TFEE
  • About
  • Donate
    • Memorial Gifts
  • GRANTS
    • GRANT APPLICATION
    • 2016-2017
    • 2017-2018 >
      • Elementary School
      • Middle School
      • High School
    • 2018-2019
    • 2019-2020 >
      • SINGLE TEACHER GRANTS
      • MULTI-TEACHER GRANTS
    • 2020-2021
    • 2021-2022
    • 2022-2023
  • Scholarships
  • News
  • Golf
    • Register to Golf
    • Donate to the Golf Outing Raffle
  • Contact

2017-18 Middle School Grants

Middle School Grants 2017-2018

Anthony Morse              All Middle Schools                          TSD 8th Grade Civil War Day
​All​ ​four​ ​middle​ ​school’s 8th graders ​will​ ​be​ ​visiting​ ​the​ ​Troy​ ​Historical​ ​Museum.​ ​We​ ​will​ ​  continue​ ​an​ ​activity​ ​that​ ​has​ ​become​ ​a​ ​staple​ ​for​ ​all​ ​8th​ ​grade​ ​students​ ​who​ ​attend​ ​any​ ​of​ ​the​ ​4​ ​middles schools​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Troy​ ​School​ ​District.​ ​​ ​The​ ​Troy​ ​Historical​ ​Museum​ ​experience​ ​will​ ​supplement​ ​lessons pertaining​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Civil​ ​War,​ ​which​ ​will​ ​meet​ ​several​ ​of​ ​our​ ​Grade​ ​Level​ ​content​ ​expectations.​ ​​ ​Each school​ ​has​ ​ ​designated​ ​activities​ they​ ​we​ ​will​ ​rotate​ ​8-10​ ​stations.​ ​​This​ ​experience​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​students to​ ​hear​ ​great​ ​speakers​ ​and​ ​see​ ​how​ ​people​ ​lived​ ​during​ ​the​ ​1860's.​ ​​ ​It​ ​is​ ​our​ ​goal​ ​to​ ​give​ ​students​ ​an experience​ ​beyond​ ​the​ ​textbook.​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​hiring​ ​a​ ​square​ ​dance​ ​caller,​ ​Abe​ ​Lincoln​ ​and Sojourner​ ​Truth.​  ​ ​Grant​ ​money​ will​ ​help​ ​offset​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​that​ ​would​ ​be​ ​passed​ ​along to​ ​our​ ​students​ ​and​ ​families.
 
Laura Kemp                    Baker Middle School                      ONETROY da Vinci Awards
6th,​ ​7th,​ ​and​ ​​ ​8th​ ​grade​ ​students​ ​at​ ​each​ ​middle​ ​school​ ​will​ ​create​ ​a​ ​short​ ​video​ ​to enter​ ​into​ ​a​ ​film​ ​festival​ ​entitled,​ ​“The​ ​daVinci​ ​Awards​ ​-​ ​ONE​ ​TROY”.​ ​​ ​ . Examples​ ​of​ ​projects​ ​include:​ ​all​ ​7th​ ​grade​ ​science​ ​students​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​video​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​a​ ​specific​ ​concept in​ ​the​ ​context​ ​of​ ​a​ ​story,​ ​literary​ ​analysis​ ​from​ ​8th​ ​grade​ ​language​ ​arts​ ​students,​ ​exercise​ ​videos​ ​from physical​ ​education​ ​students,​ ​artist​ ​biographies​ ​from​ ​Visual​ ​Arts​ ​students,​ ​public​ ​service​ ​announcements from​ ​broadcast​ ​media​ ​arts​ ​students. This​ ​project​ ​encourages​ ​students​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​what​ ​they​ ​have​ ​been​ ​learning​ ​in​ ​their​ ​subject​ ​area​ ​classes.​ ​A ceremony​ ​will​ ​take​ ​place​ ​in​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​at​ ​Baker​ ​Middle​ ​School​ ​gymnasium​ ​to​ ​showcase​ ​the​ ​Best​ ​of Show​ ​videos​ ​from​ ​each​ ​course​ ​and​ ​grade​ ​level.​ ​Selected​ ​students​ ​will​ ​host​ ​the​ ​award​ ​ceremony​ ​and distribute​ ​trophies​ ​to​ ​the​ ​“Best​ ​in​ ​Show"​ ​for​ ​each​ ​grade​ ​level​ ​and​ ​each​ ​course​ ​discipline​.​
Laura Kemp                   Baker Middle School                     Skydome Planetarium
​​​7th​ ​grade​ ​science​ ​students will participate in the SkyDome​ ​Planetarium assembly ​.​[1]  ​This​ ​assembly​ ​offers​ ​a​ ​45-minute​ ​journey​ ​through​ ​the universe​ ​inside​ ​an​ ​inflatable​ ​planetarium.​ ​The​ ​navigator​ ​uses​ ​a​ ​digital​ ​planetarium​ ​projector​ ​and​ ​a​ ​laser pointer​ ​to​ ​guide​ ​students​ ​through​ ​the​ ​stars​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Northern​ ​Hemisphere​ ​exactly​ ​as​ ​they​ ​appear​ ​on​ ​the​ ​day of​ ​the​ ​presentation. Students​ ​will​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​to​ ​identify​ ​every​ ​planet​ ​in​ ​our​ ​solar​ ​system​ ​in​ ​dramatic​ ​"flights"​ ​towards​ ​each world.​ ​They​ ​will​ ​be​ ​introduced​ ​to​ ​Greek​ ​mythological​ ​characters​ ​and​ ​see​ ​how​ ​these​ ​heroes​ ​of​ ​the​ ​past can​ ​be​ ​found​ ​in​ ​the​ ​stars.​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​witness​ ​the​ ​night​ ​sky​ ​in​ ​different​ ​seasons​ ​and​ ​from​ ​different​ ​global perspectives.  The​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​a​ ​Skydome​ ​presentation​ ​addresses​ ​the​ ​Next Generation​ ​Science​ ​Standards​ ​for​ ​Space​ ​Systems.
 
Laura Kemp                 Baker Middle School                Breakout EDU
Breakout​ ​EDU​ ​is​ ​a​ ​concept​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​an​ ​Escape​ ​Room.​ ​  An​ ​Escape​ ​Room​ ​asks participants​ ​to​ ​work​ ​together​ ​to​ ​solve​ ​puzzles​ ​to​ ​break​ ​out​ ​of​ ​a​ ​room.​ ​The​ ​concept​ ​of​ ​Breakout​ ​EDU​ ​is​ ​to “break​ ​in”​ ​to​ ​a​ ​box. Breakout​ ​EDU​ ​games​ ​teach​ ​critical​ ​thinking,​ ​teamwork,​ ​complex​ ​problem​ ​solving,​ ​and​ ​can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​in​ ​all content​ ​areas.​ ​​ ​By adding five additional kits to the school additional students​ ​will be able to work​ ​in​ ​teams​ ​to​ ​solve​puzzles​ ​which​ ​reveal ​the​ ​combination​ ​to​ ​several​ ​locks that​ ​are​ ​placed​ ​on​ ​the​ ​box.​ ​The​ ​Breakout​ ​EDU​ ​site​ ​offers​ ​games​ ​that​ ​have​ ​already​ ​been​ ​created​ ​in several​ ​content​ ​areas.​ ​A​ ​template​ ​is​ ​available​ ​to​ ​help​ teachers ​design​ ​their​ ​own​ ​games.​ ​
 
Janet Herberholtz      Baker Middle School                Science Olympiad
Baker​ ​Middle​ ​School's​ ​Science​ ​Olympiad​ ​team​ ​has​ ​45​ ​members​ ​vying​ ​for​ ​the​ ​honor of​ ​representing​ ​Baker​ ​on​ ​the​ ​State​ ​competitive​ ​team​ ​of​ ​15​ ​scientists.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​compete​ ​is​ ​23​ ​different events​ ​in​ ​all​ ​​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​​ ​Science,​ ​Technology,​ ​Engineering​ ​and​ ​Math​ ​(STEM)​ ​focus.​ ​​ ​Three ​events​ ​are​ ​new​ ​this year​ ​and​ ​we​ ​will​​ ​purchase​ ​kits​ ​to​ ​be​ ​competitive.  We​ ​will​ ​attend​ ​7-9​ ​invitationals​ ​with​ ​a​ ​few​ ​being​ ​in​ ​Ohio​ ​to​ ​compete​ ​against​ ​nationally​ ​ranked​ ​teams.​ ​In March​ ​2018​ ​the​ ​qualifying​ ​tournaments​ ​begin.​ ​​ ​We​ ​have​ ​been​ ​the​ ​top​ ​team​ ​in​ ​Oakland​ ​County​ ​for​ ​the past​ ​few​ ​years.​ ​​ ​Last​ ​year​ ​we​ ​placed​ ​2nd​ ​in​ ​the​ ​state​ ​of​ ​Michigan​ ​and​ ​became​ ​the​ ​first​ ​team​ ​to​ ​represent Oakland​ ​County​ ​at​ ​Nationals.
 
Laura Rasmussen      Baker Middle School    Success With Smart Music
Individual​ ​and​ ​ensemble​ ​performance​ will improve​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​of​ ​students'​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​practice​ ​at​ ​home​ ​and receive​ ​immediate​ ​feedback using the Smart Music sofware.  Smart Music ​will​ ​engage students​ ​in​ ​the​ ​home​ ​practice​ ​of​ ​their​ ​instrument,​ ​while​ ​providing​ ​students​ ​with​ ​immediate​ ​assessment results​ ​on​ ​their​ ​playing​ ​both​ ​at​ ​home​ ​and​ ​at​ ​school.​   ​Smart Music​ ​is​ ​a​ ​web-based,​ ​award-winning​ ​software used​ ​by​ ​music​ ​teachers​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world​ ​to​ ​enhance​ ​their​ ​programs​ ​and​ ​provides​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to​ ​dramatically improve​ ​their​ ​students’​ ​skills.​ ​Student​ ​practice​ ​is​ ​focused​ ​because​ ​they​ ​can​ ​use​ ​their​ ​iPads​ ​to​ ​receive immediate​ ​feedback​ ​while​ ​listening​ ​to​ ​their​ ​performance​ ​and​ ​seeing​ ​the​ ​correct​ ​and​ ​incorrect​ ​rhythms​ ​and pitches​ ​onscreen.​ ​SmartMusic​ ​also​ ​allows​ ​students​ ​to​ ​practice​ ​their​ ​band​ ​or​ ​orchestra​ ​parts​ ​with background​ ​tracks​ ​and​ ​additional​ ​practice​ ​features​ ​that​ ​simulate​ ​the​ ​experience​ ​of​ ​playing​ ​with​ ​a​ ​band​ ​or orchestra​ ​at​ ​home.
 
Kelly Chelbek              Baker Middle School                Baker Buddies Team Up With Jim B Ball Jones
Baker​ ​Buddy​ ​participants​ ​at​ ​Baker​ ​Middle​ ​School​ ​will take​ ​a​ ​field​ ​trip​ ​to​ ​the​ ​International​ ​Academy​ ​for​ ​team building,​ ​experiential​ ​learning,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​guest speaker.  The​ ​purpose​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Baker​ ​Buddy​ ​Program​ ​is​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​8th​ ​grade​ ​students​ ​together​ ​with​ ​6th​ ​grade​ ​students to​ ​develop​ ​a​ ​mentoring​ ​relationship.​ ​Our​ ​6th​ ​grade​ ​participants​ ​were​ ​recommended​ ​by​ ​their​ ​5th​ ​grade teachers.​ ​Our​ ​counselors​ ​invited​ ​and​ ​encouraged​ ​these​ ​students​ ​to​ ​become​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​program.​ ​Our​ ​8th grade​ ​mentors​ ​were​ ​recommended​ ​by​ ​their​ ​7th​ ​grade​ ​teachers​ ​and​ ​submitted​ ​an​ ​application​ ​to participate. The​ ​goal​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Baker​ ​Buddy​ ​program​ ​is​ ​to​ ​encourage​ ​all​ ​students​ ​to​ ​continue​ ​working​ ​on​ ​becoming​ ​an individual,​ standing​ ​up​ ​for​ ​others,​ ​and​ ​learning​ ​from​ ​others.​ ​​The​ ​guest​ ​speaker​ ​will​ ​be​ ​Jim​ ​Basketball​ ​Jones.​ ​His​ ​assembly​ ​addresses​ ​effort,​ ​personal​ ​responsibility, choices,​ ​respect,​ ​kindness​ ​and​ ​overcoming​ ​adversity.​ ​
 
Jessica Hughes            Baker Middle School                Constant Velocity Cars
Students​ ​will​ ​create​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​data​ ​from​ ​car experiments using constant velocity cars.  ​Students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​create​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​data​ ​from​ ​constant​ ​velocity​ ​car experiments​ ​ ​to​ ​deepen​ ​their​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​forces,​ ​motion​ ​and​ ​energy​ ​within​ ​the​ ​8th​ ​grade science​ ​course. They will ​create​ ​data​ ​through​ ​modeling​ ​the​ ​motion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​constant​ ​velocity​ ​buggy​ ​car.​ ​Then they will analyze and​ ​interpret​ ​data to find​ ​relationships​ ​between​ ​factors​ ​that​ affect​ [1] ​the​ ​motion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​vehicle.​   They will apply​ ​physical science​ ​concepts​ ​to​ ​real-life​ ​situations.

Dustin Harnish           Baker Middle School                 Design, Create, Learn:
3D Printer Museum
​Students​ ​will​ ​gain​ ​a​ ​greater​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​different​ ​ancient​ ​civilization’s​ ​cultures through​ ​research​ ​and​ ​inquiry. Students​ ​will​ ​create​ ​an​ ​artifact​ ​which​ ​they​ ​feel​ ​embodies​ ​a​ ​civilizations​ ​essence.  .A ​3D​ ​laser​ ​scanner which​ ​can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​with​ ​an​ ​existing​ ​3d​ ​printer​ will be​ ​acquired.​ ​​The​ ​laser​ ​scanner​ ​captures​ ​the​ ​shape​ ​of​ ​an​ ​object (an​ ​apple,​ ​coin,​ ​artifact​ ​etc).​ ​We​ ​then​ ​can​ ​make​ ​3D​ ​copies​ ​of​ ​the​ ​object​ ​on​ ​the​ ​printer.  ​After​ ​studying​ ​ancient​ ​civilizations,​ students ​will​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​create​ ​their own​ ​artifacts,​ ​inspired​ ​by​ ​what​ ​they​ ​have​ ​learned​ ​from​ ​our​ ​class​ ​about​ ​places​ ​like​ ​ROME,​ ​EGYPT, GREECE,​ ​INDIA.​ ​​ ​They​ ​will​ ​create​ ​and​ ​design​ ​the​ ​artifacts​ ​from​ ​clay.​ ​We​ ​will​ ​then​ ​use​ ​the​ ​laser​ ​scanner we​ ​are​ ​asking​ ​for​ ​to​ ​help​ ​us​ ​make​ ​digital​ ​copies​ ​of​ ​their​ ​artifacts​ ​for​ ​3D​ ​printing.​ ​​ ​Later,​ ​we​ ​will​ ​compile​ ​our creations​ ​into​ ​a​ ​museum​ ​display​ ​full​ ​of​ ​student​ ​created​ ​3D​ ​artifacts.​ ​​ ​The​ ​scanner​ ​will allow  ​us to capture​ ​student​ ​creations​ ​digitally​ ​and​ ​make​ ​them​ ​into​ ​a​ ​product​ ​which​ ​is​ ​manufactured​ ​quality.
 
Holly Christopher     Boulan Park Middle School    Virtual Reality Viewers
Students​ ​will have the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​take​ ​field ​ trips to places​ ​they physically ​ cannot​​ visit.   Using​ 25​ ​View-Master​ ​Virtual ​​Reality Viewers students​ can go ​to​ ​places​ all​​ ​over​ ​the​ ​world.  Places ​like​ ​Yellowstone​​ National Park,​  ​Mount​ Everest, and​ ​the ​Great​​ ​Wall ​​of​ ​China ​will​ ​be​ ​right​ ​​classroom. ​  With​ ​permission​ ​from​ ​parents,​ ​students​ ​download​ ​the​ ​Google​ ​Expeditions​ ​app​ ​(already​ ​on​ ​the​ TSD​ Catalog)​ ​onto​ ​their​ ​phone​ ​and​ ​place​ ​the​ ​phone​ ​in​ ​the​ ​viewer.​  ​The​ ​viewers​ ​allow​ ​me​ ​to​ ​select​ ​trips ​ and​ lead​ ​students​ ​on​ ​expeditions.​  ​Students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​360-degree ​ views​ ​​of​ ​places​ ​all​ ​over​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​and​ ​since I​ ​am​ ​guiding​ ​them​ ​on​ ​the​ ​trip​ ​I​ ​am​ ​able​ ​to​ ​point​ ​out​ ​places ​​and  things​ I​ ​ want​​ them​​ to​ see​ and​ experience.  Nearly​ ​every​ ​student​ had​ a​ ​personal​ ​phone,​ ​and​ ​those​ ​who​ ​did​ ​not​ ​were​ ​able​ ​to​ ​share​ ​a​ ​phone​ ​with​ ​their​ ​peers
 
Holly Christopher       Boulan Park Middle School           Constant Velocity Cars
Students​ ​will​ ​create​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​data​ ​from​ ​car experiments using constant velocity cars.  ​They​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​create​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​data​ ​from​ ​constant​ ​velocity​ ​car experiments​ ​to​ ​deepen​ ​their​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​forces,​ ​motion​ ​and​ ​energy​ ​as part of the​ ​8th​ ​grade science​ ​course. They will ​create​ ​data​ ​through​ ​modeling​ ​the​ ​motion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​constant​ ​velocity​ ​buggy​ ​car.​ ​ Then they will analyze and​ ​interpret​ ​data to find​ ​relationships​ ​between​ ​factors​ ​that​ ​affect​ ​the​ ​motion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​vehicle.​   They will apply​ ​physical science​ ​concepts​ ​to​ ​real-life​ ​situations.
 
Michelle Slaviero       Boulan Park Middle School          Conflict and Compromise in History
​All​ ​8th​ ​Grade​ ​US​ ​History​ ​students​ ​will​ ​complete​ ​National​ ​History​ ​Day projects​ ​this​ ​year.​ ​These​ ​are​ ​rigorous,​ ​student-centered,​ ​and​ ​technology-based​ ​persuasive​ ​projects based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​2018​ ​theme--Conflict​ ​and​ ​Compromise​ ​in​ ​History.​ ​Eligible​ ​students​ ​will​ ​compete​ ​at​ ​the Oakland​ ​County​ ​competition,​ ​and​ ​could​ ​move​ ​on​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Michigan​ ​and​ ​even​ ​National​ ​competitions.​ ​TFEE funds​ ​will​ ​cover​ ​some​ ​materials​ ​cost​ ​and​ ​cover​ ​(or​ ​offset)​ ​competition​ ​entry​ ​fees my​ ​blog​ ​http://mrsslaviero.blogspot.com/​ ​for more​ ​information. Student​ ​Historians​ ​will ​develop​ ​an​ ​Annotated​ ​Bibliography  ​and​ ​locate​ ​primary​ ​sources​ ​to​ ​defend​ ​how​ ​an​ ​event​ ​demonstrates conflict​ ​and​ ​compromise​ ​in​ ​US​ ​History.  These​ ​projects​ ​are​ ​dependent​ ​upon​ ​technology​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​Schoology,​ ​Symbaloo,​ ​NoodleTools,​ ​and OneNote​ ​extensively.​ ​ 

Christina Chatel         Boulan Park Middle School          Boulan Media Center Furniture        
The​ ​Boulan​ ​Park​ ​Media​ ​Center​ will provide ​students​ with ​​collaborative​ ​spaces​ ​to​ ​work​ ​on projects.​  Funds will be used​ ​to​ ​purchase​ ​some​ ​booth​ ​seating​ ​for​ ​the​ ​media​ ​center​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​students​ ​a “separate”​ ​space​ ​to​ ​get​ ​down​ ​to​ ​business​ ​and​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​group​ ​work.​ The​ ​booths​ ​could​ ​serve as​ ​a​ ​fun​ ​place​ ​to​ ​hang​ ​out​ ​before​ ​school​ ​or​ ​during​ ​lunch,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​comfortable​ ​place​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​and​ ​read​ ​quietly.   
Cindy Shanken          Boulan Park Middle School          Collaboration Stations
​Research​ ​shows​ ​that​ ​"...cooperative learning​ ​methods​ ​improve​ ​students'​ ​time​ ​on​ ​tasks​ ​and​ ​intrinsic​ ​motivation​ ​to​ ​learn,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​students' interpersonal​ ​relationships​ ​and​ ​expectations​ ​for​ ​success"​ ​(Johnson​ ​&​ ​Johnson,​ ​2009).​ ​​ ​TSD​ ​curriculum work​ ​in​ ​CAT​ ​teams​ ​encourages​ ​teachers​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​authentic,​ ​collaborative​ ​learning​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​our students.​ The​ ​6th​ ​grade​ ​social​ ​studies​ ​CAT​ ​team​ ​is​ ​designing​ ​formative​ ​and​ ​summative​ ​assessments that​ ​require​ ​student​ ​collaboration.  To facilitate this process the grant will allow the purchase of  two sets of clover​ ​adjustable​ ​height​ ​tables​ ​and​ ​chairs.​ ​​ ​These​ ​tables​ ​are designed​ ​for​ ​up​ ​to​ ​four​ ​students​ ​and​ ​the​ ​chairs​ ​make​ ​it​ ​easy​ ​for​ ​students​ ​to​ ​work​ ​together.​ ​​ Ultimately the classroom will have eight sets to accommodate 32 students.
 
Colleen Cain               Larson Middle School Larson VIrtual Field Trips
Google​ ​cardboard​ ​viewers​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​the​ ​students​ ​at​ ​Larson ​ access​ to​​ virtual​ field​ trips​ ​through​ ​Google​ ​Expeditions.  ​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​gain​ ​incredible​ ​opportunities​ ​to​ enhance​ ​their​ ​learning through ​ virtual​ ​ field​​ trips. ​ ​Students ​in​ science​ ​can​ ​take​ virtual​ ​​field​ ​trips​ to​​ ​Jupiter​ ​with​ ​NASA’s​ ​Juno mission​ and​ tour ​ the​ International Space​  ​Station.  Students​ can​ visit​ ​the​​ ​upper​ ​levels​ ​of​ ​the​ atmosphere​ and ​ ​tour​ ​the​ ​inner​ ​workings​ ​of​ ​the ​ cell.​  ​​In 7th ​ grade​ Social​ Studies​  ​classes, ​​students ​can ​explore ​the Great​ ​Pyramids​ ​and​ ​Sphinx​ ​of​ ​Ancient ​ Egypt,​ experience​ the​​ ​Coliseum​ ​of​ ​Ancient​ Rome,​​ ​and​ walk​ through  the​​ ​Parthenon​ ​of​ ​Ancient​ ​Greece. ​ 8th​ Grade​ ​ US​​ History​​ students​ can​ travel​ ​​to ​the ​Civil ​War​ ​battle sites ​of​ Antietam​ ​and​ Gettysburg,​ ​and​ explore​​ the​​ ​historic​ city​ of​ ​​Philadelphia ​​where​ ​both​ ​the​ ​Declaration of ​ Independence​ and​​ the​ ​ Constitution​ ​​were​ created​ ​and​ signed.​​ The​ ​students ​​will have​ an​ opportunity​ to​​ immerse​ themselves​ in​ what ​ they​ are​​  ​learning. ​ Students​ ​ will​ build​ critical​ thinking​ and​​ reasoning​ ​ skills​ ​as​ they ​ ​are guided​  through​​ virtual​ ​field ​trips​ with​              ​the google  ​expedition ​app.​  Students ​ will​ grow​ ​ in​ ​ their​ ​understanding​ ​of​  ​curriculum​ and make​ real ​world ​connections​ to​​ ​the​ ​topics​ ​of study​ in​ ​class.​
 
April Muller                  Larson Middle School             Book Nook Project
Currently,​ ​TSD​ ​has​ ​an​ ​initiative​ ​to​ ​increase​ ​the​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​independent​ ​reading​ ​for our​ ​secondary​ ​students.​ ​​ ​At​ ​the​ ​building​ ​level,​ ​many​ ​Larson​ ​6th​ ​grade​ ​teachers​ ​are​ ​also​ ​writing​ ​evaluation goals​ ​in​ ​the​ ​area​ ​of​ ​improving​ ​students'​ ​perceptions​ ​of​ ​independent​ ​reading. To promote independent reading ​The​ ​Book​ ​Nook​ ​Project​ ​will​ ​create​ ​a classroom​ ​space​ ​where​ ​there​ ​will​ ​be​ ​a​ ​comfortable​ ​reading​ ​bookcase​ ​bench​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of​ ​two​ ​larger bookcases.​ ​​ ​The​ ​bookcases​ ​will​ ​provide additional​ ​space​ ​for​ ​an extensive collection of​ ​books of various genres and topics.​ 
 
Ashley Conrad             Larson Middle School              Ancient Civilization Project
​The​ ​resources​ ​available​ ​to​ ​support​ ​content area literacy​ ​in​ ​7th​ ​grade​ ​Social​ ​Studies​ ​classes will be increased for students though​ ​access​ ​to​ ​subject-specific​ ​readings​ ​through​ ​a​ ​classroom​ ​library​ ​that​ ​could​ ​be​ ​changed​ ​as​ ​attention shifts to​ ​different​ ​topics.​ ​This library will enable​ ​resources​ ​for​ ​more​ ​creative​ ​and​ ​engaging​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​have​ ​students work​ ​on​ ​their​ ​literacy​ ​skills​ ​while​ ​learning​ ​about​ ​history.​ ​New reading​ ​resources will ​be​ ​leveled​ ​to​ ​accommodate​ ​different​ ​ability​ ​levels,​ ​reader's​ ​theater​ ​materials,​ ​materials​ ​looking at​ ​the​ ​mysteries​ ​of​ ​history,​ ​history​ ​in​ ​comic​ ​book​ ​form​ ​and​ ​short​ ​simple​ ​articles​ ​that​ ​could​ ​be​ ​combined with​ ​primary​ ​sources​ ​to​ ​create​ ​task​ ​stations​ ​where​ ​students​ ​would​ ​look​ ​at​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​primary​ ​and secondary​ ​sources​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​a​ ​task. 
  
Trevor Potts                 Larson Middle School             Flipgrid, Empowering   Students
​All​ ​Larson​ ​students​ ​will​ ​engage​ ​with​ ​experts​ ​in​ ​fields​ ​of​ ​study​ ​during​ ​passion​ ​projects, research​ ​papers,​ ​and​ ​authentic​ ​work​ ​in​ ​all​ ​content​ ​areas. As​ ​we​ ​have​ ​been​ ​challenged​ ​to​ ​empower​ ​our​ ​students​ ​and​ ​connect​ ​their​ ​learning​ ​to the​ ​world,​ ​Flipgrid​ ​is​ ​an​ ​innovative​ ​way​ ​to​ ​communicate,​ ​question,​ ​and​ ​solve​ ​problems​ ​that​ ​are​ ​important to​ ​our​ ​community.​ ​​In​ ​2017-18​ ​all​ ​Larson​ ​Middle​ ​School​ ​students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​working​ ​on​ ​a​ ​"Pathway​ ​Project"​ ​to​ ​build​ ​a​ ​walking path,​ ​community​ ​spaces,​ ​and​ ​create​ ​signage​ ​outside​ ​our​ ​building.​ ​​ ​Flipgrid​ ​will​ ​be​ ​one​ ​way​ ​our​ ​students will​ ​fundraise,​ ​advocate​ ​through​ ​writing,​ ​presenting​ ​their​ ​questions,​ ​design,​ ​and​ ​test​ ​materials.​
 
Amanda Fisher            Larson Middle School             Camp One Troy Collaborative Inquiry Project
MOCI students​ ​will​ ​make​ ​connections​ ​between​ ​their​ ​environment,​ ​who​ ​they​ ​are,​ ​the choices​ ​they​ ​make,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​they​ ​influence​ ​the​ ​world​ ​around​ ​them by creating their own playbook based on ​ ​The​ ​Playbook:​ ​52​ ​Rules​ ​to​ ​Aim,​ ​Shoot​ ​and​ ​Score​ ​in​ ​This​ ​Game Called​ ​Life​ ​by​ ​Kwame​ ​Alexander.​ ​​ The project is the product of  ​the​ ​inaugural​ ​Camp​ ​One​ ​Troy,​ ​ where teachers​ ​began​ ​to​ ​brainstorm​ ​on​ ​an​ ​inquiry​ ​project that will​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​students​ ​would​ ​be​ ​involved​ ​in​ ​something​ ​that​ ​encouraged​ ​their​ ​growth, confidence,​ ​and​ ​compassion.​  Based on that collaboration “The Playbook” project was developed.
 
Kathy Capuso               Larson Middle School             Math Mastery
​Both​ ​Math​ ​Support​ ​and​ ​Math​ ​Achievement​ ​Skills​ ​classes​ ​at​ ​Larson​ ​Middle​ ​School will ​improve​ ​math​ ​skills​ ​through​ ​hands-on​ ​experiences,​ ​games,​ ​and​ ​activities.​ ​Students​ ​who are​ ​enrolled​ ​in​ ​these​ ​math​ ​support​ ​classes​ ​have​ ​skill​ ​deficits​ ​which​ ​make​ ​it​ ​difficult​ ​for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​as their​ ​same​ ​age​ ​peers.​ ​Often​ ​times​ ​these​ ​students​ ​have​ ​learning​ ​styles​ ​which​ ​require​ ​movement​ ​and hands-on​ ​learning.​ ​By​ ​utilizing​ ​math​ ​games​ ​and​ ​activities​ ​which​ ​not​ ​only​ ​meet​ ​students'​ ​learning​ ​styles, but​ ​also​ ​make​ ​learning​ ​more​ ​interactive​ ​and​ ​fun,​ ​we​ ​can​ ​improve​ ​number​ ​sense,​ ​math​ ​reasoning,​ ​and computation​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​decrease​ ​the​ ​skill​ ​gaps. 
   
Stephanie Beswick     Larson Middle School             Math Game Closet
We​ ​will​ ​establish​ ​a​ ​Boulan​ ​Math​ ​Games​ ​Closet ​to​ ​enhance​ ​the​ ​mathematical/logical​ ​thinking​ ​skills​ ​of​ ​middle school​ ​students​ ​through​ ​games.​ ​  While​ ​this​ ​grant​ ​is designed with our​ ​Math​ ​Support​ ​students​ ​in​ ​mind,​​ ​this​ ​resource​ ​will​ ​be​ ​available​ ​to​ ​all​ ​math​ ​teachers​ ​at Boulan.  ​Math games will ​create​ ​a​ ​passion​ ​for​ ​math​ ​in​ ​our​ ​students,​ ​especially​ ​in​ ​our Math​ ​Support​ ​students,​ ​that​ ​extends​ ​beyond​ ​the​ ​classroom.​ ​Getting​ ​students​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​in​ ​mathematical thinking​ ​while​ ​having​ ​fun​ ​playing​ ​games​ ​will​ ​help​ ​them​ ​see​ ​math​ ​in​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​light​ ​while​ ​enhancing​ ​their problem-solving,​ ​communication,​ ​and​ ​logic​ ​skills.
 
Jason Fawcett              Larson Middle School             Literacy Mentor Text Project
Sixth grade language arts students will improve abilities to write in all three major forms of writing and engage in a writer’s workshop using high interest mentor texts. High quality picture books will be purchased to use as mentor texts.  They are effective because they are engaging and short enough to be used in writing mini-lessons during our writer’s workshop.  Each book will be organized by lesson(s) with accompanying lesson plans that the staff will develop.
 
Jason Fawcett              Larson Middle School             Literacy Café
The​ ​Literacy​ ​Cafe​ ​is​ ​the​ ​next​ ​step​ ​in​ ​creating​ ​an​ ​effective​ ​physical​ ​environment​ ​for middle​ ​school​ ​readers​ ​and​ ​writers.​ ​​ ​Over​ ​the​ ​past​ ​several​ ​years,​ ​I​ ​have​ ​carefully​ ​created​ ​a​ ​classroom environment​ ​that​ ​is​ ​welcoming,​ ​calm,​ ​and​ ​conducive​ ​to​ ​learning​ ​and​ ​creating.​  After making a number of changes in the classroom setting that changed lighting, seating and replacing desks with tables, the​ ​next​ ​step​ ​in​ ​creating​ ​the​ ​best​ ​possible​ ​physical environment​ ​for​ ​student​ ​learning​ ​is​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​Literacy​ ​Cafe.​ ​​ ​This​ ​area​ ​will​ ​include​ ​couches,​ ​a comfortable​ ​chair,​ ​end​ ​tables,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​lamp.​ ​​ ​It​ ​will​ ​be​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​a​ ​comfortable​ ​seating​ ​area​ ​at​ ​Starbucks, allowing​ ​students​ ​a​ ​space​ ​to​ ​read,​ ​write,​ ​and​ ​collaborate.​ ​​ ​In​ ​addition,​ ​it​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​another​ ​flexible​ ​seating option​ ​within​ ​my​ ​classroom​ ​to​ ​optimize​ ​each​ ​student's​ ​learning.
 
Sandra Bammel          Larson Middle School             Constant Velocity Cars
Students​ ​will​ ​create​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​data​ ​from​ ​car experiments using constant velocity cars.  ​Students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​create​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​data​ ​from​ ​constant​ ​velocity​ ​car experiments​ ​ ​to​ ​deepen​ ​their​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​forces,​ ​motion​ ​and​ ​energy​ ​within​ ​the​ ​8th​ ​grade science​ ​course. They will ​create​ ​data​ ​through​ ​modeling​ ​the​ ​motion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​constant​ ​velocity​ ​buggy​ ​car.​ ​Then they will analyze and​ ​interpret​ ​data to find​ ​relationships​ ​between​ ​factors​ ​that​ ​affect​ ​the​ ​motion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​vehicle.​   They will apply​ ​physical science​ ​concepts​ ​to​ ​real-life​ ​situations
Cindy Christiansen            Larson Middle School                   Breakfast, Books, and Blockbusters
Students will​ ​read​ ​a​ ​novel,​ ​discuss/review​ ​it​ ​using​ ​various​ ​activities,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​watch​ ​the​ ​movie​ ​version​ ​of​ ​the​ ​book. After​ ​the​ ​movie,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​analyze​ ​the​ ​similarities​ ​and​ ​differences​ ​between​ ​the​ ​two.​ ​Breakfast​ ​will​ ​be provided​ ​at​ ​weekly​ ​morning​ ​book​ ​discussion​ ​meetings,​ ​and​ ​snacks​ ​will​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​for​ ​the​ ​movie.​ ​​ ​Our first​ ​book​ ​will​ ​be​ ​Hoot​ ​by​ ​Carl​ ​Hiaasen.​ ​​ ​We​ ​will​ ​discuss​ ​the​ ​book​ ​during​ ​October​ ​and​ ​November​ ​with​ ​the movie​ ​planned​ ​for​ ​early​ ​December.​ ​​   ​​ ​After Hoot,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​a​ ​voice​ ​in​ ​the​ ​next​ ​two​ ​to​ ​three​ ​books​ ​the​ ​club​ ​reads.​ ​​ ​In​ ​this​ ​way,​ ​motivation​ ​and enthusiasm​ ​for​ ​the​ ​club​ ​will​ ​be​ ​maintained. This​ ​club​ ​will​ ​be​ ​open​ ​to​ ​any​ ​6th,​ ​7th,​ ​or​ ​8th​ ​grade​ ​student​ ​that​ ​is​ ​interested,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​discussions/reviews will​ ​be​ ​primarily​ ​student-led​ ​after​ ​initial​ ​teaching​ ​of​ ​thinking​ ​routines​ ​and​ ​discourse​ ​techniques.​ ​​ ​This innovative​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​students​ ​to​ ​discuss​ ​and​ ​thinking​ ​in​ ​multi-grade​ ​level​ ​groups​ ​will​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​an enhanced​ ​culture​ ​of​ ​reading​ ​at​ ​Larson​ ​Middle​ ​School​ ​and​ ​will​ ​further​ ​encourage​ ​a​ ​habit​ ​of​ ​lifelong​ ​reading in​ ​participants. 

Sarah Condne          Larson Middle School                   Knife Skills are Life Skills
​Students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to choose, handle​ ​and​ ​store​ ​knives​ ​in​ ​a​ ​correct, safe​ ​and​ ​effective​ ​manner after viewing ​a​ ​short​ ​YouTube​ ​video​ ​on​ ​basic​ ​knife​ ​skills​ ​(holds,​ ​slice,​ ​rocking cuts)​ ​as​ ​in​ ​introduction.​ ​The​ ​teacher​ ​will​ ​then​ ​provide​ ​large​ ​images​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Chef's​ ​knife​ ​that​ ​students​ ​will label​ ​the​ ​parts​ ​of.​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​then​ ​fold​ ​a​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​construction​ ​paper​ ​into​ ​8ths​ ​and​ ​define​ ​the​ ​different cuts​ ​in​ ​each​ ​box;​ ​fine-,​ ​medium-,​ ​coarse-​ ​chop,​ ​chunk,​ ​mince,​ ​dice,​ ​slice,​ ​julienne.​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​then​ ​use colored​ ​construction​ ​paper​ ​to​ ​cut​ ​samples​ ​of​ ​each​ ​using​ ​scissors.​ ​This​ ​project​ ​then​ ​serves​ ​as​ ​a cheat-sheet/guide​ ​in​ ​the​ ​kitchen. The​ ​following​ ​day,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​complete​ ​a​ ​kitchen​ ​lab​ ​(using​ ​vegetables​ ​from​ ​the​ ​school​ ​garden​ ​when possible)​ ​in​ ​which​ ​they​ ​will​ ​practice​ ​and​ ​demonstrate​ ​the​ ​correct​ ​hold​ ​and​ ​cut​ ​for​ ​each​ ​food​ ​as​ ​directed. 
Terry McCormick   Smith Middle School       Little Bits STEAM In Middle School
The​ ​new​ ​Next​ ​Generation​ ​Science​ ​Standards​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Engineering​ ​Design Process​ ​as​ ​a​ ​vehicle​ ​for​ ​student​ ​learning.​  ​Students will create​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​range​ ​of ​​designs and ​ inventions to perform different​ ​functions while​ exploring​ scientific ​concepts ​ within​ the​ curriculum using  Little​ ​Bits​ ​Kits,​ ​The Kits offer​ ​multi-modal,​ ​creative​ ​entry​ ​points​ ​that students ​can easily​ ​engage​ ​in ​ and embrace​ ​to ​allow​ ​their creativity ​to​ flow​ ​while​ ​"doing"​ ​science.​  ​There are ​ many types of​​ pieces​ in​ ​​a​ variety ​of ​kits​ ​that​ can​  ​all ​ interact​ with​ ​each other. The​ ​individual​​ pieces​ snap ​ easily​ together​ with​ magnets​​ ​to​ ​create​ ​electronic​ circuitry.​  ​The ​​additional​ ​kit​ and​​ ​pieces​ requested​ below ​plus​ simple additions​ ​like old​ CDs,​ ​craft sticks, fabric, ​and​  other ​arts ​​&​ crafts​ objects ​will ​​enhance student ​ creativity and​ innovation ​ This​ ​hands-on ​ approach is​​ particularly​ effective in​ ​bringing​​ ​at-risk population​ and non-traditional​ learners ​enthusiastically into​ the learning​ ​environment to​ ​master ​​science ​concepts, while​ also ​giving​ traditional ​learners​ the​ opportunity​ to​expand​ ​their​ ​learning.  ​Occasional​ ​Genius​ Hour​ ​​class​ ​days​ ​will​ ​see​ ​middle​ ​school​ ​scientists utilize​ ​Little​ ​Bits​ ​equipment​​ ​to​ ​design​ ​and​ ​build​ ​inventions​ ​related​ ​to​ ​a​ ​current​ ​topic of​ ​study.​  ​Inventions​ ​will​ ​be​ ​presented​ ​to ​ the​ class and shared​ outside​ of​​ ​class via​ ​technology.     
 
Vivek Nayak           Smith Middle School                 Constant Velocity Cars
Students​ ​will​ ​create​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​data​ ​from​ ​car experiments using constant velocity cars.  ​Students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​create​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​data​ ​from​ ​constant​ ​velocity​ ​car experiments​ ​ ​to​ ​deepen​ ​their​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​forces,​ ​motion​ ​and​ ​energy​ ​within​ ​the​ ​8th​ ​grade science​ ​course. They will ​create​ ​data​ ​through​ ​modeling​ ​the​ ​motion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​constant​ ​velocity​ ​buggy​ ​car.​ ​Then they will analyze and​ ​interpret​ ​data to find​ ​relationships​ ​between​ ​factors​ ​that​ ​affect​ ​the​ ​motion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​vehicle.​   They will apply​ ​physical science​ ​concepts​ ​to​ ​real-life​ ​situations.
© COPYRIGHT 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About
  • Donate
    • Memorial Gifts
  • GRANTS
    • GRANT APPLICATION
    • 2016-2017
    • 2017-2018 >
      • Elementary School
      • Middle School
      • High School
    • 2018-2019
    • 2019-2020 >
      • SINGLE TEACHER GRANTS
      • MULTI-TEACHER GRANTS
    • 2020-2021
    • 2021-2022
    • 2022-2023
  • Scholarships
  • News
  • Golf
    • Register to Golf
    • Donate to the Golf Outing Raffle
  • Contact