Mr. Howell, Ms. Quaak, and an interdisciplinary team of educators form a study group to obtain a deeper understanding of Web 2.0 technology and develop methods to incorporate these emerging technologies into the district’s curriculum. Participants investigate ... more »

In response to existing achievement gaps and in anticipation of Maryland’s new diploma requirements, Mr. Heller and his colleagues conduct action research examining the effectiveness of computer-based review games. Applying knowledge Mr. Heller gains from ... more »

By attending workshops at the Kagan Summer Academy, Ms. Taylor sharpens her knowledge of contemporary mathematics techniques and strives to make mathematics a successful learning experience for her students. Through peer interaction and presentations, Ms. Taylor ... more »

To ensure a consistent level of teaching excellence, Ms. Hines and Ms. Bobadilla form a study group around best practices for AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teachers. The group members create videos of outstanding instruction in listening, ... more »

To increase the achievement of her diverse orchestra students, Ms. Willis attends the Ohio State University String Teacher Workshop. At this workshop, she studies with internationally renowned string clinicians to learn to incorporate nonverbal modes of instruction, ... more »

To increase students’ understanding and motivation in mathematics, Ms. Greif and Ms. Joines integrate technology into their algebra classes. Students choose a mathematical topic, videotape themselves demonstrating an activity that illustrates the topic, and ... more »

To help students prepare for post-secondary education and see the relevancy of mathematics in the real world, Dr. Caron and Ms. Watkins implement an integrated honors pre-calculus and AP physics course that teaches mathematics concepts within the context of college ... more »

Ms. Brandenburg and Ms. Condon implement a nutrition project to help their mentally disabled students become more self-sufficient and to aid the students’ transition to independent living. Students study the food pyramid and assemble menus of balanced meals. ... more »

Students in Ms. Reyers’s and Ms. Walthorn’s Language Arts classes explore Middle Eastern literature, culture, and traditions. Students choose from selected texts involving Middle Eastern culture, participate in literature circles and Socratic seminars to ... more »

Ms. Taylor and Ms. Laimon implement “Plastics are Forever” to increase students’ awareness of environmental issues and expand science lessons beyond the classroom. Applying critical thinking skills, students examine the importance of non-point source ... more »

The Marinette High School English Department explores the intricacies of the 6+1 Trait writing model by reading, studying videotapes, consulting an expert, discussing strategies, and brainstorming lessons in order to deepen their knowledge and create workable ... more »

The Marinette High School English Department explores the intricacies of the 6+1 Trait writing model by reading, studying videotapes, consulting an expert, discussing strategies, and brainstorming lessons in order to deepen their knowledge and create workable ... more »

Ms. Maslowski spends two months teaching in a secondary school in Moshi, Tanzania to model best practices for teachers there. To provide content on African decolonization for her own school’s curriculum, Ms. Maslowski gathers materials and interviews community ... more »

From the earth to the sky: Real-world math and science

Using a $5,000 Student Achievement Grant received from the NEA Foundation, Luajean Bryan, working with her Walker Valley High School colleagues Eric Swafford and Jenny Borden, created a cross curricular lesson titled ... more »

To explore scientific concepts and develop students’ critical thinking skills, Ms. Jensen and Ms. Blanchard create a forensic science unit. Students investigate the murder of a fictional teacher using physics, biology, and chemistry to determine the ... more »

Students at The Community Schoolhouse, an alternative high school for students who have struggled in a traditional environment, learn to use video equipment to produce a student-driven film festival. To promote integrated learning, students master script writing, ... more »

Ms. Nice and Mr. Kirchner’s students design and construct a solar powered charging station to learn the process and benefits of solar power and how it can be applied to AC power production related to residential wiring in their homes. Students learn about ... more »

Students participating in Ms. Turner and Ms. Scavone’s “Little Hancock on the Prairie” project have the opportunity to work as researchers on an ecological study. Using a prairie environment created on their campus, the urban students identify and ... more »

Students at DeKalb Early College, an early college initiative for high-ability students who have not been successful in traditional high schools, participate in a documentary project to deepen understanding of literary works and historical background. After reading ... more »

With the support of community partners, Ms. Ryder-Burns and Ms. Garcia initiate Virtual Enterprise programs to help prepare their students for work in a real-world business environment. Students learn the daily operations required in running a business from ... more »

Mrs. Vogle will attend a three-day session training program sponsored by MogoMedia. The session will enhance student technology learning at both Richardton High School and Dickinson State University.

To prepare for Lynnfield's inclusion of Italian language courses, Ms. Giacalone will participate in a month long intensive culture and language program in Florence, Italy. The knowledge gained will be shared with colleagues at Lynnfield.

The Bogalusa M.A.G.I.C. (Making Achievement Gains In our Community) team will participate in leadership training opportunities through the Search Institute to build a community of leaders with a clear vision dedicated to building developmental assets and fostering ... more »

Mr. Reichle will represent his science department as a Spanish translator for the school's growing ESL population by attending 25 weeks of intensive immersion Spanish instruction in Guatemala.

Seeking to gain knowledge about IPM, a technique growers use requiring advanced understanding of insect life-cycles and knowledge of pesticides and their environmental impacts, students will collect and analyze data, making recommendations that will be implemented ... more »

"The History for the Thumb Generation" project will motivate students by integrating technology with state standards in a way students will respect and understand. By incorporating technology into the social studies classroom, Mrs. Parrett and Mrs. Sinn will bridge ... more »

The "SMARTT Challenge" will provide collaboration between Career & Technical students and Performing & Visual Arts students. Students will learn about important environmental, energy, and economic issues as they research options and then retrofit a gasoline powered ... more »

Science and social studies students will determine a course of action to reduce the effects of erosion and water runoff on school grounds. Through engagement in service learning, students will also develop and begin implementation of a long-range plan to create ... more »

To improve the classroom participation and engagement of students who are Limited English Proficient, Ms. Lindes and Mr. Comroe will procure a SMART Board to be used in conjunction with current curriculum. The technology will create a more interactive classroom, ... more »

Mrs. Mullins and Mrs. Mantooth will expand the Moo Moo Book Club at Montgomery County High. As they read new books each month, the literacy of students in the club will increase through higher-order thinking and discussion, aligning with national and state standards. ... more »

Social studies students in Golden High School will be directed to groups of documents on the National Archive Records Administration's website from which certain pre-determined questions can be answered. After answering the questions, the students will complete a ... more »

Antwerp PEERS will provide an opportunity for building teacher capacity to integrate technology into all phases of instruction, and into a school-wide plan. The plan will include in-depth professional development for a “core” in-house training team who ... more »

Mrs. Gareau-Kurtz and Ms. Post will establish a teacher resource library. The library will target new teachers and will provide materials for new teacher mentors.

Ms. Buckingham and Ms. LaPage will create school-wide collegial study groups focused on the readings of texts that address instructional improvement within classrooms and across classrooms within the school. There will be a special focus on students who are at the ... more »

Ms. Gulsvig and Ms. Hoffman will design and implement district-wide professional development opportunities to address the growing population of students with autism spectrum disorders. The professional opportunities will focus on developing resources and teaching ... more »

Mr. Davis and Mr. Pata will form a study group to collaborate with automotive and communications engineers to learn the basic science and engineering principles related to an Intelligent Transportation System (ITT). Using this knowledge, the grantees will supervise ... more »

Ms. Forcier and Mr. Pummell will form a collegial study group with other teachers to increase student achievement by improving instruction through the use of quality assessment with the Classroom Performance System (CPS). The collegial study group will address ... more »

By attending the “Teaching with the Brain in Mind” program, Mrs. Marshall will learn instructional strategies that are compatible with brain processes that retain information. Upon completion of the training, strategies will be shared with teachers in the ... more »

Mr. Greene and Ms. Ridge will challenge students to solve a murder mystery using DNA evidence at a simulated crime scene. The eight part laboratory series will foster critical thinking and problem solving in the field of genetics.

In an alternative approach to addressing national and state standards, statistics students will lead freshman science students through a series of mini labs testing consumer products. The lab series is an alternative approach using critical thinking skills to teach ... more »

Project Blue will allow students to investigate carbon cycle global warming issues, generate presentations, conduct experiments, and present findings to their peers as well as outside community organizations.

Understanding the Global Village: Connecting with Entrepreneurs via Microfinance

Shanna Howell was searching for ways to open the “global eyes” of her ninth grade social studies students. Howell, a teacher at Marlboro High School in Marlboro, New Jersey, was ... more »

Lessons and lectures will be recorded as video podcasts by Mr. Bergman and his partners for student use outside of class. With the resulting additional class time, students will have greater opportunity for self-directed laboratories.

The “Healthy Foods Project” will allow students to research and develop their diets by learning about the effects different types of food have on health. Participating students will disseminate their learnings to the general population of students ... more »

The partners will advance the training of the Critical Friends Group (CFG) to improve learning strategies in support of broadening in measurable terms instructional development targeted for the minority learner.

The grantee will participate in professional development activities based on educating students about “ethnic identity.” These activities will result in a set of learning materials to assist students in better understanding ethnic identity through stories. ... more »

The grantees will implement an interdisciplinary collaboration program based on district-learning standards with the goal of developing instructional methodology to improve student performance.

Utilizing the International Baccalaureate (IB), Visual Arts Program, students will create a “personal visual art statement” reflecting their voice and vision which incorporates a portfolio, exhibition and research workbook.

Using the National History Day project model, students will research and then create an interactive display to illustrate specified learning standards for social studies. The project includes student presentations in front of experts in the field.

Students will strengthen their critical thinking skills through conducting research on current social issues that will allow them to distinguish between fact, opinion, bias and stereotypes. The students will also learn key presentation skills, including debate, ... more »