Congratulations to these teachers who won grants
from the CISD Education Foundation.
Carthage Primary won 10 grants for a total of $18,310.29.
Arboretum Adventure, $1,230.00, written by Merry Bagley and Cynthia Harkrider: This grant funds a field trip for all 1st grade students to the Stephen F. Austin Mast Arboretum & Native Plant Center. Students will explore forest habitats, plant & animal adaptations, & the world’s pollinators--utilizing hands-on activities, puppets, games, & music.
1-2-3-4, Back to the Zoo to Learn Some More! $514.00, written by Ellen Day and Melissa Johnson: All kindergarten students will have a memorable learning experience at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler.
Wheels to Learning—PPCK on the Go, $810.00, written by Kathy LaGrone and Haley Monroe: This grant funds 8 meaningful learning situations for children with special needs. A train ride in Jefferson, Santa at Longview Mall, the Pumpkin Patch, and a post office visit are some of the activities funded.
Kindergarten Kids on Keys, $5,000.00, written by Cheryl Williams: Mastering computer skills has become as essential as reading, math, and writing ability for today’s students. This grant provides 5 up-to-date computers for kindergarten classrooms.
Razz-a-Matazz and All That Jazz, $1,000.00, written by LeAnn Williams: This grant provides Carthage Primary students the opportunity to personally experience the symphony after a unit of study on the orchestra.
ELMO Comes to Primary, $2,498.00, written by Sarah Calvert: The ELMO enhances the delivery of information through innovative visual presentations. The only unit on the Carthage Primary campus, it will be housed in the LRC & shared by teachers for classroom presentations, staff development, & parent meetings.
DVD Tech: The Next Generation, $583.20, Sarah Calvert: This grant funds the purchase of 6 DVD/VHS recorders for the LRC. As VHS materials become obsolete, these new units will support both existing materials and new purchases. They can also be connected to the ELMO for additional instructional options.
Learning with Games, $598.00, written by Melissa Johnson: A wide variety of educational computer games makes kindergarten and 1st grade students eager to practice and review reading and math concepts taught in the traditional classroom setting. Concepts introduced in large and small group instruction will be revisited during computer time.
Start Reading With Us! $4,837.09, written by Janie Jones: Reading is a crucial key in academic success, & difficulties must be targeted quickly and correctly. This grant provides a large variety of guided reading books for use in one-on-one teaching environments as well as in small groups in kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms.
ABC—The Opera’s for Me! $1,240.00, written by LeAnn Williams and Camille Hall: This request provides performances by the Shreveport Opera Express and The Little Angels Theater of Chicago for both Primary and Libby students. “Why Dinosaurs Don’t Smoke” and “The Opera of Health” are delightful cultural presentations that also teach good health and eating habits.
Congratulations to these teachers who won grants
from the CISD Education Foundation.
Libby Elementary won 7 grants for a total of $9,663.00.
Math Wrap-Ups, $799.99, written by Cindy Stacy: With these hands-on, self-correcting math tools, students increase their basic math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This fun and effective activity was one of the innovative teaching ideas learned at the math conference (CAMT) funded by a previous Education Foundation grant.
“Chuggin’ Along” $1,499.00, written by Diane Phillips: Integrated with a study of Texas history, all 2nd grade students step back in time as they ride the historic steam-driven train at the Texas Railroad State Park in Rusk. A museum tour and video are also part of the trip.
Gee Whiz! Let’s Go to the Science Carnival! $950.00, written by Carla Cheshire: Sci-Port’s traveling science carnival will visit the Libby campus with 25 intriguing hands-on exhibits. Third graders solve problems using higher-level thinking skills to build electrical circuits to illuminate light bulbs and ring bells, use laser light beams to produce sounds from a harp and guitar, study magnetism as they create sculptures using magnets and iron filings, and much more.
Zoo-Pendous! A Stupendous Third Grade Science Adventure at the Zoo, $494.00, written by Kay Hubbard: A trip to the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler provides memorable science learning experiences for all 3rd graders at Libby Elementary. Learning about animals represents the preponderance of all 3rd grade life science TEKS.
Cultivating A+ Math Teachers (CAMT) aka Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching, $1,319.34, written by Kay Hubbard: Participation in the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching, a 3-day, intensive, statewide math conference in Houston in July, will give three 3rd grade teachers at Libby Elementary a valuable opportunity to glean new ideas from outstanding speakers and math teachers from the state and nation. These techniques will be shared with other teachers during in-service workshops.
“Difficult, Disruptive, Disinterested, Defiant: Sound Familiar?” $3,785.00, Kay Hubbard: Every classroom has at least a few of the “4 D’s (difficult, disruptive, disinterested, and defiant students), and these children must learn self-control. This grant funds a full day staff in-service training and workbooks for Libby teachers by a trainer from the prestigious Applebaum Training Institute.
Hand Drums, $815.67, written by Sandra Bauer: This grant provides hand drums for children in all Libby music classes to participate in an all-inclusive drumming ensemble. Drumming develops rhythm, creativity, coordination, listening skills, and self-esteem.
Congratulations to these teachers who won grants
from the CISD Education Foundation.
Baker-Koonce won 10 grants for $17,980.45.
Everybody Reads! Todos Leen, $1,001.06, written by Audrey Almeida: To promote reading & ease the transition from Spanish to English, this grant will purchase 65 Spanish & bilingual books and Accelerated Reader quizzes for grades 4-5-6.
Fifth Grade Economics Unit, $1,230.00, written by Jamie Bickham: Fifth grade entrepreneurs will form companies, take out loans, and create and produce a product to sell at an Economics Fair. This grant provides the “seed money” for this enterprise—which will be self-sustaining after the first year.
Project READ, $1,814.07, written by Gail DeJohn and Janna Richardson: This grant purchases 6 Readingpen II for students with learning disabilities to succeed in regular classrooms. Each pen has an optical scanner. Students glide the pen over a word or a line of text, & the words are pronounced, read aloud, & defined. Equipped with an earphone, a student can use the device in class without disturbing others and immediately gets the help he needs.
Project ELMO (Enlightened Learning through Multisensory Objectives), $4,507.00, written by Gail DeJohn: This grant funds 4 ELMO Visual Presenters & 2 multimedia projectors for 4th & 6th grade language arts teachers to share. This technology vastly expands teachers’ presentation options for their students and is used daily.
Experiencing the Golden Age of Steam, $1,875.00, written by Gina Dodge: All 4th grade students and teachers will travel back in time as they visit a turn of the century railway depot, ride a steam-powered locomotive, and see the inner workings of the engine to see how steam power is created to run a massive machine.
Accelscan Reader for Accelerated Math Program, $2,524.95, written by Nina Snow: This grant provides 5 Accelscan Readers, one for each 4th grade math classroom. These readers maximize the effectiveness of the existing Accelerated Math program by providing students immediate feedback on their work as soon as they complete it.
DVD-VCR Players, $908.31, written by Marilyn Phillips: To enhance classroom instruction, this grant funds 13 DVD/VCR players for 4th grade classrooms.
A Medieval Adventure, $1,258.00, written by Janet Sims: A visit to Medieval Times in Dallas helps all 6th grade students transfer their knowledge of the Middle Ages into a direct application of their learning. Students encounter royalty, knights, and a panorama of feudal society and entertainment in their visit.
Sci-Port Rules! $2,032.00, Susan Harris and Pam Todd: The entire 5th grade will visit Sci-Port Discovery Center in Shreveport to experience constantly changing world class exhibits, over 200 hands-on educational activities, and a state of the art IMAX theatre. Reading to Teach Math—Part 2, $830.06, by Monica Griffin: With a previous grant, teachers incorporated math-based literature books into their teaching, and students are hungry for more! This grant funds 20 additional math-based literature books for each 4th grade classroom.
Congratulations to these teachers who won grants
from the CISD Education Foundation.
Carthage Junior High School won 9 grants for $19,404.60.
Lights, Sound, Set, Costumes, Make-up, and Action! $1,838.95, written by Kim Funderburk: “PRACTICAL: Technical Theatre” is a comprehensive collection of educational DVDs & CDs which illustrate lighting, set construction, audio, and more. Drama students see how things really work and apply that knowledge to maintain the equipment in the CJHS auditorium.
ELMO for ESL, $2,500.00, written by Teresa Brooks and Henrietta Warren: With the ELMO projection system, CJHS English as a Second Language students are exposed to rich visual experiences that will enhance their understanding of the English language. Smart Art, $982.95, written by Franklin Head: This request provides 2 computers & complementary software for CJHS art students. This up-to-date technology enhances student production of drawings, painting, prints, sculpture, and media-generated art. Tech Spec, $3,515.70, Franklin Head and Glen Kocurek: The CJHS Technology Dept. receives 2 new computer main board combos & software. This much-needed equipment will be used in the transportation, communications, & manufacturing areas of instruction. “Once upon a time…” $915.00, written by Lynda Johnson: Jeannine Pasini Beekman, past president of the Houston Storytellers Guild & the Tejas Storytelling Association, practices traditional storytelling—which stimulates imagination & creativity. CJHS students will be entertained with her stories while becoming aware of literary genres & various cultures that have contributed to this age-old tradition. She will follow up with 2 small group writing workshops.
No Teacher Left Behind—Part II, $4,272.00, written by Teresa Dennard and Dannett Hooker: To become current with the latest trends in technology use in all types of classrooms, 6 junior high teachers will attend the Tx Computer Education Association Conference in Austin.
Oral Reading Made Easy! $1,100.00, written by Kim Griffith and Petra Hagen: Twenty-two site licenses for Microsoft Office XP assist all 7th grade math students with oral & visual test taking. The majority of math material is presented in story problems. This specialized software enables each class to both see and hear mathematics questions on their computers—a helpful teaching tool for all students and a significant asset to those with reading difficulties.
YES! Math Can Be Fun! $780.00, Kim Griffith and Petra Hagen: Instructional software, educational videos, & a subscription to BrainPOP—an interactive website—enhance the learning of every 7th grade math student.
Five Stars for ENCORE!! $3,500.00, written by Staci Davis: After studying 5 classic short stories, all junior high students will see a professionally staged performance enhanced by period costumes, sets, lighting, and sound effects.
Congratulations to these teachers who won grants
from the CISD Education Foundation.
Carthage High School won 10 grants for $26,004.56.
Smart Music with SmartMusic, $4,724.87, written by Paul Nájera, A computer-based practice system enables students to become better faster & makes practice fun. With accompaniments for more than 30,000 titles, challenging exercises, & the ability to record personal CDs, SmartMusic develops confidence & encourages advancement. Show-Stopping Slideshows, $994.95, written by Bud Worley: CHS students will create slideshows with the most updated software & techniques used today. The slideshows enhance students’ vision of how information may be presented and will be viewed on the CHS Website.
Open Your Heart to a Scientific World, $4,936.00, written by Joyce Oliver: This grant funds a field trip for AP Biology, Anatomy & Physiology students to the Houston Medical Center, Harris County Forensic Lab, Museum of Natural History, & Galveston Bay. Students will observe open-heart surgery, forensic evidence, hospital procedures, & collect and classify organisms in the bay.
No Science Teacher Left Behind, $1,829.50, written by Nola Manis: Eight CHS and CJHS teachers will attend a science teacher conference (CAST) in Wichita Falls to learn about the latest ideas & innovations for their classrooms.
The Art of Photography, $5,000.00, written by Annette Johnson and Millie Wilkie: Advanced art and photojournalism students will share the latest technology to skillfully create artwork using photography & electronic media.
Digital Distribution, $993.12, written by Donnie Pitchford: Video Technology and Advanced Broadcast Journalism students will design and produce attractive and informative fully-packaged CDs & DVDs for the public with this special printing system, software, & supplies.
Moments in Time, $975.00, written by Velda Molitor, “Seeing is believing.” This grant funds a digital camcorder to record student speeches. Students will grow in their ability to communicate effectively & confidently as they study their performances and see themselves improving each time.
CAMT—Conference for the Advancement of Math Teachers, $3,468.92, written by Art Horton: The CHS math department will attend this outstanding math conference in Houston to learn successful new strategies to maximize effective classroom instruction. Algebra Camp, $1,600.00, Art Horton: This grant funds an effective one-week, twenty-hour summer math camp, which has doubled in size since its inception.
The Visual Experience, $1,482.20, written by Millie Wilkie: This grant provides valuable resource materials for CHS art students to deepen comprehension of artistic techniques, art production and criticism, and world cultures. Advanced art students will tour the Dallas Museum of Art.