Focus on Funding

1. 2013 Grant Evaluations Focus on Funding

2. Apple TV: The New Smart BoardTM Primary Campus Collaboration • Apple TV is an inexpensive alternative to interactive white boards that are costly and obsolete. • App developers continuously update their programs that are provided free and teachers are not using outdated material. • Teachers who have been reluctant to use technology will use Apple TV because, once installed, it’s as simple as pairing a device to Bluetooth.

3. Nabi2 – 21st Century Tablet for Kids! TM Primary – 1st grade Lisa Skoruppa, Shannon Clubb • The Nabi table is designed for kids with kid-friendly features, is easy to use, and indestructible. • The tablets help students who need re-teaching and those who need additional challenges. • They are useful in small groups of 5-6 students and can be a good behavioral incentive.

4. Pro 3 & LabQuest 2 Advanced Biology PackageTM High School Celina Vargas, Kimberly Waddle • Technology equipment that enhances the lab component of science learning. • The Pro 3 probe and interface set greatly enhances biology experiments required by the College Board. • The technology reduces experimental errors of data collection allowing students to sample and calculate without as much guess work.

5. Bilingual Students Learning Through TechnologyIntermediate – 4th; Primary – KindergartenMarylu Valdez and Maria Castro • Laptop and document camera to access interactive websites such as Aha Math! and Aha Science! to teach bilingual students. • Goal is to use technology to engage bilingual students and help them visualize and understand the lesson. • Through Aha Science! students learned about electricity circuits, conductors and insulators via videos and interactive on-line lessons.

6. Scientific MindsTM Intermediate – 4th and 5thRobbie Mumford, Brenda Cameron, Rachel Salinas • A site-license for a research-based on-line science instruction program. • This science enrichment program has resulted in increased interaction among students and teachers, increased student understanding of up-to-date science concepts. • The vocabulary lessons developed a better understanding of scientific standards and were correlated to the STAAR questions. The vivid visuals attract and inspire minds. • We have never seen such a program designed to reach absolutely every type of learner. We are excited to see how it improves our test scores.

7. Constructing Knowledge with GizmosTM High School Physics/IPC – John Maltais • This on-line subscription to “Gizmos” offers computer simulations of physics concepts that are difficult to represent in the classroom lab. • The primary goal is to assist students in understanding relationships that apply to their physical surroundings. • Students are able to control the on-line environment which allows them to make connections between variables and their measurements. They have the ability to change variables and directly observe the results of those changes.

8. Playing to WinTM Primary – 3rdLaura Garcia, Michelle Reeves • Nabi tablets designed for children 10 and younger. • The goal is to reinforce math concepts and skills. With the tablets, we do not have to redirect as many students during TIER time so that teachers can focus attention on the student needing help. • This technology allows the teacher to customize all tablets from her desktop saving time and ensuring all tablets appear the same to each user. • We have seen some students who were not interested in math have a stronger urge to be engaged. We have also seen student overall grasp of math concepts improve.

9. iAdventureTM Primary – KindergartenTammy Rollins, Gina Moore, Sherry Schwirtlich, Emily Guzman • iPads used to enhance reading instruction. • Students are able to independently take Accelerated Reading tests. They are excited to use the iPads and it has encouraged them to reach their reading goals.

10. Science in the MoviesTM Intermediate – 5th Robbie Mumford, Tammy Smith, Brenda Cameron, Sheila Jenkins, Veronica Gonzalez, Vicki Gallimore • An on-campus field trip that demonstrated physical science concepts using movie stunts and special effects performed by a former Hollywood stunt man. • Students who saw the presentation scored up to as much as 33% higher on standardized tests for science. • Student curiosity about why and how things work was related back to the classroom lessons. • Referencing this assembly in discussing and reviewing skills gave visuals in students’ minds. • The students were intrigued and sparked with enthusiasm like we had never witnessed before.

11. Science in the MoviesTM Intermediate – 5th Robbie Mumford, Tammy Smith, Brenda Cameron, Sheila Jenkins, Veronica Gonzalez, Vicki Gallimore

12. Troupe d’Jour – Artists in ResidencyDistrict wide Grant • Workshops engaged students through theater games, arts integration and kinesthetic movement. • Provided concentrated instruction for students at each campus and professional development for teachers. • Teachers appreciated learning new, innovative methods of instruction without having to attend a workshop off-campus. Every method we saw, at every level, is employable immediately with real kids in real classes.

13. Troupe d’Jour – Artists in ResidencyDistrict wide Grant • Middle School, Angela Steagall, librarian My favorite day was when they taught the kids how to write a rough draft paper in less than five minutes. I was amazed. It involved 60 seconds for discussion, 30 for writing, 30 for organizing, 60 for filling in details and time to edit. This will be helpful in the future when they have to write 3 essays in 2 hours for AP tests. • We appreciate everything the foundation does for teachers and students at TM. We applaud their vision in fostering the creativity of our classroom teachers. Thank you!

14. Troupe d’Jour – Artists in ResidencyDistrict wide Grant