Through “The Art and Philosophy of Magic,” Ms. Morett and her partners introduce their students to the history and practice of magic. Students enjoy a performance by an award-winning magician who introduces students to the concepts, theories, and ... more »

Ms. Peltonen and Ms. Fowler team with parents and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to develop a scientific exploration of animal and plant ecosystems. After studying scientific methodologies and concepts, students travel to a nearby freshwater lake to collect data. ... more »

Ms. Lowe and Ms. Zimmerman introduce their students to the principles of environmental studies and ecology. Students conduct a recycling project and learn about renewable and nonrenewable resources. While learning about ecosystems, students participate in hands-on ... more »

Ms. Becker and Ms. Blanco introduce their students to family life in the 1800s while blending history and technology by creating museum-quality exhibits. Students take trips to local museums to learn about life in the 1800s and how museum displays are constructed. ... more »

Dr. Basu and his partners implement “Urban Pesticides and Ecology of Philadelphia Watersheds” to help their students understand the causes and effects of our living habits on the watershed and wetlands in Philadelphia. Students learn about the impact of ... more »

Collaborating with the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles and the Ventura County Museum of History and Art, Ms. Gonzalez, Ms. Pelayo, and Ms. Reyes use the Bernstein Learning Model—an arts-based school improvement model—to create lesson plans that draw on ... more »

Ms. Dieter and Ms. Hanford implement “Expeditions” to provide high school students with a broader understanding of English, world cultures, fine arts, and physical education. One portion of the program entitled “Around the World in 45 Days” ... more »

Through their project entitled, “Broadcast Communications,” Ms. Whittaker and her partners help students develop and run a school newspaper, an online magazine, television programs, and a school-based radio station. Students design a company logo and ... more »

Ms. Mayer and Ms. Cole develop “Cultural Connections: An Exploration of the Early Cultures of New Mexico” to introduce students to early civilizations and important events that helped to shape New Mexico. Students compare the early civilizations that ... more »

At this comprehensive high school, Ms. Brady and her partners improve the career and technical education curriculum for ninth grade students who are achieving below their potential. Faculty and students conduct joint site visits to career and technical education ... more »

Mr. and Mrs. Bautista implement “Mathematics Roadshow: Algebra On The Go!” to show students potential uses of algebra outside of the classroom. Working in groups, students gather data and relate algebraic functions to science, music, sports, medicine, and ... more »

Mr. Sall and his partners develop an iMovie poetry project to improve student achievement in reading and writing and to introduce students to drama, the visual arts, and technology. Students are exposed to various styles of poetry and write a poem of their own based ... more »

To help alternative education students explore the artistic aspects of photography, Ms. LaMarre and her partners develop a nature photography project that incorporates science, writing, research, and self-exploration. Students are introduced to photography and ... more »

Mr. Miller and his partners help their students understand the roles that various individuals and groups in the rise of Nazi Germany. Students are organized into investigative cadres that act as police detective teams. Each team searches for evidence on individuals ... more »

Ms. Hoeltke and Ms. Sheets develop a claymation project centered around the theme, “A Mission to Mars.” Designed as a collaborative effort between NASA and Purdue University, the project requires students to develop animations that reflect knowledge of ... more »

Ms. DeChristofano and her partners implement “Mars Base 2020: Weather and Worms” to help students understands of the Earth, its relationship to the sun and other planets, and the effect of gravity. Using a biosphere that simulates life in a semi-permanent ... more »

Ms. Bernstein and Ms. Levy develop “Sci-Tech Kids” which provides students with an innovative approach to science. Students select topics for their project and work either independently or in small groups to develop hands-on science museums and ... more »

Through their project, “Exploring Our Nation’s Heritage,” Ms. Goss and her partners instruct students on the founding of our country. Students read and share historical novels, experiment with simple machines used by colonists, and research American ... more »

A renewable energy source in Imperial Valley: understanding geothermal energy
6th grade Mathematics and Science classes

Environmentalists often offer the advice to "act locally, think globally." In teaching their sixth grade students the importance of renewable energy, Seeley ... more »

Mr. Everett and Ms. Robinson investigate how real-time assessment and handheld technology can assist reading instruction. Teachers use handheld computers to record, track, and evaluate students to align curriculum and instruction.

Ms. Brooke attends the Columbia University Teachers’ College Summer Institute to learn best practices for reading and writing instruction. After the institute, Ms. Brooke forms a study group on literacy and writing pedagogy for her colleagues throughout the ... more »

Ms. Voelker and her partners form a lesson study group to help colleagues incorporate interactive materials and activities using the school’s outdoor learning classroom. Focusing on science and mathematics curricula, the participants develop lesson plan ... more »

Dr. Madsen interviews female university presidents, state governors, and chief executive officers to explore how women learned to become effective leaders. After analyzing the data for trends, she uses her findings to prepare her women students for leadership ... more »

Ms. Powell and her partners form a lesson study group to explore differentiated instruction for gifted and talented students. After reviewing literature, participants implement strategies and use student data to modify instruction.

To increase students' literacy skills, Ms. Jerome leads a study group that researches best practices in literacy instruction. Participants implement instructional strategies and analyze student data to determine effective approaches. After the assessment is ... more »

Dr. DeWindt observes and documents instruction to assess how teachers promote character education within their lesson plans and curricula. To provide examples of best practices, Dr. DeWindt videotapes lessons and creates a website to showcase effective instructional ... more »

To provide authentic learning experiences for her students, Ms. Lindsey studies the migration patterns of sea turtles. Ms. Lindsey travels to Costa Rica to observe and discover the turtles’ habits. Upon her return, Ms. Lindsey develops interactive lesson plans ... more »

Dr. Furman travels to Nicaragua to identify key variables for facilitating the development of students’ professional identity. As students participate in social work activities, Dr. Furman conducts interviews with them to ascertain what they learned about ... more »

Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Elliott, and Ms. Sherman study content area reading strategies to enhance the reading skills of their high school students. Each month, participants observe each other’s classroom and analyze reading instruction. The group creates a resource ... more »

Partnering with faculty at Florida Atlantic University, Ms. Roberts leads an action-research study of how drama helps emergent literacy among low-performing students. Participants use dramatic techniques, such as storytellers, to teach writing and collect and ... more »

Dr. Yerrick, Ms. Page, and Dr. Carrillo form a study group, which includes elementary school teachers, to identify pedagogies that engage students in science. The team collaboratively plans and implements science lessons and collects data to measure the outcomes on ... more »

To enhance text book study of Alabama history, Ms. Wilbourne travels to museums and universities to research the state’s early history. She uses this research to create an interactive supplemental text that includes biographies, photographs, and activities ... more »

Ms. Simon leads a study group, which includes middle school teachers and university professors, on culturally relevant pedagogy. Participants develop action-research that explores how cultural situations influence student learning in and outside of the classroom. ... more »

To improve their students’ environmental science skills, Ms. Rudd and Ms. Varras design research projects on a local site that is the center of controversy between environmentalists and developers. Students conduct research on a local community problem that ... more »

Mr. Godoy-Gonzalez, Mr. Graham, and Ms. Ortega engage students in hands-on science activities through “Forensic Science: Sherlock Holmes Meets CSI.” Students develop problem-solving skills as they learn technologies and techniques for investigating and ... more »

Mr. Barilleau, Ms. Docter-Richardson, and Mr. Ellis implement “Musical Markers of the African Diaspora,” a cross-curricular project that explores music traditions that reflect African heritage. Students learn about jazz traditions in African, Caribbean, ... more »

To give their students hands-on experience with botany, Ms. Walck and Ms. James help students build a school greenhouse. Students use the greenhouse to investigate plant growth and artificial plant propagation.

Ms. Tyvand and her partners implement “Alternative Energy Project” to develop their ninth- and tenth-grade students’ understanding of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Students examine the economic, environmental, political, social, and ... more »

Ms. Pfeiffer and Mr. Falk give their students real-world agricultural experiences through several production farming projects. Students learn techniques for selecting, feeding, and raising livestock. In addition, students develop forest management techniques as they ... more »

Ms. Rouleau, Mr. Knutson, and Ms. Zakula implement “Creative Expression Course,” a curriculum that encourages their at-risk students to express themselves through music, drama, dance, visual arts, and poetry. Students study poetry, combine prose and ... more »

Ms. Geiersbach and Ms. Letter use quilting to enhance their students’ mathematics and social studies skills. Students read literature to understand the historical significance of quilting. Using pattern blocks, students compare and categorize shapes to design ... more »

Through “Quality Learning: Community and Environment through Quality Food,” Ms. Burgess and her partners convert school land into grazing pastures to provide an meaningful learning experiences for their at-risk students. Students research grazing ... more »

To connect learning to life experiences and integrate all content areas, Ms. McGinn, Ms. DiPietro, and Ms. Levine develop an opera program for their students. After forming their own opera production company, students apply for jobs, such as set designers and ... more »

Collaborating with the University of Louisiana, Ms. Roberts and Ms. McKinley use a horticulture project to increase the mathematics and science skills of their at-risk students. Students participate in workshops that are led by university professors and local ... more »

Working with an artist, students study wire-sculpting techniques to create their own sculpture. After visiting local art museums and businesses, students work in groups to learn engineering principles for building permanent wire sculptures for their school. Students ... more »

Ms. Little, Ms. McWhorter, and Ms. Sparks collaborate with a local nursing home to implement a service learning project that enhances skills across disciplines. Each month, students read books to the residents. Students also write to and create poetry and crafts for ... more »

To enhance the literacy and science skills of their sixth- and seventh-grade students, Ms. Stenger and Ms. Turner design a collaborative school garden project. Students read a story about an urban garden that instills hope and community, and then create books and ... more »

To create an outdoor learning experience for their students as well as rebuild their school landscape in the wake of a tornado, Ms. Turner and Ms. Renn construct outdoor learning centers. Students plant a pioneer garden to explore the early settlers’ survival ... more »

Mr. Rice and Ms. Chern develop “Mapping the Kona Coast” to introduce their students to local Hawaiian religious, cultural, and linguistic sites. Students visit sites, such as burial grounds and migration trails, and use global positioning technologies to ... more »