A study group comprised of new and veteran elementary teachers will meet throughout the year to identify and implement best instructional practices in reading.  The teachers will analyze student work, monitor achievement, discuss professional readings, and ... more »

Ms. Weed and Ms. Castronovo’s study group will focus on creating, implementing, and evaluating vocabulary lesson plans to accompany story book read alouds used in science, social studies, and language arts curricula.The group will also create vocabulary lesson ... more »

This action research project will investigate ways of developing a general music program that provides building blocks of skillful jazz improvisation in young students.The project will consist of a qualitative study of teacher practices and high school jazz musician ... more »

In order to better understand math pedagogy, critical/foundational skills in mathematic interventions, and to increase her and her team's knowledge of primary mathematics content, Mrs. Gault will attend monthly meetings of the Math Leadership Support Network.Ideas, ... more »

Mrs. Wiggins and Mrs. Larkin will enhance the district's literacy professional development plan by facilitating DVD/book studies for teachers, classroom aides, and administrators.This professional development will revolve around learning more about the ... more »

Mr. Davenport, Ms. Abbs and their team will conduct an action research project to compile strategies for teaching elementary mathematics.  After Mr. Davenport and his team accumulate their best practices, they will travel to schools with proven mathematics ... more »

After receiving training in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), Mrs. Robertson will provide minimum two-day, in-house trainings, and follow-up workshops to interested staff.Students to receive NMT will be identified, and the music therapists will follow through with ... more »

Teachers at Tara Hills Elementary will create a professional learning community to increase engaged, effective student learning by participating in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards'

process.They will improve their teaching practice in ... more »

Ms. Jimenez will attend the

training offered by Thinking Maps, Inc.Three-day follow-up sessions will continue beyond the training that will address questions and concerns regarding implementation of the strategy.Upon full completion of the ... more »

Language arts students at Marquette Elementary will increase their written expression skills by participating in

.  This school-wide spelling program will offer students the opportunity to work at their instructional levels.  ... more »

To develop a vision for the future, Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. Hembree's classes will participate in multi-dimensional instruction including field trips, guest speakers, hands-on activities, and literature experiences to explore career opportunities and life ... more »

Fourth grade teachers at Northwood Intermediate School will collaborate to create learning stations for all fourth grade students.  These stations will be specifically created to engage and capture the attention of the students in targeted areas of weakness in ... more »

At-risk and special education students will take a leadership role in Mrs. Mattson and Mr. Fleming's Giants Go Green recycling project.  Using critical thinking and problem-solving skills, at-risk high school students will work cooperatively with elementary ... more »

Ms. Gorden and Mrs. Ireland will implement a hands-on, discovery-based curriculum in kindergarten and first grade.  Using Montessori math, language, science, and social studies materials, students and teachers will work collaboratively with a fundamental focus ... more »

In order to strengthen and improve proficiency for students who need practice in explicit reading skills, students will use a computer based supplemental literacy program, Lexia Reading.  By providing explicit, systematic, and structured practice in phonics, ... more »

In order to improve achievement in language arts learners, first through fifth grade teachers will incorporate testing skills into grade level specific “Coach Books.”  The materials will give teachers and students useful information to use in ... more »

Second and fourth grade students will take part in a pilot program where iPods will be used to support the writing process.  Audio and visual prompts on the iPods will inspire students to write about new ideas.  Students will then have the opportunity to ... more »

Through the implementation of technologically enhanced workstations, first grade students will use instructional materials to explore and expand their literacy by engaging in standards-based activities that develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.  ... more »

Teachers and staff at Edgar Elementary School will participate in a four day intensive training, “Reaching All by Creating Learning Communities.” Participants will use the knowledge gained from the workshop to assure the healthy development of every child ... more »

Mrs. Messina will participate in the PBS TeacherLine/ISTE Certificate Program to create an understanding of the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards and incorporate them into the development of electronic portfolios. Realizing the importance of electronic ... more »

To improve her science and math instruction and increase differentiation through 21st century skills, Mrs. Bakken will attend the National Educational Computing Conference. Mrs. Bakken will share her learning by providing professional developmental for faculty and ... more »

Building on a professional development plan to decrease student referrals and learn how to build positive relationships with students, Mrs. Redmon will attend the Jim Fay Love and Logic Conference. While attending, she will learn classroom discipline strategies that ... more »

Realizing that for a student to be academically successful his or her emotional needs must be met, staff at Joseph P. Manning will create a school-wide community through the Responsive Classroom method. The teacher leaders participating in the group will delve deeply ... more »

In order to improve the English Language proficiency of low and mid-level English language learners, Mr. Donathan will incorporate Rosetta Stone software into classroom instruction. The program will enable Mr. Donathan to integrate technology and differentiate ... more »

Ms. Sullivan will attend the National Education Computing Conference in order to understand better the use of podcasting and digital storytelling as tools to engage English language learners. After attending the conference, Ms. Sullivan will prepare and present ... more »

Mrs. Semrad and Mrs. Woodburn will introduce the “King Green Team” with the purpose of educating students, staff, and community about sustainability. A multi-grade outdoor classroom will be constructed, allowing students to learn to connect with ecological ... more »

Title 1 Reading and Math students, with 20 gifted students as peer tutors, will gain skills in reading, writing, and measurement. Literature will challenge them to learn math measurements needed for myriad careers. Utilizing this measurement information, students will ... more »

Through the implementation of “Go Green,” Ms. Taub and Mrs. Tanis will allow their students to create a magazine focusing on green topics. “Go Green” will present students the opportunity to use their burgeoning skills as researchers, writers, ... more »

Ms. Jaskolski and Dr. Anderson will implement an action research fellowship to introduce teachers to the power of systematic reflection on their practice.  The fellowship will focus on commitment, design, sense of experience, creation of new questions, and ... more »

Ms. Mildren and a team of colleagues will work collaboratively to create literacy rich activities using leveled text and literacy-based software.  The project will help students with special needs access and meaningfully participate in the curriculum through ... more »

Mrs. Castillo will attend a workshop at the Lindamood Bell organization which specializes in teacher/clinician training in the areas of diagnostic assessment and intervention.  Upon completion of the workshop, Mrs. Castillo will be able to accurately diagnose a ... more »

Ms. Conrad will attend the Mazza Institute Conference where renowned children’s illustrators will speak about their work.  Attending the conference will enable Ms. Conrad to understand better visual literacy as it applies to elementary-aged students.

Ms. Wright will attend the Space Discovery Institute, a two-week program sponsored by the United States Space Foundation.  The immersion program will integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics principles into course work that connects robotics, ... more »

A study group will administer literacy assessments, videotape classroom interactions, conduct semi-structured interviews, and meet to discuss student work and professional literature in order to understand and improve the performance of struggling students at The ... more »

To prepare for the upcoming addition of social studies to state standardized tests, Ms. Ham and Mr. Hendrick will begin “This Old Pioneer School.”  The program will allow them to work with a master history teacher, partner with a living history ... more »

To address the influx of English language learners in Miami-Dade County, teachers will implement the professional development program “English Language Learners: Culture, Equity & Language.”  Teachers trained in the module will deliver the course to ... more »

Staff at Rolling Hills Elementary School will take part in technology-driven professional development as a means to enhance traditional lessons.  The year-long, bimonthly trainings will help technology reluctant teachers feel at ease incorporating multimedia ... more »

Ms. Leuthold and colleagues will implement a group lesson study to increase their effectiveness in improving student achievement in reading.  Participants will monitor student progress to identify and support students for whom traditional instruction is not ... more »

In an effort to raise state assessment scores among minority students in the area of science, Ms. Franco and partners will collaborate with teachers on a weekly basis to assist them in aligning their instructions to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. ... more »

In order to improve student achievement in writing and help students gain a genuine pride in their written work, second graders will explore the world of authors in a unit titled “I’m an Author!”  Each class will produce a book on a theme to be ... more »

Mr. Gerig and Mr. Nazarian will implement the “Climbing For Success” rock climbing program in physical education classes.  Combating childhood obesity with the integration of math and science, the physical aspect of rock climbing will focus on four ... more »

Mrs. Deutsch and Ms. Backus will conduct a multidisciplinary lesson that will stress the importance of regularly participating in physical activity.  Students will also study the geometry of their favorite sports and create a PowerPoint presentation to share with ... more »

Using Smartmusic software, students will explore the complex world of rhythm, allowing them to uncover its mathematical complexities.  After becoming proficient with various rhythmic ideas and gaining a broad understanding of the role that math plays in music, ... more »

Based on real-world experiences, the Nate Mack “Micro Society Project” will focus students’ critical thinking skills through exploring banking, gardening, and postal services.  Students will oversee and facilitate a functional bank, garden, and ... more »

Using video cameras, Mrs. Agueros and colleagues will implement “Flip the Classroom!”  This unique literacy activity will enable teachers to quickly record an event for projection in class, get input from students on captions and descriptions, and ... more »

In order to increase students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills, Ms. Ouimette and Ms. Gotting will create a parent resource room.  The resource room will provide parents with educational games and materials for use in small group student ... more »

Ms. Rocchetti and a team of educators will team with Turning the Page, a local education foundation, to implement the “Literacy Through Photography” program.  Students will be provided with cameras in order to document the people and communities that ... more »

Ms. Comargo and Ms. Roque will conduct an interdisciplinary lesson that will educate second grade students about animal characteristics, habitats, and life cycles.  Students will conduct research through multiple visits to the zoo, after which they will write ... more »