ​open​ ​to​ ​parents ​ so​  ​they can​ ​have​ ​a ​​“peek”​ ​into​ ​our​ ​everyday​ ​projects​ in​​ ​the​ ​classroom.​ ​The “Pop​ ​Up​ ​Pods”​ ​will enhance​ ​that​ ​experience​ ​by​ ​allowing​ ​our​ ​students​ ​to​ ​record​ ​original​ ​videos​ ​set​ ​in the​ ​setting​ ​of​ ​their​ ​stories,​ ​express ​ ​themselves​ ​in​ ​recordings ​without​​ ​background ​ noise​ and​​ provide​ a​ clean ​environment​ for ​them​ ​ to​​ work​ ​in.​​ ​The ​​pods​ ​can​ also​​ be​​ ​used​ ​for ​​the​ ​video announcements​ that​ ​are created​ ​by​ the​​ ​school​ ​broadcast​ ​team.
 
Heidi Apol              Hill Elementary      Media Center Makerspace   
​Hill School students​ ​will have the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​creativity,​ ​critical​ ​thinking, communication​ ​and​ collaboration through the use of a makerspace.  ​Our​ ​maker​ ​space​ ​will​ be located in the media center ​where​ ​students​ ​can​ ​learn​ ​and​ ​use​ ​new technologies​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​play​ ​with​ ​regular​ ​household​ ​items​ ​to​ ​create​ ​new​ ​things.​ ​By​ ​having​ ​the​ ​maker space​ ​in​ ​the​ ​media​ ​center,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​collaborating​ ​across​ ​grade​ ​levels​ ​on​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​projects.  Grant funds​ ​will​ ​be​ ​split​ ​between​ ​the​ ​purchase​ ​of​ ​ozobots​ ​and​ ​materials​ ​for creating.
 
Pam Mulligan        Hill Elementary      Connecting with Characters
​Third​ ​grade​ ​​ ​students​ will ​develop​ ​a​ ​love​ ​of​ ​reading​ ​by​ ​providing​ ​books​ ​they​ ​connect​ ​to.  They will have the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​between​ ​print​ ​and​ ​digital​ ​texts students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​with​ ​a​ ​character​ ​across several​ ​texts​ ​within​ ​the​ ​Lucy​ ​Calkins​ ​reading​ ​units​ ​of​ ​study.​ ​​ ​By​ ​offering​ ​both​ ​traditional​ ​and​ ​digital​ ​book choices,​ ​learning​ ​will​ ​be​ ​individualized​ ​towards​ ​student​ ​needs.​ ​​ ​​ ​Ebooks​ ​will​ ​give​ ​students​ ​the​ ​opportunity to​ ​highlight​ ​and​ ​write​ ​notes,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​provide​ ​a​ ​built​ ​in​ ​dictionary​ ​within​ ​the​ ​text.​ ​​ ​These​ ​features​ ​will​ ​help to​ ​build​ ​student​ ​comprehension​ ​and​ ​vocabulary.​ ​​ ​This​ ​will​ ​give​ ​students​ ​a​ ​rich​ ​classroom​ ​library​ ​filled​ ​with interesting​ ​books,​ ​and​ ​empower​ ​them​ ​to​ ​make​ ​choices​ ​about​ ​what​ ​they​ ​read.
 
Melody Hartley      Hill Elementary      Digital Lending Library
Hill students will have the ​use​ ​of​ ​a​ ​digital listening​ ​library that​ ​will​ ​help​ ​bring​ ​literature​ ​to​ ​life​ ​for​ ​the​ ​students​ ​and​ ​help​ ​them​ ​gain​ ​a​ ​lifelong​ ​love​ ​of reading.  We will convert​ ​all​ ​of​ ​the​ ​old​ ​cassettes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​MP3​ ​format​ ​so​ ​that​ ​we​ ​can continue​ ​to​ ​use​ ​the​ ​cherished​ ​classics​ ​texts​ ​that​ ​have​ ​been​ ​helping​ ​children​ ​learn​ ​to​ ​read​ ​for​ ​years.​​  ​With​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​MP3​ ​Players​ ​and​ ​actual​ ​books,​ ​the​ ​students could​ ​follow​ ​along​ ​tracking​ ​the​ ​print​ ​as​ ​the​ ​stories​ ​are​ ​read​ ​to​ ​them.​ ​​ ​This​ ​will​ ​increase​ ​their​ ​exposure​ ​to print​ ​helping​ ​to​ ​build​ ​their​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​high​ ​frequency​ ​words,​ ​build​ ​up​ ​their​ ​vocabulary,​ ​and​ ​help​ ​them read​ ​texts​ ​that​ ​would​ ​normally​ ​be​ ​too​ ​difficult​ ​for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​read​ ​on​ ​their​ ​own.  Of​ ​course throughout​ ​the​ ​day,​ ​we​ ​read​ ​with​ ​our​ ​students​ ​in​ ​large​ ​groups,​ ​small​ ​groups,​ ​and​ ​sometimes​ ​even​ ​one​ ​on one.​
 
Kaitlyn Palma        Leonard Elementary        Breakout Leonard
Breakout EDU will provide all Leonard​  ​​Elementary​ School staff​​ ​with​ ​tools​ ​to promote critical​ ​ thinking,​ collaboration,​ ​ creativity​​ and​ ​communication​ among students​ ​and​ ​staff.   ​​Breakout EDU​ ​cultivates ​ these​ skills​ ​with a​ ​ series​ ​of games​​ where​ ​ players ​solve curriculum based ​​puzzles ​in ​order​ to​​ open ​a​  ​locked box.   ​With​ ​every ​ unsuccessful​ attempt​ ​to ​​open ​​a​ ​lock ​the ​​students​ ​work​ ​together​ ​to​ ​problem​ solve​ ​and​ try​ again.​ ​According ​ to​ Ron​​ Rich in Creating​​  ​Culture ​ of Thinking​ (2015)​, ​he​  states​ ​a ​ ​quality  ​education​ ​is "a​ ​rich​ ​portrait ​ of​​ the student​ ​as​ an ​engaged​​ and​ active ​​thinker ​ able​ ​to ​communicate,  ​innovate, collaborate, ​ and​ problem-solve"​.  Using Breakout  EDU​ ​we will​ create​ rich,​​ ​engaging,​ ​opportunities ​​for all​ ​students​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​these​ ​critical​ ​skills.​ ​These​ ​kits​ ​can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​year​ ​after​ ​year.  

Nadeen M Brown   Leonard Elementary        Lighting Environment
The project funds will be used​ ​to​ ​enhance​ ​most​ ​of​ ​the​ ​lighting​ ​in​ ​my​ ​first​ ​grade classroom​ ​from​ ​the​ ​regular​ ​fluorescent​ ​lighting​ ​​ ​to​ ​a​ ​calmer​ ​effect​ ​with​ ​the​ ​fluorescent​ ​light​ ​covers.​ ​​ ​In Creating​ ​Cultures​ ​by​ ​Ron​ ​Ritchart,​ ​he​ ​discusses​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​having​ ​an​ ​environmentally​ ​rich classroom.​ ​​ ​ ​Research​ ​indicates​ ​that​ ​fluorescent​ ​lights​ ​can​ ​increase​ ​headaches​ ​in​ ​children​ ​and​ ​have​ ​an impact​ ​with​ ​children​ ​with​ ​autism.​ ​​ ​I​ ​have​ ​a​ ​student​ ​who​ ​is​ ​in​ ​my​ ​classroom​ ​who​ ​has​ ​autism​ ​and​ ​several students​ ​who​ ​have​ ​been​ ​diagnosis​ ​with​ ​ADHD.​ ​I​ ​am​ ​certain​ ​these​ ​light​ ​panels​ ​will​ ​help​ ​students​ ​be successful​ ​in​ ​their​ ​academic​ ​achievement.
Lauri Bussel          Martel Elementary           Time Management and Assessment
The ​PE​ ​timer​ ​clocks​ ​will be​ ​replaced with digital clocks. The clocks​ ​which​ ​are​ ​used​ ​daily​ ​for​ ​1,300+​ ​students​ ​to​ ​manage​ ​our​ ​lesson​ ​time,​ ​student​ ​assessments​ ​and time​ ​Physical​ ​activities​ ​and​ ​games. To​ ​use​ ​the​ ​bold​ ​and​ ​large​ ​digital​ ​clocks​ ​to​ ​effectively​ ​assess​ ​students,​ ​manage lesson​ ​time​ ​and​ ​use​ ​for​ ​games​ ​and​ ​activities​ ​which​ ​will​ ​be​ ​viewable​ ​for​ ​students.​ ​​ ​Four​ ​out​ ​of​ ​five​ ​of​ ​our fitness​ ​tests​ ​are​ ​timed​ ​tests.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​are​ ​highly​ ​motivated​ ​when​ ​they​ ​can​ ​see​ ​the​ ​timer​ ​during​ ​their test!
Jennifer Bell                    Morse Elementary           Manipulatives Help Us Learn and Grow
​Students​ ​receiving​ ​Special Education​ ​support​ ​through​ ​our​ ​resource​ ​room​ ​program​ ​need​ ​opportunities​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​and​ ​practice​ ​in​ ​a variety​ ​of​ ​different​ ​ways.​ ​​ ​The​ ​literacy​ ​and​ ​math​ ​manipulatives​ will ​target​ ​the academic​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​our​ ​students​ ​with​ ​special​ ​needs.​ ​​ ​I​ ​plan​ ​to​ ​share​ ​the​ ​manipulatives​ ​with​ ​classroom teachers​ ​so​ ​that​ ​they​ ​may​ ​use​ ​them​ ​to​ ​support​ ​students​ ​within​ ​their​ ​classrooms.​ ​​ ​Morse Elementary​ ​is​ ​a​ ​Title​ ​I​ ​School​ with ​ ​nearly​ ​500​ ​students​ ​in​ ​grades​ ​pre-K​ ​through​ ​five.​ ​Demographically​ ​the students​ ​at​ ​Morse​ ​are​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​diverse​ ​in​ ​the​ ​district​ ​with​ ​60%​ ​speaking​ ​a​ ​language​ ​other​ ​than English.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​especially​ ​important​ ​to support​ ​this​ ​population​ ​with​ ​manipulatives​ ​so​ ​that​ ​students​ ​have​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​access​ ​the​ ​curriculum​ ​beyond language-based​ ​methods.
 
Lauren Cooper       Morse Elementary           Capturing Moments
A​ ​Canon Rebel​ ​T6i​ will be used to ​captures ​images of​ ​the​ ​real​ ​moments​ ​in​ ​our​ ​everyday​ ​life​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​and​ ​encourage​ ​communication​ ​​​with​ ​outstanding​ ​clarity​ ​and​ ​tonal​ ​range.  The camera will be used to ​communicate​ ​with​ ​our​ ​community, ​teach​ non-verbal​ ​and non-English speaking​ ​learners, ​use​ ​technology​ ​in​ ​a​ ​new​ ​way​ ​and​ ​express​ ​their​ ​learning​ ​in​ ​exciting​ ​ways.​  ​​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​take​ ​a leadership​ ​role​ ​in​ ​an​ ​around​ ​our​ ​classroom​ ​by​ ​using​ ​the​ ​camera​ ​as​ ​well as the teacher
 
Mark Sackett          Morse Elementary           Morse Summer Nights
​During​ ​the​ ​summer​ ​of​ ​2018​ ​the​ ​Morse​ ​community will continue ​“school”​ ​one​ ​night​ ​a week​ ​all​ ​summer​ ​long.​ ​This​ ​innovative​ ​program​ ​draws ​crowds​ ​of​ ​over​ ​one​ ​hundred​ ​​ ​children​ ​and​ ​their families​ ​each​ ​Wednesday​ ​night.  The​ ​“Morse​ ​Summer​ ​Nights”​ ​program​ ​​goals will​ ​provide​ ​access​ ​to​ ​a​ ​free​ ​lending​ ​library​ ​of high​ ​interest​ ​books​ ​for​ ​students​ ​at​ ​all​ ​reading​ ​levels, ​provide​ ​food​ ​(both​ ​perishable​ ​and​ ​non​ ​perishable)​ ​to​ ​our​ ​students​ ​and​ ​their families and ​provide​ ​FREE​ ​family​ ​fun​ ​that​ ​educates​ ​and​ ​empowers​ ​both​ ​our students​ ​and​ ​their​ ​families.​ ​During​ ​the​ ​summer​ ​of​ ​2016​ ​our​ ​community​ ​activities​ ​included​ ​healthy​ ​cooking nights,​ ​a​ ​kids​ ​only​ ​garage​ ​sale,​ ​a​ ​community​ ​sit​ ​down​ ​dinner​​, ​a movie​ ​night​ ​and​ ​water​ ​fun​ ​nights,​ ​to​ ​name​ ​a​ ​few.
 
Grace Lynch              Morse Elementary                 Expanding Vocabulary, Executive Functioning
Speech-Language students​ ​learning​ ​and​ ​performance​ ​in​ ​oral​ ​and​ ​written​ ​language​ ​will increase through​ ​the use​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Expanding​ ​Expressions​ ​Tool​ ​(EET).   ​The Expanding​ ​Expressions​ ​Tool​ ​(EET)​ ​is​ ​a​ ​multi-sensory​ ​tool​ ​that​ ​benefits​ ​students​ ​whose​ ​performance​ ​is negatively​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​vocabulary​ ​weaknesses.​ ​An​ ​analog​ ​clock​ ​designed​ ​by​ ​an​ ​expert​ ​of​ ​executive functioning​ ​would​ ​be​ ​used​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​students​ ​about​ ​the​ ​passage​ ​of​ ​time.​ ​This​ ​encourages​ ​students​ ​to manage​ ​their​ ​time​ ​and​ ​engage​ ​in​ ​goal​ ​directed​ ​behavior.​ ​Lastly,​ ​materials​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Social​ ​Thinking curriculum​ ​would​ ​be​ ​utilized​ ​by​ ​the​ ​speech-language​ ​pathologist​ ​and​ ​social​ ​worker​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​social​ ​skills intervention​ ​to​ ​students.
 
Allison Greene          Morse Elementary                 Morse Community Garden
​The project will focus on making the Morse Community Garden sustainable.  Morse School staff and students​ ​have​ ​created​ ​an​ ​edible​ ​outdoor​ ​garden​ ​and​ ​classroom.​ ​This​ ​garden​ ​provides​ ​learning​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​our​ ​students​ ​and​ ​our​ ​community,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​provide​ ​them​ ​with​ ​fresh fruits​ ​and​ ​vegetables  ​As​ ​one of​ ​the​ ​larger​ ​schools​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Troy​ ​School​ ​District,​ ​Morse​ ​has​ ​nearly​ ​500​ ​students​ ​in​ ​grades​ ​Pre-K​ ​through five.​ ​Demographically​ ​the​ ​students​ ​at​ ​Morse​ ​are​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​diverse​ ​in​ ​the​ ​district​ ​with​ ​60% speaking​ ​a​ ​language​ ​other​ ​than​ ​English​ ​at​ ​home​ ​and​ ​nearly​ ​40%​ ​living​ ​at​ ​or​ ​below​ ​the​ ​federal​ ​poverty level.​ ​As​ ​a​ ​result​ ​of​ ​our​ ​school's​ ​demographics,​ ​our​ ​families​ ​are​ ​benefiting​ ​from​ ​this​ ​project. 
 
Alexandria Oleksienko         Morse Elementary     Interactive Inquiry Science
Through​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​Mystery​ ​Science,​ ​students​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​hands-on inquiry​ ​science​ ​experiments​ ​that​ ​allow​ ​them​ ​to​ ​experience​ ​first​ ​hand​ ​science​ ​concepts.  The​ ​program​ ​helps​ ​teachers​ ​supplement​ ​the​ ​curriculum​ ​by offering​ ​projects,​ ​experiments,​ ​activities,​ ​and​ ​videos​ ​that​ ​add​ ​to​ ​our​ ​current​ ​curriculum.​ ​​ ​Mystery​ ​Science reaches​ ​every​ ​grade​ ​level​ ​in​ ​the​ ​building,​ ​offering​ ​several​ ​different​ ​disciplines​ ​in​ ​science​ ​at​ ​each​ ​grade level.​ ​​ ​The​ ​​grant​ ​money​ ​will ​help​ ​us​ ​to​ ​supply​ ​a​ ​closet​ ​of​ ​items​ ​such​ ​as​ ​dixie​ ​cups,​ ​play​ ​sand,​ ​food​ ​coloring,​ ​vinegar,​ ​school​ ​glue,​ ​straws,​ ​toothpicks,​ ​etc...​ ​​ ​​
 
Karen Bush            Schroeder Elementary     The “Keys” To Activate Learning  
Using the Breakout EDU game ​students​ ​will work​ ​in​ ​groups​ ​to​ ​use teamwork ​ and ​ critical​​ thinking​ ​ to​ ​solve​ ​a​ series​​ of​ challenging​  ​puzzles​ ​ in​​  ​order ​​to ​​break ​ into​  ​a​ ​lock ​box that ​ holds​​ a​ ​ hidden​ ​surprise​ ​in​ the​​ ​end. ​ ​Each​ lock​​ ​box ​​has​ six​​ ​locks​ ​attached​ ​to​ ​it. ​ As​​ students​ work​ together​ ​to​ ​solve​ ​the​ ​clues​ ​one​ ​at​ ​a​ ​time​ ​they​ ​figure​ ​out​ ​the​ ​code​ ​or​ ​find ​ the ​ key to​​ unlock​ ​one of​ ​the locks.​  Once ​ ​all​ ​six​ ​codes​ ​have​ ​been ​cracked​​ ​and​ they​​ ​break​ ​into ​the​​ ​box,​ ​a​ fun​ ​surprise​ awaits​​ ​all ​​their​ ​hard work,   ​We will use a series of ​teacher created challenging​  puzzles​ ​that ​are connected to the curriculum.  These​ kits​​ ​can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​over ​and​​ ​over​ ​again ​​in​ all​​ ​grades​ at​ every​ level They​ ​transfer​ ​the​ ​ownership​ ​of​ ​learning​ ​from​ ​the​ ​teacher​ ​to​ the​ student,​​ making​​ it easy​ ​ ​to observe ​how​ learners​ approach​ ​problem​ ​solving  ​​and apply ​ ​their ​knowledge.​  ​In addition​ ​to the​  ​content knowledge ​ needed​ ​to​​ succeed​​ in​​  ​a ​ specific​​ ​game, ​ they​​ ​require ​ critical thinking,​ ​collaboration, ​ creativity​ and ​ communication.​ Every unsuccessful ​attempt​ to​​ open a​ lock​ forces​​ ​the​ students​ ​to​ ​try​​ ​again.
 
Dana Calvrid          Schroeder Elementary               Flexible Spaces
Through​ creating a developed​ ​learning​ ​space​ ​students will be encouraged​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​where​ ​they learn​ ​best​ ​and​ ​to​ ​have​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​constant​ ​collaboration.   By purchasing​ ​Hokki​ ​stools,​ ​jellyfish​ ​seating,​ ​and​ ​bouncy​ ​bands students will have flexible​ ​seating​ ​options​ ​that will stimulate​ ​their ​sense​ ​of​ ​touch​ ​and​ be helpful​ ​for​ ​students​ ​with​ ​ADHD,​ ​ADD,​ ​and​ ​ASD.​ ​Students​​ ​are​ ​continually​ ​working​ ​around the​ ​room,​ ​in​ ​our​ ​LGI,​ ​or​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​school.​ ​Having​ ​flexible​ ​seating​ ​options​ ​for​ ​within​ ​the​ ​classroom will facilitate this activity.
 
 
Dana Calvrid          Schroeder Elementary               Outdoor Classroom
There​ ​are​ ​endless​ ​proven​ ​benefits​ from having​ students ​learn​  and​​ work in​​ an​ outdoor learning​ ​ environment.​   Research​ ​ has​​ ​shown​ that​ students​  ​have ​better​ health,​ ​decreased​​ stress levels, ​ increased​ motivation,​ better​ attitudes​​ ​towards ​ all​​ learning​ ​and ​it ​ enhances communication​ skills!​  Using grant funds ​ ​this​ ​project​ ​will ​create​ ​an​ ​outdoor​ ​classroom.​ ​This​ ​would​ ​be​ ​a​ ​place​ ​where​ ​all​ students would ​ have the​ opportunity​​ to​ learn​ from​ ​their teacher​​ and​​ ​peers ​in​ ​an ​atmosphere outside ​of the four​ cement​ walls.   An outdoor classroom would allow​​ students​​ to​​ ​have a​ ​concern​ for​ the​ ​natural environment​​ ​around ​them and​ ​would give​ ​students the​ opportunity​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​new​ ​knowledge ​​and​ ​skills​ ​that​ ​were​ ​once​ ​acquired ​ in​ ​ the​ classroom​​ to​ real-life​ situations that​​ would​​ be​​ beyond​ ​the ​classroom walls.​     
 
Jason Cichowicz             Schroeder Elementary               Heart Dissection
Boulan​ ​Park​ ​Middle​ ​School​ ​students​ ​will​ ​lead​ ​the​ ​Schroeder​ ​fifth​ ​graders​ ​in​ ​a dissection​ ​of​ ​an​ ​actual​ ​veal​ ​heart​ ​in​ ​January​ ​2018.​ ​​ ​There​ ​will​ ​be​ ​roughly​ ​twenty-four​ ​groups​ ​of​ ​students. Each​ ​group​ ​will​ ​have​ ​their​ ​own​ ​heart.​ ​​ ​The​ ​groups​ ​will​ ​be​ ​comprised​ ​of​ ​about​ ​five​ ​or​ ​six​ ​elementary students​ ​and​ ​multiple​ ​sixth​ ​grade​ ​leaders.  ​Using​ ​a​ ​set​ ​of​ ​directions​ ​to​ ​guide​ ​the​ ​exploration,​ ​the​ ​students will​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​discover​ ​the​ ​various​ ​components​ ​of​ ​the​ ​veal​ ​heart​ ​through​ ​the​ ​dissection.​ ​​ ​Comparisons will​ ​be​ ​made​ ​between​ ​the​ ​veal​ ​heart​ ​being​ ​dissected​ ​and​ ​a​ ​human​ ​heart.​ ​​ ​Using​ ​this​ ​comparison,​ ​the students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​relate​ ​this​ ​understanding​ ​to​ ​how​ ​the​ ​human​ ​heart​ ​works​ ​in​ ​the​ ​body.​ ​​ ​The​ ​sixth graders​ ​will​ ​be​ ​in​ ​charge​ ​of​ ​leading​ ​the​ ​groups​ ​through​ ​the​ ​discovery​ ​process​ ​and​ ​assisting​ ​with​ ​the dissection.​ ​​ ​​ ​A​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​Visible​ ​Thinking​ ​routines​ ​will​ ​be​ ​used​ ​throughout​ ​this​ ​activity​ ​to​ ​push​ ​student thinking​ ​and​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​a​ ​record​ ​of​ ​the​ ​learning​ ​taking​ ​place.​ ​​ ​In​ ​addition,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​take​ ​pictures​ ​on​ ​their iPads​ ​of​ ​the​ ​various​ ​stages​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dissection.​ ​​ ​These​ ​pictures​ ​will​ ​be​ ​used​ ​to​ ​assist​ ​students​ ​in​ ​creating​ ​a culminating​ ​photo​ ​diary​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dissection.​ ​​ ​These​ ​diaries​ ​will​ ​be​ ​shared​ ​at​ ​home​ ​with​ ​their​ ​families. Finally,​ ​if​ ​possible,​ ​we​ ​plan​ ​to​ ​either​ ​have​ ​a​ ​cardiologist​ ​speak​ ​with​ ​the​ ​students​ ​about​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​and circulatory​ ​system​ ​after​ ​the​ ​dissection.​ ​​ ​
 
Lindsay Keegan     Schroeder Elementary               Think Outside-No Box Required
The project​ will ​create​ ​an​ ​outdoor​ ​learning​ ​environment​ ​for​ ​students. This​ ​will​ ​be​ ​a​ ​student-led​ ​project​ ​that​ ​emerges​ ​from​ ​our​ ​science​ ​unit​ ​on​ ​Environments.​ ​We​ ​will​ ​begin​ ​by studying​ ​the​ ​environments​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​but​ ​then​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​our​ ​school​ ​environment​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​​ ​Through​ ​this journey,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​reflect​ ​on​ ​the​ ​learning​ ​spaces​ ​that​ ​we​ ​have​ ​in​ ​our​ ​school.​ ​​ ​ This​ ​will ​be​ ​an​ ​area where​ ​students​ ​from​ ​any​ ​grade​ ​level​ ​in​ ​the​ ​school​ ​can​ ​learn​ ​and​ ​collaborate​ ​for​ ​years​ ​to​ ​come!​ 
 
Lindsay Keegan     Schroeder Elementary               Historical Fiction Book Club
​This​ ​year​ ​the​ ​TSD​ ​has​ ​adopted​ ​a​ ​new​ ​reading​ ​curriculum that has a unit entitled ​ ​Historical​ ​Fiction​ ​Book​ ​Clubs.   ​Funds​ ​will​ ​be​ ​used​ ​to​ ​buy​ ​historical​ ​fiction​ ​books​ ​so​ ​that​ ​students​ ​can​ ​grow as​ ​readers.​ ​​ ​During​ ​this​ ​unit,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​benefit​ ​from​ ​being​ ​in​ ​a​ ​book​ ​club​ ​with​ ​their​ ​peers​ ​by​ ​talking​ ​and analyzing​ ​texts​ ​together.  ​They​ ​will​ ​analyze​ ​characters​ ​and​ ​themes​ ​within​ ​their​ ​book​ ​club, improving​ ​their​ ​comprehension. 
 
 
 
Wendy Gustin                  Schroeder Elementary               Learn to Code with Dash and Dot Robots
We will​ ​purchase​ ​a​ ​Dash​ ​and​ ​Dot​ ​Robotics​ ​Classroom​ ​Kit​ ​for​ ​use​ ​by​ ​all students​ ​at​ ​Costello​ ​Elementary.​ ​​ ​Dash​ ​and​ ​Dot​ ​are​ ​small​ ​robots​ ​that​ ​help​ ​kids​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​simple​ ​code language​ ​and​ ​deductive​ ​reasoning.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​may​ ​also​ ​use​ ​customized​ ​block-based​ ​programming through​ ​coding​ ​apps​ ​using​ ​Blockly,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​Google’s​ ​Blockly​ ​visual​ ​programming​ ​editor.​ ​​ ​Dash and​ ​Dot​ ​also​ ​have​ ​free​ ​apps​ ​that​ ​may​ ​be​ ​downloaded​ ​to​ ​student​ ​iPads​ ​for​ ​additional​ ​programming challenges.​ ​Dash​ ​and​ ​Dot​ ​robots​ ​teach​ ​code​ ​writing​ ​in​ ​a​ ​different​ ​way.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​many​ ​apps​ ​out​ ​there that​ ​teach​ ​code​ ​writing,​ ​but​ ​Dash​ ​and​ ​Dot​ ​robots​ ​are​ ​tactile​ ​and​ ​some​ ​children​ ​need​ ​this three-dimensional​ ​approach.​ ​When​ ​students​ ​can​ ​see​ ​the​ ​application​ ​of​ ​the​ ​code,​ ​apply​ ​the​ ​code​ ​to​ ​these robots​ ​and​ ​see​ ​how​ ​it​ ​works,​ ​coding​ ​an​ ​make​ ​much​ ​more​ ​sense.​ ​​ ​This​ ​kit​ ​would​ ​be​ ​used​ ​in​ ​the​ ​library media​ ​center,​ ​but​ ​would​ ​also​ ​be​ ​available​ ​for​ ​checkout​ ​by​ ​teachers​ ​to​ ​use​ ​in​ ​their​ ​own​ ​classroom.​ ​​ ​
 
 
Karen Bush            Schroeder Elementary     Third Grade Entrepreneurs Pave the Way to 21st Century
Third grade students​ ​will ​engage​ ​in​ ​a​ ​project​ ​based​ ​learning​ ​experience in​ ​which​ ​they​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​what​ ​they​ ​have​ ​learned​ ​about​ ​the​ ​history​ ​of​ ​settlement​ ​in​ ​the​ ​United​ ​States​ ​to their​ ​lives​ ​today​ ​in​ ​a​ ​meaningful​ ​way.​ ​​ ​ By​ ​building​ ​moving assembly​ ​lines​ ​with​ ​legos​ ​students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​step​ ​inside​ ​Henry​ ​Ford's​ ​shoes​ ​to​ ​experience​ ​the struggles​ ​of​ ​creating​ ​something​ ​new​ ​as​ ​they​ ​problem​ ​solve​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​design​ ​through​ ​trial​ ​and​ ​error.  While​ ​most​ ​kids​ ​have​ ​had​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​build​ ​with​ ​legos,​ ​many​ ​students​ ​haven't​ ​had​ ​the​ ​opportunity to​ ​add​ ​robotics​ ​to​ ​their​ ​legos​ ​to​ ​make​ ​them​ ​move.​ ​This​ ​learning​ ​curve​ ​will​ ​push​ ​and​ ​challenge​ ​their thinking.​ ​​ ​Later​ ​in​ ​the​ ​project​ ​students will think​ ​like​ ​an​ ​entrepreneur​ ​and​ ​design​ ​a​ ​product that​ ​our​ ​class​ ​could​ ​make​ ​and​ ​sell.​ ​​ Next they will also​ ​contribute​ ​to​ ​the​ ​greater​ ​good​ ​in society​ ​by​ ​using​ ​the​ ​profits​ ​of​ ​what​ ​we​ ​make​ ​on​ ​our​ ​assembly​ ​lines​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​World's​ ​Largest​ ​Lesson Global​ ​Outreach​ ​program.​ ​​ ​They will​ ​learn​ ​to​ ​think​ ​beyond​ ​the​ ​walls​ ​of​ ​our​ ​school​ ​and​ ​our​ ​community and​ ​know​ ​that​ ​they​ ​can​ ​make​ ​a​ ​difference​ ​in​ ​this​ ​world.
 
Jaime Lindstrom   Schroeder Elementary     Student Selected Seating in the Classroom
​The​ ​Student​ ​Selected​ ​Seating​ ​Project​ ​will​ ​provide​ ​seating​ ​options​ ​for​ ​all​ ​students​ ​in my​ ​class.​ ​My​ ​main​ ​objective​ ​is​ ​for​ ​every​ ​child​ ​to​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​a​ ​learning​ ​spot,​ ​from​ ​many​ ​options, that​ ​is​ ​successful​ ​for​ ​their​ ​learning.​ ​​ ​All​ ​students​ ​are​ ​different,​ ​and​ ​allowing​ ​​ ​options​ ​will​ ​promote engagement​ ​in​ ​learning,​ ​comfort​ ​and​ ​more​ ​focus.​ ​I​ ​currently​ ​have​ ​several​ ​special​ ​education​ ​students,​ ​as well​ ​as​ ​multiple​ ​children​ ​with​ ​ADHD.​ ​These​ ​flexible​ ​options,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​yoga​ ​balls​ ​and​ ​wiggle​ ​stools,​ ​will​ ​aid these​ ​students​ ​in​ ​being​ ​comfortable​ ​and​ ​stimulate​ ​brain​ ​function.
 
Heidi Palag            Troy Union Elementary              Troy Union Eagle Readers
Troy​ ​Union​ ​will​ ​send​ ​home​ ​summer​ ​reading​ ​bags​ ​with​ ​at​ ​least​ ​20​ ​books​ ​to​ ​our struggling​ ​readers​ ​K-2.​ ​Our​ ​"Eagle​ ​Readers"​ ​will​ ​select​ ​books​ ​of​ ​interest​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​school​ ​year,​ ​will read​ ​these​ ​books​ ​with​ ​their​ ​families​ ​over​ ​vacation,​ ​and​ ​will​ ​return​ ​the​ ​bag​ ​of​ ​books​ ​in​ ​the​ ​fall.​ ​The​ ​bags and​ ​books​ ​will​ ​be​ ​used​ ​again​ ​for​ ​summers​ ​to​ ​come. We will​ ​encourage​ ​and​ ​motivate​ ​our​ ​students​ ​and​ ​their​ ​families​ ​to​ ​read​ ​for​ ​fun​ ​over​ ​the summer.​ This will help​ ​students​ ​maintain​ ​reading​ ​skills​ ​while​ ​on​ ​summer​ ​vacation.
 
Veronica Recker    Troy Union Elementary              Troy Union Eagle Readers
Troy​ ​Union​ ​will​ ​send​ ​home​ ​summer​ ​reading​ ​bags​ ​with​ ​at​ ​least​ ​20​ ​books​ ​to​ ​our struggling​ ​readers​ ​K-2.​ ​Our​ ​"Eagle​ ​Readers"​ ​will​ ​select​ ​books​ ​of​ ​interest​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​school​ ​year,​ ​will read​ ​these​ ​books​ ​with​ ​their​ ​families​ ​over​ ​vacation,​ ​and​ ​will​ ​return​ ​the​ ​bag​ ​of​ ​books​ ​in​ ​the​ ​fall.​ ​The​ ​bags and​ ​books​ ​will​ ​be​ ​used​ ​again​ ​for​ ​summers​ ​to​ ​come. We will​ ​encourage​ ​and​ ​motivate​ ​our​ ​students​ ​and​ ​their​ ​families​ ​to​ ​read​ ​for​ ​fun​ ​over​ ​the summer.​ This will help​ ​students​ ​maintain​ ​reading​ ​skills​ ​while​ ​on​ ​summer​ ​vacation.
 
Lauren Fragomeni    Wass Elementary                    Catch The Box, Share The Voice
Catch​ ​The​ ​Box,​ ​Share​ ​Your​ ​Voice​ ​is​ ​a​ ​game​ ​changer​ ​for​ ​amplifying​ ​student thinking. ​ The​ Catchbox is​ ​a​ ​throwable ​microphone​ ​​that can​ be​ “thrown”​ or​​ passed​​  ​from student ​to student. ​ This​ brightly​ ​colored​ ​foam ​​cube​ ​is​ ​a​ highly​​ innovative​​ ​technology​ ​tool​ ​that​ ​allows​ ​students​ ​to share​ ​their​ ​thinking​ ​quickly​ ​from​ ​student​ ​to​ ​student​ ​in​ ​a​ ​fun​ ​and​ ​informal​ ​way.​ ​This​ ​decreases​ ​student anxiety​ ​by​ ​allowing​ ​students​ ​to​ ​toss​ ​the​ ​microphone​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​presenting​ ​their​ ​thinking​ ​at​ ​the​ ​front​ ​of​ ​the classroom. ​ This innovative ​tool​ will​ also​ allow​ ​students to take​ ​​ownership​ ​of ​passing​ ​​the Catchbox​ ​to the next​ student,​ instead​ of​​ ​being teacher led.​  Lastly,​ this tool​ ​​will significantly​ ​affect​ ​transition ​​and ​will allow​ ​teachers​ to​​ ​maximize​ ​their​ ​instructional​ ​time​ ​without​ the​ ​​difficulties​ ​of​ ​passing​ ​a​ ​microphone​ to​​ ​each student.  In ​writing, students share their​ writing​ goals, entries,​ ​ drafts,​ or published pieces​ easily ​with​ ​the ​class.​ ​The​ Catchbox​ is​ ​ready​ ​to​ amplify a student’s​ ​voice ​​as​ ​soon​ as​​ ​it​ ​is caught…no ​ on/off​​ switch.​ Catchbox will be used in Social Studies where the third grade classes pair up for instruction.             
 
Sarah Clos             Wass Elementary                      Creative Lab
​Creative​ ​Lab​ ​will​ ​help​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​skills​ ​that​ ​students​ ​will​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​independent critical​ ​thinkers,​ ​problem​ ​solvers​ ​and​ ​innovators​.​ ​​ It ​will​ ​help​ ​foster​ ​the​ ​spirit of​ ​experimentation​ ​and​ ​exploration​ ​which​ ​is​ ​the​ ​root​ ​of​ ​innovative​ ​thinking.  In its third year the lab encourages​ ​students​ ​to follow​ ​their​ ​curiosities,​ ​test​ ​how​ ​materials​ ​work,​ ​experiment,​ ​and​ ​explore​ ​new​ ​ideas.​  Project funds will ​go​ ​towards​ ​art​ ​supplies​ ​for​ the​ ​program as  well as​ ​Pictionary​ ​Games,​ ​and​ ​Marble​ ​Runner​ ​sets.
 
Caryn Torres         Wass Elementary            Math Games
These​ ​reusable​ ​resources​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​children​ ​the​ ​extra​ ​practice​ ​of​ ​learning​ ​basic​ ​math concepts,​ ​while​ ​having​ ​fun​ ​in​ ​small​ ​groups. Math​ ​games​ ​will​ ​be​ ​used​ ​to​ ​solidify​ ​the​ ​concepts​ ​taught​ ​during​ ​our​ ​daily​ ​lessons. Wass​ ​second​ ​grade​ ​parents​ ​are​ ​always​ ​eager​ ​to​ ​lead​ ​math​ ​games​ ​during​ ​the​ ​school​ ​year.​ ​​​These materials​ ​will​ ​provide​ ​quick​ ​and​ ​simple​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​resources​ ​for​ ​parents​ ​to​ ​use​ ​when​ ​guiding​ ​a​ ​math​ ​station (approximately​ ​once​ ​a​ ​month).  
 
Lori Kostrzewa      Wass Elementary            Building Understanding with Minecraft
Using​ ​Minecraft: Education​ ​Edition​ ​in​ ​the​ ​classroom​ ​will​ ​allow​ all third grade teachers ​to​ ​provide​ ​students​ ​with​ ​engaging​ ​learning opportunities​ ​across​ ​many​ ​subject​ ​areas​ ​that​ ​would​ ​go​ ​far​ ​beyond​ ​what​ ​was​ ​previously​ ​possible​ ​using traditional​ ​teaching​ ​methods.​ ​The​ ​program​ ​would​ ​also​ ​allow​ ​creation of​ ​unique​ ​assessment​ ​opportunities that​ ​provide​ ​students​ ​with​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​how​ ​they​ ​demonstrate​ ​their​ ​understanding.​   ​In​ ​addition​ ​to​ ​the​ ​numerous​ ​academic​ ​applications​ ​Minecraft:​ ​Education​ ​Edition provides,​ ​our​ ​students​ ​would​ ​gain​ ​skills​ ​in​ ​problem​ ​solving,​ ​collaboration,​ ​and​ ​communication​ ​through​ ​the use​ ​of​ ​this​ ​innovative​ ​instructional​ ​tool.
 
Deborah Kellett     Wass Elementary            Ants in Our Pants and Bats in Our Brain
Wass​ ​second​ ​graders​ ​will ​increase​ ​their​ ​knowledge​ ​and appreciation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​natural​ ​world by participating in a ​three-part​ ​project​ ​that​ ​will​ ​explore​ ​the​ ​ecosystems​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Great​ ​Lakes Region​ ​and​ ​beyond.​ ​First,​ ​students​ will​ ​learn​ ​to​ ​identify​ ​insects​ ​and​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​insects​ ​to​ ​other animals,​ ​plants​ ​and​ ​people​ ​as​ ​the​ ​foundation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​food​ ​chain.​ ​​ ​Second,​ ​we​ ​will​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​bats​ ​use sound​ ​waves​ ​(echolocation)​ ​to​ ​navigate​ ​in​ ​the​ ​dark​ ​and​ ​their​ ​important​ ​role​ ​in​ ​the​ ​food​ ​web​ ​in​ ​Michigan. We​ ​will​ ​also​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​bats,​ ​their​ ​habitats,​ ​and​ ​their​ ​lives.​ ​To​ ​celebrate​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bats​ ​unit,​ ​we​ ​will install​ ​a​ ​bat​ ​house​ ​that​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​five​ ​purchased​ ​through​ ​last​ ​year’s​ ​grant​ ​and​ ​that​ ​was​ ​signed​ ​and decorated​ ​by​ ​last​ ​year’s​ ​students.​ ​The​ ​third​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​project,​ ​is​ ​​ ​to​ ​support​ ​this​ ​hands-on​ ​learning​ ​with small​ ​sets​ ​of​ ​​ ​informational​ ​books​ ​on​ ​bats​ ​and​ ​insects​ ​to​ ​be​ ​used​ ​in​ ​literacy​ ​groups​ ​to​ ​build​ ​fluency​ ​and comprehension.
 
Andrea Moon         Wattles Elementary         African Style Conga Drums for Kids
By purchasing an additional 6 Remo Kids Percussion conga drums we will double these ​participants​ ​who will​ ​use​ ​the​ ​conga​ ​drums​ ​to​ ​imitate​ ​rhythms,​ ​keep​ ​a​ ​steady​ ​beat, create​ ​drumming​ ​patterns,​ ​share​ ​their​ ​ideas​ ​with​ ​classmates.​ ​​ ​They​ ​will​ ​learn​ ​to​ ​work​ ​together​ ​as​ ​a community​ ​of​ ​musicians​ ​which​ ​will​ ​cause​ ​them​ ​to​ ​use​ ​multiple​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​skills.  Wattles​ ​school​ ​has​ ​a​ ​population​ ​with​ ​many​ ​non-English​ ​speakers.​ ​​ ​Drumming​ ​is​ ​a​ ​totally​ ​international activity​ ​that​ ​gives​ ​are​ ​participants​ ​equal​ ​access​ ​to​ ​success.
 
Angela Rota           Wattles Elementary         Kinesthetic Kids
Wattles​ ​students​ ​with​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​​ ​more physical​ ​activity​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​school​ ​day by expanding activities begun in 2016.  By acquiring gross motor equipment for use inside the school more ​students​ ​will have ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​​ ​more physical​ ​activity​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​school​ ​day.   This will address the problem that children​ ​are​ ​not​ ​receiving​ ​the​ ​physical​ ​activity​ ​their bodies​ ​and​ ​brains​ ​crave​ ​and​ ​need.​ ​​ ​This​ ​negatively​ ​affects​ ​children​ ​in​ ​the​ ​classroom​ ​as​ ​both​ ​sides​ ​of​ ​their brains​ ​need​ ​physical​ ​activity​ ​to​ ​coordinate​ ​and​ ​work​ ​together.​
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